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. 

Pocomoke Fire Company and the Community Center have windows on Christmas past & present

Stop by the Community Center at the  Pocomoke Fire House and see the charming Christmas windows created for the season.  These are created with lots of nostalgic charm, artistry and creative thought, sure to delight viewers of any age.  I was impressed with the interesting antiques, including an original sign from the soda fountain of the old F.W. Woolworth's store of years ago!

Remember the days when shoppers would descend on downtown Pocomoke to socialize and shop to make the little one's wishes come true?  Did you get a soda at the "dime store" or Clarke's Pharmacy?   Do you have a story to share with our readers about those wonderful days when downtown was bustling on a weekend evening? Make sure you see the collection of nostalgic toys in this window depicting Christmas past!

"The children were nestled all snug in their beds while visions of sugarplums danced in their heads!"  From the favorite Christmas story, "A Night Before Christmas", written by Clement Moore, this window shows a quiet Santa filling the stockings in front of a fireplace.    Did someone read the story over and over and over again when you were young?  Can you recite it from memory today?  

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas, are you?  Winter wonderland!  Icicles and snowmen , lights and a train, give this window some sparkle and evoke those memories of going "Over the river and through the woods to grandmother's house" for the holidays.  In our case, we took the kids and dog over the Bay Bridge-- but you get the idea!


Put the kids in the mom mobile and stop by the fire house to see these windows!  They tell me that a "right jolly old elf" is arriving by helicopter today at 4 pm!  Come and see!  Get your picture taken with Santa!  Give him your wish list!  

Pocomoke City Police Department Christmas Party and Award Ceremony

Friday night Chief Kelvin Sewell hosted the annual Christmas party and award ceremony for the Pocomoke City Police Department.  About 100 people attended the function held in the beautiful Community Center at the fire house.   After a meal of Eastern Shore favorites, Chief Sewell announced that Sgt. Arthur Hancock was this year's Officer of the Year.  On receiving the award, Sgt. Hancock spoke briefly and acknowledged that his award was possible because of a great team of fellow officers.  Last night's event  had another reason for celebration, Chief Sewell's daughter graduated from UMES in the morning, with family members present from Baltimore!

Worcester County Commissioner Diana Purnell, Pocomoke City Councilmen Rob Clarke & Rev. George Tasker, Councilwoman Diane  Downing, Mayor Bruce Morrison joined Chief Kelvin Sewell & Lt. Craven in congratulating all the officers and support staff for a job well done in 2014.

Sgt. Arthur Hancock was named Officer of the Year by Chief Sewell.

Chief Sewell had a few words to say about the good job done by his officers in the last year.

Sgt. Arthur Hancock said a few  kind words about the Chief.   Hancock and Craven then gave a unique gift to Chief Sewell, recognizing his police service here and in Baltimore City.  The shadow box has badges dating back to 1988 when Sewell first served as an officer on the Baltimore City Police Force.

This display will be an attractive addition to Chief Sewell's office wall.  Thank you for your service, Chief.

December General Membership Luncheon to be Postponed

Due to unforeseen circumstances beyond their control, the Hartley Hall Nursing & Rehabilitation Center will be unable to host our December General Membership Luncheon next week (Dec 17). They have rescheduled it for Wednesday, January 21, 2015.
At that time our PACC officers will give a short presentation.
There will be NO General Membership Luncheon for December.
More info to follow.

Pocomoke Area Chamber of Commerce

TIME MACHINE ... This Sunday's Preview

1968.. Big giveaway in holiday promotion by Pocomoke businesses; 1883.. A popular holiday item on the Eastern Shore of Virginia; 1894..Train excursion to Pocomoke City for Christmas shopping; 1908.. View this Christmas ad by a leading Pocomoke City merchant; ; 1885.. A new hotel in Girdletree; 1968.. She served Pocomoke City for 30 years; 1916.. Sears Catalog Christmas decorations.

Although you may not find all of 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!

Ferguson Rioting and Looting; Michael Brown

Salisbury Md Christmas Parade Protest

Post by Heather Williams.

