Sunday, December 28, 2014

TIME MACHINE ... 1930, 1958, 1884, 1896, 1899, 1915

"Friendliest Town On The Eastern Shore."  Our tradition runs deep.  Excerpt from a letter to the editor from a visitor to Newtown, (former name of Pocomoke City) published in the Baltimore Sun, April 28,1847.

This place (Newtown) is a pretty snug little village, containing about 500 clever and hospitable inhabitants; it has good wide streets, quite clear of that "eye sore," known mostly over the Peninsula by the name of "deep sand"; the houses, though built of frame, are generally built substantially and with some discretion and taste; there are two neat, new, and quite handsome frame churches in it; as for the merchants of the place, suffice it to state that they are very clever and hospitable.  F. Mezick, Esq., the landlord with whom I stopped, and his very obliging and jolly assistant, are richly deserving of a passing notice, for the good treatment and the extension of the many civilities to "the stranger."


(Reader-friendly viewing of news archives/historical archives material)

January, 1930
Marylander And Herald (Princess Anne)

Somerset County Makes Great Strides In 1929

Following the custom of years, The Marylander and Herald this week publishes a brief summary of important events in the life of Somerset County during the year just closed.

During 1929 the farmers of Somerset enjoyed one of the most prosperous years in the county's history. Crops were good and prices on all farm products were at a high level. Strawberries prices held up well throughout the season, and the prices paid for beans, tomatoes, and potatoes were the best in several seasons.

Roadwork during 1929 was carried on at several places in Somerset, more roads being constructed last year than in any year past- over a mile of concrete was constructed in Mt. Vernon District, a mile at Rehoboth (Rehobeth), a mile at Fairmount; and a mile in East Princess Anne- over four miles of concrete in all. In addition to this the County Road Engineer Robert S. Jones built about two miles of slag road, the longest stretch of which was constructed in the Revell's Neck neighborhood.

In Princess Anne many changes are noted. New business houses were opened and old ones remodeled, new lines added, and the community as a whole greatly benefited.

The Rotary Club and the Chamber of Commerce sponsored many worthwhile matters, and are responsible for the erection of a public drinking fountain, and for the first concerted effort toward a community Christmas event. 

During the year a Junior Firemen's organization was perfected and band of forty-two pieces organized. Also a Women's Auxiliary of the Firemen was organized and played an important part in the affairs of the Volunteer Fire Company.

Princess Anne and the county as a whole enters the New Year full of confidence in the continued growth and development of this favored section of the Del-Mar-Va Peninsula.

February, 1958
Salisbury Times

SNOW HILL, MARYLAND SCHOOL VACATION

The following students are spending their vacation between semesters with their parents: Lois Dickerson, James Freeney, Tom Shockley, Spratt Ploxice of the University of Maryland, College Park; Fooks Truitt and James Wasche of Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore; Peggy White and Phyllis Scarborough of Hood College in Frederick;  Ann Vincent, Ann Grant and William Kerbin of Western Maryland, Westminster; Joan Cowen, Robert Bowen, Albert Cherrix, Michael Coffin, State Teachers College in Salisbury; Others are Carroll Waller from William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia; Paul Cordry, Steve and Allen Boyer, Swarthmore; Carolyn Hottinstein, Emily Brimer, Edgar Dryden, Robert DeVaux from Washington College in Chestertown; John McHale, Drexel Institute in Philadelphia; Albert Blann and Jerry Lank, Goldey-Beacom, Wilmington; and Don Hallet Doughty at the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore. 

January, 1884 (Time Machine archive)
(Peninsula Enterprise- Accomac)

Notwithstanding the disagreeable weather on Monday night (Christmas Eve) it was very lively in this locality. The firing of guns and pistols began at early bedtime, and continued during the night. Many delicious meals were prepared and eaten, and not a few persons participated in drinking eggnog.

June, 1896  (Time Machine archive)
(Peninsula Enterprise- Accomac Court House, Va.)

Destructive Fire at Parksley.

Most of the Business Houses Destroyed -- Loss About $55,000 -- Small Insurance.

The greater part of the business houses of the thriving town of Parksley was destroyed by fire last Wednesday afternoon. The fire started in the barrel factory of L. F. Hinman on the north side of Bennett street about 3:30 o'clock and in less than an hour the whole block on Dunne Avenue to Cooke street, except the hardware and building material store of E. T. Parks & Co., was in ashes.

