Saturday, August 24, 2013

TIME MACHINE ... This Sunday's Preview.


1903.. Church controversy has Pocomoke City connection; 1971.. Fire claims Pocomoke school building; 1954.. "X" will mark ballots in Somerset County; 1884.. Labor saving machines for farmers; 1909.. Mysterious trip for horse and buggy.

Although you may not find these items in a history book, they are a part of our local history and you can read more about it this Sunday right here at 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. Send to tkforppe@yahoo.com and watch for it on a future TIME MACHINE posting!

Annual Delmarva's Got Talent / Mar-Va Theater



The Mar-Va Theater will host the fifth annual Delmarva's Got Talent on September 26, 27 and 28 at the historic Mar-Va Theater Performing Arts Center in Pocomoke City, Maryland.

The theater is asking for your support by being a sponsor or advertising in the programs. Previous years' shows have been very well attended, and huge crowds are expected this year. We had excellent talent on the stage and expect even better for this year.



Sponsorships

We offer two sponsorship levels:
$500
* 10 tickets to the show ($100 value)
* Full Page ad in each of the programs ($100 value)
* Name recognition on all publicity, radio, newspaper, magazine, and online ads
(Our email list consists of 900+ contacts and our Facebook audience is 2000+.)

$250
* 5 tickets to the show ($50 value)
* Half Page ad in each of the programs ($75 value)
* Name recognition on all publicity, radio, newspaper, magazine, and online ads
(Our email list consists of 900+ contacts and our Facebook audience is 2000+.)



Advertising Opportunities

Your ad will appear in all three programs of the event, which features singers, musicians, and other 
performers competing for the grand prize. We will be offering two divisions this year - adult and youth.

The ad rates are as follows:
* Business Card (2" x 3"): $30 ($10 per program)
* 1/4 page (3.5" x 2.75"): $40 ($13 per program)
* 2/3 page (4.5" x 3"): $50 ($16 per program)
* 1/2 page (3.5" x 6" or 7.5" x 2.75"): $75 ($25 per program)
* Full Page (7.5" x 6"): $100 ($33 per program)

Friday, August 23, 2013

Worcester County ~ Community Watch Events and Presentations




September 6th at 6 p.m. at the Germantown Heritage Center, Trappe Rd; Germantown Community Watch with picnic.

September 19th at 10 a.m. at the Saint John A.M.E Church, Berlin; presentation on Home Security and Safety.

September 20th at 6 p.m. at the Stockton Fire Department, the Stockton Area Community Watch.


September 27th thru 29th at the Airlift Field, Route 575 the 1st Annual Law Enforcement Expo (Equipment displays, public is invited).

September 29th at 3 p.m. at the Bishopville Fire Department, the Bishopville Community Day, exhibits, displays and food.

JOIN POCOMOKE CITY POLICE FOR THEIR ANNUAL BACK TO SCHOOL EVENT

POCOMOKE CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT

ANNUAL BACK TO SCHOOL EVENT
 
 
 
 FREE SCHOOL SUPPLIES
 
(Pocomoke Residents Only and while supplies last)
4th thru 8th grades
 
SATURDAY
 AUGUST 24, 2013
10:00 a.m. until NOON

 
 
~Rain or shine~
 
Pocomoke City Police Department
1500 Market Street

Worcester County Sheriff’s Office

 
Worcester County Sheriff’s Office
Press Release
 
On Monday, August 19, 2013 a Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Deputy was dispatched to a West Ocean City business, for a reported employee theft. 
 
The suspect was identified as Charles Joseph Mitchell, Jr 21 of Berlin Md. who was employed at the establishment. Mr. Mitchell had been video allegedly stealing from the business.
 
Mr. Mitchell was charged with one count of Theft less than $1,000.00 and released pending trial in the District Court of Maryland.
 
 
On Monday, August 19, 2013 a Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Deputy stopped a vehicle for speeding on Assateague Road near Harrison Road, Berlin.
 
The Driver was identified as Paul Edward Koehrsen, 51 of Berlin Md. appeared to have been drinking alcohol. Mr. Koehrsen did poor on field tests and was arrested.
 
