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THE FAMILY
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The Squadron Mission Control Center (MCC) functions 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. It tracks the progress of missions and can give you estimated return times. In case of an emergency, they can forward a message to a spouse anywhere in the world through AMC's command and control system. The number to the MCC is 677-3600. Please feel free to call anytime. If there is an emergency, the Commander, Acting Commander, or First Sergeant, can be reached 24-hours a day through the MCC. They are here to help in any way possible. In fact, even if the problem is not an emergency, they can help you find any assistance you need. The bottom line is simply that you should not hesitate to call for help! Finally, take advantage of the many activities available in and around Delaware, such as summer beaches, winter skiing, boating, fishing, hunting, and shopping. Washington D.C., Philadelphia, and New York City are all within easy reach. Take the opportunity to "hop" on some of our overseas missions and see the world! The 9th considers itself a family. You and your family are certainly welcome additions. The Pelican Team
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First and foremost, the Air Force community is an integral part of the Dover community. They welcome us with open arms! No lines are drawn between the civilian population and the base, and Dover is as proud of the base as we are. This feeling spills over in many ways, and you will experience it everywhere dealing with local businesses, enrolling your children in school, joining a civilian organization, or attending a local event. The public school districts, though great rivals, are all excellent. The teachers are dedicated and the schools provide a wide variety of special programs. There are also several wonderful preschool programs to choose from. If you decide to live off-base, you will find many fine neighborhoods that make newcomers feel right at home and provide instant sources of friends and fun. Besides your neighbors next door, you will be able to rub elbows with some other fascinating people. Dover is the capital of Delaware, so the Governor lives just down the street. The house is open to the public for tours, and the gardens are for everyone to enjoy. There are parties that everyone is invited to, an open house at Halloween, an Easter egg hunt, and Old Dover Days in May, when colonial Delaware reappears. Surrounding us here in Kent County is another group of wonderful neighbors, the Amish. You will see their buggies clopping down your street. They work in a variety of ways around Dover, as builders, carpenters, and cabinetmakers. You can visit the quilt shop, greenhouse, or butcher shop, which they operate west of town. Many of their products are sold at Spence's Bazaar downtown, which is an event you shouldn't miss. Open Tuesday and Friday, it is a combination farmers market, flea market, and auction. Throughout this booklet, you will find lists of places to go and experiences to have while you are stationed here. Delaware is most famous for its historical charm and beaches, but it is also a wonderful location to all sorts of adventures. Philadelphia is just up the road, or you can head west to the Chesapeake Bay and Baltimore, with its wonderful Inner Harbor and Aquarium. Washington D.C.'s new metro system makes it a snap to visit regularly. You can leave your car and hop on the train at the New Carrollton Station (just off the beltway on Route 50), to go just about anywhere in the city. You can also leave your car at the Wilmington Amtrak Station and be in New York City's Penn Station in an hour and a half. Pick up one of the big city newspapers occasionally to see what's going on! Best of all, take the opportunity to hop on a C-5 with your family and vacation to Europe at a very reasonable price!
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Air Force friendships are usually torn apart by assignment changes. It is important to remember that you can have more than one friend. We are all in the same situation here. We've all had to leave our friends or have been left behind when those friends got orders. Developing new relationships with people at your new home is a challenge. We talked to several spouses about how they made friends here. Their answers were refreshing, surprising, and innovative. One of the most frequently mentioned ideas was using the Family Support Center. Stop by when you arrive to find out more about the area and to get any questions answered about the community and its services. The group or squadron your spouse is assigned to is the primary source for new friends. Make sure you attend the monthly coffee or luncheon when you first arrive. Contact the commander’s secretary to find out the date and time of the next event. It will give you a feel for the group and you might just make some wonderful and fulfilling friendships from the very first activity you attend. It happens all the time. You have a lot in common with the other spouses and it helps to share your feelings with someone who understands the situation. Once you have become a bit more familiar with the base and the local area, you can begin to venture out and introduce yourself to the community. One of the ways you can reach out to develop friendships is by getting involved with your children's schools. The PTA is always looking for volunteers. There are also youth groups and athletic programs. One of the best ways to take advantage of free time is by doing something
for you. The base gym has a nautilus room for men and women. They offer
several types of classes in aerobics, body conditioning, yoga, etc. Check
with the fitness center at 677-3963 to find out the latest class schedule.
There are also racquetball courts available almost any time of the day.
It also boasts a separate women's dressing room with a sauna. This is
important not only for meeting people with similar interests, but also
for improving your own outlook through exercise. The YMCA, 1137 S. State
Street, 674-3000, has an indoor swimming pool and offers classes in aerobics,
swimming, and body conditioning to their members. Don't forget your neighbors! No matter where you live, you will have neighbors, whether they are a few feet or a few miles away. Just by walking the dog, working on your yard, or going outside with your children, you can let the neighbors know you exist. This is harder to do in the winter but in the spring and summer, go on out and be sociable. Be the first to say "hi," since people don't want to bother the new folks who are getting settled. If you are lucky enough to have kids with no fear of the unknown, they may make themselves known to the neighbors before you do. When you see them telling everyone the little intimacies of your life, walk up and join them. Kids are great little icebreakers! After you've made friends and are starting to be the old people on the block, think about the families who are just arriving. If you have some extra food in your refrigerator, invite someone over for a spur of the moment luncheon. Definitely make sure that the new spouses are called and invited to go to the next coffee or luncheon. Don't expect somebody else to call them, take the initiative. Too many invitations are better than none at all. Keep your address book and squadron roster up to date (in pencil!). Make an effort to keep in touch with friends who leave. You might just want to do a hospitality check while driving across the country. It's a lot more fun to stay with friends during long drives than just stop at motels. Growing friends is like tending a garden. Don't overpower it with too much, too fast. Till it lovingly and let it grow at its own pace. The flowering of a new friendship can and will last forever.
