February, as it is wont to do, is flying by. But as it flaps its wings in this cold, heavy polar vortex air, here are some of the changes and improvements readers may see at the many state parks in Sussex County when weather warms.

Thanks to Shauna McVey, spokesperson for the Delaware Division of Parks, for tracking down this information and making my job easier.

“We have the following projects that were recently or will be completed for the summer season,” wrote Shauna in an email.

• “At Cape Henlopen State Park, 25 of the fishing pier’s pilings will be repaired; the Gordons Pond Trail boardwalk received repairs; a new youth primitive pavilion was installed; and masonry and HVAC work was completed in the park’s dormitories.
• “Tower No. 3 at Delaware Seashore State Park received a new entrance and permanent glass doorway, exterior concrete repairs, new sidewalk and ramps leading into the tower, a stormwater drainage system and upgraded tower electrical service. Renovations will continue through the summer and into the fall.
• “Also at DSSP, the air station for surf-fishing vehicles at Conquest Road was upgraded to a new deluxe compressor.
• “The Assawoman Kayak Launch dock was installed to replace the existing synthetic mat launch area.
• “Potholes will be addressed at the Fenwick Island State Park parking lot.
• “Indian River Marina installed a railing along the bulkhead at the boat ramp.
• “The Bob Trail at Trap Pond State Park is being resurfaced, and a wet portion of the trail was rerouted.”

Those who haven’t been to Holts Landing State Park on Indian River Bay recently will be in for a pleasant surprise when they see the new boardwalk installed in 2019-20. Delaware invests significantly in its state parks, five of which are in Sussex County. That’s good for residents, visitors and the local economy. The parks have been used heavily during this time of coronavirus as people looking for safe activities have turned their attention to outdoor recreation.

A few more Dogfish tidbits

Following up on a recent article about Dogfish Head’s national rollout of its new Hazy-O India Pale Ale, founder Sam Calagione in a phone interview last week said he expects the new brew to hit a sweet spot at the junction of nationally trending hazy IPAs and the rapid growth of oat milk popularity. “I think this will appeal to those looking for something that’s better for you, and who enjoy an outdoors, active lifestyle.”  

Sam expects Hazy-O – which the team is calling the first nationally distributed oat milk-infused IPA – to quickly become one of Dogfish Head’s top-four selling beers. If it does, it will will be joining 60-Minute IPA, SeaQuench Ale and Slightly Mighty at the top of Dogfish’s hierarchy.

All of the Hazy-O is being brewed and canned in – and distributed from – the Milton brewery. Sam said the company is in discussion with Whole Foods markets to sell its Hazy-O, and he noted that Wegman’s groceries have embraced Hazy-O and the Elmhurst Oat company which produces the oat milk used in the new brew. “They’ve set up floor displays touting Elmhurst Oat Meal and Oat Milk in the morning and Hazy-O in the evening, with the slogan ‘It’s oat-o’clock somewhere.’”

Sam said R&L Liquors in Lewes sold seven cases of Hazy-O in its first week of availability and ordered 25 more cases for the second week of the rollout. R&L is located a few blocks from where Sam and Mariah live. “That’s my most local data point. It warms my heart,” said Sam.

He also noted that Dogfish is in the process of expanding its brewing capacity presence to include the entire East Coast, from Maine, where the company operates a research and development brewery, to Miami, where a new brewing and canning facility is being constructed.

Of course Delaware is in the middle, which is a comfort zone for the state in many respects.