The losses heavy as they are, would have been greater but for the hard work done to check its progress. Mr. John D. Johnson and others fought the fire on the roof of his livery stable when it was no longer safe to continue the fight on the ground and saved it -- and the three stores on the south side of Bennett street were only saved by the bucket brigade which kept the houses wet.

The fire was due to the carelessness of a cooper in Hinman's barrel factory and could have been extinguished if he had been in the factory at the time it started.

April, 1899
The Evening Times (Washington, D.C.)

Married Before Daybreak

Pocomoke City, Md., April 5-  Miss Barnes and Mr. Sterling, both of Hunting Creek, Va., came to Pocomoke City on the midnight express Monday night and were married at 1:30 o'clock yesterday morning at Bethany Methodist Protestant parsonage by Rev. J.D. Kinsor. The bride is a beautiful blonde of less than seventeen summers and the groom is about nineteen years of age.

Footnote: Pocomoke City was a destination for many young Virginia couples seeking marriage.  The Virginia age requirements for marriage were stricter than those of Maryland.  


Anticipating the new year a hundred years ago, just as today, it was "out with the old, in with the new" but Word War I was weighing heavy on the new year's prospects.





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@yaho o.com and watch for it on a future TIME MACHINE posting!




PPE remembers JMMB.

Friday, December 26, 2014

TIME MACHINE ... This Sunday's Preview.

1930.. Somerset County makes great strides during 1929; 1958.. These Snow Hill area college students are home for the holidays; 1884.. A lively Christmas Eve on the Eastern Shore of Virginia; 1896.. Destructive fire hits town of Parksley; 1899.. Midnight express is marriage express to Pocomoke City.

And a Saturday Evening Post cover from a hundred years ago..just as today it was out with the old, in with the new for the New Year!

It's 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!

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Tribute..


Last year on 12/24/13, PPE's Brenda (JMMB) sent in a timely Christmas Eve posting for her readers. 

We lost Brenda last June. In tribute to her talent and enthusiasm for communicating with her Pocomoke Public Eye readers in words and pictures, we're republishing her Christmas article from a year ago. 

Enjoy.

Christmas Wishes...

MERRY CHRISTMAS to all of the PPE readers!

As some of you may not know I have been quite ill for a few months. Even though I still posted on the PPE the majority of work was done from my hospital room in Baltimore City as I battled an aggressive form of leukemia.  My posts from the last few weeks came from a borrowed lap top as I rested at the home of my daughter and her boyfriend in Baltimore after treatment at the hospital during the day.

Baltimore is a beautiful city...nothing to be compared to our good old Eastern Shore, of course, but still beautiful.  Christmas there is as colorful and magic-like as it is at home- except for one area.

A few days after the first snow fall there I found myself strong enough to venture (with my daughter and her boyfriend) to 34th - The Hampdens.  (hope that is correct)

I don't suppose in my entire life I have EVER seen anything quite like this... One entire block decorated for Christmas!  Lights after lights, open homes to visit and gaze at even more decorations.  The entire block is so brightly lit you can read a newspaper in the middle of the street! 

This street is a special street as indicated by the number of  children, young and old, who walked and oohed and aahed.  Photographs do the yearly event no true justice.  However, in my mind I couldn't help but think about those Pocomoke City Police Officers who once lived in Baltimore.....I'll just bet they know what I'm trying to convey to you.

So, MERRY CHRISTMAS to the Pocomoke City Police Officers- you too Chief Sewell- and all of you there.  Thank you for all you do to keep Pocomoke - the town I love- safe.

 Here is what I found on 34th Street - 2013.


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MERRY CHRISTMAS

Monday, December 22, 2014

Pocomoke City Police Department Press Release




On 22 December 2014 at approximately 0544 hours members of the Pocomoke City Police Department new narcotic Special Tactics Operations on Patrol unit, S.T.O.P SQUAD along with The Berlin Police Department S.W.A.T team executed a narcotic search and seizure warrant at 715 8th. Street in Pocomoke City Maryland.

