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Taking care of your Loved One Is What We Do BEST!

It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always

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Home Care In Magnolia, DE

Home Care Magnolia, DE

They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.

However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Magnolia Historical Society gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Magnolia, DE is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care Magnolia, DE

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The Always Best Care Difference

Since 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.

Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.

The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.

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TESTIMONIALS

“I've been with Always Best Care, Vacaville, about a year and a half and I am very pleased with the service. Their Caregivers are very kind and competent helpers. I would recommend this service to anyone and I have recommend this service to several of my friends.”

Linda B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Here's what I posted on Google and Facebook: Life would have been a lot harder without Always Best Care in my life, I have COPD and I am on oxygen full time at level 4 so doing daily chores are out question without my caregiver Ricci Anthony who has been taking tremendous care of me for 3 years this August 2022 and I thank God everyday for him. Every time he arrives he immediately says Hi checks in with me to see how I am doing. As well as, every time he departs I thank him for all that he does for me and I tell him I love him Ricci replies in same likeness. Ricci and I are incredible friends, it’s closer to a dad and son relationship. We’re both strong Christian me. As for Chelsea who does Intake and is the Schedules for Always Best Care equally an amazing individual. Don’t let her young age fool you on the contrary she is a powerhouse. She’s highly a professional, she’s industrious, highly intelligent, she’s a great friend and you can always depend on her to be in support for you. Always Best Care is always best care.”

Michael W.
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“ABC is absolutely amazing! The staff is very caring and very friendly. always go above and beyond. They have great communication between Clients and Staff.”

Rebecca G.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I couldn’t thank this Company enough for the services my Father had, it’s difficult to trust others yet Always Best Care of Philadelphia did it with ease. We happily recommend them to our family and friends. Bryant and Co. truly care as if it was their own family. God Bless and May all your Staff be safe, they are in my prayers.”

Barbara L.
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TESTIMONIALS

“The highlights for me is The boss man Bryant Greene, and most of his awesome staff. Mr. Greene, his brother Al Billz and staff always looked out for me even when I was ill. I love them and Always Best Care to the moon and back!”

Kia M.
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“Kathy McClure is a problem solver. She assisted us on Long Term Care Reimbursement and took us thru the process smoothly.”

Patrick M.
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“Nate and Charlene are the best in their field. It has been a pleasure getting to know you and your company.”

Jesse S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best Care Senior Services of Philadelphia abides by the highest standards in the provision of in-home care.”

Sheila R.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Dave and his staff go above and beyond with their care. They all take special interest with their clients. Also a very helpful resource in future planning and current ideas. Trust your parents to these people - they will not let you down.”

Bill H.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best Care Senior Services are a group of compassionate care givers and professionals. Use them for all your personal needs Senior or younger. They get the job done!!!”

Sandra R.
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Delia F.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I appreciate ABC of Bristol. They served me and my friend, Helen, at very difficult time. The office staff, social workers, and the aides were professional, caring, and reliable. Donna you are awesome....keep up the great work!!!! I would recommend this service to anyone.”

Tanya R.

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Magnolia, DE?

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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.

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When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

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The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

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At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

 Senior Care Magnolia, DE

Types of Elderly Care in Magnolia, DE

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal Care

Personal Care Services

If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.

Common personal care services include assistance with:

  • Eating
  • Mobility Issues
  • Incontinence
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming

Respite Care Magnolia, DE
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.

Common home helper care services include assistance with:

  • Medication Reminders
  • Meal Preparation
  • Pet Care
  • Prescription Refills
  • Morning Wake-Up
  • Walking
  • Reading
 Caregivers Magnolia, DE
Companionship Services

Companionship Services

Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting The Magnolia Garden with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.

Common companionship services include:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
Home Care Magnolia, DE
Respite Care

Respite Care Services

According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Magnolia Restaurant or visit Magnolia Plantation, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.

At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.

If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.

 In-Home Care Magnolia, DE

Benefits of Home Care in Magnolia, DE

Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:

Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.

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Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?

A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.

With the help of elderly care in Magnolia, DE, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.

Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.

Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.

For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.

More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.

In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.

With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.

