June, 1952
Pocomoke City was preparing to welcome thousands of visitors as host town to the 5th annual Delmarva Chicken Festival. The National Guard Armory on Second Street would be the site of many of the Festival activities including The National Chicken Cooking contest with more than a hundred competitors, and with press on hand from across the nation. More than 25 contestants would vie for the title of festival queen on the stage of the Marva Theatre with a queen's ball to be held at Pocomoke High School on Market Street. A special forum for broilermen would take place at the Fox Theatre across the street from the Marva. A nighttime street dance would be held on Willow Street and a thousand or more participants were expected to comprise the large festival parade highlighted by beautifully decorated floats.
June, 2001
Cypress Park was the site for the Delmarva Chicken Festival as Pocomoke City and The Pocomoke City Chamber Of Commerce hosted the 53rd annual event. Despite some showers from the remnants of Tropical Storm Allison, the festival drew an attendance of more than 20,000 visitors. Festival features included The Chicken Capers games, a chicken splash, tug of war, arts and crafts, an antique and classic car show, a home and trade show, and the traditional giant fry pan serving Delmarvalous chicken.
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It sounds like a movie or soap opera script of romance and murder but it's a true news account of what happened near Pocomoke City in 1884! Next time on the TIME MACHINE.
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Showing posts with label Local History. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Local History. Show all posts
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Saturday, May 21, 2011
TIME MACHINE ... January, 1885
(The Freeborn County Standard [Minnesota])
SHIPS SAILING IN AIR
Remarkable Mirage Seen From The Decks Of A Steamer In Chesapeake Bay
From The Baltimore Herald.
"At the time I discovered it," said Captain Wilson of the steamer Tangier "we were off Watts Island on the Pocomoke Sound. The day was clear and bright. I was standing on the hurricane deck forward with a passenger, and we were commenting on the strange action of a dense line of smoke which rose perpendicularly from the stack of a saw mill in Pocomoke City, which lay to the east of us. My attention was suddenly called to the distinct outlines of a three-masted schooner which appeared above the line where the smoke spread out and disappeared. I could hardly believe my senses, and, calling my attention to the gentleman who was with me to the strange sight, I rushed into the pilot house and got my glasses. Through them I discovered more clearly the outlines of the vessel. There was evidently no breeze, as the sails were lying inboard. Then I scanned the horizon on either side of the smoke with the glasses and discovered four additional schooners, all of them similarly rigged and all wearing a full set of sails which were also inboard. They were more or less distinct as they were nearer or farther from the shore. Three of them pointed north and two south. The vessels were enveloped in what appeared to be a transparent haze, which I at once supposed to be the ocean. Fringing the lower edge of the haze were the outlines, perfectly distinct of the Atlantic coast between Chncoteague and Cobbs Islands. Even the inlets and small capes were discernible. Next appeared the broad waters between the outer bar and the mainland. This was also depicted as a haze, the land dovetailing into it here and there. Skirting the lower edge of the haze was the mainland, with open fields and clumps of trees. The mirage extended down to the meeting line of the land and the eastern horizon. I called all the passengers up from the lower deck and saloon, and all of them gazed at the phenomenon with wonder and admiration. The sight lasted about twenty minutes and gradually disappeared from view."
Captain Wilson stated that a land breeze had prevailed for several days previous to the mirage, and the phenomenon is accounted for on the ground that there was unusual retraction of the lower strata of the atmosphere. This is the first known instance of a mirage being seen in the lower Chesapeake. This phenomenon, however, is not infrequent in the Chesapeake, and Captain Wilson states that he once saw Cove point light from the lower end of Tangier Island, a distance of 38 miles. He calculated the distance of the mirage of a few days ago to be 30 miles.
SHIPS SAILING IN AIR
Remarkable Mirage Seen From The Decks Of A Steamer In Chesapeake Bay
From The Baltimore Herald.