Arrested:        Mr. Charlie McBride, m/b, 62 yoa, dob: 10-02-1952
715 8th. Street
Pocomoke City, Maryland 21851
Charges: Possession W/I to distribute cocaine
   Possession of cocaine
   Possession W/I to distribute cocaine with 1000 ft. of a school
   Possession of paraphernalia to package           








Seized:                                                                                                            Fourteen (14) individual baggies of suspected cocaine         Street value $3,500.00
Approximately 1 2 ounce bag of suspected cocaine                              Street value $2,000.00
A Digital Scale
Cutting agents
One small box of ziplock sandwich bags
$72.00 in U.S. Currency

Pocomoke City Police Department S.T.O.P Squad Unit is attempting to locate additional suspects involved with this investigation. 



Chief Kelvin D. Sewell

MAKE RESERVATIONS NOW FOR THE ANNUAL DINNER!

Can't make it to New Orleans in early 2015?
Don't fret!

Join us for 
Mardi Gras on Saturday, January 17, 2015!

See flyer below for Pocomoke Area Chamber of Commere's Annual Dinner details!

Make your 
prepaid reservations now!
Don't miss the fun!



The Pocomoke Area Chamber of Commerce 
wishes you and yours a very
Merry Christmas
and 
Happy New Year!


multicolor-ornaments.jpg


Rescheduled  General Membership Luncheon to be held at Hartley Hall Nursing & Rehabilitation Center 1006 Market Street in Pocomoke City

Wednesday, January 21, 2015 from 12:00 - 1:00 PM

The menu for this event includes:  Fried Seafood Platter, Baked Chicken Breast, Tossed Salad, Baked Potato, Asparagus, Cornbread & Dessert

There is no charge for this luncheon.  You are asked to bring paper goods, canned foods or any non perishable items for the Hartley Hall Senior Housing tenants. This is an independent living apartment complex located behind the Hartley Hall facility.

Spaces are limited!
Please register online or email Deb at pocomokechamber@gmail .com 
Registration Deadline is Monday, January 19, 2015

Please confirm you can attend the luncheon on January 21 even if you already signed up for the December date.  Thanks!

Sunday, December 21, 2014

TIME MACHINE ... Holiday Edition


(Reader-friendly viewing of news archive/historical archive material)


A print ad from Christmas, 1951...





December, 1956 (Time Machine archive)
(The Salisbury Times)

POCOMOKE CITY IS COLLECTING GIFTS FOR YULE

POCOMOKE CITY- During a recent meeting of the Pocomoke City Community Civic Council, the president, Fred Henderson, announced plans for the annual Christmas drive, and called upon the community for cooperation.

The council is made up of representatives from each of the clubs and organizations in Pocomoke, and was set up to serve as a coordinating agency for the charitable activities.

Clubs and organizations of Pocomoke have responded with gifts of new and used toys, clothing and shoes, canned goods, groceries, meats, and gifts of money. But more is needed , Mr. Henderson said. 

The council has prepared boxes and has placed them in most of the Pocomoke stores to receive donations.

Donations may be left at the Pocomoke Firehouse on Fifth Street, or at St. Mary's Parish House on Third Street.  Those donating money should make checks payable to the Community Civic Council.

For anyone unable to send donations to the firehouse or the Parish House, a pick-up service is available by calling Mrs. Lee Graff, 476-W, or the Rev. Roger C. Jones, 1023, or the Rev. William M. Reed, 967.  


December, 1955
The Crisfield Post

Letters To Santa Claus

Marion Sta., Md., Dec. 12, 1955

Dear Santa:

I just can't wait til Christmas. I hope you will have a very merry Christmas! And I hope Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donder, Blitzen and all of your reindeer have a merry Christmas.

And now to get to the point for Christmas. I want a farm set and a Dennis the menace mischief kit, and so a merry, merry Christmas to you and a good night.

Yours sincerely, 

Wayne Connor. 

(For more of the Letters To Santa, click on the address below to access the newspaper page. It might take a minute or so to load. If you get a message that the page is unresponsive just click on the option "Wait"  and the page should soon come up for viewing. Pressing 'Control' and + will enlarge the text on many computer applications.) 

http://somersetcountymd.archivalweb.com/imageViewer.php?i=281661&q=Christmas&s=q%3DChristmas%26p%3D6%26r%3D0




Christmas, 1942...
(Image and text courtesy of Duke University Libraries)




An American looking forward to baking delicious treats for the holidays in 1942 would have been intimately familiar with War Ration Book One. The Office of Price Administration issued Ration Order No. 3 in April of that year, and distributed the ration books via elementary schools in the first week of May. Holders could purchase one pound of sugar every two weeks between May 5 and June 27. By the end of the year, butter, coffee, and other foods joined the list of regulated goods.
As the holidays approached, the newspapers ran articles advising homemakers how to cope with the unavailability of key ingredients. Vegetable shortening could help stretch butter, molasses made cookies prone to burning, and fruit juice was a natural sweetener.

