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Mohican

The US states that are at their best during winter

The US is in the top five favourite holiday destinations among Britons. Around 3.8 million of us visit each year. So, after 18 months of exclusion, UK travellers will be rushing to American shores after November 8 – when the travel ban is set to lift. 

A shopping trip in New York City may feature high on many winter wishlists. Christmas cheer, in short supply last year, can reach its full potential on the city’s ice rinks, while gazing up at its window displays or during a browse of its seasonal markets. Yet, upstate also deserves a closer look in the coldest season.

In fact, it can be argued that several states are at their best as a (relative) chill sets in. Skiing, nature-seeking, theme park hopping: activities abound among our selection. If you wish to be within the first cohort to reunite with our Atlantic neighbour, here’s where to try for a wintertime fix.

So why not celebrate our two countries’ reunion with a trip across the Atlantic this winter? From Boston to the Texas coast, here are some holiday suggestions to get you started.

Florida

Where better to get children excited for the frivolities of Christmas than in bejewelled theme parks? Disney World’s festivities kick off on November 12. At Magic Kingdom, young-at-heart visitors will enjoy ‘Disney Very Merriest After Hours’ – this includes a parade and fireworks – on select nights from November 8–December 21. 

Orlando is easily combined with a couple of nights in Miami. Quieter beaches and milder weather make the party city a winning winter prospect (particularly for New Year’s Eve). 

Families could layer the two, together with a sweet filling of Palm Beach on a 13-night self-drive trip for four, from £5,300pp (020 8682 5099; scottdunn.com). Alternatively, the Florida Keys can be…

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Lenni Lenape

Lenape Regional High School District Sports Roundup – Oct. 11-16

FOOTBALL

Wall Township 31, Lenape 17: Quarterback Ethan Smith was 10-of-21 for 206 yards, two touchdowns and an interception for visiting Lenape (2-5, 0-3) in a loss to Wall Township (3-3, 2-2) in a nonleague game Oct. 15.

Nonleague

Oct. 15, Wall Township

Wall Township 31, Lenape 17

Lenape (2-5) 0-0-0-0 – 17

Wall Twp. (3-3) 0-0-0-0 – 31

L: Kobi Ray-Reed 75 pass from Ethan Smith (Dylan Shank kick)

L: Taj Folyan 47 pass from Smith (Shank kick)

L: Shank 40 FG

Wall scoring plays not available.

Egg Harbor Township 49, Seneca 0: Senior Mohamed Soumaworo and junior Christian Rondo each scored a pair of touchdowns as visiting Egg Harbor Township (5-3, 3-1) blasted Seneca (2-4, 2-2) in a West Jersey League Independence Division game Oct. 15.

WJFL Independence Division

Oct. 15, Tabernacle

Egg Harbor Township 49, Seneca 0

E.H.T. (5-3) 7-28-7-7 – 49

Seneca (2-4) 0-0-0-0 – 0

EHT: Rondell Vaughan 14 run (Ciaran McGreevy kick)

EHT: Christian Rando 1 run (McGreevy kick)

EHT: Mohamed Soumaworo 4 run (McGreevy kick)

EHT: Mike Simeon 33 blocked punt return (McGreevy kick)

EHT: Soumaworo 36 run (McGreevy kick)

EHT: Rando 1 run (McGreevy kick)

EHT: Kemun Council 43 run (McGreevy kick)

Cherokee 38, Rancocas Valley 7: Junior Brandon Boria rushed for 266 yards and three touchdowns on 28 carries to lead visiting Cherokee (4-2, 2-2) in a decisive win over Rancocas Valley (0-6, 0-4) in a West Jersey League interdivision game Oct. 16.

WJFL Interdivision

Oct. 16, Mount Holly

Cherokee 38, Rancocas Valley 7

Cherokee (4-2) 14-10-14-0 – 38

Rancocas (0-6) 0-0-0-7 – 7

C: Brandon Boria 5 run (Tommy Pajic kick)

C: Boria 75 run (Pajic kick)

C: Ryan Bender 14 run (Pajic kick)

C: Pajic 23 FG

C: Cameron Burti 34 pass from Bender (Pajic kick)

C:…

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Nanticoke

Md. Striped Bass Survey Below Average for 3rd Year

Maryland’s juvenile striped bass survey finds rockfish reproduction is below average for the third year in a row, continuing a worrisome trend. Virginia’s survey, meanwhile, shows a nine-year streak of average or above-average reproduction.

