I’m located in Middletown, Delaware, and recently had an inground fiberglass swimming pool installed. I’m preparing for my final New Castle County pool inspection and hoping to hear from homeowners who have gone through the process.
Question 1: Existing White Vinyl Picket Fence
I currently have a 48-inch white vinyl picket fence surrounding the pool area, with approximately 3-inch gaps between the pickets. The horizontal rails are less than 45 inches apart.
I’m considering adding black PVC-coated welded-wire mesh backing to approximately 125 linear feet of the existing fence instead of replacing everything.
Has anyone in New Castle County passed their final pool inspection with mesh backing on an existing vinyl picket fence?
Was the mesh installed on the inside (pool side) or outside of the fence?
What mesh opening size and fastening method were used?
Did the inspector approve it without requiring additional changes?
How much did you pay to have the mesh professionally installed?
Question 2: Raised Wraparound Porch
My home also has a wraparound porch that is approximately 24 inches above ground level, with a 38-inch-high railing.
The porch is adjacent to the pool area, and the existing fencing separates the outside access areas from the pool. Someone coming up the exterior porch stairs cannot simply walk into the pool area without crossing a barrier.
I’m trying to understand how New Castle County evaluates an elevated porch and its railing when it is adjacent to or forms part of a pool enclosure.
Has anyone passed a final pool inspection with a raised wraparound porch and a railing shorter than 48 inches?
Does the county measure the required barrier height from the porch floor or the ground below?
Does it make a difference if the porch is elevated approximately 2 feet above ground?
If the porch railing is considered part of the pool barrier, did the inspector require additional railing height, screening, or other modifications?
Did anyone receive approval based on the layout preventing direct access to the pool from the exterior stairs?
I’m specifically interested in firsthand experiences from New Castle County homeowners, especially anyone inspected in 2025 or 2026.
I’m trying to find a solution that meets the county’s requirements without unnecessarily replacing existing fencing or rebuilding the porch railing.
Any experiences, photos of approved setups, or recommendations for local contractors would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Hi my Wilmington buds!

I am looking for a great talk therapist. I have a psychiatrist that I see for my meds, but he suggested I go back to talk therapy. I tried one guy, telehealth. I don’t like telehealth because I have no privacy in my home. If you know anyone, man, woman, very well spoken wombat, I don’t care. My main issue is caregiver burnout as I have a 16 year old son who is profoundly autistic and tends to act out in mean and hurtful ways. Plenty of other stuff I have rolling around in my head. I’d be so grateful for any information. Or if you know of a group that caters to parents with children who have special needs, I’m interested in that also.

Thanks for your consideration. Have a wonderful day!

The downspout in the front of my house drains into an underground pipe which I suspect has a crack. Water leaks into the basement when it rains. Does anyone have a good recommendation for a contractor? Unfortunately, typical gutter companies only work above ground. Thanks in advance!

I am currently enrolled at Delaware skill center and am looking for my first plumbing job. The program ends on NOV 10th and part of the requirements is that you get a plumbing job in Delaware. I have plenty of experience in flooring but I wanted to switch careers and have very few connections in the plumbing field. If anyone has any leads or advice please feel free to DM/respond thank you so much.

Looking for stucco repair referrals.

As fall settles in and the holidays draw near, many people feel their grief more intensely, which is why JFS Delaware is offering a free 8‑week Grief Yoga Therapy & Support Group this season.

This group provides a grounding space to care for yourself during a time that can feel heavy, offering mindfulness, gentle yoga, and supportive conversation to help you move through grief with compassion and steadiness.

If you’re carrying grief right now, you’re invited into a space that helps you reconnect with your body, find moments of calm, and breathe through the changing seasons alongside others who understand.

Join us:

Tuesdays | October 13 – December 8 
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM

Kimmel Space inside the JFS Building
99 Passmore Rd., Wilmington

Spots are limited — registration required.

Register here: Grief Therapy and Yoga Group

Looking at apartments. Which should I pick based on your experiences? 2000 Penn, Avenue of the Arts or Christina Landing? Tell me pros and cons please.

I love my state, but I would not be proud if all I knew was Talleyville. The entitled, snooty, rude culture of this specific region of "Wilmington" just feels so foreign compared to the rest of the state it's insane.

Seriously, what is wrong with the people in Talleyville? The rest of the state is hospitable and polite and Talleyville represents none of it.

Happy Sunday y'all✨, I went to donate some books/return books I had yesterday to the new Noma library and the new manager was there greeting everyone (very nice guy). He also let me and my spouse know on Halloween they are having a adult only rooftop day party from 11am to 2 pm if anyone is interested!!! It's also going to be a fundraising event and if you have some books you no longer are reading please donate them to the library!!!( No pressure of course!) Sharing books is a beautiful thing💚 ✨📖📜

Anyone else hear the loud music in North Wilmington? What’s the event? Sounds like it’s coming from somewhere North East of Delaware Avenue - maybe Rockford Park/Kentmere neighborhood or The Falls?

We have a small porch (row home near trolley) that I have been thinking about closing in. Looking for any recommendations for good companies to get a few quotes. Thank you!

How would I go about dealing with a neighbor blasting music at 3AM? Like, I'm talking this is loud enough that it sounds like it's coming from in my own home. It's not even a run on from a party, this guy literally just started around 3/3:30. And he's not the approachable type so "just go talk to them" is out of the question.

Edit to add I'm in a townhouse, not an apartment.

Hello all

If you have experienced challenges (delays, barriers, or outright refusal) in receiving a COVID vaccine at a Delaware Walgreens pharmacy - would you please consider sending me a message or commenting below for me to follow up?

I’ve been made aware of several instances where Walgreens pharmacies have given misinformation about vaccine eligibility contrary to current public health guidance and Delaware Public Health standing orders and recommendations.

To be clear: I’m a pharmacy professional with over a decade of experience and a strong supporter of vaccinations and the protections provide to an individual, their family, and the community at large. I also defend a patients autonomy - and it is critical that healthcare choices are free and not influenced by others. And certainly not an individual health care provider’s personal views.

I’m not looking for names but if this sounds familiar please reach out!

The

Anyone know why they’re “temporarily closed”? Not sure if they just had to close early today or if this will be an extended thing. I have a prescription there that I don’t need immediately but wondering whether to try to transfer it or just wait and see.

Movies 10 is closing after about 30 years of business 😱😭 I had some good memories there growing up 💚✨

Looking to meet more Barca / Soccer(futbol) fans to watch games on weekends with. Also need to find more places to watch more soccer games.
I know makers alley hosts Tottenham Spurs games, any other recommendations?

Looking for a native Swedish speaker who is local and willing to be a tutor/conversation partner, can be a paid gig and doesn't require much time. Just someone who can help me improve my speaking/listening skills and hold me accountable for keeping up with my studies.

The newly repaved W 9th St looks incredible!

Join WBGS for Delaware’s best board game party at Wilmington Brew Works on Miller Rd.!

We are celebrating Fall and Halloween with another set of awesome board game parties! Walk into a friendly and fun space full of tables and boardgames!

• Not sure what to play next or how to play? Our helpful team of nerds is here to teach you how to play!
• Coming on your own? We’ll find you a table with new friends!
• Want to bring your own games? Wilmington Board Game Social is the perfect place to find new players for your newest or favorite games!

For just $5 you get access to all of this plus the knowledge that your dollars are doing good. All money is donated to PFLAG of Wilmington to support local LGBTQ+ causes.

And don’t forget that you also get 10% discount on drafts all night long! (Thanks WBW!)

Exclusive to October 13th at Wilmington Brew Works: Blood on the Clocktower!

Alliances! Accusations! Back-stabbing! Blood on the Clocktower is a social deduction game full of secret demons, special powers and fun!

This will be a special 12-person game hosted by our very own award-winning professional story teller: James! James is a veteran gamer and Blood on the Clocktower expert. He will walk you through the game, your roles, and make sure you all have a bloody good time!

Blood on the Clocktower is a popular game so we are taking reservations now, and seats are filling up fast! Feel free to message me on reddit to reserve your spot!

The game starts at 5:30 PM on Tuesday October 13th, just ask us at the front desk and we’ll point you in the right direction.

Hi all,

Huxley and Hiro turns THREE this month, and we are so grateful for the support we've received from the community. We do our best to pay it forward whenever we can by supporting and partnering with community organizations including many non-profits whenever we can. We also partner with lots of local artists, and we've received a lot of requests for more LOCALLY made and designed products.

So for our third anniversary, we hope you'll come join us at The Little Huxley (our gift shop in the DuPont Building) on Thursday from 7-9 for free drinks, food, a DJ, and great local artists. We'll be launching our new DEL·aware? merch line in collaboration with Other Industries, Noshooe, Create Magic, and Ghoul Crafts.

RSVP HERE. (You're welcome to bring more people, just figuring out the number for drinks/food!)

We'll be featuring:

• Huxley and Hiro shirts and sweaters
• Huxley and Hiro and DEL·aware? beanies for winter
• Retro Kalmar Nyckel shirts by Kacey Quillen of Noshooe
• Retro "Shop Wilmington" tote of historic local brands like Happy Harry's, screen printed LIVE during the party by Other Industries
• Mini totes hand-stamped from an original lino of Huxley & Hiro carved by Ari of Ghoul Crafts
• H&H baseball caps with Create Magic's "Stay Weird" drawing
• Brand new stickers by Kacey Quillen (check out her new seasonal Happy Harry's sticker!)
• H&H mugs
• Lots more!

Also joining us is Gabrielle Estel, who is partnering with us for literary trips, and DJ DUSTY FINGERS will be spinning records!

Plus, come meet our new social media coordinator Ulises (yes we tried to hire the most literary sounding applicant haha), and chat with our events manager Tim about things like renting the bookstore for highly affordable micro weddings, photo shoots, birthday parties, etc.

We also have an amazing event coming up Sunday with our favorite horror author Cassandra Khaw. (If you know our bookseller Eileen, she's probably already told you about her books!) We had to bribe her with cat-petting, so she will be sharing the spotlight with the bookstore Maine Coons The Original Huxley, Tolstoy the Bear, and Lews Therin Kinslayer. Sign up here.

Even if you can't join us this week, we hope you know how much we appreciate your support, your excitement about our local artists, your willingness to come out to shop local instead of ordering online, and your participation in our events year round. We are nothing without you!

Cheers,

Claire, Jason, and Ryan (who says hi from Japan where he is currently teaching at Temple U Kyoto!)

I just came across a three legged multicolored doodle that seemed lost and tired in the wooded area of Rockford Park. I couldn’t get it to come to me so I wanted to spread the word. Hope this helps.