Time Machine: Holiday Season 1942, 1980, 1921, 1937, 1966, 1935, 1970.

 

December, 1942

Worcester Democrat

December, 1980

Daily Times (Salisbury)

  December, 1921

Democratic Messenger

December, 1937

Worcester Democrat

December 24, 1966- A seldom seen headline on the Eastern Shore..

A white Christmas on the Eastern Shore is more often than not just something that's dreamed about but it does occur occasionally.  In 1966, for example, Christmas was on a Sunday and a few inches fell overnight Friday into Saturday morning and left snow on the ground for Christmas day. The highest amounts were generally in Somerset County.  

December 26, 1935- A white Christmas dream became more of a nightmare.

Several inches of snow beginning on the 25th were whipped into large drifts that by the next morning were anything but a pleasant dream for those who had to take to the roadways.

   (Salisbury Times excerpts)

See a 2019 WMDT article about past times of a white Christmas on the Eastern Shore: 

https://www.wmdt.com/2019/12/our-last-white-christmas-story/

       

 Submitted by Kathy H. in 2013...

At Christmas time, my mind always goes back to about 1970.

 

I was young (20) and doing Christmas shopping in downtown Pocomoke City.  The air was crisp and cold and a light snow was falling.  The downtown area was lit up with Christmas lights in the storefront windows and Christmas carols were playing over a P.A. or loudspeaker system (I don't know what the technical term is) but I remember that it was beautiful.

 

At that time, you could do ALL of your Christmas shopping downtown - didn't have to go anywhere else. There was a 'five & diime' store, a 'dollar' store, a couple of department stores, a couple of shoe stores, a couple of dress shops, a men's clothing store, a couple of jewelry stores, a couple of catalog stores, a couple of hardware stores, a couple of pharmacies, a couple of banks, and a car dealer by the river.  Just turn the corner off of Market St. and go just one block down Clarke Ave. and there was a soda fountain shop, a couple of mom & pop grocery stores, and a fish market (I think). There may have even been a beauty salon on Willow St. between Second & Clarke (memory is fuzzy here). If you proceeded on to the next block down Clarke Ave., there was a second-hand store (clothing, etc.), a deli, and a small mom & pop clothing store.  Unbelievable isn't it?  Yes, all of those businesses were in the downtown area (at the same time).

 

I miss it when I get thinking about it.  It was different shopping like that than when you go into these huge chain stores and have to fight the crowds. Whole different atmosphere - the magic of Christmas has gotten lost in greedy commercialism.  Well, maybe that's a bit extreme, but right now I am savoring those wonderful memories of times gone by.

 

P.S.  You could shop without worrying about getting your purse snatched, or getting mugged or carjacked, etc.

                                                                       

                                                                                                         

                                                       

Time Machine Preview

 This Sunday here at The Pocomoke Public Eye:

December-

1942  ..  C&P Telephone urges no long distance calls be made this Christmas.

1980  ..  The "Peeking Around Pocomoke" column looks at preparations for Christmas.

1921  ..  Letters to Santa.

1937  ..  The Salem Epworth League in Pocomoke City makes activity plans for the Christmas season.

1966 & 1935  ..  A white Christmas on the Eastern Shore.

2013  ..  A Pocomoke Public Eye reader recalls the Christmas season in Pocomoke City circa 1970.

Pocomoke City 

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS COMPETITION

Friday & Saturday, December 18 & 19

Residential Winners For Best Traditional And Wackiest Home

Commercial: 1 Overall Winner

You must have a Pocomoke address to enter.  Addresses outside of City limits included!  It's free to enter.  Call Councilman Holland to participate- 443.880.8535.

Hosted by the Pocomoke Recreation Committee.  Sponsored by Lowes in Pocomoke.

 

 

Time Machine : Holiday Season 1937, 1920, 1958, 1955, 1921.

December, 1937

Worcester Democrat

 December, 1920

The Marylander And Herald

December, 1958

Top of second column:

Sherwin-Williams

Harvey's Credit Store

Jon'N'Ree Jewelers

 

Worcester Democrat

December, 1955

The Crisfield Post And Somerset News

December, 1921

Worcester Democrat

1950's  ..  During the Christmas season the Coffman-Fisher clothing store at the northwest corner of Second and Market Streets in Pocomoke City set up a large toy department on the upper level of their store.  Children of that era may still recall climbing the flight of stairs above the balcony level to visit the once a year large display of toys.  In Salisbury, "Jolly Jack's" toy department at the R. E. Powell clothing store was a favorite visit. 

(Reader comment)

Anonymous said...