Post by Heather Williams.

LAST DAY TO RSVP FOR DECEMBER 11th BAH!

Do you know some deserving individuals?

Please take a moment and consider nominating a person for one of the Pocomoke Area Chamber of Commerce's three awards recognized yearly at our Annual Dinner.  This year the event will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2015 and will have a Mardi Gras theme.

The three award categories are Business Person of the Year, Community at Heart Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award.  Nominations are due at the Chamber office no later than Monday, December 8, 2014.  

Thank you!

Nomination applications can be downloaded at

pocomoke.com

Annual Reverend Tom Wall Memorial Pancake Dinner

The dinner is held annually to honor the memory of Rev. Thomas Wall who was active in making the Samaritan Shelter a warm and protective temporary home for persons who need a warm bed, a hot meal and some companionship during a hard time.  Life is not always easy.  Now managed by Ms Shelly Daniels, the dinner is still an annual event where you see all your neighbors and friends, out for a good meal, and great conversation.   At this year's dinner, Mayor Bruce Morrison presented a check for $3000 to the shelter for their continued expenses.  Shelly Daniels accepted the check from our mayor.  Other funds were raised here through donation cans on the tables and proceeds from the ticket sales.

TIME MACHINE ... 1941,1967, 1887, 1974, 1933, 1885, 1900.

"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)


Prior to this week's Time Machine items let's take note of December 7, 1941.

December, 1967
Marylander And Herald (Princess Anne)

Holly Auction Set For Dec. 13 In Fruitland

The holly auction at Fruitland will be held Wednesday, December 13, beginning at 10 a.m.

Louis Carey, one of the main buyers, said there will probably be about 50 people show up with wreathes. Maybe there will be 3,000 wreathes offered.

"It's a long way from what the auction used to be," he said.  "It's just about done."

In recent years the number of wreath makers has dwindled to a point where only one sale day is necessary. At one time there were three of more sale days.

Mr. Carey said that this year may have more wreathes than last because of the abundance of holly berries this year. Trees are beautiful, just hanging with berries, he said.

At one time most of the wreathes were sent to city markets. Last year he sent only one small lot to the city.

The Fruitland holly wreath auction is the only such auction known in the world. It is the only place where natural wreathes are sold.

Footnote: From the City Of Fruitland website.. The Fruitland logo incorporates the holly on each side. That is because (the) holly tree is native to the moist woods of Somerset, Worcester, Wicomico and Dorchester Counties. Fruitland held the first (and largest) holly auction every year for three days in December, from the late 1890s until December 1968. The demand for homemade wreaths decreased as artificial wreaths were manufactured. Besides holly, mistletoe was also sold by the bushel basket at the auctions. Wreaths were sold and shipped to brokers in Baltimore, Philadelphia and Washington, DC, but sometimes were shipped as far west as Chicago.


 November, 1887 (Time Machine archive)

The Herald And Torchlight (Hagerstown, Md)

Agents from Farmington, Del., have been in Princess Anne, Somerset County, for several days collecting holly twigs with berries on them.  The twigs are packed in small boxes made for the purpose and shipped direct to Chicago, St. Louis, and Canada, and are used for decorating purposes.  Those who have holly are making a good thing out of it.

 August, 1974
(The DailyTimes- Salisbury)

(Ad)

AS OF SEPTEMBER 1, 1974, THE MARVA THEATER IN POCOMOKE CITY WILL SLIGHTLY INCREASE ITS ADMISSION PRICES...

For many years, the Marva Theatre has boasted of the lowest admission prices on the entire Eastern Shore. Now, due to higher expenses of films, film delivery, supplies, maintenance, electricity and heat, a slight increase in prices must be made .. New prices, starting September 1st, will be Adults $1.50, Children 75c, with R rated pictures at all seats $1.50. These new prices will probably still be the lowest on the Shore . . Service charge on all passes will increase from 25c to 50c each ... No X rated pictures are ever shown, a fact that has brought many fine comments to the management. All the best G, PG, and a few R rated will be shown to continue the policy of a "family type old fashion movie house" with a friendly greeting to everyone. 