 
Mr. Koehrsen was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and released pending trial in the District Court of Maryland.
 
 
On Tuesday, August 20, 2013 a Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Deputy was dispatched to a business in Berlin Md. for a shoplifter being detained by security. Upon arrival the Deputy Sheriff met with Loss Prevention and Identified Bobbi Michelle Morey 23 years old of no fixed address, as a suspect in the theft.
 
Ms. Morey allegedly stole items valued at about 500 dollars.
 
Ms. Morey was charged with one count of theft less than $1,000.00. She is being held on a $4,000.00 bond at the Worcester County Jail pending trial.
 
Submitted:
Lt. Edward C. Schreier
Worcester County Sheriff’s Office

Thursday, August 22, 2013

TIME MACHINE ... This Sunday's Preview.



1903.. Church controversy has Pocomoke City connection; 1971.. Fire claims Pocomoke school building; 1954.. "X" will mark ballots in Somerset County; 1884- Labor saving machines for farmers; 1909.. Mysterious trip for horse and buggy.

Although you may not find these items in a history book, they are a part of our local history and you can read more about it this Sunday right here at The Pocomoke Public Eye! 


The hurricane of 1933 battered the Eastern Shore and created the Ocean City inlet 80 years ago today.. August, 22, 1933.  See below sites:
 
 



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. Send to tkforppe@yahoo.com and watch for it on a future TIME MACHINE posting!

Global Hawks Arrive At Wallops

Global Hawk/NASA
WALLOPS ISLAND, Va. The first of two NASA Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicles supporting the Hurricane and Severe Storm Sentinel mission has arrived at Wallops Flight Facility. During August and September, NASA will fly the two Global Hawks over the Atlantic Ocean to study tropical storms and the processes that underlie hurricane formation and intensification. The aircraft are equipped with instruments to survey the overall environment of the storms and peer into the inner core of hurricanes to study their structure and processes.

The range of the global hawk aircraft is far greater than manned hurricane hunter aircraft and can provide valuable data on storms forming near the Cape Verde Islands off of Africa. This data gives the National Hurricane information on the stage of development of these storms.

The Global Hawk aircraft are based at Edwards Air Force Base in California but travel to Wallops during hurricane season to watch developing storms in the Atlantic.

Source:

Gaithersburg Man Charged In Connection With Sexual Assault

Luis M. Calderon
During the week of June 10, 2013, Ocean City police detectives began investigating an alleged sex offense which occurred on June 8, 2013. Police met with a 20-year-old female victim who advised that she had come to Ocean City with several other persons and was sexually assaulted by one of them, who was later identified as Luis M. Calderon, 25, of Gaithersburg, MD.

Investigators determined that on June 7, Calderon came to Ocean City with his fiancĂ© and other friends, including the victim.  When the group arrived at their rented condominium the victim and others in the group started consuming various alcoholic beverages and became intoxicated.  The victim told police that she remembers going to sleep in one of the bedrooms where she was later sexually assaulted by Calderon.

On July 16, OCPD detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Calderon charging him with second degree sex offense, third degree sex offense, fourth degree sexual contact, sodomy, and second degree assault.

On August 11, 2013, the outstanding arrest warrant for Calderon was served by authorities in Montgomery County, Maryland.  Calderon was later released after posting bond.

Submitted:
Ocean City Police Dept.

- Bankruptcy Auction Nets Approximately $13.8 Million-

By Wesley Edwards

Murry Wise Associates of Champaign Ill. auctioned off 3,228 acres of the Eastern Shore. The property belonged to East Coast Packers which declared bankruptcy earlier this year. Thirty one properties across both counties were first bid off as separate parcels. Then bidders were then allowed to bundle any two or more of the thirty one parcels and the bidding process started again. On the first round of single parcel bids a grand total of $7.6 million dollars was bid. Fourteen different bundles of parcels were created in the bundling process lasting more than four hours.