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Rule #l - If something is going to go wrong, it will happen while your spouse is TDY. It's an amazing wonder of nature that the most aggravating, troublesome occurrences in your household will happen when your spouse is flying. An eight months pregnant wife in our squadron dropped a can of soup on her toe one night and couldn't bend over long enough to stop the bleeding. Luckily, her next-door neighbor was home to help. Rule #2 - Get to know your closest neighbors really well. A few days later, that same pregnant woman was ordered to go on complete bed rest at home. Naturally, her husband was flying when she received a frantic collect phone call from Patsy, whose husband had already been alerted for a trip and left the house. Poor Patsy had driven to Baltimore to pick up her mother at the airport. With three small children in the back, the car had broken down at a rest stop. Rule #3 - Belong to an emergency auto club, like AAA, and put the information on how to use it in all of your cars. Well, she did have AAA but couldn't tell the woman on the phone where she was so they could help. Rule #4 - Always keep maps in the car and know how to read them. So there she was at the phone booth with no change and no telephone credit card. Can you figure out Rule #5? The friend would normally have dropped everything and driven out to pick them all up, but couldn't since she was supposed to be in bed. So she did the first thing that most of us do when we need help, called the squadron. They finally got Patsy's husband back from Base Ops to come and rescue his entire family plus the mother-in-law who was waiting to be picked up at the airport. To top it off, dirty battery cables were the cause of her car trouble. Patsy is better prepared for little emergencies now. In fact, she even took a basic car care course at Firestone.
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- Theme from "Cheers" Most of the people in the squadron meet each other at the monthly functions. Rather than having to rely on individuals to host parties, we pay into the party fund and have regular get-togethers. Parties require involvement, togetherness, cooperation, conversation, enjoyment, planning, and, of course, money. They enhance friendships; allow for new acquaintances; result in fun, relaxing moments, and memorable conversations ("there I was..."). It's a part of being associated with the Air Force. However, no one will force you to participate. We don't continually plan parties merely to control your social life. The purpose is to foster camaraderie, not only for the one in the Air Force, but also for the spouse. There are three ways to party; give one, go to one, and/or plan one. Most of us would rather go to one but somebody has to have it. Planning a party can be more fun than the party itself. As Snoopy said of the Daisy Hill Puppy Farm reunion, "The anticipation far exceeded the actual event." Those of you whose husbands become Party Fund Representatives should realize that the wife is always the REAL Party Fund Representative. Remember that no matter how hard you work on the party someone will complain! Rule #6: Don't complain about any social activity if you didn't work on it. When organizing your function, remember a date is a very important consideration. (Note: A calendar date. In fact, a date would be in very poor taste if your spouse is TDY.) Try to keep up on upcoming events, like inspections, so you don't pick the absolute worst day for everyone. On the other hand, no matter what day you pick, it will be the absolute worst day for somebody. The more the merrier: What draws them in is a gimmick? Theme parties can be very successful when all of the elements come together. One such event was the OWC Sock Hop (May 87), which had costumes, skits, music, and contests. The different squadrons put together skits and those that weren't in them came to see those who were. It was a hit with everyone that attended and most people seemed to think it was the combination of atmosphere and activities that made it work.
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Dover has a Newcomers Club that is perfect for those who want to get to know the area. It meets once a month and has a variety of activities, such as crafts and luncheons. It also raises money for an Orthopedic School. Look for scheduled meetings to be announced in the Dover Post newspaper. Having a job away from the base is one way to meet the locals. A wife who was a teacher got a job with the Highway Safety Office. She went into elementary schools to give talks on seat belts, showed films, and then gave a quiz to the students. Children usually get their mothers involved with school functions where they will meet other mothers. Some mothers volunteer in their children's classrooms, help run booths at school fairs, and work with the Boy and/or Girl Scouts. These things are enough to keep anybody busy in the community. Some new families enroll their kids in sports through the Dover Air Force Base Youth Center, Kent County Parks and Recreation Department, or the YMCA. This is another great opportunity to meet new people. Another wife joined a local church and found it an excellent means to learn about the people in the community. She participated in "Community Singers," which puts on Christmas and spring musicals, such as "Hello, Dolly" and "The Music Man." Go back to school at Delaware State or Wesley College. Not only can you finish your education but it is also a great chance to meet people of all ages and all backgrounds. There are many varied degrees and classes offered on base, too! Call the Education Office for more information. Beta Sigma Phi is an organization to help women in growth. They've held their own writing contests and worked on Heart Association and Cancer Society fund drives. The League of Women Voters is always looking for potential members. They meet once a month and it is usually announced in the Dover Post, along with AAUW meetings. Perhaps one of the best ways to get to know a new community is to find a paid or volunteer job promoting things in the area. Yet another wife managed to get her first paying job in journalism at the advertising department of the daily newspaper. Writing positive stories about interesting things in Dover and the surrounding towns was an excellent way to appreciate the people and activities here. You can become involved in Old Dover Days, which is held the first weekend in May. It's a great way to learn about local history and meet people. Base Public Affairs is usually involved in big festivals or other activities in Dover and can probably tell you who to contact if you would like to volunteer for some of them. The Delaware 4-H groups are always looking for adult volunteers. There are 15,000 kids involved throughout the state. They have agricultural activities, of course, but they are also doing things like photography, computers, gardening and home beautification. If you have any skills that might be needed by the group, call the Cooperative Extension Office in Kent County.