Jolly Jack was a cooperative effort between R. E. Powell and WBOC. The TV station had constructed a large Jack-In-The-Box affair and Carrol Long would turn the crank and Jolly Jack (Ralph Pennewell) would jump out and read letters from local children asking for toys for Christmas. Jolly Jack wore huge circus clown-type shoes and one night, on live TV, Jolly Jack's shoelace got caught on the box and Jolly Jack (Ralph) fell on his head. Ralph uttered a few choice words and, it being live TV, there was no taking back those words. Shortly thereafter Ralph was converted from Jolly Jack to weatherman, sponsored by Atlantic-Richfield and gave local weather reports while wearing the uniform of an Atlantic gasoline station pump jockey.

I'm sure very few readers can remember a time when you pulled into a gas station and a uniformed attendant emerged to fill your tank, wash your windshield and check your oil. If really looking for a tip they would even check the air pressure in your tires.

tk for PPE says:

Thanks to the above reader for those memories.

A couple of others who played the part of Jolly Jack were John Rahe (Club 16 host) and Harry Naugle (a master control room director). For those who remember Ralph's Atlantic weather report (with their jingle "For business..for pleasure..Atlantic Keeps Your Car On The Go") you might also recall that the program was on at the top of the hour leading off the 11p.m. news.

The former gas station that's on Market Street by the Delmarva Discovery Center was operated by Elmer Williams when I went there for gas, and the other services you mention, in the early 1960's. In later years Elmer was the attendant at the nearby Pocomoke River Bridge. 

(Reader comment)

 Anonymous said...

After more thought I am wondering if my recollection is a bit off.

Coffman-Fisher, later becoming R E Powell, had a toy display on the second floor and also sold the scouting uniforms for the Cub Scouts, Boy and Girl Scouts. But I now think that Jolly Jack was sponsored by White and Leonard on the north side of Main Street in Salisbury. What do you think?

tkfor PPE says:

Thanks for correcting the mistake on my original posting. Jolly Jack Toyland was located at White & Leonard, not R.E. Powell. The Salisbury Times ad below is from October, 1956.

Riverboat for the Pocomoke preparing for spring

 (WBOC)

View article:

Snow Hill Riverboat in Salisbury for R-epairs - WBOC-TV 16, Delmarvas News Leader, FOX 21 

(Reader comment)

Anonymous said...

Gary Weber has lost his freaking mind. Nobody knows who will operate this boat, how much operating expenses will be, who will buy tickets, how much insurance will be or anything else. But, hey, it's free money from the taxpayers of Worcester County so why should Gary care? He's never going to have to pay any of it back.

Restoration help for Virginia's Cedar Island?

 (WESR/Shore Daily News)

A local group is working to rebuild Cedar Island.

At one time the target of development similar to Chincoteague Island, Cedar Island, like all the Eastern Shore’s barrier islands, has shifted and shrunk over time. The barrier islands have protected the Eastern Shore’s seaside from major storms and erosion.

In the glory days, these islands were home to inhabitants, hunt clubs, developments and even agriculture. But major storms, including the infamous Ash Wednesday in 1933, drove the few residents left off the islands to the mainland. The final village on the Eastern Shore’s barrier islands, the Broadwater Village on Hogg Island, was the subject of a documentary by the Barrier Islands Center in Machipongo. Constantly shifting, over the years the islands have withered in size.

View full article:

Local group looks to rebuild Cedar Island - Shore Daily News

(Reader comment)

Anonymous said...

Please note that the shrinking of Cedar Island is because of erosion, not because of sea level rise (of which there is none).

Time Machine Preview

This Sunday here at The Pocomoke Public Eye:

December-

1937  ..  The Christmas street decorations in Pocomoke City are said to be more artistic and elaborate than ever before.

1920  ..  Do's and Don'ts at the Post Office.

1958  ..  (Ad) Shop Pocomoke merchants for a chance to win a new 1959 Ford!

1955  .. Letters to Santa.

1921  .. (Ad) There's no finer gift to your family than the Amberola phonograph from Noah Gumby's in Pocomoke City. 

 
        

Natural gas permit approved for Somerset County

December 2, 2020 

SENATOR CAROZZA THANKS BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS FOR PERMIT APPROVAL

BRINGING NATURAL GAS TO SOMERSET COUNTY

“This was a total team effort and a win-win-win for the Shore and State of Maryland.”

 

Annapolis, MD—Senator Mary Beth Carozza today thanked the members of the Board of Public Works for unanimously approving a wetlands permit that would allow for natural gas to be brought into Somerset County, which is one of only three counties in Maryland without access to natural gas. 