In the final process only eight bidders were successful from approximately 200 attendees at the Moose lodge in Belle Haven. Many of the bidders were on the phone with companies and or individuals not actually in the room. The high bid for what was called bundle L making up 20 of the 31 properties brought $11.9 million dollars. Bundle L was made up of approximately 2,532 acres plus several labor camps, sorting houses, and homes. The lowest successful bid was $21,000 dollars making the range of the eight successful bidders $21,000 dollars ---- $11.9 Million dollars. Many bidders were closed out of the process as the fourteen bundles were put together.

In the end thirty-one parcels brought a grand total of $13.8 million dollars.

Although the identities of the winning bidders were not disclosed it is believed that much of the property was purchased by vegetable suppliers and that at least some of the facilities may reopen at some future date.
 
The properties will not change hands until a bankruptcy court in Florida approves the sale.

Several residences owned by the company in locations that ranged from Marsh Island near Chincoteague to Cape Charles were auctioned off Monday.

Source:

Hit & Run Collision Involving Pedestrian

OCPD Investigating Hit & Run Collision Involving Pedestrian

On August 17, 2013, at approximately 2:30 a.m. Ocean City police responded just south of the intersection at 62nd Street and Coastal Highway in reference to a motor vehicle collision involving a pedestrian. The pedestrian was crossing Coastal Highway from west to east and was struck in northbound lane three. The vehicle then fled the scene.

During the investigation, police found a vehicle part near the collision site that is believed to be from the vehicle involved. The part is thought to have possibly come from a newer model Volkswagen Jetta. A search of the vehicle was conducted with negative results. The victim, whose name is not being released at this time, was transported to PRMC with non-life threatening injuries.

Anyone with information about the vehicle involved in this incident is asked to contact PFC Joseph Centofranchi at 410-520-5381.

Those with information may remain anonymous.

Submitted:
Ocean City Police Dept.

Boat Docking Contest Winners


Cindi Major Pietroski Photo

In spite of the rain there was fierce competition on the Pocomoke River during the 1st Annual Boat Docking Contest on Sunday, August 18, 2013.








Winners in the competition were:

Small Class:
 1st Benny Horseman
 2nd Jamie Marshall
 3rd Kevin Marshall


Large Class:
 1st PT Hamblton
 2nd Scoot Jones
 3rd Glad Tyler


Team Class:
 1st Jamie Marshall
 2nd Benny Horseman
 3rd Derick Hoy


Shoot Out Champion:
 Benny Horseman



 Congrats to all the men that came all the way up the river for this event. It was great to have you all here and we hope we reached your expectations this past weekend.

See you next year in Pocomoke!!

CASH Bingo!

 Mar-Va Fundraiser
 
CASH Bingo!
 

 
Friday,  August 23, 2013
7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
 

Tom's Cove Park - Chincoteague, VA
 
Description:
$20 per book, $5 per special game
 50/50
 Door Prizes
 etc.
 
 

Doors open at 6 PM!

 
 

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Mar-Va Theater: "Forced To Close Doors" Without Digital Upgrades


By Kody Leibowitz
WMDT
POCOMOKE CITY, Md. - Another busy weekend at the Mar-Va Theater has manager Katy Fleming looking at the projectors.

Fleming says the theater sold-out during their weekend viewing of Despicable Me 2. Two nights, five dollar tickets and a 548 seat house brought in $5,480 in ticket sales. With 40 percent due back to the movie company, that's at least $2,192 in sales for the theater, not including popcorn and candy.

"It was a fantastic film for us," Fleming said.

But Fleming admits that the film strips used last weekend are becoming more and more obsolete and soon could put theater out-of-business.

"All of the smaller theaters are being forced to upgrade from 35 mm film to this new digital version," said Fleming. "Honestly, it looks like we'll be forced to close our doors if we don't make this upgrade."

The theater manager added that they have until November before the switch needs to be made. Upgrades would cost the non-profit organization $110,000 for the 86-year-old Pocomoke City landmark and its only a few years after renovations that totaled almost $1 million, according to Fleming.