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Health and Wellness Center Health & Wellness Programs Tobacco Cessation – Quitting tobacco use may be one of the hardest things you’ll ever do; fortunately you don’t have to do it alone. This is an 8-week course, designed to help you quit tobacco products. Sensible Weigh – A lifestyle change program aimed at achieving optimal weight and fitness of military members. It is a scientifically based protocol designed to facilitate weight loss and maintenance. This is an ideal program to support the AF Weight and Body Fat Management Program. Building Healthy Bodies – A class that promotes healthy eating habits and fitness for military members, retired members, and dependents (ages 18 or older). Bodyfat Taping – This is a courtesy body fat taping along with our mandatory taping. Strength Training 101 – Learn the basics of how to use strength-training equipment. Cardiovascular Training – Introduction on how to exercise using the FITT (Frequency, Intensity, Type, Time) principle and an orientation on how to use various pieces of cardiovascular equipment. Asthma Education – Learn how to live with asthma. Causes of this disease, exercise and other relevant topics are covered. Physician referral and pre-registration required. Diabetes Education – Learn how to live with diabetes. Diabetes nutrition and other topics are covered in this 3-hour information packed class. Physician referral and pre-registration required. Healthy Heart Class – Reduce your risks of heart disease through proper nutrition and lifestyle changes. This 2-hour class covers it all. Stress Management – Learn how to manage everyday stress that affects us all.
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We talked to psychologists at the Life Skills Support Center of the Dover AFB Clinic, and they gave us some information and suggestions. It's been proven that early intervention is often the most effective means of dealing with stress and other types of emotional upheaval. Unfortunately, it's also been found that military families put off the decision to seek mental health assistance out of ignorance of the kinds of services available or how to find those sources. Many people would not hesitate to search out help for a physical ailment but might be reluctant to explore the option of psychological help. One of the major reasons may be the misplaced concern that there will be repercussions to the service member at promotion time, even if it is another family member who is having the problems. Voluntarily seeking the means to better handle personal problems is no longer considered an indication of instability, even for active duty personnel, especially when they ask for help before the problems interfere with the job performance. In the extremely mobile world of the military family, often there isn't anyone nearby who can be a sounding board for our concerns. Although mental health assistance is not, by any means, the answer to all difficulties, it is one of the options and one of your military benefits. There are different types of professionals available: Psychiatrists - Medical doctors who take a specialized residency program in psychiatry. They have backgrounds in both neurology and psychiatry and are experts in the evaluation and treatment of physical problems that may have emotional symptoms. They may prescribe medication. Psychologists - Have a doctoral degree (Ph.D.) in clinical psychology. They have special training in the administration and interpretation of intellectual, vocational, neuropsychological and personality tests. They do not prescribe medication. Social Workers - Have a master's or doctoral degree in clinical social
work and may have a wide range of training and expertise. They are experts
in helping individuals and families cope with circumstances in their
environment. Child, Adolescent and Family Services have child advocacy programs that deal with child abuse. This program also has parenting classes for those who just would like more information about child development, appropriate discipline, and parent-child communication. Families with children who have special needs, such as physical, emotional, or intellectual difficulties, should look into the CHAP (Children Have a Potential) program. It assists in screening children with significant developmental problems and matching the parent's assignment (whenever possible) to the needs of the child. The best way to inform yourself about the options available is to do some research before entering into therapy. Any mental health professional should be willing to answer basic questions about training, approach, and credentials. As in most kinds of health care, an informed consumer who is assertive about asking questions has the best chance of receiving the kind of care we deserve. Early Warning Signs Emotional – the "blah's," little joy, boredom; recreation no longer pleasurable; sad, tearfulness. Anxiety - restless, agitated, insecure; feeling of unworthiness. Irritability - overly sensitive, defensive, arrogant/argumentative, insubordinate/hostile. Mental fatigue - preoccupied; difficulty concentrating; inflexible, forgetful, dull, "spacing out." Overcompensation - exaggeration/grandiose; overworks to exhaustion; denies problems, symptoms; suspicious, paranoid. Behavioral - withdrawal; social isolation; reluctance to accept responsibility; neglecting responsibility. Acting out - alcohol abuse, gambling, spending sprees, promiscuity. Administrative infractions - tardy to work; poor appearance; poor personal hygiene; accident-prone. Legal infractions - indebtedness, shoplifting, traffic tickets, fights, child/spouse abuse. Physical - preoccupation with illness; frequent illness (actually sick); physical exhaustion: use of self-medication. Somatic indicators - headache, insomnia, recurrent awakening, early morning rising; change in appetite; weight gain; weight loss; indigestion, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, sexual difficulties.
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The following is excerpted from "When Life is Too Hot to Handle," by Nancy Rubin, Parents Magazine. Burnout is characterized by "fatigue
or frustration brought about by devotion to Another source of help is Burn-out: How to Beat the High Cost of Success by Herbert Freudenberger, Ph.D. Maintaining close ties as a couple is an invaluable defense for parents against stress created by an individual child's problem or by the lack of support for child rearing. Sidney Weissman, M.D., Director of Training and Education for Department of Psychiatry at Michael Reese Hospital and Medical Center in Chicago, believes there is a critical link between parenting and romantic aspects of marriage that enables some couples to cope with the stress of child rearing better than others. "Both partners have to try to put themselves into the other's shoes," says Dr. Weissman. "The ideal for most adults is to care for their children, obtain some psychological sustenance for themselves from that care taking, and, concurrently, be valued romantically by their spouse." "It's not just a matter of helping out with a few chores around the house, or even sending an exhausted spouse away for the day," Weissman notes. "While that may be useful, it's possible to remain burned out even if your spouse pitches in and does some of the chores. What's more important is that the other partner is supportive, interested, and appreciative of the efforts and energies you've spent on child rearing." Here are a few hints from the article on how to get your spouse's support that we've modified to fit our situation. 1. Encourage your spouse to spend time with your children alone. Find out when crew rest is over. After he or she has slept long enough, say "It's time to strengthen your relationship with your children." This will increase his understanding of their needs and idiosyncrasies. 2. Don't greet your spouse at the door with the day's or week's worth of troubles. To do so when he or she is tired is more likely to provoke anger than stimulate empathy. (Note: Empathy is not pity; it's understanding so intimate that the feelings, thoughts, and motives of one are readily comprehended by the other). Instead, wait until he or she is relaxed and in a receptive mood. This is a better way to let them know you feel overwhelmed. 3. When your spouse is home, make sure that he or she takes responsibility for the children and is not just "doing you a favor" or "baby-sitting." Tell them that they are responsible for seeing that naps are taken, homework is done, something is planned for dinner, etc. 4. Don't lose sight of the fact that parenthood is one aspect of your marriage and not it's whole expression. Set aside time to share with each other. If possible, plan a weekend (or even one evening) away. There are many families here who can be persuaded to keep your children for a while. Make sure you reciprocate for them. 5. Try to have separate discussions on the children and their problems. Don't continually talk about them and nothing else. You need to keep the parental and romantic aspects of your roles with each other distinct.
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The Family Support Center is a fairly new service for Air Force families. Approximately ten years old, the center is the focal point for a full range of resources, programs, and services. There are classes in Parent Effectiveness Training, marriage enrichment, and family development. Counselors are also available on employment for spouses, covering such topics as interviewing techniques and how to use the computer system in the center, which has information on jobs in the area. It serves as a liaison for families with special needs and the community resources they need. There are also seminars on financial management. The Family Support Center forms a triumvirate with the Life Skills Support Center and the Equal Opportunity office. The support center has counselors available that work in areas that affect the family, such as child and spouse abuse. Along with the Youth Center, Family Support is beginning to implement programs for teens focusing on the adjustment problems characteristic of Air Force kids. Family Services uses teen volunteers for its lending closet and relocation information services. The idea is that helping others is a wonderful way to help oneself. Many wives find support through the Officers Wives Club (OWC). For meeting information contact 9th Airlift Squadron Commander’s wife or your spouse's Flight Commander. The OWC performs community services in addition to being a social organization. The Thrift Shop and Calico Closet, run by OWC volunteers is a good place to meet new friends. There is a luncheon every month and six coffees throughout the year. Clubs include needlework, books, bowling, and bridge. You will find lots of activities to keep busy with at the annual sign-up Coffee in September. Another area where spouses are deeply involved is the churches. Grace Presbyterian Church has a Bible study combined from many area churches and a women's group; St. Andrews Lutheran has a young mother's support group. The Base Chapel has a Catholic adult study group and Wesley United Methodist has a young mothers' support group, just to name a few. Many wives said their support came from themselves. This may not be enough to make your life a happy one here. You sometimes have to reach out and make the first move yourself. It will be worth the effort.
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Most families find they need access to a cash machine, especially for those crewmembers that get called for trips with no-notice. There have been calls at midnight saying, "pack enough cash and clothes for 30 days and be here ASAP." You should also have some kind of overdraft protection on your checking account. It can be difficult to keep a balanced checkbook when two people are writing checks in different parts of the world. Even though we don't like to imagine the possibility, we need to plan for our children and ourselves if something were to happen to our spouses. It doesn't make sense for a crewmember to buy life insurance that will not pay off for an aviation death. You usually have to pay an aviation extra premium. On USAA life insurance, for example, those who fly and do not pay the extra premium have an aviation exclusion rider on their policy. The beneficiaries only receive the premiums that have been paid if the insured dies as a result of flying as a crewmember. Another problem is the war clause. Using USAA again as an example, it will not accept applications for life insurance from people stationed in, or with orders to, places like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Israel, Egypt, or Greece. If you've already got your life insurance, it's not a problem. Most insurance companies can invoke a war clause and not payoff at all in case of a death in these situations. The point is that we need to have a good understanding of the insurance we are buying. Spouses need to have some accounts in their own names, if just to establish a credit rating. It would probably be best to have a savings account with the spouse's name only, in case of a death. You would need to have some money you could get your hands on if the other accounts were frozen. The Red Cross is able to make loans to people in this situation and others. If you don't have a will, you can get one done at the Base Legal Office. They will prepare it according to your desires. You will have to return to the Legal Office at a designated time to have your will signed and notarized to make it legal. Know where your family's important documents are kept. These include: birth certificates, marriage license, divorce decrees, wills and power of attorney, life insurance policies, Social Security numbers, income tax returns, deeds and titles, stocks and bonds, and all bank account numbers.
