A connection to the historic Woodland ferry

It seems we can find a connection to just about anything if we really look hard enough.

Growing up in Seaford, I always had a fascination with the nearby Woodland ferry, and would ride my bike the five miles to Woodland a lot just to board the ferry and take a free ride across the Nanticoke River.

As I got into serious running and biking as an adult, I would plan out my routes to cross the ferry ­– when it was running. It was on those short trips that I began to understand the importance of preserving the natural beauty and history of the river.

Little did I realize I would have a connection to both of the modern ferries, the Virginia C and the Tina Fallon.

The Virginia C, in operation for 46 years until 2007, was named after the wife of former Highway Commissioner Dallas Culver of Seaford. As a young man growing up in Seaford, I cut Mr. Culver’s expansive yard around the former Lawrence Mansion. Using a push mower, it took me most of the day to cut his grass.

The Tina Fallon, in operation since 2008, is named for former State Rep. Tina Fallon who served in the General Assembly from 1978 to 2006. Not only did I have Mrs. Fallon as a seventh-grade science teacher, over the years we grew to become good friends.

Unfortunately for the past five months, the ferry has been out of operation because of mechanical problems. It now appears there is some hope on the horizon. I’ll explain that in another blog.