Shannon Walker, 15, says he's been volunteering at the theater for the past three summers. He calls the news "an absolute shock, it really made me emotional" when he first heard about the upgrades and possible closure.

"What's going through my mind is losing a historical place, which stands as an icon for most people in this city," said Walker.

Walker says several volunteers are going to start fundraising to save the Mar-Va, but he knows he only has three months left. Among his ideas, "car washes, bake sales, yard sales, anything just to earn money for the Mar-Va."

But volunteers have only been one source of fundraising.  The theater itself has raised $10,000, or about a tenth of what's needed for the new equipment. Fleming says she has applied for two grants through the city. Pocomoke City manager Russ Blake, who also serves as vice president on the board of the Mar-Va Theater, says the city is looking into as many options as possible to try to keep the theater afloat.

"The city has worked closely with the Mar-Va Theater since the volunteers took over operation of the theater and have helped with the restoration of the theater all this time," said Blake. "We're still interested in helping them, because the Mar-Va Theater is one of the most important anchors of the downtown.

"As we revitalize the downtown, along with the other non-profit groups downtown, the new restaurant and several new businesses downtown, so we want to make sure that the Mar-Va Theater is able to continue in operation."

 Fleming says the theater has been accepting donations in-person and online.

Source:

 


OOPS!! Full Sturgeon Moon, a 'Blue Moon' To Some, Rises Tonight

DON'T MISS IT!!!
 
Tuesday night's full moon will be a blue moon, according to one definition of the term.

Most know a blue moon as the second in a calendar month, but an earlier definition classified it as the third full moon in a season with four full moons (most seasons have just three full moons).

 Read more about the history of the debate over the two definitions at EarthSky.org or Space.com.

Whether you consider it blue or not, it's also known as the Full Sturgeon Moon, Green Corn Moon or Grain Moon.

Source:
 

JOIN POCOMOKE CITY POLICE FOR OUR ANNUAL BACK TO SCHOOL EVENT

POCOMOKE CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT
 
 
ANNUAL BACK TO SCHOOL EVENT
 
 
FREE SCHOOL SUPPLIES
(Pocomoke Residents Only and while supplies last)
4th thru 8th grades
 
SATURDAY
AUGUST 24, 2013
10:00 a.m. until NOON
 
~Rain or shine~
 
Pocomoke City Police Department
1500 Market Street

East Coast Brokers Property To Be Auctioned - Today Last Day...

East Coast Brokers and Packers Inc. of Florida has filed a Chapter 11 Bankruptcy in the Middle District Court of Florida. According to the Murray Wise and Associates web site, the local assets of the former major tomato grower on the Eastern Shore will be auctioned off on today August 19 and Tuesday August 20.

The company's local assets include 31 properties totaling 3220 acres in various areas of the Eastern Shore. The assets of the company include two luxury homes at Bay Creek in Cape Charles, a colonial style home South of Painter and a home on Marsh Island near Chincoteague. The real estate includes major parcels formerly operated by Byrd Foods. It also includes packing facilities in Mappsville, Hallwood, and Tasley.

The company owned by the Madionia Family of Mulburry, Florida stopped producing tomatoes in December of 2012. At that time the company owed more than $15 million in judgments and liens to state and federal governments and crop production services.

The auction for the houses is scheduled for today. The farmland and farming facilities are scheduled to be auctioned at 1 PM Tuesday August 20 at the Exmore Moose Lodge.

According to various news reports the reasons for the bankruptcy included an outbreak of salmonella poisoning that affected tomato consumption, competition from imported tomatoes, freezes in Florida in 2010 and 2011 and damage to company assets from Hurricane Irene in 2011.

The bankruptcy filing stated that the company has liabilities of $50 to $100 million and assets of $50 to $100 million.

East Coast Brokers and Packers was once a major tomato producer on the Eastern Shore.

Source:

Monday, August 19, 2013

Drunk Driver 10 Years Ago Back In Jail For Another DUI Charge

ONLEY, Va. (WAVY) - An Eastern Shore man, who was driving drunk when he killed a Virginia State trooper 10 years ago, is back behind bars for another DUI charge.