Footnote: Word around town was that theater operator J. Dawson Clarke would remove snips of film that he felt were not suitable for family viewing. 

March, 1933
The Daily Mail (Hagerstown, Md.)

Assembly Must Act Quick Or Many Sections Of State Out Of Luck

BALTIMORE, March 22 (JP) Unless there is quick action in the state General Assembly before its adjournment April 4, more than half of Maryland will be unable to take advantage of legalized beer. 

So intricate are the liquor laws of the state that they present the appearance of a jig saw puzzle.

Eleven of the 23 counties are bone dry; eight have restrictions on importations; two others are wet in spots and only two counties are wide open. Baltimore City, which is a distinct sub-division and not in any county, is wet for the most part but forbids sale of beer or liquor in certain sections.

Baltimore City has already prepared a bill for presentation in the Legislature repealing all old liquor laws and enacting a new law with a new scale of license taxes and new regulations as to sale. Counties are taking steps to repeal their laws. 

The two counties now wide open are Montgomery, which is adjacent to the District of Columbia and includes many of Washington's more exclusive suburbs, and Allegany.

Cumberland, the state's second largest city, has wet and dry spots. Annapolis, the state capital, located in Anne Arundel county, is wide open. 

Most of the Eastern Shore of Maryland, on the Delmarva peninsula, has a "gallon a month" law. These counties are Somerset, Wicomico, Worcester, Kent, Caroline, Dorchester, Talbot and Queen Anne's.

Garrett, Prince Georges, St. Mary's, Harford, Washington, Calvert, Carroll, Cecil, Frederick, Howard (with the exception of Ellicott City) and Charles counties are bone dry.

January, 1885 
Peninsula Enterprise (Accomac Court House)

The Eastern Shore Mails.

Reprinted from Baltimore Sun.

The petition to the Postmaster-General that the Eastern Shore Steamboat Company be allowed to retain the contract for the mails between this city and Somerset and Worcester counties, Md., and Accomac and Northampton counties, Va., sets forth that the steamboats are necessary for the prompt delivery of mail at points inaccessible by rail; that the shipments from the section of country indicated are largely perishable in their nature; that the proposed change to the railroad service would operate disastrously both here and in the country, and requests that definite action be withheld until the business men here can be heard further in the premises. 


 For Christmas, 1900!

                                                             

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.

Mayor's Old Fashioned Christmas a Success!

Annual Christmas Cantata at Salem United Methodist Church

"The Mystery and the Majesty" A Cantata by Joseph M Martin
Directed by Brittany Lewis and presented by the Salem United Methodist Choir
Sunday December 7, 2014
7 pm at Salem Church at the corner of 2nd & Walnut Streets in Pocomoke City

The annual performance of a Christmas cantata is quite a long tradition at Salem.  The music in this performance comes from varied genre of Christian music and the effect is quite magical, setting a mood for the Christmas season.  Come and join us in this year's version of a long standing tradition of well performed Christmas music.  Soloists are Lauren Leonard, who performed with the Holly Grove Choir for many years, also Frank Henry, a well known musician from Pocomoke.   Doug Gifford also performs a solo in this cantata.  Brittany Lewis, a graduate of Pocomoke High School, is a gifted muscian, vocalist and conductor.

Come and join us at Salem on Sunday evening!   The last number is the familiar Hallelujah Chorus where singers in the audience will join the choir,  There is no admission fee.  Refreshments will be served after the performance.

TIME MACHINE ... This Sunday's Preview

1967.. Fruitland holly auction may have been unique in the world; 1887.. Somerset holly going to the midwest and Canada; 1974.. Marva Theater ticket price changes; 1933.. Maze of liquor laws may leave half of Maryland without legalized beer; 1885.. Alarming concerns on proposed swtich from steamboat to rail delivery on lower Eastern Shore.

Although you may not find all of 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! 