 Elderly Care Magnolia, DE

Affordable Care

In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.

Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.

At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.

In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your DE's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.
Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.
Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.
Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.
 Senior Care Magnolia, DE

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers.

When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.

Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.

At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Magnolia, DE understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.

Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.

Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.

Assisted Living Referral Services

While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.

Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.


Respite Care Magnolia, DE

At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.

Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Recreational Activities
  • Social Outings
  • Emergency Medical Response
  • Medication Monitoring
  • Family Visitation
  • Personal Care
 Caregivers Magnolia, DE

At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.

Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.

Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:

  • Sherwood Group Home
  • A Place For Mom - Senior Living Advisor Teresa Larsen
  • A Place For Mom - Senior Living Advisor Angela White-Riley
  • Southern Meadow
  • The Paragon Manor
  • DPSP HEALTH CARE
Home Care Magnolia, DE

For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.

 In-Home Care Magnolia, DE

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way

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A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

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Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

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Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Magnolia, DE 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.

When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.

 Elderly Care Magnolia, DE

Latest News in Magnolia, DE

Good Morning: Magnolia’s Nichols one of nine 4.0 grads at Delaware State University

DOVER — There are nine Delaware State University graduates with 4.0 grade-point averages who will be making the walk to receive their diplomas Saturday at 10 a.m. at Alumni Stadium.Magnolia’s Brandi Nichols is among those perfect GPA graduates who will each be honored with the Presidential Academic Excellence Award, even though her path was a winding one filled with uncertainty as she switched her major and minor at the outset of her collegiate journey.Not only that, but she was also forced to spend much of her coll...

DOVER — There are nine Delaware State University graduates with 4.0 grade-point averages who will be making the walk to receive their diplomas Saturday at 10 a.m. at Alumni Stadium.

Magnolia’s Brandi Nichols is among those perfect GPA graduates who will each be honored with the Presidential Academic Excellence Award, even though her path was a winding one filled with uncertainty as she switched her major and minor at the outset of her collegiate journey.

Not only that, but she was also forced to spend much of her college experience working virtually from home throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite the change in her career path and early goals, Ms. Nichols managed to flourish and will be receiving both her award and a BA in New Media in Arts during Saturday’s ceremony.

She will join Dover’s Anilu Paneda (Nursing) and New Castle’s Labrina Vancliff (Mass Communications) as Delawareans who will graduate with 4.0 GPAs from DSU Saturday.

Ms. Nichols said the past four years have just flown by.

“It’s just crazy because ever since I was little, I just felt like I’ve been in school constantly,” she said. “It’s crazy that it’s going to be over this weekend.”

Ms. Nichols, the daughter of Antwain and Bronta Nichols, is a native of Elkton, Maryland, but was raised mostly in Delaware in Newark and then Magnolia.

She arrived at DSU in the fall of 2018 as an Art Education major, while pursuing a minor in Spanish.

However, questions surrounding the working options of her chosen career path led her to change both her major and minor.

“I switched over my major in my freshman year,” Ms. Nichols said. “I came in with an Arts Education major with a Spanish minor, but after thinking about the possible career pathways and everything, I was like what major allows me to do that but is also related to art and being creative?

“So, I just switched my major to New Media in Arts and pursued a minor in Computer and Information Technology.”

Like most students, she often thought about several different fields she could possibly get into — and ones that piqued her interest — before deciding on New Media in Arts.

“It’s basically about you learning to be creative and apply your style and artistic expression through different mediums like technology, such as video, digital art, game design, whatever,” Ms. Nichols said. “It just allows you to use technology to be creative and I just thought that it provided me with more opportunities career-wise than an Arts Education major would have.”

Ironically, the COVID pandemic gave her additional time to rethink her career direction.

Just before, Ms. Nichols had thoughts of becoming a graphic designer and approached a magazine about an internship in that field. However, the COVID outbreak eliminated that possibility.

So, it was back to the computer and spending hours searching online for learning and intern experience opportunities.

Then, in February 2020, Ms. Nichols participated in an event that was pivotal in her career direction.

She and competed on a team in the DSU Code Swarm Hackathon — an annual University Computer Science Club competition in which teams create code for a new software or service.