Virginia State Police say 65-year-old Larrie Taylor is accused of DUI again after he crashed a pickup truck around 10 p.m. Sunday on Boggs Road in the Painter area. Police say he was driving alone.

"It was like here we go again," said Jeff Martin, a resident of Exmore, who knows the man Taylor killed almost a decade ago. "You'd think that you would learn a lesson, you had a lot of time to think about it."

Taylor spent eight years in prison for his part in the deadly crash on the Eastern Shore 10 years ago.

He was drunk when he slammed into a car on Route 13 containing Virginia State Trooper Anthony Daryl Campbell and his 9-year-old son Andrew.

"When the accident happened, it was just devastating," Martin said. "What a great loss for the community."

Martin remembers that crash like it was yesterday. The memories remain and so do two crosses at the intersection of Route 13 and Costal Boulevard where the crash happened.

"It was Drew's birthday coming up and they were going up to Salisbury for the opening of a Harry Potter movie," Martin added.

Campbell and his son never made it to the movie. They were killed when Taylor hit them from behind.

"Daryl Campbell was just a great guy and a great neighbor to have," Martin added.

Taylor was convicted and spent most of the last decade at the Greensville Correctional Center. He was released September of last year and was serving three years probation when he crashed again Sunday night.

Troopers say he ran his truck into a utility pole and that he was drunk at the time. He was charged with 2nd Offense DUI.

Taylor injured himself in the crash and was taken to Accomack County Jail, without bond, after being released from a local hospital. There are many on the Eastern Shore who believe a cell is where he should stay.

"He should have know better," Martin said. "I don't think there should be any leniency for this, but a leopard doesn't change his spots. I guess he didn't learn his lesson."

Taylor is scheduled to be arraigned in Accomack County General District Court September 25.

Source:

Sunday, August 18, 2013

BOAT DOCKING TODAY ~ RAIN OR SHINE

Photo/Boat Docking  Association


Come on out today RAIN or SHINE!!
 
14-15 boats lined up for the contest
 
Gates open at 10am, Contest starts at 1pm!

TIME MACHINE ... 1958, 1943, 1911, 1899, 1903.



 
(Reader-friendly viewing of newspaper archives material)

 
June, 1958
(Salisbury Times)

120 Descendants Left By Centenarian

Onley- A 100-year-old resident of Accomack county who died Wednesday at his daughter's home in Onley, Va., left more than 120 descendants.

G. Smith Millener, a retired farmer, and long-time resident of Accomac, celebrated his 100th birthday last October.

Up to the time of his death, his faculties were keen, and he remembered vividly the last days of the Civil War. Memories of his youth include Federal troops encamping at Felicity, just outside of Accomac, and he recalled that the Methodist Church in Accomac was used as a stable by Yankee soldiers.

He enjoyed telling stories of the war between the states, and his eyes lit up as he brought the past to life for his attentive listeners.

He had been living with one of his daughters, Mrs. I.B. Clark, since 1946 and he died at her home. He leaves six children, 23, grandchildren, 90 great-grandchildren, and several great-great grandchildren.

Surviving daughters besides Mrs. Clark, are Mrs. Marjorie Budd, Parksley, Va.; Mrs. George Colona and Mrs. Jennie Justice, Accomac.

He leaves two sons, S.S. Milliner Sr., Accomac and Asher C.H. Millener of Onley.

Two brothers in Virginia are also approaching the 100 year mark. James J. Millener of Accomac is 91, and Asher Millener of Locustville is 86. The late Mr. Millener was the oldest resident of Accomack County.

Born in Locustville, Va., he was a member of Drummondtown Baptist Church in Accomac, and was the oldest member of the congregation both in age and years of membership.

Funeral services were to be held today in the Lilleston Funeral Home in Accomac, with the Rev., B.A. Little officiating. Interment was to be in Edgehill Cemetary, Accomac. 