December, 1972 (Time Machine archive)
Pocomoke's annual Christmas concert by the Salem United Methodist Church choir was scheduled with members of other area church choirs also participating. Barry Tull of Pocomoke City would play trumpet and Miss Carol Cherrix of Snow Hill would be flutist.  Choir director Mrs. Naomi Stevenson would be organist. Vocal soloists from Pocomoke would include Miss Julia Ann Ball, Mrs. Betsy C. Massey, Mrs. Peter Thompson, Miss Susan Humphreys, Mrs. Frederick White, and Miss Nancy Henderson, plus Mrs. Elwyn Cooper of Stockton.  



 It's Motorola TV and radio for Christmas, 1950... 
(Ladies Home Journal ad)








1930's-1980's...

Take a journey back to view the pages of Christmas catalogs from the 1930's to the 1980's... Spiegel..Wards..JC Penny..Sears..Lord & Taylor..FAO Schwarz..Eaton's.

Click the address below (and we wish you enjoyable holidays and all the best for 2015!):

http://www.wishbookweb.com/


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!




"Somewhere Over The
Rainbow Bluebirds
fly.."

Flying On For JMMB.
Her Pocomoke Public
Eye postings (April,
2008 to June, 2014)
kept us informed. 




Thursday, December 18, 2014

Princess Anne Police Department special request

A special request from our Brothers at the Somerset County (MD) Sheriff's Office. Let's help this good man and his family out!!
We have a Deputy who is in need of our assistance this holiday season. Deputy Chuck Salvas is terminally ill with only a short time. His only wish is to take a trip with his family after the holidays. We need to raise some money so this can happen. Im asking for the community's assistance. Any donations can be dropped off at the Somerset Co. Sheriffs Office. Please make checks or money orders payable to the Somerset Co. Sheriffs Office c/o George Nelson. You can put Chuck Salvas Fund in the memo section of your check. Please help us with this cause.

Somerset County Sheriff's Office
c/o George Nelson
30426 A Sam Barnes Rd.
Westover, MD 21871

Governor-elect Hogan announces four Cabinet Secretary appointees

Office of the Governor-elect
PRESS RELEASE


For Immediate Release:
December 17, 2014
Contact: Hannah Marr
hmarr@hoganforgovernor.com
O: (443) 221-4450 M: (443) 935-3684
                                               
Governor-elect Hogan announces four Cabinet Secretary appointees

ANNAPOLIS, MD – December 17, 2014 – Governor-elect Larry Hogan announced four Cabinet Secretary appointees today at a press conference in Annapolis. The appointees include: Delegate Kelly Schulz for secretary of the Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation; Bel Air Town Administrator, Dr. Jim Fielder for Appointments secretary; President & CEO of TCE, Incorporated, Gail Bassette for Secretary of the Department of General Services; and Secretary of Juvenile Services Sam Abed, to continue in that role.

"I want to sincerely thank all four of these distinguished and talented individuals for their willingness to join us in public service to our great state," Governor-elect Hogan said. "I look forward to working very closely with each of them over the next four years, as our new team endeavors to put Maryland on a new path and change Maryland for the better."

A diverse group, each appointee brings a wealth of experience to their new role. Dr. Jim Fielder, former secretary of DLLR, currently serves as Town Administrator of Bel Air, Harford County. He has also served as the deputy secretary of the Department of Business and Economic Development, and has a long record of accomplishment in government, academia, and the private sector. He has served as Vice President, Director, and Chief Development Officer of Business Development in the IT and accounting industries, and has served as Vice President of Finance and Administration at Towson University, as well as Director of Budget, HR, and Analysis at the University of Michigan.

Gail Bassette is President & CEO of TCE, Incorporated, a management consulting firm in Laurel. She has over 25 years of experience in Broadcast Media, Business Development, and Project Management. As a government contractor, Bassette understands the challenges faced by small businesses in doing business with government, and understands the importance of delivering services on time and under budget.

Current secretary of the Department Juvenile Services Sam Abed will reprise his position under the Hogan administration. Abed has served as secretary of DJS since 2011, and has led over 2,000 employees and overseen all services of the agency, including probation, supervision, and the treatment and aftercare of committed youth. Prior to his work in Maryland, Abed served as deputy Director of Operations at the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice.

Finally, Delegate Kelly Schulz has been a member of the House of Delegates since 2011, representing Frederick County, and has sat on the House Economic Matters Committee. She is a former federal appointee to the Environmental Protection Agency, and has experience in the private sector.


#   #   #

For more information or to request an interview, contact Hannah Marr at hmarr@hoganforgovernor.com (443) 935-3684

Web: www.hoganforgovernor.com Twitter: www.twitter.com/Hogan4Governor
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChangeMaryland

Authority: Hogan-Rutherford Committee to Change Maryland, John C. Wobensmith, Treasurer.
.

Pocomoke Area Chamber of Commerce Rescheduled General Membership Luncheon to be held at Hartley Hall

December 18, 2014

Can't make it to New Orleans in early 2015?
Don't fret!

Join us for 
Mardi Gras on Saturday, January 17, 2015!

See flyer below for Pocomoke Area Chamber of Commere's Annual Dinner details!

Upcoming Events
See more at pocomoke.com

Downtown Pocomoke Winter
Wonderland!

Santa House
Saturday, December 20, 11 AM - 2 PM
In the Mini Park, corner of Clarke Ave & Market Street

Holiday Train Garden
Saturday, December 20, 10 AM - 5 PM
Sunday, December 21, 10 AM - 5 PM
145 Market Street, next to Enchanted Florist


Rescheduled  General Membership Luncheon to be held at Hartley Hall Nursing & Rehabilitation Center 1006 Market Street in Pocomoke City

Wednesday, January 21, 2015 from 12:00 - 1:00 PM

The menu for this event includes:  Fried Seafood Platter, Baked Chicken Breast, Tossed Salad, Baked Potato, Asparagus, Cornbread & Dessert

There is no charge for this luncheon.  You are asked to bring paper goods, canned foods or any non perishable items for the Hartley Hall Senior Housing tenants. This is an independent living apartment complex located behind the Hartley Hall facility.

Spaces are limited!
Please register online or email Deb at pocomokechamber@gmail .com 
Registration Deadline is Monday, January 19, 2015

Please confirm you can attend the luncheon on January 21 even if you already signed up for the December date.  Thanks!

US probe links N. Korea to Sony hacking

WASHINGTON (AP) - Federal investigators have now connected the hacking of Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc. to North Korea, a U.S. official said Wednesday, though it remained unclear how the federal government would respond to a break-in that exposed sensitive documents and ultimately led to terrorist threats against moviegoers.

The official, who said a more formal statement might come soon, spoke on condition of anonymity because the official was not authorized to openly discuss an ongoing criminal case. A security professional with knowledge of the breach also said investigators had strong circumstantial evidence and technical commonalities pointing to North Korea.

Until Wednesday, the Obama administration had been saying it was not immediately clear who might have been responsible for the computer break-in. North Korea has publicly denied it was involved, though it did issue a statement earlier this month describing the hack as a "righteous deed."






The unidentified hackers had demanded that Sony cancel its release of the movie "The Interview," a comedy that included a gruesome scene depicting the assassination of North Korea's leader. Sony on Wednesday canceled the Dec. 25 release, citing the threats of violence at movie theaters that planned to show the movie, and later said there were no further plans to release the film.

The disclosure about North Korea's involvement came just after Sony hired FireEye Inc.'s Mandiant forensics unit, which last year published a landmark report with evidence accusing a Chinese Army organization, Unit 61398, of hacking into more than 140 companies over the years.

Tracing the origins of hacker break-ins and identities of those responsible is exceedingly difficult and often involves surmise and circumstantial evidence, but Mandiant's work on its highly regarded China investigation provides some clues to its methods.

Investigators typically disassemble any hacking tools left behind at the crime scene and scour them for unique characteristics that might identify who built or deployed them. Hints about origin might include a tool's programming code, how or when it was activated and where in the world it transmitted any stolen materials.

In some cases, investigators will trace break-ins by hackers to "command and control" computers or web servers, and logs in those machines or information in Internet registration records might provide further clues about who is behind the hack. Sometimes, hackers using aliases are identified on social media networks or in chat rooms discussing targets or techniques.

In the Sony breach, investigators first examined the malware, or malicious software, from the cyberattack. That was key because it had many commonalities with pre-existing malware - specifically Operation Troy and DarkSeoul - used in North Korea-linked cyberattacks on South Korean media and its financial institutions in recent years, according to the security professional, who was not authorized to discuss an ongoing investigation and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Security professionals looked at the code structure, the language setting and time zone, and then looked at what infrastructure the malware was using to communicate, the professional said. In the end, a singular IP address in Bolivia seemed to match the server used in the DarkSeoul attack, while two others led to Singapore and Thailand.

Because North Korea is highly controlled in its connection to the outside world, links back to it are almost always to proxies or presumed connections to the country, the security professional said.
Beyond the technical commonalities, the professional said, the circumstantial evidence was strong, including a June declaration by the North Korean foreign ministry that the movie would be considered an "act of war."

It wasn't immediately clear how the U.S. government was preparing to respond to the Sony hack. Bernadette Meehan, National Security Council spokeswoman, said the United States was "considering a range of options."

In May, the Justice Department took the highly unusual step of announcing indictments against five Chinese military officials accused of vast cyberespionage against major American corporations. But months later, none of those defendants has been prosecuted in the United States, illustrating the challenge of using the American criminal justice system against cybercriminals operating in foreign countries.

Jonathan Zittrain, a professor of law and computer science at Harvard University, said Sony was unquestionably facing anger over the breach and the resulting disclosure of thousands of sensitive documents. But the movie studio may be able to mitigate that reaction and potential legal exposure if it's established that North Korea was behind the attack.

"If Sony can characterize this as direct interference by or at the behest of a nation-state, might that somehow earn them the kind of immunity from liability that you might see other companies getting when there's physical terrorism involved, sponsored by a state?" Zittrain said.

Story [CLICK HERE]

TIME MACHINE ... This Sunday's HOLIDAY Edition Preview


1951.. Who's the U.S. future world leader featured in a Christmas cigarette print ad?..view the ad; 1956.. Pocomoke City is collecting gifts for Yule; 1955.. Letters to Santa from The Crisfield Post; 1972.. Maybe someone you know or remember is named in this item about the Christmas Concert by Pocomoke's Salem United Methodist Church; 1950 Ladies Home Journal Christmas ad features the latest Motorola TV's and radios; 1930's-1980's.. Take a journey through pages of popular Christmas Catalogs of the era. 

Although you may not find these items in a history book, they are a part of our local and national history and culture, and you can see and 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!

Sunday, December 14, 2014

Santa arrives in a most unusual way!


Santa Claus arrived in Pocomoke this cloudy Sunday afternoon in a most unusual way!
As the helicopter flew over my house, I sprang to my feet to see all the clatter!  Away to 14th Street I flew like a flash, just to see the jolly old man for myself.
I saw all the children with their rosy red cheeks, standing out in the cold, just for a peek.
Anxious parents accompanying their tots,  just face it, they too, love Santa Claus lots!

It's a bird.  It's a plane. NO!  Look closely children!  It's a helicopter!   Who is that passenger in the red suit and white beard?

Why it is Santa, on loan this afternoon from the blustery North Pole!
Mrs. Claus is smiling as she leads the main man to the chair by the fireplace to visit the children.

Once Santa was inside the Community Center the crowds gathered, lining up patiently.
 Excitement surrounded the crowd as they waited to enter the building.
 Grownups peeked at the beautiful window displays.

 The line of children wove past the train gardens.


Trains are fun for young and old!



Finally the children get to tell Santa about their wish lists for this year.
May all your wishes come true!

TIME MACHINE ... 1968, 1883, 1894, 1908, 1885, 1968, 1916.


"Friendliest Town On The Eastern Shore."  Our tradition runs deep.  Excerpt from a letter to the editor from a visitor to Newtown, (former name of Pocomoke City) published in the Baltimore Sun, April 28,1847.

