Saturday, July 30, 2011

The Princess Anne Fair

If you didn't make it to the Princess Anne Fair you missed a great show. At the Pocomoke Fair there was a lot of horsepower pulling sleds across the dirt, but at The Princess Anne Fair there was real horsepower pulling the sled. It was a simple event with sled pulling and several baked goods auctions between classes when they changed the weights on the sled. Being it was a simple event I don't have much to say except that it was a great event but I do have a lot of pictures for those that missed it.

BTW: The last cake of the day was a Smith Island 10 layer reeses pieces cake and it was auctioned off to the high bidder of $200.00

 Ready-Set-Go



 GONE!! That's a full pull with 4000 pounds on the sled




Notice when those horses are pulling their ears are pinned back

















These horses are big muscular animals

Now it's time to add another 1000 pounds to the sled to make it 5000 pounds, while they do that it's time to auction off some baked goods.


5000 pounds? No problem for these powerful horses. This is real horsepower.


Simply beautiful.


Time to dig! Let me tell you when the operators drop that ring on the tongue of the sled those horses hear it and do not need directions, they dig-in and take off. You can feel the power in the ground when they do. 


Again, 5000 pounds is no problem for these massive animals.









You'd never know the power of these genital beast if you didn't see it for yourself. 


It's time to change the weights on the sled again, this time they only go up 500 pounds for a total weight 5500 pounds. While they make the changes another baked good goes up for auction.


This is a picture of the team.


And stomping the ground with 5500 pounds.




COUNT DOWN TO THE CRISFIELD MUD BOG

CRISFIELD MUD BOG begins tomorrow at 1:00 PM. 

Be sure to be there to cheer on your favorite truck and driver!

187 East Performance


'In The Mix'

'Short and Sassy'



'All Night Soldier'
   The MudDoctor for the 187 East Performance Team has made his rounds today and everything looks good for the three trucks participating tomorrow!
~Thanks Donald!!~

We are sure going to miss 'The Grey Ghost' and 'Sod Buster'!!
They'll be back soon even better!

Sunday ~ Crisfield Mud Bog

SUNDAY
JULY 31, 2011
Admission $7 children 10 and under FREE
Registration 9:30 to 12;30
Events start 1:00
Power Wheel races for the kids
NO alcoholic beverages

Pocomoke Getting Some Action This Morning!!

Currently happening in Pocomoke City:

Just received a call that undercover officers, possibly SWAT and maybe DEA are in Pocomoke
making arrests in the Linden/Fourth/Oxford Street areas.

Officers  standing in the street and are carrying assault rifles, wearing masks.

Eye witness saw one person in handcuffs being escorted from a house.

Unmarked vehicles.
Has anyone seen anything else this morning?

TIME MACHINE Preview ... The Wild, Wild East!

The TIME MACHINE takes a look at some rough and tumble times in Pocomoke City's past... this Sunday on The Pocomoke Public Eye!




Do you have a local memory to share with PPE readers.. such as a big snow storm, a favorite school teacher, a local happening, something of interest your parents or grandparents told you about? It can be just a line or two or more if you wish. Your name won't be used unless you ask that it be. Send to tkforppe@yahoo.com and watch for it on a future TIME MACHINE posting!

Wo. Co. Sheriff's Office - Crime Watch Meeting

SNOW HILL — The Worcester County Sheriff’s office is hoping to establish a crime watch in Girdletree and has scheduled a crime watch meeting on

August 22nd at the Girdletree Firehouse

Beginning at 7 p.m., Deputy First Class Dale Trotter will give a brief overview of crime watch, citizen concerns, necessary precautions and future meeting times.

Call 410-632-1112.

Walking For Our Troops- Earlier This Week

Al "Iron Grandpa" Slusser, a 72-year-old Arizona native, is walking from Key West, Fla., to
the Canadian border north of Maine to honor U.S veterans and troops.

PHOTO  Linda Cicoira
He stopped at Melfa Volunteer Fire & Rescue Co. for a short rest Tuesday. Slusser said he’s gone about 4,200 miles since April 5, 2011, when his eastern coastline walk began.

A friend drove him over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel earlier this week.

A Navy veteran who served in Europe during the Vietnam Era, Slusser already has walked "from sea to shining sea." He went from San Diego to Annapolis last year while pulling his cart of belongings, which includes a cell phone, a  satellite locator, flags from all branches of the service and pins in his hat from all but the Air Force.
He dedicated that journey to seniors and disabled Americans, including veterans.