March, 1943
(Salisbury Times)

(Excerpts)

TEACHER BONUS PASSAGE NEAR

State Employees Would Also Benefit

Annapolis, March 25- (AP)- The legislative proposal to grant war-time salary adjustments to school teachers and most state employees now receiving less than $3,000 a year appeared today to be headed for final disposition.

As passed by the Senate, the bill provided a $200 salary adjustment for all school teachers and classified employees receiving less than $3,000 a year, except that persons receiving between $2,800 and $3,000 should receive only the difference between their salary and $3,000. 


 
January, 1911 (Time Machine archive)
(The Washington Post)


FEARS FOR HER LIFE

Mrs. J. L. Sturgis Of Pocomoke City 

Asks For State Aid.


RECEIVES BLACK HAND LETTER

Wife of Bank President, Ordered to Leave
$100 "Under Doorsteps," Calls Upon Thomas
Ewell, State Fire Marshal, for Protection- Friends
of Men Sent to Jail Suspected.

Special to The Washington Post 

Baltimore, Jan.23- Fearing that life and property are in danger, Mrs. John L. Sturgis, of Pocomoke City, Md., wife of the president of the national bank of that town, has appealed to State Fire Marshal Thomas Ewell for protection.

Col. Ewell received a letter from Mrs. Sturgis yesterday, including a missive written in a disguised hand, and which Mrs. Sturgis believed was sent to her by "Black Handers." The letter reads:

"Mrs. Sturgis: You are here bye notified to leave $100 under the door steps Sunday night or you died with all property burnt."

Factions in the Town.

A skull and crossbones were roughly drawn under this, while the name "Secretary" was signed to the note. Mrs. Sturgis found the note under the door last week, and has been very much frightened ever since. 

Col. Ewell is of the opinion the letter was sent by friends of the five men who were sentenced to jail about a month ago on charges of arson, at his instance. Pocomoke City, he says, is divided into two factions, and one of the factions is continually annoying the other. The incarcerated men belong to one faction, while Mrs. Sturgis lives in the part of the town where the other faction is located.

 
December, 1899
(New York Times)

BALTIMORE, Dec. 1- Col. John Walter Smith of Snow Hill will be inaugurated Governor on the second Monday in January, 1900, and the Democrats will then resume control in Maryland after four years of Republican rule, following thirty years of Democratic sway.


 
April, 1903
(The Denton Journal)

Value Of Whitewash

Whitewash is a cheap article and it will soon be time to apply plenty of it to outhouses, fences, etc. It not only improves the appearance of things, but it aids in preserving the wood and is an admirable disinfectant. Don't spare the whitewash and you won't regret it. 


  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. Send to tkforppe@yahoo.com and watch for it on a future TIME MACHINE posting!

Eastern Shore Community College held a Pinning Ceremony For Practical Nursing Program Graduates

Melfa, VA Eastern Shore Community College held a Pinning Ceremony for practical nursing program graduates August 9 in the colleges Workforce Development Center. The guest speaker was Jeannette Edwards, the Chief Human Resource Officer at Eastern Shore Rural Health System, Inc.. Clinical instructors, Peggy Bennett, RN, BSN, MEd, and Nancy Schwartz, RN, presented a pin to each graduate and conducted the candle lighting ceremony.

Linda Pruitt, RN, BSN, MS, presented special awards to graduating students. Recognized for academic achievement with the highest grade point average were Amanda Thomas and Stephanie Carlton. Nicole Crockett and Meagan Billman Were recognized for being the best clinical bedside nurses.

Ida Zuniga, representing the family of Anne Craft, also made a special presentation to Craft-Crumb Scholarship recipients, Amanda Thomas and Brittany Ofano. The Craft-Crumb Scholarship was established by the family of Anne Craft and is awarded to Accomack County practical nursing students who demonstrate academic achievement and financial need.

The Practical Nursing graduating class included: Amy Amadeo, Meagan Billman, Rachael Blomquist, Stephanie Carlton, Carrie Crockett, Nicole Crockett, Vycki Midgette, Nicole Purnell, Brittany Ofano, Morgan Parker, and Amanda Thomas.

Source: