Thursday, May 6, 2010

A Duck Story from San Antonio , Texas

Something really cute happened in downtown San Antonio this week. Michael R. is an accounting clerk at Frost Bank and works there in a second story office. Several weeks ago, he watched a mother duck choose the concrete awning outside his window as the unlikely place to build a nest above the sidewalk.

The mallard laid ten eggs in a nest in the corner of the planter that is perched over 10 feet in the air. She dutifully kept the eggs warm for weeks, and Monday afternoon all of her ten ducklings hatched.







Michael worried all night how the momma duck was going to get those babies safely off their perch in a busy, downtown, urban environment to take to water, which typically happens in the first 48 hours of a duck hatching.

Tuesday morning, Michael watched the mother duck encourage her babies to the edge of the perch with the intent to show them how to jump off. Office work came to a standstill as everyone gathered to watch.




The mother flew down below and started quacking to her babies above. In disbelief Michael watched as the first fuzzy newborn trustingly toddled to the edge and astonishingly leapt into thin air, crashing onto the cement below.

Michael couldn't stand to watch this risky effort nine more times! He dashed out of his office and ran down the stairs to the sidewalk where the first obedient duckling, near its mother, was resting in a stupor after the near-fatal fall. Michael stood out of sight under the awning-planter, ready to help.




As the second one took the plunge, Michael jumped forward and caught it with his bare hands before it hit the concrete. Safe and sound, he set it down it by its momma and the other stunned sibling, still recovering from that painful leap. (The momma must have sensed that Michael was trying to help her babies.)




One by one the babies continued to jump. Each time Michael hid under the awning just to reach out in the nick of time as the duckling made its free fall. At the scene the busy downtown sidewalk traffic came to a standstill.

Time after time, Michael was able to catch the remaining eight and set them by their approving mother.




At this point Michael realized the duck family had only made part of its dangerous journey. They had two full blocks to walk across traffic, crosswalks, curbs and past pedestrians to get to the closest open water, the San Antonio River , site of the famed "River Walk." The onlooking office secretaries and several San Antonio police officers joined in. An empty copy-paper box was brought to collect the babies.

They carefully corralled them, with the mother's approval, and loaded them in the container. Michael held the box low enough for the mom to see her brood. He then slowly navigated through the downtown streets toward the San Antonio River The mother waddled behind and kept her babies in sight, all the way.




As they reached the river, the mother took over and passed him, jumping in the river and quacking loudly.

At the water's edge, Michael tipped the box and helped shepherd the babies toward the water and to the waiting mother after their adventurous ride.




All ten darling ducklings safely made it into the water and paddled up snugly to momma. Michael said the mom swam in circles, looking back toward the beaming bank bookkeeper, and proudly quacking.




At last, all present and accounted for: "We're all together again. We're here! We're here!"




And here's a family portrait before they head outward to further adventures.. .



Like all of us in the big times of our life, they never could have made it alone without lots of helping hands. I think it gives the name of San Antonio 's famous "River Walk" a whole new meaning!

Hat Tip; Kack

Former Pocomoke City Councilman Has Died

POCOMOKE CITY, Md.- Honiss Cane, who served on the Pocomoke City Council for decades, died Tuesday. He was 78.

Cane was first elected to the council in 1986 and served in that capacity until he decided not to run in April's muncipal elections for health reasons. Cane, who was a pioneer for civil rights on Delmarva, had the distinction as the first-ever black member of the Pocomoke City Council.

Cane was also a student union administrator at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore for more 32 years.

The Pocomoke City Chamber of Commerce says a viewing will be held Friday, May 7 from 6-8 p.m. at Shiloh United Methodist Church on 2655 Ocean Highway (Route 113) in Pocomoke City. A funeral service is scheduled for Saturday, May 8, at 11 a.m. at the Ella Fitzgerald Auditorium at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in Princess Anne.

www.wboc.com

Two Benefits This Weekend For Jay Lewis




On May 7th there will be a dinner/auction to benefit Jay Lewis at the Chincoteague Fire House.



The Chincoteague Ladies Auxillary will be fixing turkey, dumplings, oyster fritters with all the trimmings.



Social hour starts at 6:00 PM with dinner following at 7:00 PM



Tickets are limited and going fast!



Contact the Chincoteague Police Department, Chief David Lewis of the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company or Mr. Bill McComb to purchase tickets.

***************************************************************************************

May 8 The Chincoteague Police Department and Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company will be sponsoring a Benefit Poker Run for Jay Lewis.

The Poker Run will start at Cycle Creations in New Church, VA with last bike out at 11:00 AM.

The run will go through Maryland and Virginia and end at the Chincoteague Inn with the last bike in at 3:00 PM.

Food and beverages will be available at the Chincoteague Inn along with a live band under the big tent.

Donations will be accepted for the Poker Run. Please give generously to help offset the medical expenses Jay is incurring.

Everyone is welcome!

Jay is in need of a kidney and pancreas transplant due to diabetes. He has been a Police Officer and Volunteer Firefighter for over 16 years and worked with various Police Departments and Fire Departments on the Eastern Shore during that time.

William & Mary Student Elected to Williamsburg City Council

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (WAVY) - A William and Mary senior made history Tuesday night by becoming the first college student to be elected to Williamsburg City Council.

Daniel Scott Foster won 1,559 votes in the city council elections. He was one of five candidates seeking election.

On campus Wednesday, Foster was much like a celebrity, shaking hands and greeting those who voted him into office.

WAVY.com asked Foster how it felt to be called "council member Foster."

"It sounds pretty good! I'm getting used to it, everybody I've run into today has called me that. So, it's been a lot of fun," Foster said.

Foster campaigned hard over the past 5 months, dreaming to be where he is today. "It's a campus-wide effort and it showed," he told WAVY.com.

College freshman Claire Jackson agreed it was that campus-wide effort that got Foster elected. "There were a lot of voter registration efforts throughout the year and I think that probably made a really big difference," she said.

Williamsburg Vice-Mayor Clyde Haulman, who also happens to be a William and Mary professor, says this will only enhance the relationship between the College and the city.

"I think the students really did it right and had a really top notch candidate who not only had support in the college community, but had support in the non-college community as well," he told WAVY.com.