Slusser said hehopes to walk the western coastline next year,completing 7,300 miles by age 73. "I don’t mind the heat but the humidity" is a different story, he said

 I’m losing weight by the gallons." Slusser said everyone has been really nice to him. He is collecting
 names of loved ones who were POW, MIA or KIA for a memorial service at the border.

To follow his travels or offer a name, go to www.c2cw.com

Source;  easternshorepost.com
                                                                              

Maj. Todd Godwin Replaces Sheriff Larry Giddens

Beginning August 1, 2011 Major Todd Godwin will begin his new job as Accomack County Sheriff.  He will fill the position for Sheriff Larry Giddens who has decided to take his retirement before his first terms ends at  the end of 2011.


Major Godwin was sworn in by (Ret) Judge Glen Tyler with  his wife and sons by his side.  Retired Judge Tyler was specially appointed to administer the oath.

Maj. Todd Godwin and family, Retired Judge Glen Tyler
Photo/ Linda Cicoira
The best of luck to you Sheriff Larry Giddens in your retirement.

Virginia Zoo Welcomes New Baby Giraffe

NORFOLK - The Virginia Zoo has announced the long-anticipated birth of one of its newest additions-a 6-foot-tall baby giraffe.

After two hours of labor and a 6-foot headfirst drop, giraffe parents, 10-year-old Billy and 9-year-old Imara, welcomed their new baby into the world yesterday at 4:20 p.m.

Several visitors had the opportunity to watch the entire labor and birth.

"This healthy birth marks an exciting milestone for our giraffe collection," says executive director Greg Bockheim, who adds that this is the second birth for Imara. Her last offspring, Willow, now lives at Disney's Animal Kingdom in Florida.

"The idea of a six-foot drop sounds scary to people, but it's normal for a giraffe," explains Bockheim. "It helps stimulate breathing to get the baby on its own and since baby giraffe can be 6-feet tall and 150 pounds, the fall doesn't seem so far to them."



Newborn giraffe can stand and walk within 1 hour of birth, and they can start eating leaves at 4 months old.

The new baby has been given a preliminary checkup and appears to be very healthy.

Mom and baby can be viewed by Zoo visitors now.

The zoo will announce a baby naming poll  at a later date.

Source;  http://www.wtkr.com/news/wtkr-virginia-zoo-giraffe-birth,0,1572019.story

Friday, July 29, 2011

Al Slusser - AKA "IronMan Grandpa" Is Still On The Move

I was on my way to Salisbury this morning and what to my wondering eyes should appear? Mr Al Slusser AKA: IronMan Grandpa pulling his cart in this smoldering heat.

I was headed north on Rt. 13 at the Olsen's Antique Store. I jumped in the left lane so I could make a U turn and see if the Ironman was friendly. I stopped behind him on the shoulder of the road and put my emergency flashers on and stuck my head out the window and I yelled "Could I get a picture please?" the Ironman immediately turned his cart sideways and posed with a smile. I had my phone ready for the picture so I snapped one quick pic and walked up to him, and we shook hands, and I thanked him for what he was doing.



I spoke about how hard his journey must be and with a soft low voice but a great big smile the Ironman said not really. We talked for about five minuets, Referring to a place to stay at night I mentioned that Princess Anne was about 15 miles and Salisbury was about 15 miles past that, he said that 15 miles per day is about what he averages walking while pulling that wagon, I know one thing I couldn't do it. The heat was just tremendous coming off that black top highway, it had to be 100 degrees and getting hotter, I could feel the heat coming off each truck as it whizzed by us.

Once again I thanked him for what he was doing and we shook hands again and with a big smile on his face we parted ways. I wish that we had a place to sit and chat for awhile because within that short time that we did talk I could tell that the Ironman was a super guy with a very big heart.

 I wish him the best of luck on his journey, he still has a long way to go from here. I'm just very happy that I actually had the opportunity to meet and talk to the Ironman, I'm sure he'll go down in history. 

TONIGHT ONLY AT THE MAR-VA THEATER


The advanced group from the
MAR-VA THEATER  ACADEMY
presents

"MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM"
Friday  July 29th   2011
7:00 PM

Admission:  Adults $5.00
                   Children  $5.00

Show is tonight only!
Show your support for these young performers!

At The Mar-Va Theater

Summer 2010's runaway hit is returning!!
"BEEHIVE - The 1960's Musical"

Presented by  The North Street Playhouse, Inc.
At The Mar-Va Theater
Pocomoke City, Maryland

Sunday, July 31, 2011
3:30 PM


The girls are back, bigger hair and better than ever!
The North Street Playhouse presents "Beehive- the Sixties Musical" created by Larry Gallagher, highlighting the music of the female singers of the 1960's.