Both states conduct surveys of young-of-year striped bass to track reproductive success of the Bay’s treasured fish. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reports an index of 3.2 in the 2021 survey, which remains well below the long-term average of 11.4.

Graph of comparative historic juveniles striped bass indicesGraph of comparative historic juveniles striped bass indicesThis DNR graph shows the highs and lows of the annual young-of-year survey.

DNR is optimistic, saying in a press release, “The coastal striped bass population has decreased in size, but is still capable of strong reproduction with the right environmental conditions. Variable spawning success is a well-known characteristic of the species.”

They do acknowledge that the below-average numbers “are a concern”. In 2019 the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) determined the striped bass species was being overfished, and set new limits for East Coast states to follow. Still, some environmental groups and even anglers feel that states like Maryland should be doing more.

Chesapeake Bay Foundation Maryland Senior Fisheries Scientist Allison Colden says in a statement:

“With the third year in a row of below average striped bass recruitment, we cannot continue to ignore this troubling trend. Progress must be made to reduce mortality, protect spawning striped bass, and safeguard the above average 2015 cohort of fish that will soon enter the fishery. We also must double down on our efforts to prevent pollutants from reaching the Chesapeake Bay, which exacerbate dead zones that contribute to greater striped bass mortality.”

Crew members PJ LeBel III (L) and Ashleigh Thomas (R) seine for juvenile... <br /> <a href=Continue reading

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Mohegan

Online Gambling Starts Today

Smartphone and computer online casino and gambling conceptSmartphone and computer online casino and gambling conceptOnline casino and gambling concept, mobile phone with a roulette play field on a laptop keyboard closeup, 3d illustration. Credit: cybrain / Shutterstock

Starting at 6 a.m. today residents across the state will have a casino in their pockets. That’s because residents will have access to three different online gambling platforms, two operated by the tribes and one by the Connecticut Lottery. 

The Connecticut Lottery Corporation in partnership with Rush Street Interactive will begin taking bets via PlaySugarHouse.com, the Mohegan Tribal Nation will take bets via FanDuel and the Mashantucket Pequots will be taking bets via DraftKings. 

More than 130 games have been approved by the Department of Consumer Protection for both the FanDuel and DraftKings apps.

Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner Michelle Seagull said that anyone over the age of 21 can set up an account with any or all of the three vendors and start placing their bets. 

“We want to make sure that people underage are not allowed to set up accounts,” Seagull said. 

Seagull said they didn’t have any problems during the seven-day soft launch of online sports betting and there have been a few people who signed up for the self-exclusion list – these are individuals who don’t want to be marketed to, most often because they know they have a gambling addiction.

Seagull said she doesn’t have an exact number of people who excluded themselves, but making sure the vendors don’t allow anyone under the age of 21 to set up an account, and that they do respect those who have excluded themselves, are some of the things her agency will be…

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Munsee

Celebrating native lineage

Danielle Campbell – Copy Editor

The story given to me about my family was my great-grandfather moved to Connecticut for a better life than the one he had on a Native American reservation. Which one? I am not sure. I know my grandfather’s lineage is Black, White and Native American. I was told his father wanted better for his children than the life of depression you can so readily find on the reservations in America. People we have forgotten and stolen everything from. My ancestors, somewhere down the line.   

I have always connected with the original people of this land and wanted to put their faces forward, but in general, I am all for culture to be celebrated, period. I am torn when cultures are clashing for recognition on certain days when we all deserve to be celebrated. There is no competition in my eyes when we all are supposed to be recognized. America is a melting pot.  

Personally, as a history minor, I have a love of culture which goes deeper than just those I know. I am an African-American woman with roots in multiple countries. I am a lover of people and want us all to celebrate and understand each other. With that said, I think the difficult history behind Columbus Day and the recent recognition by President Joe Biden is important to unpack.   

