Mike DiPaolo has spent over 25 years working with non-profits, helping make them and the communities they serve more effective and impactful. He helped steer the Lewes Historical Society into prominence, and today is helping the Delaware Community Foundation improve and better coordinate charitable activities throughout the state. He’s won national and state awards for his public service. When awarding him the prestigious Nancy Hanks Memorial Award for Professional Excellence, the American Association of Museums said Mike was proof that one person, with energy and drive and imagination, can turn a modest institution into a major one. Not bad for someone still in his 40’s.

What would your life be like if you couldn’t read? Think about school, getting a job, so much of your daily life. Hillary Summerbell has dyslexia. She can’t read like most people. Not just books or textbooks. She couldn’t even read road signs, let alone use a computer. But, Hillary doesn’t give up. She finds solutions. She used the talents she had - an amazing eye for design and colors - and built a multi-million dollar interior design company and then, one night, after years of trial and error, she had that eureka moment. By simply breaking away from the linear presentation of words, she could realign them into a format that she could read. It was immediate. It worked. She’s had it tested and validated. And now, with her company, the Summerbell Reading Method, she is enabling people across the country to read what they want, when they want. There’s a Chrome extension and an app. It’s a remarkable, story of courage, conviction, and hope.

Imagine a life where your work involves kayaking with dolphins, dressing as you like (shoes and shirts are optional), and only answering to the person staring at you in the mirror. Matt Carter created a career built around what he loves - showing people how to stay healthy, have fun playing outdoors, and relishing the simple joys in life like sitting around a beach fire doing absolutely nothing. It allowed him to raise children who so enjoyed their childhood that they want to return after school. A true Lewes original, Matt explains how all of this started when he was in college, studying in an ice cave in the Rocky Mountains. Only he had the foresight to see how that experience could be brought to the Delaware Shore. One suggestion - this episode is best enjoyed barefoot, relaxing on the beach, with an adult beverage in hand. Yes, we experimented.

Lisa Graff is well known for creating and performing her own one woman shows based upon her insightful and humorous take on life. Accompanied by vocalist Holly Lane and pianist John Flynn, she has created, starred, and produced The Benefits of Aging …Uncensored; Secrets to a Long Marriage and Other Myths; and Chicago is My Kind of Town, to name a few. Known for her wit, bluntness, and courage, Lisa has always been willing to tackle tough topics, whether its alcoholism, marital exasperation, or parents failing schools. She’s a trained actress, taught public school, authored two well-received books for young adults, and had her articles published in The Washington Post, Woman’s World, Delaware Beach Life, and the Cape Gazette. No matter the medium, Lisa is proof that laughter is not just the best medicine, it’s also a very, very good teacher.

With the July 4th holiday only days away, we wanted to share part of a prior episode with Russ Palmer. He talks about how the town’s fireworks extravaganza got started, how it’s funded, where you can sit and watch, and other key logistical information.

This is a big city fireworks party in a small town. It’s all privately funded, so donations are always welcome. Visit Go Fourth Lewes and give what you can.

And remember, get there early. It’s going to be crowded.