Over thirty-five songs are included, made famous by artists from Diana Ross and the Supremes to Leslie Gore, from Janis Joplin,Tina Turner, and Aretha Franklin to Janis Ian and Annette Funicello.
The cast of singers includes Beth Sharpely, Catrina Satchel, Katisha Crippen, Christy Northam, Patsy Goard and Shenae Cooper.

They will be backed by the live band, "MR. B. and The Boys" and Tynisha Savage on the saxophone!
Tickets are available ONLY through
The North Street Playhouse.
Call 866-70-DRAMA or 757-787-2050.

Tickets will be available for purchase at the door on Sunday at 3:30 p.m.
Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students.

Group discounts available, call for details or to order your tickets today! 

Man Pleads Guilty To Pushing Stranger Into Inner Harbor

Wayne Black
A 21-year-old Pasadena man pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter Thursday for shoving a stranger who couldn't swim into the Inner Harbor in 2008 — an act previously characterized by one Baltimore judge as complete stupidity.


Wayne Black, who was 18 when he pushed 22-year-old Ankush Gupta into the water and ran, will be sentenced to four years in prison at his sentencing, scheduled for Aug. 30, per an agreement cut with Baltimore Circuit Judge M. Brooke Murdock.


His mother dabbed tears from her eyes as the deal was done, while Gupta's friends and family sat stone-faced on the other side of the courtroom.

"That is not justice," Saneel John Masih said after the hearing. He and Rohit Gupta were longtime friends of Ankush, more like brothers than buddies, they said.


They were devastated by his death and disgusted by Black's deal, which the family was informed of shortly before it was struck. They were hoping for a murder conviction rather than manslaughter, and a prison term of at least 10 years.


A spokesman for the Baltimore state's attorney's office said prosecutors pushed for a 10-year sentence, the maximum allowed for involuntary manslaughter, but that the judge reduced it to four years, based on sentencing guidelines.


"We, as a victim's family, have no authority whatsoever," said Rohit Gupta, who is not related to Ankush. Black "intentionally pushed [Ankush] into the water; it was a murder."

In late August 2008, on their way back from a day trip to New York City, Ankush and Rohit Gupta and several other friends had stopped at the Inner Harbor after midnight to stretch their legs. Ankush took a stroll by himself, then disappeared. His friends heard only a scream and a splash.


Rescue divers pulled Ankush's body from the water hours later. He had drowned.


His friends suspected that Ankush was pushed, though two years would pass before their suspicions were confirmed. A tipster told police in September that Black, a high school dropout who had been at the harbor that night skateboarding, was involved.

Prosecutor Charles Blomquist filled in the gaps Thursday during the plea hearing, quoting from a confession Black gave authorities.


Ankus Gupta
"'I walked up, and I pushed him into the water,'" Black told police. "'I came up behind him and I pushed.'"
Added Blomquist: "The victim did not know how to swim."


Black's attorney, Howard Cardin, said his client has been choked with guilt and last year confided in a friend who alerted police.

"It's a tragedy, an absolute regrettable tragedy," Cardin said, adding that a judge previously called the prank "stupid." "Obviously, we're very apologetic to the family."


Black's mother said she would give anything to reverse the past.


Ankush Gupta's family said he was their best hope for the future.

At 22, he was the only child still living at home in Montgomery County with his parents, who emigrated from India when Ankush was 12. He cared for them, delivering medication to his disabled father, Anoop, and shared his dreams of being a NASA engineer with his mother.


Ankush was about to enter his junior year at the University of Maryland, College Park on an engineering scholarship when he was killed, his friends said. They described him as bright, selfless and hardworking.

"He wasn't doing all this for himself," Masih said. " He was just doing it for his mom and dad."
Ankush's mother, Meena Kumari Gupta, cried after the hearing. She held a photo of her son kneeling before a bed of orange and yellow tulips.

Her statement, which was translated into English, asked that Black be severely punished. She never got to read it in court.

"This man must learn from his mistakes," it said. "He has broken up a family who has nothing left in America. He killed our American dream and our son."

Source;  http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-city/bs-md-ci-harbor-drowning-plea-20110728,0,227422.story

Friday Special At Shore Beef and BBQ

SHORE BEEF & BBQ

~ALL DAY FRIDAY SPECIAL~

Beef BBQ Sandwhich w/side
and drink
$7.50

Fresh Vegetable  @ fruits for sale!
(I saw watermelon there)

Route 13, Lankford Highway- south-  near T's Corner

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Find Cheap Gas Near You

Save $$ at the pump! Find the cheapest gas in town with MapQuest gas prices. TRY IT NOW HERE >>

Crisfield Mud Bog This Sunday!

Al Slusser - AKA "IronMan Grandpa" Keeps On Walking

This man is incredible not to mention patriotic!  You can follow his travels on his website www.C2CW.com or on facebook - The Great America Walk With "IronMan Grandpa Al Slusser"

Al Slusser is known as the Ironman Grandpa. Slusser decided in the summer of 2009 at the ripe old age of 71 to walk across America to honor those who sacrifice part or all of their lives to serve in the military protecting our country. On October 1, 2009 ,Slusser walked out of the waters of the Pacific Ocean and headed East. Several months later after a three month hiatus to tend to a family emergency, Slusser stepped into the foam at Ocean City after walking 3188 miles.

But that wasn't the end of Slusser's journey.Slusser, now 72 decided to add to his legacy by walking up the East Coast of the United States from South Florida to Maine. Slusser stopped by WESR Wed morning and talked about his journey on the air with Felicity Stokes.


Slusser hopes to get to the Canadian Border in Maine by October where he will conduct a memorial service for those who gave their lives to protect our country.


After a trip across America and then one up the East Coast you'd think that Slusser might want to retire and take it easy. Next year at 73 Al Slusser plans another chapter in his travels. He plans to walk the West Coast from San Diego to the Canadian Border in Washington State.

Source; shoredailynews.com

Virginia Zoo Offers Free Entry To Senior During August and September

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — Seniors can get into the Virginia Zoo for free every Wednesday during August and September.

Zoo executive director Greg Bockheim says the zoo is more than 100 years old, and that it recognizes that much of its success and growth has been due to the support of generations that have visited the zoo — first as children and then as grandparents. He says the free admission is a way of saying thank you to seniors.

To receive free admission, seniors must present a valid ID.

 Free admission applies only to individuals age 62 and over.

Feather Fund Helps Dreams Come True

For those that may not be familiar with the organization, this beautifully explains the 'Feather Fund'.

From July 21, 2011
CHINCOTEAGUE -- Each year at Pony Penning, crowds come from states far away to see the wild ponies. Many choose their favorites to bid on, taking home their own Chincoteague foals.

Author Lois Szymanski is shown with Sea Feather.
Among the crowds later this month, two girls will see their dreams come true with help from the Feather Fund. On auction day, each will hold a feather high in the air to bid their favorite pony, continuing the work of a woman named Carollynn Suplee.
Fifteen-year-old Lindsey Geiser of Johnstown, Pa., wrote to the Feather Fund in her application. "Ever since I can remember I have loved horses and ponies and been drawn to them. As I learned more about ponies my passion for them grew."

She wrote, "My first grade teacher told me about an island where wild ponies lived. I was soon fascinated by this wild place and read any book I could, both fictional and nonfictional that involved horses and ponies.

Then my family visited Chincoteague."

Geiser said she'd been saving for a pony of her own since she was 11 years old. "I've shoveled sidewalks, mowed grass, raked leaves, walked dogs and babysat," she wrote.

Seventeen-year-old Amy Wetzel of Oberlin, Ohio, wrote, "I've been around horses since I was little and have always been in love with them. It was never a phase because it has not changed since I rode a horse for the first time when I was two. I have been saving since my first pony swim in 2007, because that's when I fell in love with them."

The Feather Fund began helping children purchase foals in 2004. The charity was created in memory of Carollynn Suplee, an angel who visited the auction annually for each of the eight years she survived cancer, purchasing foals for a child.

She said it was her way of "giving back" for the gift of another year of life. When she passed in 2003, the families who had received pony gifts from her joined with her own family to form the charity. They wanted to keep her work alive.

Suplee found feathers often and said she believed they were God's way of telling her she would be OK. She cited Psalm 91:4 which says, the Lord will cover you with feathers and protect you. Before she passed she suggested the name, "The Feather Fund."

This year, "The True Story of Sea Feather" was released by Schiffer Books. Written by Lois Szymanski, it tells the true story of Suplee's first pony gift, a bay and white pinto colt named Sea Feather that was gifted to the author's own daughters in 1995.

When Kathryn and Owen Hooks of the Kite Koop heard the story of the Feather Fund, they offered to help the group raise funds. After brainstorming, they came up with a kid friendly event with a pony twist.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, July 26 and 27, author Lois Szymanski will sign her Chincoteague Pony books at the Kite Koop from 4-6 p.m. each evening. Her books will include "The True Story of Sea Feather."

While there, children who make a donation of at least $5 to the Feather Fund may ride the real Sea Feather who will visit the Kite Koop for the evening.