According to Native Land Digital, New Haven is Quinnipiac, Paugussett, and Wappinger land. It is deeply important to me to have people know those who have been forgotten and erased. We have so much we owe to Native Americans.   

President Biden’s recognition of Columbus Day as Indigenous People’s Day is necessary but hurtful. In the days where we are silencing these people on their lands, can we say we are celebrating them by simply giving them a day of recognition?  

America owes Native…

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Delaware Tribe

Lenape tribes visit their homeland in Pike County to launch permanent exhibit

“Our ancestors are still here, their footsteps are still here, their voices are still here, and I want to thank you for being here for us and for them.”

During a reception to mark the opening of a new permanent exhibit at the Pike County Historical Society, Larry Heady of the Delaware Tribe of Indians, based in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, addressed local residents gathered on the steps of the Columns Museum on the evening of Oct. 6.

The exhibit, “The Lënape, Original People Reconciling The Past, Embracing The Future,” tells the story of the Indians native to our region and the diaspora that took them far from their homelands in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. It includes the obelisk for Tom Quick that once stood in Milford Borough and explains the story and controversy behind it.

Bonney Hartley, of the Stockbridge-Munsee Community based in Bowler, Wisconsin, began her remarks in the Lenape language to honor and acknowledge her ancestors. She spoke of the importance of the exhibit, especially for the school children that will come through, and who “will be able to learn about our history and who we are today, and know that the Lenape people are still here and still engaged in our homeland.”

She continued, “It really respects what our ancestors have painfully endured but also celebrates our continued existence and resiliency.”

Daniel StrongWalker Thomas, the Traditional Chief of the Delaware Nation based in Anadarko, Oklahoma, said he appreciated the friendship that has been forged. Referring to the land Pike County residents enjoy today, he said, “As you admire this beauty, remember us and keep us in your hearts.”

Lenape and Quicks meet in friendship

The exhibit was created from a partnership between three Lenape tribes, the Quick family, Milford Borough and the Pike County Historical Society. The Columns…

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Unami

Kurdistan Region PM welcomes UNSC statement on Iraq elections

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Friday welcomed a United Nations Security Council statement on the early Iraqi elections held on Oct. 10.

The premier also said that the technical assistance by the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) and international teams from the EU and others were “central” to the election process.

“I urge all the parties to quickly form an inclusive govt (government) capable to build a better future for the Iraqi peoples,” he affirmed.

The members of the UN Security Council (UNSC) congratulated the Iraqi people and the Government of Iraq in a statement on Friday.

“The members of the Security Council welcomed interim reports that the elections proceeded smoothly and featured significant technical and procedural improvements from previous Iraqi elections,” the statement said.

The UNSC members commended the Iraqi Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) for “conducting a technically sound election.”

Moreover, the UNSC praised the Iraqi government for its election preparations and preventing violence on election day.

The UNSC also thanked UNAMI for providing IHEC with technical assistance and an international election monitoring team to the Iraqi government.

“The members of the Security Council deplored the recent threats of violence against UNAMI, IHEC personnel, and others,” the UNSC statement added.

Pro-Iran parties, such as the Fatah Alliance that performed poorly in the October 10 elections, have protested the election results. As a result, there is a fear of violence, if…

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Mohican

Students get down and dirty with epic foam party for annual tradition

HUNDREDS of students got down and dirty today as they took part in an epic foam fight tradition.

The soapy scenes were held to mark Raisin Monday – an annual celebration at the University of St Andrews in Fife, Scotland.

Face paints and costumes made for a colourful display

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Face paints and costumes made for a colourful displayCredit: PA One couple was seen kissing in the crowd

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One couple was seen kissing in the crowdCredit: PA One reveller rose above the crowd on a pal's shoulders

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One reveller rose above the crowd on a pal’s shouldersCredit: PA

Nuns, Romans and tartan-clad Scotsmen were among the costumes on show as students were lathered in snow-white froth.

One couple could be seen kissing through the crowd as others surfed the creamy white waves at shoulder height.

Raisin Weekend sees students celebrate a weekend of festivities with their mentors, playing pranks and silly games.