In addition to giving her an opportunity to learn more about coding and being a part of the second-place team, the competition introduced Ms. Nichols to the digital specialty areas of UX and UI.

UX focuses on all the aspects of the interaction between a customer — or a potential one — with a product and its company.

Meanwhile, UI is concerned with interaction with the user and the digital device or product, such as the elements on the touchscreen of a smartphone.

As Ms. Nichols continued to increase her knowledge of such digital areas, she took advantage of the COVID environment by doing some graphic design internships online.

In the fall of 2020, Ms. Nichols landed a virtual UX/UI apprenticeship with the Office of Natural Resources in the U.S. Department of the Interior.

“It was a good experience because it taught me a lot of things, especially in the area of research, which is a crucial part of UX/UI,” she said.

Several more internship experiences would follow, including working for DSU’s Office of Career Services, a gaming entity, NASA, IBM, as well as with Reyets, a social justice technology start-up.

There were times in which she was doing two separate internship experiences at once.

“It’s been really crazy, but despite all that, COVID actually made me work more online as far as opportunities instead of in my own physical space,” said Ms. Nichols.

Apparently, she made a solid impression during her internship with IBM, as it has already hired her upon graduation. She will soon be moving to Austin, Texas, to work for the company as a UX visual designer.

“It’s definitely going to be a change because honestly, I wasn’t thinking I would be moving outside of the East Coast,” Ms. Nichols said. “I thought I would stay in Delaware for a while, go to Maryland or Pennsylvania.

“Moving to Texas is like halfway across the country. I literally have no friends, no family, and it’s definitely going to be a big adjustment, but honestly, I’m young and trying to get out there at look at different places. I’m definitely nervous but it’s kind of exciting at the same time.”

She has always found success in the classroom. After all, she graduated from Caesar Rodney High School with a 3.8 GPA.

After coming so close to perfection in high school she made a 4.0 GPA in college a steadfast goal at the beginning of her freshman year.

However, Ms. Nichols said, it was more than just being about grades. It’s about working outside the classroom as well.

“Don’t think the classroom is going to teach you everything you need to know,” said Ms. Nichols. “Go out there and do internships and competitions outside of the classroom, the earlier the better.

“Then you can build up your reputation, a background, a brand for yourself. So, when you graduate, it will be easier to market yourself. Everyone is graduating with an undergraduate degree, so you need to be able to differentiate yourself from others.”

This Barbie Is Celebrating Día De Muertos

Mattel is releasing a Barbie x Pink Magnolia Doll, and she’s clad in pink from head to toe and wears traditional Calavera makeup appropriate for the occasion. It’s almost as if Barbie took fashion tips from La Calavera Catrina for her makeup and her beautifully embroidered, puff-sleeved tulle dress. Because this is the Day of the Dead, flowers and skulls are elegantly detailed in her dress and accessories.This doll was designed by Mattel with ...

Mattel is releasing a Barbie x Pink Magnolia Doll, and she’s clad in pink from head to toe and wears traditional Calavera makeup appropriate for the occasion. It’s almost as if Barbie took fashion tips from La Calavera Catrina for her makeup and her beautifully embroidered, puff-sleeved tulle dress. Because this is the Day of the Dead, flowers and skulls are elegantly detailed in her dress and accessories.

This doll was designed by Mattel with Paola Wong, the creative director and co-founder of the Mexican ready-to-wear brand Pink Magnolia. Paola started sewing custom designs in college and founded the first Pink Magnolia shop in Polanco, Mexico City. What started out as a creative endeavor from one woman later grew into a booming slow fashion brand with more than 84,000 followers on Instagram.

It’s not hard to see why Mattel would choose to collaborate with this local Mexican-owned brand when they also feature clothes that could easily be in Barbie’s everyday closet. Anybody in love with the dress featured in this collaboration is in luck because it’s available on Pink Magnolia’s website for non-Barbie-size consumers. It’s wearable for Día de Muertos like Barbie does, but it’s also a fun dress to wear for anyone who wants to look pretty in pink—preferably as they cry over their nth stream of Barbie (2023).

