Newark is a vibrant city that seems to attract interesting and talented people. You’ll read about a few of them in this issue of Newark Life.

Jennifer Margaret Barker, a contemporary classical composer, won a big honor from the state for her work. Writer Ken Mammarella explores the worldliness in Barker’s pieces. She’s a native of Scotland who has traveled often around the world. She’s a a full professor at the University of Delaware, teaching music composition and theory. Earlier this year she was awarded a master’s fellowship, the Delaware Division of the Arts’ highest honor for individual artists.

You’ll also read about Trebs Thompson’s journey of whimsy, art and resilience. Twenty years ago, that journey landed on a little farm in Newark, and it’s where her journey continues today. Whimsical Farms, her 15-acre farm is devoted to heirloom animals and produce.

We profile Kathleen Hastings, who has been making beautiful noise with the violin for nearly her entire life. Since 2017, she’s also been making music as the owner of the Wilmington String Ensemble, and the sound continues to reverberate all over Delaware.

By the time Natalie Walton graduated from the University of Delaware, she had not only written and published a book, she was also named a Truman Scholar, a highly competitive national award. We talk to her about the book and her advocacy work.

In this issue, we feature a story about how, after more than a decade of work, Chapel Street Players is planning a move to a site south of White Clay Creek, off Paper Mill Road. It’s less than a mile but would be a huge difference for patrons and performers. If the city approves the proposal, Chapel Street Players will relocate to a brand new theater facility, built by the Lang Development Group, just north of our current location.

We also have a story about a few fun activities—from alfresco dining to a self-paced hike— to enjoy in the Newark area in the next few months.

The Iron Hill Park is the subject of the photo essay.

We hope you enjoy these stories and we’re already hard at work planning the next issue of Newark Life that will arrive later in 2021. If you have any suggestions for stories for that issue, please reach out to us.