"At the time I discovered it," said Captain Wilson of the steamer Tangier "we were off Watts Island on the Pocomoke Sound. The day was clear and bright. I was standing on the hurricane deck forward with a passenger, and we were commenting on the strange action of a dense line of smoke which rose perpendicularly from the stack of a saw mill in Pocomoke City, which lay to the east of us. My attention was suddenly called to the distinct outlines of a three-masted schooner which appeared above the line where the smoke spread out and disappeared. I could hardly believe my senses, and, calling my attention to the gentleman who was with me to the strange sight, I rushed into the pilot house and got my glasses. Through them I discovered more clearly the outlines of the vessel. There was evidently no breeze, as the sails were lying inboard. Then I scanned the horizon on either side of the smoke with the glasses and discovered four additional schooners, all of them similarly rigged and all wearing a full set of sails which were also inboard. They were more or less distinct as they were nearer or farther from the shore. Three of them pointed north and two south. The vessels were enveloped in what appeared to be a transparent haze, which I at once supposed to be the ocean. Fringing the lower edge of the haze were the outlines, perfectly distinct of the Atlantic coast between Chncoteague and Cobbs Islands. Even the inlets and small capes were discernible. Next appeared the broad waters between the outer bar and the mainland. This was also depicted as a haze, the land dovetailing into it here and there. Skirting the lower edge of the haze was the mainland, with open fields and clumps of trees. The mirage extended down to the meeting line of the land and the eastern horizon. I called all the passengers up from the lower deck and saloon, and all of them gazed at the phenomenon with wonder and admiration. The sight lasted about twenty minutes and gradually disappeared from view."
Captain Wilson stated that a land breeze had prevailed for several days previous to the mirage, and the phenomenon is accounted for on the ground that there was unusual retraction of the lower strata of the atmosphere. This is the first known instance of a mirage being seen in the lower Chesapeake. This phenomenon, however, is not infrequent in the Chesapeake, and Captain Wilson states that he once saw Cove point light from the lower end of Tangier Island, a distance of 38 miles. He calculated the distance of the mirage of a few days ago to be 30 miles.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
TIME MACHINE (Let's Eat!)
April, 1967
The Pony Ranch Drive-In on Route 13 south of Pocomoke City was advertising a 39-cent Ranch Burger special that consisted of a double-decker hamburger with cheese, special sauce, lettuce and pickle. The regular price was 60-cents. The Pony Ranch menu also included Subs, Pizza, Chicken In The Basket, Shakes, and Soft Serve Products.
Footnote: The Pony Ranch parking lot spaces had speaker phones so you could just drive up and order from your car; your order would be brought out to you to enjoy in your car or to take with you. The Pony Ranch was operated by L.J. and June McGee.
August, 1959
Twin Towers on Route 13 south of Pocomoke announced the Grand Opening of its' new "Tower Room" cocktail lounge to complement its' restaurant. King Sterling at the organ provided dinner music. Dinner features at the popular Pocomoke gathering spot included Chinese Dishes, Broiled Steaks, and Live Maine Lobster from their lobster tank.
November, 1956
Probably more than a few Pocomoke City residents were planning a visit to Salisbury where 1936 menu prices were being featured during the 20th anniversary celebration at the two English Grills. Menu specials, including all the trimmings, were 50-cent hotcake and sausage breakfast, 60-cent fried chicken lunch, and for dinner $1.25 breaded veal cutlet or local baked rock fish.
July, 1958
Johnnys & Sammys in Salisbury was advertising a Wednesday 85-Cents Lunch Special: Chicken & Slippery Dumplings served with hot rolls and butter, and choice of coffee or hot tea.
The Pony Ranch Drive-In on Route 13 south of Pocomoke City was advertising a 39-cent Ranch Burger special that consisted of a double-decker hamburger with cheese, special sauce, lettuce and pickle. The regular price was 60-cents. The Pony Ranch menu also included Subs, Pizza, Chicken In The Basket, Shakes, and Soft Serve Products.
Footnote: The Pony Ranch parking lot spaces had speaker phones so you could just drive up and order from your car; your order would be brought out to you to enjoy in your car or to take with you. The Pony Ranch was operated by L.J. and June McGee.
August, 1959
Twin Towers on Route 13 south of Pocomoke announced the Grand Opening of its' new "Tower Room" cocktail lounge to complement its' restaurant. King Sterling at the organ provided dinner music. Dinner features at the popular Pocomoke gathering spot included Chinese Dishes, Broiled Steaks, and Live Maine Lobster from their lobster tank.
November, 1956
Probably more than a few Pocomoke City residents were planning a visit to Salisbury where 1936 menu prices were being featured during the 20th anniversary celebration at the two English Grills. Menu specials, including all the trimmings, were 50-cent hotcake and sausage breakfast, 60-cent fried chicken lunch, and for dinner $1.25 breaded veal cutlet or local baked rock fish.
July, 1958
Johnnys & Sammys in Salisbury was advertising a Wednesday 85-Cents Lunch Special: Chicken & Slippery Dumplings served with hot rolls and butter, and choice of coffee or hot tea.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
TIME MACHINE
December, 1930
A 2,500 seat boxing arena was set to open on the Pocomoke Fairgrounds. Arena manager Henry W. Conant of Chincoteague said a series of exhibitions would be scheduled during the coming months. The opening night card would feature a bout between Eastern Shore fighter Danny Russell and an opponent from Portsmouth, Va.