Williamsburg Mayor Jeanne Zeidler said, "I think it's a very historic vote. Scott spent a lot of time learning the issues... and I think he'll be a very good city council member."

As for those critics who think he's too young, Foster said, "I ran into those folks throughout the campaign, and I now have the opportunity to show them that I'm not too young and I am qualified to do this.

"While serving on council Foster will also be interning after he graduates. He then plans to start law school at William and Mary in fall 2011.

www.wavy.com

Summer is here, is your vehicle ready?

Summer is here, is your vehicle ready?

Here’s a few tips to help save you money and also what to expect as the heat hits your vehicle.

What’s the first thing we do when the weather starts to warm up? We roll down the windows to soak up the beautiful warm summer air. But what do our wondering ears do we hear? A bunch of noises that we haven’t heard with the windows up.

Not to worry some of those noises are natural and we just are not used to hearing them for 9 cold winter months with the windows up.
What we do want to check before the dog days of summer start taking its toll on our vehicles is.

Tires; look for deep cracks from dry rot in the edges of the tires where the tread meets the sidewall, if you’re going to have a blow-out it will most likely happen in the summer when tires are subject to extreme heat. Also, while inspecting your tires make sure all the air pressures are adjusted accordingly; tires will gain in pressure with higher temperature.

Anti-freeze, coolant, check your coolant level and change your coolant every two years.

Belts and hoses, check your belts and hoses for cracks and swollen rubber, if a V belt has any cracks, or a serpentine belt has cracks closer than every inch apart on the side that runs on the pulleys it’s time to replace them. If any hoses are hard or very soft, or cracked or swollen anywhere it’s time for all new hoses, again it’s a good idea to replace hoses when you service the cooling system every two years, they are cheap and the coolant is out anyway, that’s the time to do it and if it’s an easy job the thermostat just as a preventive measure.

Check your automatic transmission fluid, the summer months are the hardest on a transmission, if the fluid is dark and/or it stinks, it’s time to change the fluid and filter, regular maintenance on an automatic transmission will save you a lot of money in the long run.

Newer vehicles have a cab filter that helps with allergies, they are located in the cowl section of your vehicle just below where the windshield wipers rest, they are inexpensive and easy to replace, now is the time to replace that.

There are other fluids that get forgotten about in vehicles that need attention along with the others, not as often but they need changing also. The power steering fluid, the brake fluid and the differentials if equipped.

"COP OUT" This Weekend At The MarVa Theater

Rated R

A comedy about a veteran NYPD cop whose rare baseball card is stolen. Since it's his only hope to pay for his daughter's upcoming wedding, he recruits his partner to track down the thief, a memorabilia-obsessed gangster.


Friday May 7, 2010

Saturday May 8, 2010

7:00 PM

Admission: $5.00 per person

Humpback Whale Entangled In Net Eludes Rescuers Off Cape Charles


A humpback whale entangled in a gill net eluded would-be rescuers Wednesday afternoon after a tracking buoy came loose in the Chesapeake Bay off Cape Charles.

The 25-foot whale appeared to be healthy, but a three-person stranding team from the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center could not tell how badly it was entangled, said team member Jeff Thompson.

“When we got there, it was about 3 miles northwest of Kiptopeke State Park,” Thompson said. “It was swimming strong.”

The team approached in an inflatable boat and attached a GPS tracking buoy to the net trailing behind the animal, but the buoy came loose about 10 minutes later, he said, and the whale submerged.

The aquarium stranding team is part of the Atlantic Large Whale Disentanglement Network, a series of first responders along the East Coast. Attaching buoys is a common strategy used by rescuers, adapted from an old-time whaling technique called “kegging.”

Once a tracking buoy is attached, rescuers follow the whale and keep adding buoys to increase drag and slow down the animal. As it tires, they begin trying to remove the entangling gear.

Thompson said the humpback whale was spotted about 1:30 p.m. by a fisherman. Its length was initially estimated at 65 feet, but it turned out to be less than half that size.

An airplane from the Virginia Marine Resources Commission helped keep track of the whale until the stranding team arrived. The commission, Coast Guard and the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries had ships standing by as the team attempted the dangerous job of cutting the net off a free-swimming whale.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which oversees all stranding work with marine mammals, says that whales’ reactions to disentanglement efforts varies by species: “North Atlantic right whales are the most difficult whales to disentangle because they are extremely powerful animals that put up a seemingly endless fight instead of giving in to disentanglement efforts as humpbacks normally do.”

The humpback off Cape Charles, however, did not cooperate.

“The thing gave us the slip,” Thompson said. “We have talked to local fishermen and asked if they see it again to please give us a call.”

Boaters should not attempt to disentangle the whale themselves, he said.

Disentanglement efforts can take hours or even days. In 2005, a team from another organization followed a right whale for 60 miles and 20 hours before freeing it. That whale had been spotted off Virginia nearly a month before rescuers were able to track it down off Georgia and free it.

Thompson said the Virginia Aquarium is called to disentangle a large whale on average every other year. In 2007, the team successfully removed a commercial gill net from a humpback off Virginia Beach.

In that case, the net anchored the whale in place, but allowed it to surface for breathing.

www.hamptonroads.com

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Newport News parents charged with felony child neglect



Newport News, Va. - Police in Newport News have charged a mother and father with child neglect after their 1-year-old daughter was burned on a stove.

On Tuesday police were called to a house on Woodall Court by medics and Child Protective Services over a possible case of child abuse. They found a 1-year-old girl suffering from burn marks on her back, shoulders and back of her arms.

The apartment was also in disarray with clothes, toys, and other items strewn about in the bedrooms and hallway. Four other siblings; a 6-year-old girl, a 4-year-old boy, a 2-year-old boy and a 1-year-old girl who live in the apartment showed no signs of abuse. The burned girl was treated at a hospital and released.

Police learned that the burned girl child had been placed on the stove while the parents tended to another child. The girl fell over on one of the burners and was burned. The incident occurred on Friday, April 30th and the parents did not seek any medical attention.

VIA: wtkr.com

SUSPECT CHARGED IN MURDER

Here's the photo of the idiot and worthless piece of crap that took the life of a wonderful man in Accomack County earlier this week. Good work Accomack County Sheriff's Department, Virginia State Police and VA. Marine Resources Commission!