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It was payday, but a spouse decided
to go to the BX anyway. She was stocking Then each item had to be deleted by the scanner. She went outside to
the pay phone No amount of cajoling will change their minds when these people take your ID card. They give you a receipt for it and you take that over to Customer Service at MPF. You've got to take your spouse, because he/she has to sign the paperwork. The following hints apply to almost any office you have to deal with on base: 1. Make sure the office is open before you venture out. They change hours occasionally and also close up for intermittent training periods. 2. Don't expect to get in and out in just a few minutes. It's advisable to avoid lunch times when only one person might be working. 3. Call ahead, if possible, to verify "what and how" needs to be done. Verify all items that may be required to save a return trip.
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REGISTERING YOUR CAR IN DELAWARE
Take the title, proof of insurance, and old registration to the building to the south and go in the north doors. Take a number and grab a magazine. You can ask about vanity tags here. The State accepts cash or checks but the fee will be 2.75% of the book value of the car, plus a small title fee ($15-20) and $20 for the license plates. Vanity tags cost $40 extra. Of course, all prices are subject to change. The State of Delaware does not send out renewal notices when plates are about to expire. In the three months prior to the expiration of your license plates, take your registration and proof of insurance through the inspection lanes. Then go in the side door of the inspection lane building. There you will get your stickers for the license plate. The yearly fee is only $20 (vanity: $40). HINT! Call and listen to the recording prior to departing for the MVD. Main Phone Line: 744-2500
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TDY TREATS FOR THE FAMILY Your spouse gets to go to Europe while you sit at home. Probably the most irritating part is that he/she usually spends free time shopping. Exactly what you would like to be doing in Europe. The average squadron crewmember leads a more exciting life than the average squadron spouse. We have to take care of our children, and ourselves especially when our spouses go on trips. Use this time constructively. Plan special activities for the kids or just for you. Mothers need to plan a break for themselves sometime in the middle of the TDY. Make a deal with another mother to trade off children during trips. Use this time to get your hair done or shop in peace and quiet. Some women like to go and sit in the library. If you don't have a buddy to trade with, find a day care center you are comfortable with or a daytime sitter. Use the other mothers in the squadron to get recommendations for childcare. Several wives mentioned the kiddie rides at Rehoboth Beach on the Boardwalk as a special treat for young children. There are also over 100 outlet stores for you to shop at while you are there. Go to TCBY’s in the Gateway Shopping center for sundaes in the evening, or try the ice cream parlor in the Greentree Shopping Center. Club Kids in Rodney Village is a huge indoor playland for kids up to age 12 to enjoy. Many mothers rely on Happy Meals for pint-sized thrills. Small children love those toys! If you're tired of your neighborhood, go over to the Eagle's Nest picnic ground (out by the base museum). There are swings and slides and lots of room. Pack up sandwiches and drinks for a special picnic. Use this time to rent videos of your favorite movies (especially if your tastes in movies differ). Or spend some time planning what you're going to buy when the TDY check arrives. Call up a friend long distance that you don't talk to regularly. Another idea is to plan special meals just for you and the kids. Lots of families don't eat much while Dad is gone but make an effort for one night. Think of your favorite foods and either make them or go to the restaurant and reward yourself.
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Azores - Mateus wine, tablecloths and place mats, handmade sweaters,
silk pictures, cedar Egypt - turbans, brassware, papyrus paintings. England - wool sweaters, wedgwood china, balsam figures, waterford crystal, candy. Germany - beer steins, candles, paintings, hummels, wine, lead crystal, Black Forest cuckoo clocks, wooden carved objects. Try to hit the Ramstein OWC Bazaar. Hawaii - mats, coral jewelry, kiwi and other tropical juices, pineapples, gold-dipped leaf jewelry macadamia nuts. Holland – antiques. Iceland - sweaters, blankets, scrimshaw. Israel - olive wood ornaments, nativities. Italy - alabaster, ceramics. Japan - silk screen, oriental flower vases, lamp shades, cameras, pearls, watches. Korea - "K-Mart of the Pacific" has brass, Members Only jackets, tennis shoes, hiking boots, socks, made-to-order uniforms, suits, clothes, blankets, comforters, leather coats and gloves, Britannia shirts, sweaters, ski outfits, antique clocks, leather and eel skin purses and wallets, suitcases, canvas and vinyl bags, down coats, warm-up suits, silk beads, and Reeboks. Saudi Arabia - silver and gold jewelry. Spain - Lladros, ships, glycerin and mango soap, leather gloves, shoes, coats, Majorca pearls. Turkey - copperware, brass, pistachio nuts, Ali's for copper, shepherd's lanterns, pipes, oriental rugs.