This place (Newtown) is a pretty snug little village, containing about 500 clever and hospitable inhabitants; it has good wide streets, quite clear of that "eye sore," known mostly over the Peninsula by the name of "deep sand"; the houses, though built of frame, are generally built substantially and with some discretion and taste; there are two neat, new, and quite handsome frame churches in it; as for the merchants of the place, suffice it to state that they are very clever and hospitable.  F. Mezick, Esq., the landlord with whom I stopped, and his very obliging and jolly assistant, are richly deserving of a passing notice, for the good treatment and the extension of the many civilities to "the stranger."


(Reader-friendly viewing of news archive/historical archive material)

December, 1968 (Time Machine archive)

A new 1969 Camaro would be given away in a Shop Pocomoke promotion sponsored by the Pocomoke City Businessmen's Association.  Members of the Association were: Bata Shore Store...Burnett White of Pocomoke...W.H. Clarke & Company...City Service Oil Company (C.K. Duncan)...The Democratic Messenger...George's Furniture...Guy's Implement Company... Hancock's Grocery...Lankford & Cutler Hardware...Montgomery Ward Catalog Store...Midway Auto...Miller-Massey Auto...Somers-Kirby Motor Company...Miller's Ladies Shop...Modern Floor Company... J.J.Newberry... Outten Brothers...Pocomoke City Flower Shop...Pocomoke City Pharmacy... Pocomoke Machine & Implement Company...R.E.Powell & Company... Scher's...  Scher's...Schoolfield & Ham...Sears Catalog Store...Sherwin Williams...Silco...Vincent's Jewelers...Webb's Grocery... Western Auto... George E. Young Auto Parts.


 December, 1883 (Time Machine archive)
(Peninsula Enterprise- Accomac)

Onancock.
The "hardware dealers" are making preparations on a large scale to have a fine line of "Guilford trifle" for the holidays.

Footnote.. Wikipedia: Trifle is an English dessert dish made from thick (or often solidified) custard, fruit, sponge cake (often soaked in sherry or other fortified wine), fruit juice or jelly (gelatin in American English), and whippedcream. These ingredients are usually arranged in layers.


December, 1894 (Time Machine archive)
(Peninsula Enterprise- Accomac Court House)

Excursion.

The N. Y. P. & N. R. R. Co., will run an excursion train from Keller station to Pocomoke, next Tuesday, 18th, at regular excursion rates, leaving Keller at 8:10 a. m., Melfa 8:15, Onley 8:22, Tasley 8:28, Parksley 8:39, Bloxom 8:51, Hallwood 9:00, Bloomtown 9:05, Oak Hall 9:10, New Church 9:25, arriving at Pocomoke 4 p. m., giving all who go six hours to visit and examine the large stores which are just loaded with Christmas goods. Special bargains will be offered to all who go. Those wishing Xmas goods will more than make their expenses by taking advantage of this cheap trip.

Footnote:  Assuming 4 p.m. arrival time is an error.  Perhaps 4 p.m.was the departure time from Pocomoke. 

December, 1908

See the big newspaper ad for the many Christmas gift suggestions available at Dickinson's in Pocomoke, "Headquarters For Holiday Shoppers."  

Peninsula Enterprise (Accomac Court House)

(Click on below address)

http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn94060041/1908-12-19/ed-1/seq-1/#words=[u'ACCOMAC',%20u'Accomac']&date1=1836&date2=1922&searchType=advanced&language=eng&sequence=1&lccn=sn94060041&proxdistance=5&rows=50&ortext=Accomac&proxtext=&phrasetext=&andtext=&dateFilterType=yearRange&index=37


January, 1885
Peninsula Enterprise (Accomac Court House)

(Ad)

White Hotel, Girdletree Hill, Worcester county, Md.

A. I. White, Prop'r

This hotel located on the railroad, recently built, and with rooms large, airy, convenient and newly furnished is now open to the patronage of the public.

Special accommodations provided for those fond of gunning, fishing, &c., on the waters near at hand and charges reasonable.

December, 1968 (Time Machine archive)

Pocomoke City residents were remembering Miss Mildred Schoolfield who passed away at age 65.  Miss Schoolfield served as Pocomoke's town clerk for 30 years until her retirement six months earlier. 


Decorations for Christmas from the 1916 Sears Roebuck Catalog...



   




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!


"Somewhere Over The
Rainbow Bluebirds
fly.."

Flying On For JMMB.
Her Pocomoke Public
Eye postings (April,
2008 to June, 2014)
kept us informed.