ACCOMAC, Va.- An 23-year-old man is behind bars for the murder of an Accomack County man.

The Accomack County Sheriff's Office on Wednesday announced that 23-year-old Fernando Carrillo Sanchez of Accomac, has been charged with the second-degree murder of 49-year-old Johnny Strand, whose body was found inside his Melfa home on Saturday afternoon.

Strand, who was the manager of the Pizza Hut in Onley, was last seen by his colleagues closing up the restaurant the night before. His vehicle, a Ford Expedition, was missing from his home when police arrived on the scene.

During the homicide investigation, the Sheriff's Office traced Strand's vehicle to the Dreamland mobile home park on Route 13 in Accomack County. A late Tuesday night search of the mobile home park by investigators, deputies, and Virginia State Police troopers uncovered Strand's vehicle at a home there. Police say the home's occupants cooperated with authorities in bring the investigation to a close.

Sanchez is being held in the Accomack County Jail with bond denied. Police have not yet released how Strand was murdered or the motive for the crime.

http://www.wboc.com/

R.I.P. Johnny Strand

Mud Racing Returns


ATTENTION MUD BOGGERS!!!

Mud Racing Returns To Crisfield!!

Sunday July 25, 2010


Elks Lodge on Route 413

Truck classes and race rules will be very similar to those in Gumboro
More details as they become available............................

YUMMY!!! STRAWBERRIES !!!


~~Strawberry Season Has Begun In Virginia~~

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services says growers in Tidewater and Southside already report berries ripe for the picking. Central Virginia growers say their strawberries will be ripe for Mother's Day weekend, and the rest of the state isn't far behind.

Growers say a relatively cool spring has been good for their berries. The recent hot spell has been the finishing touch on what they're calling a sweet berry season.

Strawberry season usually lasts through June in cooler parts of Virginia.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection

The Eastern Shore of Virginia Ground Water Committee is holding the 7th Annual Eastern Shore of Virginia Household Hazardous Waste Collection in conjunction with the 3rd Annual Mother Earth Day Festival Saturday, May 8, 2010 from 10:00 AM 2:00 PM at the Robert Reed Waterfront Park in Chincoteague at the parking lot on Main Street next to the old bridge.

Eastern Shore residents will have the opportunity to properly dispose of household hazardous waste that is not permitted in our local landfills.

Items to be collected include leftover garden chemicals, poisons, repellants, degreasers, fuels (gasoline and kerosene), fungicides, wood preservatives, paint products, wood stain, paint thinner, paint remover, driveway sealers, epoxy, rodent poison, asbestos, and other hazardous waste.
No commercial or industrial waste, car batteries, tires, motor oil, ammunition, flares, explosives, medical waste, biological waste, radioactive waste, medicines, PCBs, smoke detectors, freon, propane tanks, or empty containers of any kind will be accepted.

Reusable paint will be collected and donated to the Eastern Shore Food Bank.

Participants can dispose of up to 30 pounds of hazardous waste for free. Additional hazardous waste will cost $1.00 per pound. Disposal of the first 30 pounds for free will be available only as funds allow, so arrive early to ensure your spot!

If interested contact Curt Smith with the Accomack-Northampton Planning District Commission at 757-787-2936 ext. 114.

Drilling Off The Coast Of Virginia Delayed


With the recent oil spill off the Louisiana coastline, many politicians in Washington and Richmond, have begun to change their tune regarding offshore drilling.

Democrat Glenn Nye, whose 2nd District includes part of Norfolk and all of Virginia Beach, is one of those politicians. Congressman Glen Nye's spokesman, Craig Pettig, released this statement.

"Congressman Nye believes that offshore drilling must be done in an environmentally safe and responsible way that does not threaten Virginia's tourism or fishing industries," said Clark Pettig. "He feels that it is appropriate to delay any drilling off the coast of Virginia until the investigation of the gulf disaster is complete so we can ensure the same thing won't happen here."

Governor McDonnell has decided not to make any decisions regarding the future of off and called for a full investigation of the oil spill. McDonnell still expects drilling off Virginia's coast to begin by the end of 2012.

According to current reports, an explosion and fire April 20 on an exploratory well in the Gulf of Mexico left 11 workers missing and presumed dead. Crude oil has been leaking into the gulf since. The accident has awakened fears expressed by environmental groups and members of Congress already worried that possible spills and new infrastructure could harm plants, animals, tourism and the Norfolk Naval Station.

Other Virginia politicians who feel offshore drilling needs to be slowed include Senator Jim Webb and Senator Mark Warner.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Pizza Hut Manager Suffered Multiple Injuries

ONLEY -- Police said a slain Pizza Hut manager had suffered multiple injuries when his body was found by authorities.

The manager's SUV also was stolen from his home, Accomack Sheriff Larry Giddens said.

Johnny Keith Strand, 49, of Melfa, a longtime manager of the restaurant, had been reported missing earlier Saturday.

The Accomack County Sheriff's Office found him at 2:28 p.m. at his Pine Ridge Drive residence near Melfa.

Tributes continue for Strand, known as a likable and gentlemanly Shore native who became synonymous with the restaurant.

"His bright eyes and quick smile never left him. He shared his talents and his time to make the Shore and all who visited a brighter place," said Carla Savage-Wells of Onley, a Nandua High School teacher who had known Strand since elementary school.

Pizza Hut District Manager Gil Liberty described Strand as "the kindest man that I've ever met and probably will ever meet."

Strand's death is being investigated as a homicide. Units and personnel from the Melfa Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company responded to the scene.

The victim's vehicle, a black 1998 Ford Expedition, also has been reported missing and has been entered into computer databases as a stolen vehicle. Its Virginia license number is ZC8 296.

A Pizza Hut assistant manager said she last saw Strand at 11:30 p.m. Friday.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff's Office at 757-787-1131 or 757-824-5666.

www.delmarvanow.com

Wind Farms Will Not Interfere with NASA or the Navy


A new report says a wind farm off the coast of Virginia Beach wouldn't affect Navy or NASA operations in the area.

