Stranded fin whale, Derby highlights, Flower Market preview

Howdy, First State!

Rise and shine, it’s Monday morning.

It may be a damp start to the week and not particularly sunny outside, but we our minds are wandering to Delaware Beaches and the summer season.

We’re rolling out our Summer Guide content over the next several weeks, offering you a road map of everything from outdoor dining and beach brunch options to family-friendly entertainment options and hot nightlife updates to guides to camping, hiking, kayaking and much more. Together, we can assemble your summer bucket list.

Later this week is the Wilmington Flower Market . More on that below.

We will also continue our coverage of Delaware prom season. Look for galleries on DelawareOnline.com. We will update our prom guide as we go.

Delaware high school sports is also heating up in mid-season. Be sure to follow all the action with us on Instagram @DEGameDay and by signing up for our DE Game Day newsletter .

And now, more news …

50-foot fin whale beached, likely dying at Delaware Seashore State Park on Sunday

A fin whale that beached itself at Delaware Seashore State Park on Sunday morning is likely dying, reports Shannon Marvel McNaught.

“A crowd of 30 or so people watched the whale from behind caution tape erected by the nonprofit Marine Education, Research and Rehabilitation Institute around 2 p.m. Sunday. It thrashed its tail as people quietly urged it on, but made no progress,’’ Shannon writes.

“The whale is a young fin whale, MERR Director Suzanne Thurman told the crowd. It's emaciated and has been sick for a long time, Thurman said, but there's no way of knowing what caused it to beach unless an autopsy can be performed.’’

Learn more here.

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Open Call to Arts, Cultural Groups

Every Sunday we pass the mic to arts and cultural groups throughout the First State, affording them the opportunity to tell our readers about upcoming events, seasonal plans, fundraising efforts, volunteer opportunities, collaborations and so much more.

This week’s Open Call is hosted by The Arden Gild, which will welcome some big comedians in the weeks ahead.

Upcoming Open Call columns will feature Longwood Gardens , Freeman Arts Pavilion ,  Serafin Summer Festival and The Rainbow Chorale of Delaware . If you know a group that would like to be included, please email me at tpaolino@gannett.com for details .

Note to readers

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This is your morning briefing. We strive to make it engaging, useful and informative.

Thank you to our readers who support us as subscribers, making our local coverage of your community possible. Check out our Subscribers Guide. Reach out to me anytime at tpaolino@gannett.com

🚪 Get out : Wilmington Flower Market 2024: When is it, what to expect

🤪 Just for fun : USA TODAY 10Best: Great Wolf Lodge named top 10 indoor water parks. Find one near Delaware

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✈️ Get away : Move over Hawaii, The Azores Islands also bring vibrant beauty (with fewer crowds)

🧩 Brain teaser : Can you Ken Ken?

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This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Stranded fin whale, Derby highlights, Flower Market preview