The tradition dates far back into the university’s history and comes after so-called “children” freshers gave their academic “parents” a pound of raisins to thank them for welcoming them to St Andrews.

In true tradition, freshers donned embarrassing costumes today as they were let loose on the Lower College lawn for an enormous shaving foam fight.

They were then given a good soaping – all to say thank you to their older pals.

Self-styled Mohicans stood high in the air as pals clung to each other laughing.

And not a dry costume was in sight as clothes were left sodden in the suds.

The University of St Andrews was founded in 1413.

…

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Lenni Lenape

2021 Artist2Artist fellows – Announcements

Art Matters Foundation is pleased to announce a new regranting program titled Artist2Artist, where alumni grant recipients act as grantmakers. Last year, Art Matters recognized a broader category of culture workers in its grantmaking initiative by funding alternative support structures for artists, like mutual aid. Building on this shift, the Artist2Artist Fellowship program represents a new, horizontal model of giving that was created to affirm artists’ specialized knowledge of their communities.

13 alumni grantees were selected to both receive an Artist2Artist Fellowship and designate peer fellows in their extended networks. This process resulted in 36 artists and culture workers being awarded as 2021 Artist2Artist fellows in October for a total of 195K USD in grants to artists and collectives working in contemporary art, performance, and cultural organizing. There were no applications and the Board held no veto power beyond conflicts of interest. Alumni were selected based on the following themes:

Justice & Anti-Oppressive Practices (Disability; Gender/Sexuality; Race/Intersectionality)
Geographies (Labor/Migration; Transregionality/Transnationalism; Coalitions)
Cultures of Care (Medical, Spiritual, and Ecological Health)
Individual Interventions (Experimentation, Mutual Aid, Non-Productivity)
Reimagining Institutions (Alternative Support Structures)

These themes emerged from alumni feedback that identified non-productivity, coalition-building, accessibility, and combating isolationism in need of further support. In response, the Staff and Board moved away from institutional nominators toward a process of peer-led affirmation. Director Abbey Williams said, “Artist2Artist is a way of aligning ourselves with those already doing the work to dismantle the philanthropic systems that do not truly empower artists. We want to center artists’ sovereignty to clear the way for them to build something new.” And Artist2Artist fellow, jackie sumell, shared with Staff that the process recognized:  “The networks that we form aren’t always based on the merits experienced in the outward facing of our work, and some of the most beautiful and celebratory experiences are in the intimate ways that we love on and support each other.”

2021 also marks the third year of the Betty Parsons…

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Nanticoke

Wilkes-Barre man, 19, charged with robbery at Exeter car wash

Abdush-Shahid

Abdush-Shahid

EXETER — Borough police arrested a 19-year-old man they say robbed a man lured to a car wash to sell a cellular phone last week.

Tauhid Abdush-Shahid, of 165 Madison St., brandished a firearm he pressed against the alleged victim’s back stealing a wallet, cash, marijuana and a cell phone, according to court records.

Police said the armed mugging occurred at a car wash on Exeter Avenue on Thursday.

Abdush-Shahid was arraigned by District Judge Donald Whittaker in Nanticoke on two counts of robbery and one count each of aggravated assault, simple assault, criminal conspiracy and firearms not to be carried without a license. Abdush-Shahid remained jailed Monday at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility for lack of $500,000 bail.

According to the criminal complaint:

Police responded to the car wash for a report of an armed robbery at 11:45 p.m.

A man told police he was selling a cellular phone he advertised on a social media app to a former co-worker.

The co-worker kept changing the location to meet until he directed the victim to the car wash.

When the victim arrived at the car wash, he encountered Abdush-Shahid and three other men inside a vehicle parked in a wash stall.

The victim told police Abdush-Shahid brandished a firearm covered with a bandanna he pressed against his back while stealing a wallet, cash, marijuana, car keys and a cell phone, the complaint says.

Police in Wilkes-Barre Township detained Abdush-Shahid and the three other men during a traffic stop until they were turned over to Exeter police.

During the traffic stop, the victim’s wallet was found in Abdush-Shahid’s pocket, the complaint says.

Charges have not been…

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