The report by the Virginia Coastal Energy Research Consortium also says a 600-megawatt offshore wind farm could supply 10 percent of the commonwealth's electricity needs.

Researchers identified 25 potential lease spots for turbines in an area 12 miles off Virginia Beach's coast.

State Sen. Frank Wagner says at least three companies have expressed interest in developing wind farms.

Proponents say Virginia's coastal area has ideal winds to turn the massive blades of offshore turbines.

Lacrosse Player From U of Va. Accused of Murder

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) - A University of Virginia men's lacrosse player was charged Monday with first-degree murder in the death of a women's lacrosse player at the same school.

George Huguely, 22, of Chevy Chase, Md., has been charged in the death of Yeardley Love, 22, of Cockeysville, Md., Charlottesville Police Chief Timothy Longo said. Both were seniors.

Longo said Love's roommate called police around 2:15 a.m. concerned that Love may have had an alcohol overdose, but police found her dead with obvious physical injuries.

"It was quickly apparent to them that this young lady was the victim of something far worse," Longo said.

Longo said Huguely quickly became the focus. He wouldn't say what lead investigators to Huguely or detail the extent of Love's injuries. He said there did not appear to be any weapons.

Love and Huguely were in a relationship at some point, Longo said. Huguely lived nearby, but not in the same apartment complex, he said.

Huguely was being held in the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail.

Huguely and Love were scheduled to graduate later this month. Leonard Sandridge, executive vice president of the university, said the campus was saddened over Love's death.

He added the shock is magnified by the fact that the accused is "one of our own," he told reporters.

Both highly ranked teams are preparing for the national tournament later this month. Virginia's men's team was ranked No. 1 for most of the season and expects to host a first-round game in the tournament after winning the Atlantic Coast Conference championship last month. The women's team also was expected to get into the tournament.

Huguely, a midfielder, wasn't a starter but played in all 15 games this season. He had four goals and three assists. Love played defense and started in three games this season.

When asked how the death would affect the upcoming tournament, athletics director Craig Littlepage said it was "not even entering into our thoughts" but that for the players' sake they wanted to "try to get back to some things that are normal."

Love was "a person who was described as an angel by teammates and friends," Littlepage said.

Love played varsity lacrosse and field hockey for four years at Notre Dame Preparatory School in Baltimore.

"Yeardley was an outstanding young lady -- joyous, spirited a wonderful person," said Sister Patricia McCarron, headmistress of the school. "I know we all enjoyed watching her on the lacrosse field and seeing her walk the hallways at NDP. We are proud to call Yeardley 'one of our girls."'

Mary Bartel, who coached Yeardley in lacrosse at Notre Dame Prep, said, "Yeardley was the core of the personality of the team. She was our laughter, a good soul. She always found an appropriate way to lighten things up.

"I don't think there is a soul in this building who couldn't say her name without smiling. Yeardley loved NDP, and NDP loved her. She was a good soul and an outstanding athlete."

University president John Casteen said in a release on the university's website that Love's death "moves us to deep anguish for the loss of a student of uncommon talent and promise."

"That she appears now to have been murdered by another student compounds this sense of loss by suggesting that Yeardley died without comfort or consolation from those closest to her," Casteen said.

Casteen said Love did not deserve to die.

"She deserved the bright future she earned growing up, studying here, and developing her talents as a lacrosse player," he said. "She deserves to be remembered for her human goodness, her capacity for future greatness, and for the terrible way in which her young life has ended."

By coincidence, Huguely attended the same prep school as the Duke lacrosse players who were accused of sexually assaulting a woman at a team party. The charges later were dismissed.

In a 2006 interview with The Washington Post, Huguely defended his former high school teammates at Landon School. "In this country, you're supposed to be innocent until prove guilty," he told the paper.

www.wavy.com

Mike Dean Inducted Into HALL OF FAME

Pocomoke City Vol. Fire Co. member, Mike Dean, inducted into the
Delamrva Vol. Fireman's Association
HALL OF FAME

(L TO R) Corey Dean, (Son & Capt. of the PCVFC); Corey's wife Andrea; Darlene (Mike's wife); Mike; Gina Dean (one of Mike's Daughters)



Mike Dean began his service with the PCVFC in 1975. He has served many administrative offices, including - Secretary, Vice President & President. Line office duties consisted of Training Officer, Second LT., First LT., Captain, and Assistant Chief. Mike is currently the Company Chaplain.

Mike has received the "Fireman of the Year" award. The award is based on the nominee's involvement and accomplishments during the past company year. This includes exceptional and meritorious achievement, outstanding or superior performance worthy of public example and awareness of the company.

Mike advanced his training in the ambulance company and became a Cardiac Rescue Technician (CRT). In 1987, The Maryland Medical Examiner's Office solicited him to become a Forensic investigator for Worcester County. He has been serving his community and the county in that capacity ever since.

In 1997 Mike was hired by Holloway Funeral Home in Salisbury to manage the newly purchased Holloway Melson Funeral Home in Pocomoke City (now Holloway Funeral Home of Pocmoke City)

People that know Mike Dean trust and respect him. Whether he responds to their home driving a Mustang Convertible, fire truck, an ambulance, or a hearse, they feel confident in his ability to handle their need. Mike has committed every aspect of his life to serving the people of Pocomoke City.