Come out to meet Chincoteague Pony, Sea Feather and buy a book. What a great way to have a fun time and take home a new pony book to read, while contributing to the charity that makes wild pony dreams come true.

For more information on the event visit the Kite Koop online at: www.kitekoopandbookstore.com.

For information, visit www.featherfund.org and friend them on Facebook.

Source;  http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20110721/CB01/107210341/Feather-fund-helps-dreams-come-true?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Chincoteague Beacon|s

Ten Local Post Offices Being Studied For Closure

Can someone tell me where the post office is in Sanford??

According to an article in USA Today, ten local post offices are being evaluated for possible closure by the Postal Service.

The Postal Service is looking at about 3,700 post offices with low sales and few customers for possible elimination as early as January, Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe said Tuesday.


Most of those under review take in less than $27,500 a year and have only enough customers and mail to keep them busy two hours a day, Donahoe said.




Area offices being evaluated for closure are Assawoman, Craddockville, Harborton, Locustville, Sanford, Saxis and Withams in Accomack County and Marionville, Townsend and Willis Wharf in Northampton County.




The Postal Service will spend at least four months evaluating each post office. Anyone who objects to a closing has 60 days to submit comments to the Postal Service.




Proposals to close any of its estimated 31,000 post offices often meet strong resistance from communities and their representatives in Congress. In January, the Postal Service named 1,400 post offices it wanted to close; 280 are gone.


Many local post offices are among those which to limited business.

Source;  shoredailynews.com

TIME MACHINE Preview ... The Wild, Wild EAST!

There were some rough and tumble times in Pocomoke City's past.

The TIME MACHINE takes a look this Sunday on the Pocomoke Public Eye!

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Natural law

Law of Mechanical Repair - After your hands become coated with grease, your nose will begin to itch and you'll have to pee.


Law of Gravity - Any tool, nut, bolt, screw, when dropped, will roll to the least accessible corner.

Law of Probability - The probability of being watched is directly proportional to the stupidity of your act.



Law of Random Numbers - If you dial a wrong number, you never get a busy signal and someone always answers.



Variation Law -   If you change lines (or traffic lanes), the one you were in will always move faster than the one you are in now (works every time).


 Law of the  Bath - When the body is fully immersed in water, the telephone rings.


Law of Close Encounters - The probability of meeting someone you know increases dramatically when you are with someone you don't want to be seen with.

 Law of the Result - When you try to prove to someone that a machine won't work, it will.

Law of Biomechanics - The severity of the itch is inversely proportional to the reach.

Law of the Theater & Hockey Arena - At any event, the people whose seats are furthest from the aisle, always arrive last. They are the ones who will leave their seats several times to go for food, beer, or the toilet and who leave early before the end of the performance or the game is over.  The folks in the aisle seats come early, never move once, have long gangly legs or big bellies and stay to the bitter end of the performance.  The aisle people also are very surly folk.

The Coffee Law - As soon as you sit down to a cup of hot coffee, your boss will ask you to do something which will last until the coffee is cold.

Murphy's Law of Lockers - If there are only 2 people in a locker room, they will have adjacent lockers.

Law of Physical Surfaces - The chances of an open-faced jelly sandwich landing face down on a floor, are directly correlated to the newness and cost of the carpet or rug.

Law of Logical Argument - Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.

Brown's Law of Physical Appearance - If the clothes fit, they're ugly.

Oliver's Law of Public Speaking - A closed mouth gathers no feet.

Wilson's Law of Commercial Marketing Strategy - As soon as you find a product that you really like, they will stop making it.

Doctors' Law - If you don't feel well, make an appointment to go to the doctor, by the time you get there you'll feel better..  But don't make an appointment, and you'll stay sick.  

 
       

Pony Penning Day

The 86th Chincoteaque Pony Swim or Pony Penning happens on Chincoteague Island today!

An estimated 150 ponies will swim during slack tide today which has been stated as being anytime between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. 

The ponies will swim ashore to Chincoteague and after a 45 minute rest the Salt Water Cowboys will parade them down Main Street to the carnival grounds.

Don't forget to prepare for the weather and long wait.  These things are important: bug repellant, snacks, water or some type of drink, sunscreen, appropriate clothing and old shoes or boots- in case you have to stand in the marsh and pack your patience!   Also, a lawn chair might be nice.

It's already a hot humid morning so take  precautions to protect yourselves.  And have fun!

Don't forget the Fireman's Carnival.  You can veiw  all the ponies from the days swim there.

The Pony Auction is tomorrow - Thursday- beginning at 8 a.m.

Here's my favorite!