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First of all, there is a quicker way to get to the Bay Bridge than following the signs on Route 8. Take Route 10 through Camden-Wyoming and continue on Maryland 287 (and 313). Turn left on 312 at Baltimore Corner, then right on 304. This will bring you out of 301 much closer to the Bay Bridge and cuts about 20 minutes from the driving time using Route 8. Christiana Mall in Newark is the closest larger shopping area. Go north on 13 and turn left on 7 (next to boat sales). Turn right at the fire station in Christiana and follow the signs to the shopping mall. There is a Macy's, Strawbridge and Clothier, and a larger Penney's. Down the street, you'll find Toys 'R' Us and Kids 'R' Us in the same parking lot with Chi Chi's Mexican restaurant. Many people like to eat at the Air Transport Command on U.S. 13, next to the Greater Wilmington Airport for special occasions. If you really want to do some heavy-duty mall shopping, drive a little longer to King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. It takes over two hours to get there, but there are two two-story malls right next to each other, the Court and the Plaza. Take U.S. 202 north from Wilmington. You will drive to the Philadelphia Airport more often than you would like if you're the average Dover family. Philadelphia has enough activities and historical sites for additional trips. Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell (6th and Chestnut) are usually the first places to visit. Parking is a problem. There is a parking garage on 2nd Street, between Chestnut and Walnut. The Philadelphia Zoo (39th and Girard Avenue) was America's first zoo, established in 1874. It has over 1800 animals, a children's zoo, Safari Monorail, and an electronic rain forest. Open every day from 9:30 to 5 p.m.; 9:30 to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and holidays. Adults, $4; children (2-11), $3, under 2, free. Sports enthusiasts have the Phillies (215-463-1000), Eagles (463-5500), 76ers (339-7676), and Flyers (755-9700). Watch the Philadelphia newspapers for schedules on theater, dance, opera, etc. The Sunday entertainment section in the Inquirer usually has listings of everything going on in the area. Valley Forge is just north of Philadelphia. There is a reenactment of the army's struggle on Washington's Birthday each year. It has a visitor's center and you can take tours. Bicycles are available for rental. The winter is still the best time to visit because you can really get a feel for the hardships they endured. Take U.S. 202 north from Wilmington. Annapolis has been described as "an enchanting colonial port with narrow streets, red brick, and Georgian grace." Walking tours of the Academy are available from Ricketts Hall visitor center (301-267-3363). John Paul Jones is buried there in a coffin decorated in dolphins and seaweed. Annapolis Mall has several nice restaurants adjacent, including Fuddrucker's Famous Hamburgers. The other major airport used by Dover residents is BWI in Baltimore. The Philadelphia and Baltimore airports are about an equal drive but there is a difference in the type of driving, so most people use Philadelphia. Baltimore's Inner Harbor is a renovated urban development with shops and restaurants. The National Aquarium, Maryland Science Center and the U.S. Constellation are a few of Baltimore's sights. While stationed in Dover, you should get to know Washington D.C. Weekends are better as far as parking is concerned, but the summer is busy constantly. In January, you can walk right up to the White House and Washington Monument and not have to stand in line. Forget it in the summer. Wait until evening to go to the Lincoln Memorial since it's more awesome at night. The Smithsonian opens at 10 a.m. and closes at 5:30 p.m. (during the summer they sometimes extend the hours), so it is usually the first stop. If you've got relatives coming, you (or they) can write to your senator or representative to get VIP tickets for the White House, Capitol, Kennedy Center or the FBI. Tickets are limited so you need to write six months in advance in some cases. Call the local office and they will have the Washington office contact you. They said if you ask in advance, you will probably be sure to get the tickets. They did not say, however, it they check their voter registration for your name first. It might be a good idea to register to vote here if you want to utilize this service. Take a ride on the Metrorail even if you don't need a ride. The Dupont Circle Station has the longest escalator in the Western Hemisphere at 204 feet (unless another's been built recently). It's clean, quiet, air conditioned and safe. Other places of interest include the Cape May Ferry in Lewes, DE, and the Maritime Museum in St. Michals, MD. There are the Outlet Malls in Rehoboth Beach, DE. There is also the Longwood Gardens and the Winterhur Museum.