www.pocomokefire.com

~~~Certainly a wonderful family to be honored to know. Mike has worked so hard to achieve this goal and I'm sure he gave no thought to the honor as he went around the community doing the good deeds he has done for many, many years. I'm proud of you, Mike and thanks for always being there for me and my family.~~~


Lynn Redgrave Dies After Long Battle With Cancer


Lynn Redgrave, a vital and popular member of Britain's Redgrave dynasty, died Sunday night. She was 67 and had waged a lengthy battle with breast cancer.

Speaking on behalf of her children – Ben, Pema and Annabel, who were with her – Redgrave's publicist Rick Miramontez, confirmed to The Associated Press that Redgrave died peacefully at her home in Connecticut.

Launching upon the scene in the early '60s, at the same time her elder (and more flamboyant) sister Vanessa made a splash, Lynn Redgrave earned an Oscar nomination for her turn as a gawky Bridgit Jones prototype in 1966's Georgy Girl. She received another nomination for her supporting role as the stunned housekeeper in 1998's Gods and Monsters.

Redgrave, born in London to thespians Rachel Kemspon and Michael Redgrave, made her stage debut in 1962 at the Royal Court Theatre in London. Her movie fame brought her across the Atlantic, and she played on stage and on TV in both Hollywood and New York. She was also the first of many celebrities who served as the spokesperson for the Weight Watchers program.

In 1967, she married actor-director John Clark, and they had three children. The marriage ended in divorce in 2000.

Only last month, on April 6, Redgrave's elder brother, actor Corin Redgrave, died at 70 at his home in London. No cause of death was reported, but Corin Redgrave had several health setbacks in recent years, including a heart attack in 2005.

Last year, Lynn's niece (and Vanessa's daughter), actress Natasha Richardson, died from head injuries sustained during a ski accident.

"Our beloved mother Lynn Rachel passed away peacefully after a seven year journey with breast cancer," her family said in a statement Monday. "She lived, loved and worked harder than ever before. The endless memories she created as a mother, grandmother, writer, actor and friend will sustain us for the rest of our lives. Our entire family asks for privacy through this difficult time."

Monday, May 3, 2010

PIZZA HUT ROBBERY


The Pocomoke Pizza Hut at Route 13 and Linden Avenue was robbed late Friday night.


Anyone with any information on the robbery or the suspects is asked to call the Pocomoke City Police Department at (410) 957-1600 or the Worcester County Bureau Of Investigations at (410) 352-3476.<>

"As The World Turns" Actress Dies


Helen Wagner, who played Nancy Hughes on the soap opera “As the World Turns,” has died. She was 91 years old.

Wagner played Hughes on “As the World Turns” with only a few breaks since the show debuted in 1956. She reportedly holds the Guinness World Record for having the longest-running character played by one actress. Born in Lubbock, Tex., in 1918, she was given a lifetime achievement Daytime Emmy Award in 2004, her only Emmy win.

“As the World Turns” is scheduled to air its final episode on September 17.

www.wavy.com

Seafood Costs Could Be Affected

CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) - It's far to early to know whether or not oil from the Gulf of Mexico could reach our coast, but that's something officials are watching very closely. The spill could affect the area in other ways.

A gorgeous day in Norfolk's Ocean View seems far removed from the nightmare on the water in the Gulf Coast. High winds, heavy seas and rain are making it tough on crews trying to contain the oil and stop the leak.

"For everyone who has been affected by this spill know this, your government will do everything it takes, for as long as it takes, to stop this crisis," said President Barack Obama.

The situation could become far more grave if the oil gets into the gulf stream. The oil could potentially drift around Florida and up the coast.

"There would be concerns all the way up the East Coast if that happened," said Norfolk's Alicia Bauers. "I would hope that it would be stopped before it got up this far."

Sunday, officials announced a ban on fishing for at least 10 days from Louisiana to parts of the Florida panhandle.

"It's going to be a huge economic impact on the Gulf," said Chesapeake's Ron Lucas. "It's more than what a lot of people are even thinking about right now."

Local seafood markets like Family Seafood in South Norfolk could soon be feeling the affects.

"We've already been told that shrimp and oyster prices will be going up," Lucas added. "We are going to be relying more on local industry for the oysters."

It's dire a situation for fishermen in the Gulf.

"Some of these cats, this is all they know," said shrimper Leroy Meaux. "They don't know how to do nothing, but catching shrimp."

"It's going to be very devastating for them," Lucas said.

Local crabbers are getting calls from people in Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas asking how much it would cost to ship blue crabs from Hampton Roads.

www.wavy.com

Mayberry's Thelma Lou Gets Robbed

I couldn't resist this story!
Posted April 30 ,2010

MOUNT AIRY/ Dating Barney Fife doesn't insulate you from crime. Nor does living in the town that inspired the fictional hamlet of Mayberry.

Betty Lynn, who played the bumbling deputy's sweetheart on "The Andy Griffith Show" in the 1960s, was sitting outside a Lowes Foods store after shopping and getting money out to pay for a cab home Sunday when a man snatched her wallet with about $130 in it and ran off.

Lynn is 83 but still a force to be reckoned with.

"I jumped up and started yelling, 'Thief! Thief!' and ran after him," she said Thursday.

He disappeared. She went into the supermarket and employees called police. Within minutes, Officer R.T. Bledsoe nabbed a man who had jumped into the Ararat River to escape.

"A squad car came and a policeman who knew who I was put his arm around me and handed me back my wallet. I never thought I'd see it again," said Lynn, a local celebrity in the Surry County city of 10,000.

Then, in a Mayberry moment appropriate for Andy Griffith's hometown, he gave Lynn a ride home. And once there, he carried all her groceries upstairs. So far, $43 has been recovered. Talk around town is that the remaining loot may be sailing down the Ararat.

Shirley Walter Guynn, 45, of nearby Cana, Va., was being held Thursday in Surry County Jail in lieu of $10,000 bond on charges of robbery.

Lynn moved to Mount Airy three years ago. She had fallen in love with it during appearances at the annual "Mayberry Days" festivals and was eager to leave Los Angeles, where she had recently been burglarized for the second time. She had also been robbed in L.A. twice, once on Wilshire Boulevard.

"I don't want to hurt Mount Airy's image," Lynn said. "LAPD never caught any of those guys."