January, 1931
(The Frederick Post)
Either backers of the sporting arena at Pocomoke City have an unlimited amount of cash or else they have a wonderful drawing power. Jack Dempsey is to appear in that town to referee a fight show for $2,000 or fifty percent of the gate. Dempsey will be paid off in cash and it may be the end of boxing in that section. Thousand dollar guarantees have been paid in Hagerstown but never has one man walked out with two thousand berries tucked away safely in his jeans.
February, 1931
(Cumberland Evening Times)
Former World's Heavyweight Champion Goes Over Big In Pocomoke City
Pocomoke City, Md. Feb. 4(AP)- More than 2000 Eastern Shore fight fans saw Jack Dempsey, former heavyweight champion, as he refereed two matches of a boxing card here Tuesday night. Dempsey attended a dinner as a guest of the Lions Club of Salisbury, and before he entered the ring he was kept busy autographing programs.
A 2,500 seat boxing arena was set to open on the Pocomoke Fairgrounds. Arena manager Henry W. Conant of Chincoteague said a series of exhibitions would be scheduled during the coming months. The opening night card would feature a bout between Eastern Shore fighter Danny Russell and an opponent from Portsmouth, Va.
January, 1931
(The Frederick Post)
Either backers of the sporting arena at Pocomoke City have an unlimited amount of cash or else they have a wonderful drawing power. Jack Dempsey is to appear in that town to referee a fight show for $2,000 or fifty percent of the gate. Dempsey will be paid off in cash and it may be the end of boxing in that section. Thousand dollar guarantees have been paid in Hagerstown but never has one man walked out with two thousand berries tucked away safely in his jeans.
February, 1931
(Cumberland Evening Times)
Former World's Heavyweight Champion Goes Over Big In Pocomoke City
Pocomoke City, Md. Feb. 4(AP)- More than 2000 Eastern Shore fight fans saw Jack Dempsey, former heavyweight champion, as he refereed two matches of a boxing card here Tuesday night. Dempsey attended a dinner as a guest of the Lions Club of Salisbury, and before he entered the ring he was kept busy autographing programs.
Friday, April 22, 2011
TIME MACHINE ... April, 1977
Having cleared both the Maryland House and Senate the Pocomoke City Sunday Blue Law bill was ready to be signed into law by the governor, clearing the way for Sunday merchandise sales in Pocomoke City. In a 1974 referendum the Pocomoke City area voted against lifting Sunday Blue Law restrictions while the rest of Worcester County voted in favor and was permitting the Sunday sales. The bill to bring Pocomoke City in line with the remainder of the county was co-sponsored by House Of Delegates members Russell O. Hickman of Worcester County, R.C. (Biggy) Long of Somerset County, and Joseph J. Long of Wicomico County.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
TIME MACHINE ... September, 1962
Pocomoke area residents were in shock on learning of the death of Dr. C. Stanford Hamilton. The Pocomoke City physician, who was in his mid 30's, died in a violent single vehicle crash on Route 50 west of Salisbury when the car in which he was a passenger left the roadway and struck an abutment. Two others, including Salisbury physician William Fisher Jr., were also killed and Donald Ramsey of near Pocomoke was critically injured. The four were returning from Baltimore where they had attended a Baltimore Colts game.
Footnote: Dr. Hamilton came to Pocomoke in 1955 when Dr. Lewis Llewelyn left to practice elsewhere. Dr. Hamilton's daughter Linda, who was six years old at the time of his death, is Hollywood actress Linda Hamilton. In later years Dr. Llewelyn's son Doug was host of the original "People's Court" TV program.
Footnote: Dr. Hamilton came to Pocomoke in 1955 when Dr. Lewis Llewelyn left to practice elsewhere. Dr. Hamilton's daughter Linda, who was six years old at the time of his death, is Hollywood actress Linda Hamilton. In later years Dr. Llewelyn's son Doug was host of the original "People's Court" TV program.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Local Radio Makes A Second Try On The Eastern Shore
When Salisbury's WSMD ceased operation in 1929 after about a year on the air Pocomoke and other Eastern Shore areas were without a local radio service until 1937 when WSAL signed on from a studio on East Main Street in Salisbury, beyond the post office, in a store space next to Gordy Drug Company.