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Yorklyn Valley Antiques Fair - third weekend in March Wilmington & Western Railroad Dogwood Blossom Specials - last weekend in April, Greenbank Station (998-1030). Has specials on most holidays from May through October. Old Dover Days - first weekend in May Colonial Highland Gathering - third Saturday in May; the Scottish Games
Association of Seaford Town & Country Fair - third weekend in May Brandywine River Museum Annual Antiques Show and Sale - Memorial Day Weekend, Chadds Ford, PA Delaware State Fair - mid-July in Harrington Rehoboth Beach Sand Castle Contest - first Saturday in August Bethany Beach Boardwalk Arts Festival - fourth Saturday in August Oktoberfest - third weekend in September, Newark Harrington Heritage Day - September Christmas in Odessa - first weekend in December, house tours Annual Christmas House Tour - first weekend in December, Lewes Annual Christmas Parade - beginning of December, Lewes
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| DELAWARE VALLEY RECREATION AREAS
Brandywine Creek State Park, Route 100 north of Wilmington. Relax and enjoy the rolling hills, mature woodlands, open fields, and marshlands where piedmont streams tumble down gentle slopes. Be sure to visit the park’s Nature Center, too! Call (302) 577-3534. Cape Henlopen State Park, east of Lewes on Atlantic Ocean. Enjoy almost 4,000 acres of history, natural wonders, and sunshine. Guarded beaches, a fishing pier stretching into Delaware Bay, and family campgrounds are just a few of the features at this popular beach park. The Seaside Nature Center offers a variety of programs year-round and is an ideal gathering point for bird watching during the spring and fall migrations. Swimming, modern bathhouse, family camping, hiking, nature trails, nature center, outdoor tennis, fishing pier, observation tower. Call (302) 645-8983 or (302) 645-6852 for nature center. Carpenter State Park, 5 miles north of Newark, Rt 896. Hiking, nature trail, horseback riding, fitness trail, picnic areas, cross-country skiing, sledding (302) 731-1310. Delaware Seashore State Park, Rt 1 south of Rehoboth Beach. Offers six miles of beautiful ocean and bay shoreline. With surfing, fishing, swimming, sunbathing, a campground, a boat ramp, and a 295-slip marina with charter and head boats. Campground facilities, surfing, swimming, fishing, crabbing, and claming (302) 227-2800. Fenwick Island State Park, off Rt 1, north of Fenwick Island. Considered by many to be the best beach in Delaware, this quiet park offers boat rentals, surfing, swimming, fishing, sunbathing, and other saltwater fun for the whole family (302) 539-9060. Fort Delaware State Park, located on Pea Patch Island in the Delaware River. Spend a fascinating day experiencing the Fort’s acclaimed Living History program and watch the Civil War come to life, explore soldier’s quarters, ramparts, parade grounds, and gun emplacements. Take a ride on the Delafort, the Fort’s passenger ferry (302) 834-7941. Holts Landing State Park, off Rt 26, north of Millville. Public launching ramp for small boats, swimming, fishing, crabbing, clamming, and picnicking (302) 539-9060. Killens Pond State Park, off US 13, south of Felton. Picnicking, waterslides, boat rentals, fishing, sailing, nature trail, playground, outdoor game courts, camping (302) 284-4526. Lums Pond State Park, Rt 301 and 71 at Kirkwood. Swimming, boat rentals, fishing, hiking, picnicking, camping, horseback trails, nature center, golf course, bicycle rental, outdoor game courts, Life Course Trail, boat launching facility (302) 368-6989 . Trap Pond State Park, off Rt 24 near Laurel. Swimming, boating, camping, picnicking, boat rental, fitness trail, hiking trails, horseback riding (302) 875-5153.
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CENTRAL DELAWARE SHOPPING AREAS
Capitol Shopping Center - Located on the west side of Rt 13, this shopping center includes businesses providing meat, laundry services, business machines, beauty school instruction and auto supplies. Carroll's Corner - Located at the intersection of Rt 13 and State Street, this shopping center includes, furniture, barbershop. Grocery, printing, fabrics, laundry, shoes, pharmacy and beauty salon. Dover Mall - Located on Rt 13, the mall has 103 specialty stores and four department stores (Sears, Boscov's, JC Penny and Strawbridges). Dover Mall also offers a food court with plenty of seating. Hours: Mon-Sat, 10 am to 9 pm, Sunday, noon to 5 pm. Downtown Dover - Located within the blocks of State, Bradford, New, Division and Loockerman Streets, this shopping area has a variety of retail and service establishments. With a street and sidewalk renovation project completed in 1979, the area decided to call itself "Olde Dover Plaza." Gateway South Shopping Center - Located on Route 10, this shopping center includes a grocery store (Food Lion), dry cleaners, Happy Harry’s Drug Store, Blockbuster video, Chinese and Pizza restaurants. Greentree Shopping Center - Located on Hartly Road, there is a grocery store (Superfresh). There is also a drug store, mail room, ice cream parlor, cross-stitch shop, video store, pizza parlor, etc. Rodney Village Shopping Center - Located on the west side of Rt 13, south of Dover, this shopping center includes grocery store, liquor, Dollar Store, furniture, Club Kids, sewing store, barber shop, video store, and a bowling alley.