In a Sept. 6, 2007 file photo, Betty Lynn, who played Thelma Lou on "The Andy Griffith Show," pauses at a statue of Andy and Opie Taylor in Mount Airy, N.C. Lynn had her wallet stolen at a shopping center in Mount Airy, the birthplace of Andy Griffith, after moving to the area to avoid big city crime. The Mount Airy News reports that police arrested Shirley Walter Guynn, of Cana, Va. in the robbery. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome, File

www.charlotteobserver.com

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Life On Sunday.................

There's so much in our day that always seems to go unnoticed and passes without a thought.



Don't let today be "just another day". Get outside and take a look around.............. It doesn't cost a thing to window shop...

The Rural Sign Painter


The "needles" that the sign painter is referring to are the "shadders" from his previous sign. What it means ....... I have no clue!


That's what makes this guy so unique.

Onley Pizza Hut manager found dead (slain) in his home

Johnny Strand, the fortuitous and esteemed manager of the Pizza Hut restaurant in Onley, has been slain, police and acquaintances said Saturday.

The news came as a shock to co-workers and a legion of Eastern Shore residents he knew as friends and customers.

"He would be one of the nicest men anybody could meet," said Angie Merritt, the restaurant's assistant manager.

Accomack County Sheriff Larry Giddens on Saturday said a homicide investigation continues into Strand's death. Further information was not immediately available.

Merritt said she was told at 2:30 p.m. Saturday that Strand had been found dead earlier that day in his Accomack County home. She had last seen him at 11:30 p.m. Friday.

Pizza Hut District Manager Gil Liberty confirmed that Strand had been found slain after someone went to check on him Saturday.

Liberty described him as "the kindest man that I've ever met and probably will ever meet."

Strand held an uncommon stature in the community, and his association with the eatery was one of the community's celebrated stories.

He was walking down the road in 1990 when the restaurant was being built and was asked by a worker if he wanted to earn extra money unloading a truck of building supplies. Without a car or job, he signed on.

A manager liked his work ethic and offered him a job as a dishwasher when the restaurant opened. He held several other jobs -- everything from assistant cook to assistant manager -- before being asked twice to be manager.

He turned them down, he said in a 2007 interview, because he feared it would interfere with his church and a traveling gospel choir of which he was a member.

When a regional manager said he could attend church whenever he needed, he accepted the third managerial offer.

Strand was known for giving back to the community. When a tropical storm moved though the area, he kept the restaurant open and offered a free buffet to stranded travelers. He often sat down with students and talked about their grades.

"I want to find the good in everyone," he said in a 2007 interview.

Merritt said the restaurant had closed Saturday during various times so employees could deal with the news.

VIA: DelmarvaNow.com

The History Of Pocomoke by Murray James (11)

Formerly New Town. 65

Captain Long was full of fun for the young folks. Sometimes he tried his talent at poetry, for instance, the following as a sample : "As she slips she slides along, A trusty friend is hard to find." He was thoughtful and kind to the poor. He left in his will the sum of $2,500 to be appropriated towards educating the poor children in and around New Town. This sum was appropriated by the Commissioners or the School Board of the county, by and with the consent of the heirs of Captain Long, to the erection of the High School building in New Town.

As this departure from the will was made, it was but just to the memory of Captain Long that the building should have been called the Henry Long High School. Captain Henry Long was brother to Captain John W. Long and David Long, and was the oldest of the three. When he died he was by his own request, buried in a pine coffin, by the side of his sister, Polly Henderson, in the Methodist Episcopal Church burying ground of New Town. The following inscription may be found upon the marble slab that covers his remains : " In memory of Henry Long, who was born the 27th of April, 1780, and died the 3rd day of January, 1855. Kind to the poor in his life, in death their wants were not forgotten." In 1855, John P. Hargis and William S. Dickinson 66 History of Pocomoke City, commenced merchandising under the name of Hargis & Dickinson, at the corner of Market and Commerce steets.

Previous to this, however, there was a firm by the name of Jones, Hearn & Co., which occupied the same stand, how long they did business I am not able to say. The store of Hargis & Dickinson was a first-class store, comprising dry goods and groceries, liquor excepted. This firm continued successfully until 1865, when by mutual consent, they dissolved partnership. John P. Hargis continued the business in his own name about six years and retired.

William S. Dickinson again commenced mercantile life, forming a co-partnership with I. H. Merrill and F. H. Dryden, two enterprising young merchants, whe were already selling goods under the firm of Merrill & Dryden. This connection with Merrill & Dryden took place in 1867. This firm was known as Dickinson, Merrill & Dryden, Mr. Dickinson being already in possession of the store house, at the corner of Market and Commerce Sts. The firm, having an opportunity of renting the store- rooms adjoining, previously occupied by A. S. Stevens and James S. Primrose, connected the three together, having three entrances on Market street and one on Com- merce street, and the buildings being so connected that customers could pass from one apartment of the store to the other without going out of doors.

They arranged their stock in trade in three departments, occupying the central room for dry goods and notions, with groceries, hardware, &c, liquor excepted, on one side; and boots v

Formerly New Town. 67 shoes and gentlemen's furnishing goods on the other. This firm did a heavy business from 1867 to 1874, when by mutual agreement they disolved partnership, each one taking a department and continuing the business in the separate branches so as not to conflict with each others interests.

In this division, William S. Dickinson the dry goods and notion department, I. H. Merrill the boot, shoe and gen- tlemen's furnishing department, F. H. Dryden the gro- cery and hardware department. Here were three stores made out of one, each one doing a good business. In 1878, F. H. Dryden sold out his stock of goods to H. T. Stevenson and E. F. Gibbons, this firm continued business but a short time, when E. F. Gibbons sold out to H. T. Stevenson, and Mr. Stevenson then took as a part- ner Dr. Sidney W. Handy, the firm now doing business under the name of Stevenson & Co. In the fall of 1881 they added to the hardware and grocery department that of dry goods, ^boots and shoes, and are doing a thriving business.