2023 Dia De Muertos Barbie x Pink Magnolia Doll will be available on Mattel’s website for $100 on October 4, 2023, at 9AM Pacific Time, but you can only buy three pieces per order. She’s not too early or too late for either Hispanic Heritage Month or the Day of the Dead. There is also a 2023 Día De Muertos Ken Doll, but he was designed only by Mattel. He’s just Ken, but he looks pretty dapper in his dark blue embroidered jacket, silver pinstripe suit, and black slacks. He’s also wearing Calavera makeup, which looks more skull-like than Barbie’s version.

Ken is already out for $75, with a purchase limit of ten pieces per order.

(featured image: Mattel)

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Today's Forecast for Magnolia, DE

Today's Forecast for Magnolia, DENext HoursWeather Today in Magnolia, DEFeels Like34°7:11 am5:18 pmHigh / Low44°/29°Wind10 mphHumidity81%Dew Point35°Pressure29.82 inUV Index0 of 11Visibility10 miMoon PhaseWaning GibbousD...

Ban of anime club, manga draws ire from Magnolia Middle parents

Many in the Magnolia Middle School community are upset about a recent ban on manga and the termination of the anime club.A petition with nearly 2,000 signatures is circulating, asking the ...

Many in the Magnolia Middle School community are upset about a recent ban on manga and the termination of the anime club.

A petition with nearly 2,000 signatures is circulating, asking the school, which is part of the Caesar Rodney School District, to reinstate the club and allow manga books.

Manga are comics or graphic novels originating from Japan, and anime is a style of Japanese film and television animation that dates back to the early 1900s.

Both boomed in the 1990s in the United States, have become part of the Comic.Con and Cosplay cultures and continue to be popular with today’s students, Generation Y and Generation Z.

Among the most popular anime movies are animated films by Hayao Miyazaki such as “Spirited Away” and “Howl’s Moving Castle” that were hailed by Disney and Pixar for their stories and beauty.

Although the petition is circulating, Mike Williams, district community relations specialist, said the district is still in the process of making a final decision, which should be made next week.

“The district is in the process of reviewing policies, looking over curriculum materials, and the after school activities and things like that, and we still have maybe a week or 10 days to get through all that,” he said. “We’re going to look at each of the publications or books that are in this library and see which ones meet and which ones don’t meet the standard for age-appropriate material.”

He said the club wasn’t technically terminated by the district, but the club sponsor, Gretchen Fox, a teacher at Magnolia, decided to end the club on her own.

“The manga books are not banned, either, but what has been brought to the attention of the school is that some of the materials might not be age appropriate,” he said. “So the principal decided to he’s going to use a criteria and say age appropriate is this, and age non appropriate is that.”

According to Williams, Fox then said she didn’t have anything that she can use for her club because everything fell into the non-approved area, which is why the club was suspended.

Williams added that through the evaluation the district is conducting, some manga books might not be appropriate for the middle school, but are appropriate for the high school, so he pushed back on the term “banned.”

“Middle School is sixth, seventh and eighth, so if an eighth grader is looking at it, it has to also be okay for a sixth grader to look at,” he said, “and those are the conditions that we’re working through.”

According to the petition, the school principal Matthew Keen had said that because of the age of students the school serves, he was only comfortable with non-curriculum material being in the building if it was rated E or Y.

A rating of E or Y means the material is meant for children, or can be suitable for all ages because it does not have “inappropriate” content, like crude humor or language, violence, profanity, drug and alcohol use, nudity or sex, for example.

As with any form of media, a lot of manga and anime easily fits into the E or Y category. A lot doesn’t.

“The Anime Club at Magnolia Middle School has been an invaluable platform for students to come together and share their love for anime films,” the petition states.

It also says both platforms allow children to have the opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions about various themes depicted in the films while developing critical thinking skills.

The petition points out that children deserve access to diverse forms of literature, and manga and anime are visually unique mediums of storytelling that promote literacy and cultural exploration.

Several commenters on the petition say that their child has shown more of an interest in reading since Fox assembled her manga collection.

Part of the reason she was able to add the manga books, in addition to student demand, is a $1,000 donation by Hertrich’s family of automobile dealerships in Milford.