Would you consider helping The Pocomoke Public Eye as a contributor of current local items of interest?  Please contact pcitypubliceye@gmail.com

Santa Clause is coming to Furnace Town Living Heritage Museum!

Reminder! THIS WEEKEND!
Santa Clause is coming to Furnace Town Living Heritage Museum! We are all excited! So Moms & Dads bring the kids and don't forget your cameras!! And don't miss our hymn sing on Sunday afternoon with Charlie Paparella!
The Holiday Season will be ushered in at Furnace Town Living Heritage Village on Saturday, December 6th and Sunday, December 7th. Between Noon and 5:00pm Furnace Town artisans will welcome you to their workplace as they weave, make brooms, and pound iron at the forge.
Join us on Saturday evening at 7:00pm for the 19th Century Christmas Service by the Snow Hill Ministerial Association & Rev. Sherwood McGrath in the historic Old Nazereth Church. The evening church service is free to all! Doors will open at 6:30.
Furnace Town’s daily admission will apply both days, 12-5. $6.00 for adults / $5.00 over 60 & AAA members / $3.00 children ages 3-18, and children under 2 are free. Furnace Town members & their guests with passes are free. The Evening Church Service is Free! Contact Furnace Town at 410-632-2032 for more information.

Old Pocomoke School

This larger 1877 map will add some context to the detail of Market Street just posted. The mapmaker did not go beyond 7th Street in delineating the Pocomoke City of 1877. Am I correct in assuming that "Public School No. 2," upper left, is the old school still in use in the 1940s? If so, it was erected in 1867, ten years before this map was made, 40 feet by 56, the lot being about 3 acres in size. It lasted for 82 years. My brother Dale was a pupil there for some months in 1946 when our parents lived briefly in a rental behind the barn on the Duncan Farm [Ellen Barnes] on Dividing Creek Road. I suppose there is no other group member who attended school there?

Bob Jones‎Worc. Co., MD, History, Bob Jones, Coordinator

December 11th Business After Hours/Holiday Social Invitation

Pocomoke City Chamber of Commerce

 The Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce, Eastern Shore Defense Alliance and the Pocomoke Chamber of Commerce invite you to join them at The Jackspot Restaurant, 6262 Marlin Street, Chincoteague Island, on December 11, 2014 from 5-7 PM for a time to relax during this busy holiday season.  Enjoy fabulous hors d'oeuvres served overlooking the Chincoteague Bay while networking with colleagues from the small business sector, government agencies, government contractors, military branches and Virginia, Maryland and U.S. legislative representatives.

 For planning purposes, please RSVP by Dec 8 by calling 757 336-6161 or by email to chincochamber3@verizon.net

See more pictures [CLICK HERE]

VIA: http://www.pocomokechristmasparade.com

Pocomoke Christmas Parade Winners

POCOMOKE CHRISTMAS PARADE TONIGHT! 7 - 9 PM

Monday night, December 1st, 2014, We will celebrate our 42nd year as Pocomoke City will be transformed into a “Winter Wonderland” as Pocomoke City plays host to one of Delmarva’s largest nighttime Christmas parades. 
Always held on the first Monday night after Thanksgiving, the Pocomoke parade has become an Eastern Shore tradition and will attract over 100 units from Maryland, Delaware and Virginia along with thousands of spectators.
Each year the parade features marching bands representing high and middle schools from seven counties in three states. Also featured will be beautifully decorated and lighted floats entered by schools, civic organizations, churches, and commercial enterprises.
Clowns, marching units, fire departments, equestrian units, and of course Santa Claus will round out the two-hour event, slated to kick-off at 7:00 p.m. sharp. The route will take the parade north on Market Street beginning at 14th Street and ending at the Pocomoke River.
Professional judges, including members of the National Judges Association (NJA), will score entries in 10 different categories. Cash prizes and trophies will be awarded immediately following the event to the top entries in each category.
A special thanks to the community of Pocomoke City and surrounding areas for the recent support given to us to continue this great tradition that has been a part of the town for over 40 years.

Visit our Facebook page and join the community!
VIST THE PARADE WEB PAGE [HERE]