Stevenson & Co., are the first in Pocomoke City to introduce into their business house an elevator. At the commencement of 1881, Mr. I. H. Merrill took into partnership, with himself, two sprightly young men of this place, James P. Plain and William F. King, and the business of the house is now transacted by this company. William S. Dickinson has associated with the dry goods business, that of furniture also, and as I have given a brief history of Mr. Dickinson as a merchant, I feel it a pleasure, to give a synopsis of his life, as I have known him from

68 History of Pocomoke City,
his infancy. He was born the fifteenth day of March. 1833. Forty years ago, or more, he was a member of the Sabbath School, in this place, and I often call up in memory the Sabbath School Exhibitions of those days, and the speeches of those who were then children but now ere the venerable fathers and mothers of the present day. Frequently in meeting Mr. Dickinson on the street and elsewhere, I think of him on the stage in delivering his -speech, commencing with, "you will scarce expect one of my age, to speak in public on the stage, &c," He was always a good boy, thoughtful, studious and industrious.

At the age of thirteen he entered the store of his cousin, Joseph Bratton, Esq., at Barren Creek Springs, then Somerset county, Md., as clerk. He remained in this situation about fifteen months, when he returned to New Town. After returning home he went to school about one year, when he entered the store of Captain Henry Long, in 1848, as clerk. He remained in this situation until the •death of Captain Long, which event took place in 1855. It was found by the last will and testament of Captain Long that William S. Dickinson, in connection with his father, James T. Dickinson, were left executors of his -estate.

This was no small amount of confidence which Cap- tain Long reposed in Mr. Dickinson, as the estate was a iieavy one. Formerly New Town. 69 Integrity has marked his whole life, and if it were possible that one could be conscientious to a fault, I would say that of him. He is a ruling Elder in the Presbyterian Church in Pocomoke City. He has three children — two daughters and a son, who are an honor to his name, and adorn his home with bright sunshine, and are as precious gems around his table of plenty.

CHAPTER VIII. MERCANTILE ASPECT (CONTINUED).

Upon the dissolution of partnership of Clarke & Clarvoe in 1852, William H. T . Clarvoe and James Merrill united in copartnership, under the firm of Clarvoe &. Merrill, in the sale of goods, occupying the same stand that Clarke and Clarvoe occupied. This firm continued two years, when Mr. Merrill sold out to Mr. Clarvoe. Mr. Clarvoe conducted the business by himself until 1858, when he sold out to William W. and James A- Melvin, acting under the firm of W. W. & J. A. Melvin. This firm transacted business for a while in the store- house formerly occupied by Mr. Clarvoe, after which they purchased the wharf and ground upon which they built the storehouse, which is at present occupied by Smullin & Brother.

They did a heavy business from 1858 to 1866, when they sold out their stock in trade, together with their storehouse and wharf, to Stephen E. Mason. Stephen E. Mason conducted a heavy business from TO History of PocomoTce City, 1866 to 1870, when he sold out his stock of goods to John W. Selby and Julius J. Smullin, two enterprising- young men, who did business under the firm of Selby & Smul- lin until 1877, when Mr. Selby sold out his interest in the store to Julius J. and Albert Smullin. Smullin & Brother keep on hand a general assortment of dry goods, grocer- ies, boots, shoes, hats, etc., and are doing a thriving business.

These two young men are worthy of great praise for their business qualifications and fidelity, and it is said that they stand number one in business circles in the cities. In 1878, John W. Selby purchased the ground at the north-east corner of Market and Front streets and erected a large fine building for store and town hall purposes ; the store room is a spacious one, the upper room is used for town hall purposes. This is one of the finest storehouses, and for such a purpose is an ornament to Pocomoke City. Mr. Selby has a well assorted and well arranged stock of dry goods, groceries, boots, shoes, hats, etc. In 1854, Benjamin F. Ulman commenced merchan- dising in New Town, and sold goods for some time, after which he moved to the City of Baltimore where he is still doing business, and report says he has a bank of his own and is worth $500,000.

In 1862, Major T. and Jerome B. Hall commenced merchandising in New Town, at first dealing altogether in the hardware line ; after a while they branched out more at large in a general dry goods, grocery, boot and sho e house, under the firm of Hall & Bro. Formerly New Town. 71 In 1863, they added to their mercantile trade that of steam saw mill business; in 1868, that of ship building; and in 1872, the Marine railway business.

In 1878 they took into copartnership L. Fuller Hall, son of Jerome B. Hall. The company now doing business under the firm of Hall, Bro. & Co. This firm with this heavy business resting upon them, employ sixty men annually, repair about seventy-five vessels annually, and have built during their buisness life, about twenty-five new vessels. Their annual business aggregating §30,000. They own two steam saw mills, a Marine Railway. 300 acres of land and 23 houses and lots, some of the houses are fine buildings. In thus giving a brief outline of the business life of these two brothers it will, also, be of interest to the reader to learn something of their general history.

In view of their success in life, this will be given with the greatest pleasure, for I knew them when they were little flaxy headed boys. Their father, Benjamin Hall, was a highly respected man, a carpenter by trade and a captain of militia ; he died when these gentlemen were little children, leaving a widow and six children, without any assistance, to get their living as best they could. It is true the family lived on their own place, but that was very little more than a staying place, the little boys worked like little giants.

I have seen them coming to town with a load of pine wood, which they had cut, when you would think they were scarcely large enough to come to town any way. 72 History of Pocomoke City, Their mother, with the children, struggled against adversity until these two boys were old enough to go to- a trade ; then they commenced to learn the blacksmith business with George W. Landing.