RELATED: School test scores dismal again despite new math, reading plans

Some commenters even cited the state’s poor reading scores, saying the books help kids want to read and that will help school literacy rates and test scores.

Just 40.76% of Delaware students are on grade-level in English language arts.

Jarek Rutz

Raised in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, Jarek earned a B.A. in journalism and a B.A. in political science from Temple University in 2021. After running CNN’s Michael Smerconish’s YouTube channel, Jarek became a reporter for the Bucks County Herald before joining Delaware LIVE News.

Jarek can be reached by email at [email protected] or by phone at (215) 450-9982. Follow him on Twitter @jarekrutz and on LinkedIn

Magnolia subdivision plan gets new life, amid traffic concerns

MAGNOLIA — Investors Realty Inc. has revived plans to develop nearly 99 acres of farmland 8 miles south of Dover into a 258 single-family subdivision, according to plans submitted to Kent County.Andy Strine, president of Investors Realty, is seeking to build Hatteras Hills, an age-restricted community complete with a clubhouse, about 1.5 miles outside the small town of Magnolia.It would be among the latest housing developments in Delaw...

MAGNOLIA — Investors Realty Inc. has revived plans to develop nearly 99 acres of farmland 8 miles south of Dover into a 258 single-family subdivision, according to plans submitted to Kent County.

Andy Strine, president of Investors Realty, is seeking to build Hatteras Hills, an age-restricted community complete with a clubhouse, about 1.5 miles outside the small town of Magnolia.

It would be among the latest housing developments in Delaware’s smallest county, targeting older homeowners looking for a place with a close drive to the beach. Pending the permitting process, the project should break ground in 2021.

“It’s minutes from Dover, and it’s about 45 minutes from Lewes. For people who are coming from surrounding states with high taxes, Delaware might look like an ideal option,” Strine told Delaware Business Times. “It’s a nice location with access to Route 1, and that location is certainly in demand right now.”

But not everyone is happy about the prospects of new housing.

Magnolia Mayor James Frazier testified against the project before the county Regional Planning Commission in early June, noting that traffic from the subdivision could be a detriment to the town with 225 residents.

“Our roads are hellacious in this town and this is going to absolutely make them worse,” Frazier said during the public hearing on June 4.

Houses would be priced between the upper $200,000s to mid $300,000s. Plans filed with the Kent County Regional Planning Commission include 5 acres of active open space and a clubhouse that could feature amenities like a pool and fitness center.

Previous plans to develop the Hatteras Hills parcel over the years through different developers have fallen through. In 2011, Investors Reality bought the land through its limited liability corporation, Canterbury Land Development, for $809,060.

Investors Reality has developed homes in Dover and Lewes ranging from waterfront resort properties to age-restricted properties since 1974. Right now, the company is focused on single-family subdivisions Satterfield and Lynnwood Village Felton and higher-end Townsend Fields in Camden.

When Investors Reality bought Hatteras, Strine said the real estate market caused him to wait to develop it.

“We were developing another age-restricted community, Southern Meadow, when 2008 hit. In the end, it was a 10-year build-out,” he said.

Until the housing market crashed, Kent County saw a boom in housing developments, reaching 1,386 new units at its peak in 2005, according to the county’s 2018 comprehensive plan.

New developments have declined dramatically in the years since, with 637 new housing units counted in 2016. But developments have been climbing at a slow and steady pace in the last four years.

“When I first started doing this in 1986, all this land was farm country and communities have been coming up since that time,” Strine said. “At this point, we feel like the demand is there to meet new inventory.”

Hatteras Hills’ state Preliminary Land Use Service application estimates 1,160 trips in peak traffic. Under a traffic impact study, the developer will enter into an agreement with the Delaware Department of Transportation to fund improvements to Sopher’s Row and Clapham Road, if needed.

Mayor Frazier said many Magnolia residents raised concerns with yet another development surrounding the town would force them to endure thousands of cars on their two-lane roads, and potentially damaging the water line underneath it.

Frazier also testified in a letter that DelDOT’s 2018 average traffic count per day was 9,435 cars for North Main Street, which turns into Clapham Road.

By Katie Tabeling

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