 

“I am grateful for the strong support of this Shore economic priority and would like to thank everyone who made their voices heard during this process. As Somerset County’s sole representative in the Maryland Senate, I have made it a top priority to work with local residents, businesses, and area elected officials to bring natural gas to Somerset County,” Senator Carozza said.

 

“Delivering natural gas to Somerset County will bring jobs to the area, provide a cleaner and more cost-effective energy than current sources, and reduce CO2 emissions at Eastern Correctional Institution and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore by 65 percent and 35 percent, respectively. Cost savings would be significant as the State of Maryland has spent approximately $10 million to maintain the boiler and co-generation facility.”

 

During her testimony, Senator Carozza highlighted the benefits of bringing natural gas to Somerset County, including the development of an anaerobic digestion facility that will produce renewable natural gas (RNG) while simultaneously addressing the issue of nutrient runoff from poultry waste. Carozza also noted in her testimony that Somerset County and UMES have implemented alternative energy projects over the years, including solar, wind, and waste-to-energy projects, and that she would expect future renewable energy projects to move forward as natural gas is brought to Somerset County.

 

“The recent UMES Clean Renewable Energy Plan demonstrates its commitment to reducing energy consumption and its carbon footprint,” Senator Carozza added, noting that a majority of opposition for this project came from special interest groups and organizations based outside of Somerset County and her district. “Bringing natural gas to Somerset County is long overdue, and local residents, businesses, and community leaders overwhelmingly support this project.”

 

Testifying in support of this project alongside Senator Carozza included University of Maryland Eastern Shore President Heidi Anderson, Speaker Pro Tem Sheree Sample-Hughes (Dorchester and Wicomico), Delegate Charles Otto (Somerset and Worcester), Delegate Carl Anderton (Wicomico), Somerset County Commission President Craig Mathies, and Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Bill Chambers.

 

The Board of Public Works is composed of Governor Larry Hogan, Comptroller Peter Franchot, and Treasurer Nancy Kopp, who are responsible for ensuring that significant state expenditures are carried out in a lawful, fiscally-responsible way. Lieutenant Governor Boyd Rutherford today stepped in and ran the BPW meeting, along with other day-to-day operations for the State of Maryland, as Governor Hogan focuses on Maryland’s COVID-19 emergency response.   

 

(Reader comment)

 Anonymous said...

Remember when ECI was boasting about how environmentally conscious they were because they burned wood chips for energy? Whoops, that didn't work so they tried burning poultry litter because that was so environmentally correct, right? Well, that didn't work either so we are back to something that is cheap, abundant and makes common sense. 

(WMDT news story)

Local leaders react to Md. Board of Public Works natural gas pipeline permit approval - 47abc (wmdt.com)

         

 

Santa makes Pocomoke visit

 (WMDT)

View news story:

Santa Makes his way to Pocomoke City in small Christmas Parade - 47abc (wmdt.com)

Jan 4 is new back to in-class for Somerset County public schools

 (WBOC)

WESTOVER, Md.- Somerset County Public Schools has extended its initial closure of schools for in-person learning until Monday, Jan. 4, 2021, due to persisting rates of COVID-19 infection within the county.

View full article:

Somerset County Public Schools Extends Closure to Jan. 4 - WBOC-TV 16, Delmarvas News Leader, FOX 21 -

New Covid-19 treatment to be offered locally

 

(WBOC)

SALISBURY, Md.- Starting Tuesday, TidalHealth will become a regional referral site for the administration of a new COVID-19 treatment that drew attention when it was used to treat President Donald Trump for the virus.

View full article:

TidalHealth to Offer New COVID-19 Treatment - WBOC-TV 16, Delmarvas News Leader, FOX 21 -

Time Machine: 1924, 1957, 1940, 2007, 1896, 1985, 1974.

 

August, 1924 (Two items)

Worcester Democrat

December, 1957

Crisfield Post

***

The Time Machine will feature Holiday items during the next three weeks.

***

March, 1940

(When a load of lumber like this smashes through the roof of your car, you've got to think quickly-or else. Marion Duncan, of Pocomoke City, Md., did just that when passing the heavily-laden truck, he saw it skid on the icy road and the load of planks topple. Duncan slid to the floor of his sedan, escaped injury. He later discovered truck was one he sold recently.)

                                                                   The Bradenton Herald (Bradenton, Fl)

February, 2007

Daily Times (Salisbury)

 May, 1896 

Knoxville Sentinel (Knoxville, Tn)

1985  ..  Legendary Ocean City mayor Harry Kelly passes away. (A future Time Machine article)

1974  ..