They served an apprenticeship with Mr. Landing, and when he retired from the shop they took charge of it in their own name, and worked hard and continuously at the business until they entered mercantile life, as before stated. The reader, probably, is already thinking about their school advantages. They lived in the country and could only go to school, occasionally, in the winter time ; what little learning they got in this way was of very little advantage to them, as they experienced in the commence- ment of their mercantile life, in trying to use the pen and in calculating figures. They, however, learned to use the pen and calculate figures, and how to make money, also ; and their record shows the character of their intellect and business capacity. They are both members of the Baptist Church, in Pocomoke City ; Major T. Hall being a deacon. Their ages are, respectively, forty-eight and fifty-six years ; Major T. being the eldest. In 1856, C. C. Lloyd opened a drug store, which was the first ever established in New Town ; in addition to drugs he kept oils, paints, stationery, jewelry and variety store. He has, during his mercantile life, closely applied himself to business, always at his post, he is polite.

Next; Formerly New Town. 73

Previous Chapters by reader request

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(2) CLICK HERE

(3) CLICK HERE

(4) CLICK HERE

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(6) CLICK HERE

(7) CLICK HERE

(8) CLICK HERE

(9) CLICK HERE

(10) CLICK HERE

(Reported) Pocomoke City Crime Reports for the Month

This is what has been reported for the month VIA: CrimeReports.com for crime in Pocomoke



THEFT
01 May 2010
1200 BLOCK MARKET STREET
Distance: 0.34 miles
Identifier: 10-0002822
Time(24h): 08:23
THEFT: LESS $500 VALUE
Agency: Pocomoke Poilce
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ROBBERY
30 Apr 2010
NO ADDRESS PROVIDED
Distance: 1.02 miles
Identifier: 10-0002813
Time(24h): 23:25
ARMED ROBBERY
Agency: Pocomoke Poilce
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THEFT
30 Apr 2010
2100 BLOCK OLD SNOW HILL ROAD
Distance: 0.53 miles
Identifier: 10-0002809
Time(24h): 15:25
THEFT: LESS $100VALUE
Agency: Pocomoke Poilce
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ASSAULT
29 Apr 2010
1500 BLOCK MARKET STREET
Distance: 0.37 miles
Identifier: 10-0002791
Time(24h): 15:19
ASSAULT - SECOND DEGREE
Agency: Pocomoke Poilce
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ASSAULT
28 Apr 2010
800 BLOCK EIGHTH STREET
Distance: 0.86 miles
Identifier: 10-0002762
Time(24h): 10:16
ASSAULT - SECOND DEGREE
Agency: Pocomoke Poilce
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THEFT
26 Apr 2010
400 BLOCK BONNEVILLE AVENUE
Distance: 0.98 miles
Identifier: 10-0002716
Time(24h): 15:27
THEFT $100 - L/T 1,000
Agency: Pocomoke Poilce
Send to Friend
THEFT
24 Apr 2010
600 BLOCK LINDEN AVENUE
Distance: 0.58 miles
Identifier: 10-0002653
Time(24h): 15:34
THEFT LESS THAN $100
Agency: Pocomoke Poilce
Send to Friend
ASSAULT
23 Apr 2010
500 BLOCK WALNUT STREET
Distance: 0.83 miles
Identifier: 10-0002635
Time(24h): 22:43
ASSAULT - SECOND DEGREE
Agency: Pocomoke Poilce
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BREAKING & ENTERING
23 Apr 2010
900 BLOCK ACORN CIRCLE
Distance: 0.8 miles
Identifier: 10-0002619
Time(24h): 12:37
BURGLARY - FIRST DEGREE
Agency: Pocomoke Poilce
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BREAKING & ENTERING
22 Apr 2010
900 BLOCK ACORN CIRCLE
Distance: 0.8 miles
Identifier: 10-0002604
Time(24h): 19:40
BURGLARY - FIRST DEGREE
Agency: Pocomoke Poilce
Send to Friend
THEFT
19 Apr 2010
1900 BLOCK CLARKE AVENUE
Distance: 1.45 miles
Identifier: 10-0002525
Time(24h): 17:25
THEFT: LESS $500 VALUE
Agency: Pocomoke Poilce
Send to Friend
THEFT
19 Apr 2010
900 BLOCK LAUREL STREET
Distance: 0.66 miles
Identifier: 10-0002516
Time(24h): 10:14
THEFT LESS THAN $100
Agency: Pocomoke Poilce
Send to Friend
THEFT
19 Apr 2010
1500 BLOCK OCEAN HIGHWAY
Distance: 1.45 miles
Identifier: 10-0002518
Time(24h): 14:56
THEFT: LESS $100VALUE
Agency: Pocomoke Poilce
Send to Friend
THEFT
18 Apr 2010
100 BLOCK CHERRY STREET
Distance: 1.26 miles
Identifier: 10-0002494
Time(24h): 08:56
THEFT: LESS $500 VALUE
Agency: Pocomoke Poilce
Send to Friend
ASSAULT
18 Apr 2010
600 BLOCK BANK STREET
Distance: 0.66 miles
Identifier: 10-0002505
Time(24h): 22:36
ASSAULT - SECOND DEGREE
Agency: Pocomoke Poilce
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Saturday, May 1, 2010

Corrections officer arrested on cocaine charges

POCOMOKE CITY -- A Pocomoke man who works as a corrections officer in Wicomico County has been arrested on 15 counts of cocaine possession and distribution.

Police spent eight months investigating Jeremy Dashawn Moore, 29, before executing a search and seizure warrant at Moore's residence and arresting him.

According to a Worcester County grand jury indictment handed down this week, Moore was seen allegedly possessing and distributing cocaine in the Linden Avenue area of Pocomoke City on five occasions between March 21 and April 17. The indictment alleges Moore sold cocaine on several occasions to a confidential informant, who isn't named, and the amount of cocaine Moore had, the indictment says, was "in sufficient quantity to indicate an intention to distribute."

Moore was released from the Worcester County Jail, where he was detained, on $90,000 bond. He is employed by the Wicomico County Detention Center as a master corrections officer, Wicomico County spokesman Jim Fineran said.

George Kaloroumakis, director of the detention center, said he was unsure how long Moore had worked there, but said "he's not a new employee."

The Worcester County Sheriff's Office Criminal Enforcement Team, the Pocomoke City Police Department and the Wicomico County Narcotics Task Force were all involved in the investigation, which is ongoing, police said.

Asked if the charges were connected to Moore's employment at the Wicomico jail, Worcester State's Attorney Joel Todd would not speculate.

"Whatever he's accused of doing, he's accused of doing it in Worcester County," Todd said. "I can't talk about the facts of a pending case."

Online Maryland court records show Moore was charged by police with misdemeanor malicious destruction of property in 1998, but the charges were dropped in court. In 1999, an open container charge filed by Ocean City police against Moore was dropped when the case reached District Court.

VIA: DelmarvaNow.com

Don't Forget Your Tickets For the Seafood Festival

42nd ANNUAL SEAFOOD FESTIVAL
All-You-Can Eat
May 5, 2010
Tom's Cove Campground on Chincoteague Island

Enjoy all-you-can-eat steamed clams, oysters and clams on the half shell, clam and oyster fritters, fried fish, clam chowder.

Some new food items this year, in addition to the mainstay items we all love: Sauteed Shrimp and Cole Slaw from Exmore Diner, Seafood Pasta Salad from Bill’s Restaurant, award winning Seafood Chowder from Island House Restaurant and Iced Tea from Bojangles

TICKET OUTLETS (while they last)

Eastern Shore of Virginia Chamber of Commerce
Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce
Davis Auto Center
Davis Home Center
Waterside Inn
T's Corner
PNC Bank - Onley, Oak Hall, Chincoteague, and Pocomoke Branches
Shore Bank Branches
Chamber of Commerce website: www.esvachamber.org