4:24 p.m., March 18, 2008--Carol Hoffecker, professor emeritus of history and author of several books on Delaware history, will give a talk on Newark's past at the city's 250th Anniversary Banquet, beginning with a reception at 5 p.m., followed by dinner at 6 p.m., Sunday, April 13, at Clayton Hall.

The event will provide an opportunity to view the largest exhibit of Newark's past and present ever assembled, and music will be performed by the Praetorius Musicians. There also will be a surprise gift for each person attending the banquet.

Other events planned for earlier that day include the burial of a time capsule at 11 a.m. on the Academy Building Lawn on Main Street, and a colonial market and petting zoo. There also will be a reading of the April 13, 1758, proclamation of the charter from King George II recognizing Newark as a market place, which will take place at noon on the steps of the Academy Building.

Tickets for the banquet, which are limited, are $50 each or $400 for a table of eight and can be purchased in person or by mail from the Planning Department, Newark City Hall, 229 Elkton Rd., 19711, or from Mayor Vance Funk, 273 East Main St., Newark, DE, 19711, with checks made out to the Taste of Newark. For more information, call (302) 366-7030.

An exhibition, "Little Known Histories of Newark," is on display in the Special Collections Gallery of the Morris Library through June 20. The exhibition commemorates the 250th anniversary of Newark's charter.