Violet Killiam of Hebron was a popular local performer on WSAL. She won a local talent contest broadcast live from the stage of the New Theater in Salisbury and was given her own 15-minute weekly radio program. She was known as the Kate Smith of the Eastern Shore. Other talent heard on WSAL included the station's staff musician, well known Eastern Shore performer "Billy Heaton" (William Heaton Whitworth), who hosted "Uncle Billy And The Kiddie Hour; the Hurdle family of Berlin who were known as The Southern Hillbillies; Tex Rose And His Lone Star Ranchers; and Kid Smith And The Sisters. WSAL listeners could tune in to "The Shadow" on Sundays at 530PM.
As a teenager Willis Conover, who later became an icon in jazz broadcasting, had his first job in radio working part-time as an announcer and writer at WSAL while attending college. Later in his career he was the producer for many years of The Voice Of America's world renowned jazz programming, and was also known in the jazz world for his large collection of tapes and documents.
WSAL appeared to be fulfilling its' obligation to serve the local broadcast area, however behind the scenes the Federal Communications Commission had serious concerns regarding legalities involving the station's ownership. It ordered WSAL permanently off the air in April of 1940.
On Friday, September 13th, 1940, WBOC went on the air from "Radio Park" just north of Salisbury on Route 13. A few other stations dotted the Delmarva Peninsula later in the 1940's and still more in the 1950's and radio on Delmarva was here to stay.
In September of 1954 the FCC was reviewing two applications for radio in Pocomoke City. One was for a station at 1290 on the AM dial and the other was for a station at 540. A large tower was visible on the east side of Pocomoke and there was talk that a radio station was to be built on that property off of Stockton Road. Details of what transpired are not clear; the station never came to be but the base for a tower as well as a building for a transmitter still exist there. WDVM at 540 went on the air in August of 1955 from facilities west of town.
In the late 1960's there was increasing interest in FM but most car radios weren't equipped to receive it. WBOC-FM sold FM converters that attached to AM car radios. Some of the first Eastern Shore FM stations were WBOC-FM (call letters later WQHQ "Q105") Salisbury-Ocean City, Choppy Layton's WKHI "100 KHI" in Ocean City, WICO-FM in Salisbury, and WSEA in Georgetown, Delaware. The public's interest in FM stereo set the course for the arrival of many more FM stations on the Eastern Shore in the years to come.
Contributed by Terry Kleger of Salisbury. terrykleger@yahoo.com
Violet Killiam of Hebron was a popular local performer on WSAL. She won a local talent contest broadcast live from the stage of the New Theater in Salisbury and was given her own 15-minute weekly radio program. She was known as the Kate Smith of the Eastern Shore. Other talent heard on WSAL included the station's staff musician, well known Eastern Shore performer "Billy Heaton" (William Heaton Whitworth), who hosted "Uncle Billy And The Kiddie Hour; the Hurdle family of Berlin who were known as The Southern Hillbillies; Tex Rose And His Lone Star Ranchers; and Kid Smith And The Sisters. WSAL listeners could tune in to "The Shadow" on Sundays at 530PM.
As a teenager Willis Conover, who later became an icon in jazz broadcasting, had his first job in radio working part-time as an announcer and writer at WSAL while attending college. Later in his career he was the producer for many years of The Voice Of America's world renowned jazz programming, and was also known in the jazz world for his large collection of tapes and documents.
WSAL appeared to be fulfilling its' obligation to serve the local broadcast area, however behind the scenes the Federal Communications Commission had serious concerns regarding legalities involving the station's ownership. It ordered WSAL permanently off the air in April of 1940.
On Friday, September 13th, 1940, WBOC went on the air from "Radio Park" just north of Salisbury on Route 13. A few other stations dotted the Delmarva Peninsula later in the 1940's and still more in the 1950's and radio on Delmarva was here to stay.
In September of 1954 the FCC was reviewing two applications for radio in Pocomoke City. One was for a station at 1290 on the AM dial and the other was for a station at 540. A large tower was visible on the east side of Pocomoke and there was talk that a radio station was to be built on that property off of Stockton Road. Details of what transpired are not clear; the station never came to be but the base for a tower as well as a building for a transmitter still exist there. WDVM at 540 went on the air in August of 1955 from facilities west of town.
In the late 1960's there was increasing interest in FM but most car radios weren't equipped to receive it. WBOC-FM sold FM converters that attached to AM car radios. Some of the first Eastern Shore FM stations were WBOC-FM (call letters later WQHQ "Q105") Salisbury-Ocean City, Choppy Layton's WKHI "100 KHI" in Ocean City, WICO-FM in Salisbury, and WSEA in Georgetown, Delaware. The public's interest in FM stereo set the course for the arrival of many more FM stations on the Eastern Shore in the years to come.
Contributed by Terry Kleger of Salisbury. terrykleger@yahoo.com
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