Holiday scams alert

 

(The County Times, Crisfield)

Crisfield PD and State Police both warn about scam callers

CRISFIELD — The Crisfield Police Department and Chief David Dalfonso remind everyone that with the holidays come the scammers and everyone needs to be on guard.

Residents should be suspicious of any telephone calls or mailings that come from a “government agency,” police department, or questionable charity requesting money — and if you are contacted and unsure if it is a scam, don’t hesitate to contact the CPD at 410-968-1323 to confirm.

Likewise, the Maryland State Police warns of similar schemes including scammers claiming to be the IRS, or a family member of the victim in need of bail money after an arrest.

In a frequent scam, the victim is told that they have won a contest or prize money, but in order to collect their winnings, they must buy gift cards totaling a small portion of the total prize they will eventually be sent by the scammer.

Phone numbers are also spoofed, or cloned, and one victim received a call that displayed “State Police” on her caller ID and the number 410-386-3000, which is the actual number for the Maryland State Police Westminster Barrack. When the woman answered the call, the person on the other end of the line told her a criminal complaint had been filed against her.

The victim asked for the caller’s badge number before the caller hung up on the victim.

Along those same lines but using the internet, one con artist spoofed the victim’s boss’s email address and sent out an email instructing the “employee” to go and buy gift cards and then text the codes on the back of the card to a different number saying the boss lost his phone.

“These scammers are using scare tactics and sophisticated technology to attempt to take advantage of the public,” a spokesperson for the MSP stated. “The Maryland State Police would never solicit personal information from any citizen over the phone.”

Anyone who receives such a phone call should hang up and then contact their local state police barrack. Callers may remain anonymous.

Maryland Guard to assist with vaccine distribution

 (WBOC)

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (CBS/WBOC)- Gov. Larry Hogan said Tuesday the Maryland National Guard will be reactivated to assist with the state’s distribution and planning of the COVID-19 vaccine.

View full article:

Md. National Guard to Assist With COVID-19 Vaccination Efforts A - WBOC TV

Eastern Shore of Virginia loses a prominent citizen

 (WESR/Shore Daily News)

View article:

Robert S. Bloxom Sr. passes away - Shore Daily News

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).