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Brenford Animal Hospital Dover Animal Hospital Bakeries Figgy’s Fancy Cakes Fleischer's Bakery Dover Bakery, Commissary Balloons Sheila’s Craft and Party World Box Outlet and Party Goods Store Barbers Dover AFB House of Hair Candy and Confectionery Candy Bouquets
Dover Mall Toy’s R’ Us Rehoboth Beach Outlets Fabric Jo-Ann Fabrics & Crafts Delaware Sewing Center
Fifer
Orchards Webb's Market Willey Farms Spence's Bazaar Crafts AC Moore Locksmith J & N Lock and Key Nurseries All Season's Nursery Happy Hoe Garden Center Eden Hill Farm Paradise Nursery Pleasant Hill Farm Restaurants Rusty
Rudder Franco’s Pizza & Pasta Shucker's Pier 13 W.T. Smithers Hang's Express Chinese Village Inn La Tolteca (Mexican) Blue Coat Inn Sambo's (casual) Lobby House Restaurant Mari Monti (Italian) Chinatown BuffetDover Niko’s Restaurant Villa Paradiso Schools Arnold Elementary School (on base)
Welch Elementary School (on base) Dover Air Base Middle School (on base) Caesar Rodney
High School Specialty Shops Stable Shoppes Kelly’s Hallmark Country Keepsakes Delaware Made Gift Design Galleries
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AC - Aircraft Commander ALFA – Standby duty in which crew is expected to launch within 1 hour and 30 minutes of alert. Crews perform ALFA standby duty in billeting. AMC – Air Mobility Command AR – Air Refueling Augmented – Crew consisting of at least 3 pilots, 2 flight engineers, and 2 loadmasters. An augmented crew can serve a 24-hour duty day versus only a 16-hour duty day for a basic crew. Baby Hold – Crewmember held off the schedule due to the impending arrival of a new squadron member. Normally two weeks prior to due date through 1 week after delivery. Basic – A crew with at least 2 pilots, 2 flight engineers, and 2 loadmasters. A basic crew is limited to a 16-hour duty day as opposed to an augmented crew’s 24-hour duty day. BRAVO – Standby duty in which crew is expected to launch within 3 hours and 30 minutes of alert. Crews perform BRAVO standby duty in normal quarters (i.e., at home). “Burning in the window” – A crew which is not alerted when first legal for alert but not released in anticipation of being alerted in the near future. On most missions, a crew can be alerted up to 6 hours after they first became legal for alert. Cert Board – Certification Board. A meeting of key squadron personnel held to confirm upgrade of crew members. The last step in the upgrade process. CHARLIE – Standby duty in which crewmembers must be able to be contacted by telephone. Crews will receive 12 hours crew rest once all the crewmembers are contacted. Most CHARLIES last three days, but some are as long as seven days. Command Post – Central controlling agency on base for aircraft departing, arriving, or transiting Dover AFB. CRM – Crew Resource Management. Term for effective communication and coordination between different crew positions to safely and effectively complete the mission. Current Ops – Wing organization which receives taskings from various sources and translates them into mission for each of the squadrons. They are our primary source of information regarding the mission. Deadhead – Crew being deployed to a location to pick up an airplane, enter a stage, etc. DNIF – Duty Not Including Flying Dollar Ride – First overseas mission in the C-5. Duty Load – Designated loadmaster who helps load and unload aircraft at home station, allowing aircraft loadmasters to enter crew rest or perform other duties. ETA – Estimated Time of Arrival. ETIC – Estimated Time in Commission. When an airplane is broken and your spouse is waiting on it to be fixed, maintenance give him an “ETIC” on when to expect the airplane to be fixed. Fenced – A crewmember is “fenced” if they are held off the schedule so that they may accomplish some other mission, training, etc., in the near future. FCIF – Flight Crew Information File. A book of important need-to-know information which every crewmember is expected to read and sign off before they go out to fly. First Pilot – Pilot who is qualified to taxi the aircraft and fly from either the left or right seat but is not yet an aircraft commander. Flight Safety – Organization within the squadron responsible for safety training and reporting. Flt CC – Flight Commander. Officer in charge of one of the two flights in the squadron. LDM – Line Development Mission. A training mission for First Pilots in the Aircraft Commander upgrade process where they fly as the acting Aircraft Commander. MCC – Mission Control Center. MPF – Military Personnel Flight MRT – Maintenance Recovery Team. Maintenance
team dispatched to fix a broken airplane. OME – Operational Mission Evaluation. A check ride for pilots upgrading to Aircraft Commander. OPR/EPR – Officer Performance Report/Enlisted Performance Report. Ops Officer – Second in command in the squadron
under the Squadron Commander. He is responsible for the day-to-day
operations of the squadron. Post-Mission Crew rest – Time allotted to crewmembers upon returning from a mission. Crewmembers on post mission can be called, but can’t be scheduled without their consent. Usually 1 hour for every 3 hours spent TDY up to a maximum of 96 hours. Pre-Mission Crew rest – Time allotted to crewmembers before leaving on a mission during which they cannot be bothered by the squadron. 24 hours for most missions (12 hours for stand-by duty and locals). Pubs – Publications. All of those flying books your spouse takes with him/her every time he/she goes to fly. Q-1, Q-2, Q-3 – Grading system for checkrides. Q-1 means fully qualified. Q-2 is qualified but requires further training. Q-3 is unqualified. Scanner – Flight Engineer who is responsible for outside duties during ground operations (inspections, clearing engine starts, etc.) and “scanning” the interior of the aircraft during the flight. SOLL II – Special Operations Low Level II - Crew trained in SOLL II are qualified to fly the C-5 in “tactical” environments. Squadron Supervisors – Key personnel in the squadron including Squadron Commander, Ops Officer, Flight Commanders, Chief Loadmaster, Chief Flight Engineer, and Superintendents. SRT – Scheduled Return Time. Stage – Forward location where crews are sent to help expedite the flow of aircraft and materials to their destination. Superintendent – Senior NCO for each enlisted crew position who is responsible for working issues for the Commander. TACC – Tanker Airlift Control Center – Located at AMC Headquarters at Scott AFB, Illinois. This is the central controlling agency for all AMC airlift. They are the people that tell us where to go and when to be there. TALCE – Tanker Airlift Control Element. Unit deployed to forward location to set up airfield operations. Telephone Standby – Squadron standby duty performed in normal quarters. If you are lucky enough to have a beeper or a cell phone, you may even be allowed out of the house. TDY – Temporary Duty.
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