Friday, July 3, 2015

Fourth Of July Weekend, 2015!




Glancing back to some July 4th activities from past times...


1902..




1899..





1908..




1905..


(Peninsula Enterprise articles)



The Pocomoke Public Eye wishes you an enjoyable and safe July 4th Weekend.



Thursday, July 2, 2015

Interim Pocomoke City Police Chief..

(Courtesy: WGMD.com)

POCOMOKE CITY SEARCHING FOR NEW POLICE CHIEF

In Local NewsWorcester County by Mari Lou July 2, 2015
The search is on in Pocomoke for a new police chief. City officials have named 15 year Pocomoke Police Lt Brian Craven as the interim chief, but are not commenting further on the release of Chief Kelvin Sewell on Wednesday. Jonathan Taylor at Lower Eastern Shore News reports that Sewell was offered the chance to resign, but when he refused – he was fired. Pocomoke’s crime rate is currently at a 20 year all time low.
(See WBOC.com for additional coverage of the Chief Sewell story.)

CHIEF SEWELL'S SUDDEN DEPARTURE FROM OFFICE..

Wednesday, July 1, 2015

(Courtesy: WBOC.COM)

POCOMOKE CITY, Md. -- The Pocomoke City Police
Department is without a leader for the time being.

Pocomoke Mayor Bruce Morrison confirmed for WBOC 
that police chief Kelvin Sewell is no longer with the 
department.

Morrison would not specify a reason for Sewell's 
departure but did say it is a personnel matter.

In an exclusive statement made to WBOC, former chief 
Sewell says the mayor and city council voted to 
terminate his position.

Sewell says that decision came Monday night during a 
closed session meeting.

A meeting that Rev. Ronnie White of Pocomoke's House
of Love church says should not have happened without 
the public's knowledge.

"None of the citizens were informed. We never knew that
 this was going to happen. It was just like we were left
 out of the loop," said White.

The community says it's not backing down from finding 
out the truth behind Sewell's termination.

Several community leaders including Rev. White and 
Rev. James Jones are holding a town meeting Thursday
evening at 6:30pm at New Macedonia Baptist Church. 
There, the community will discuss the next steps toward 
finding answers for Sewell's termination.

Jones says the work Sewell has done for the city since 
he took office in 2010 is proof he is still needed in 
Pocomoke.

"I've done my homework as late as today. Over the last 
20 years, we are at an all time low in crime, drug 
activity," said Jones. "I mean it still happens, but it's
almost nonexistent compared to the way it's been in the
past."

Some locals including Eremine Beckwith say she's 
fearful of what Pocomoke might become without 
someone like Sewell leading by example.

"I'm fearing that we're going to end up being like down
 south. As far as police brutality, as far as the young
 black men. I fear for their life. [Sewell] has been keeping
 the town peaceful," said Beckwith.

Sewell says he does not know who will replace as police 
chief or who will be assigned as the interim police chief.

In an exclusive statement WBOC obtained, Sewell says
that he has loved protecting and serving the city of 
Pocomoke, working with the community and the city's 
youth during his tenure as chief.

Although Sewell could not comment further as to why
he's no longer with the department, he wishes the best
for the city.

Wednesday, July 1, 2015

MEDIA REPORTS CHIEF SEWELL'S DEPARTURE..


Local news media Wednesday evening reported Chief Kelvin Sewell's immediate departure from the Pocomoke City Police Department. Other details were sketchy. 

Chief Kelvin Sewell


Keep check with local news media outlets for latest information.

Fourth Of July Fireworks!

Fireworks displays will be held at Snow Hill, Chincoteague, and Salisbury this holiday weekend.  For more information see the Pocomoke Chamber Of Commerce events calendar:

http://pocomoke.chambermaster.com/events

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Our Delmarva Discovery Center!

Delmarva Discovery Center Programs Start June 30th.

We have daily programs starting on June 30th and running through September 7th! Sunday is our Discover Stem Lab, Monday is A Walk to Remember, Tuesday and Wednesday is Mommy and Me (Daddy Too!), Thursday is Fishing Fun, Fridays is Beaver Lodge Story Time, and Saturdays is our Awesome Animals program!

On Mondays, join our naturalists for a relaxing and educational walk on the nature trail! Travel along the Pocomoke River, through the Cypress Swamp, into the forest, and beyond. Observe three distinct plant communities changing under the influence of their natural environment. 

Tuesdays and Wednesdays is our Mommy and Me (Daddy Too!) program from 10:30-11 am.. This program is specifically designed for children ages 2 -5, but all are welcome. Each program has a specific theme that relates to colors, numbers, letters, or animals. Make crafts, games, sing songs, and learn in a fun and engaging environment!

On Thursdays from 11-3, come fish with us at Steven’s Pond! Learn about fish native to the area – and if you are lucky, catch “the big one!” Children under the age of sixteen do not need a fishing license; all others must bring a valid license. We will meet at the Center & Museum, then walk over to Steven’s Pond. (Children need adult supervision. Please arrive no later than 11:15, but you may leave at any time.) 

On Fridays, from 1-3, join us in the Beaver Lodge for story time and craft making! Learn about beavers, their animal friends, and the importance of being kind to others and the environment around you.

On Saturdays it is our Awesome Animals and Craft program from 11:30- 12:15 pm. Turtles and crabs and snakes – OH MY! Come enjoy a fun and educational forty-five minute animal presentation on the animals that call the Discovery Center & Museum home. Then, make an animal related craft to take home.

Finally, on Sundays, from 12-12:45 pm, come join us for fun experiments in our Discover Lab Program! We invite teachers, students, and parents to also take part in our Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math programs! 

Sunday, June 28, 2015

TIME MACHINE ... 1942, 2004, 1910, 1957, 1887


"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 archives/historical archives material)
.

January, 1942





Salisbury Times

According to Wikipedia the 33-year-old Lombard was Hollywood's best paid actress. She was returning on the ill-fated plane from a War Bond tour.


January, 2004
The Somerset Herald (Princess Anne)

(Excerpt)

Construction on McCready ER expansion starts

Work on an expanded emergency room at Edward W. McCready Memorial Hospital will start in earnest with the new year.

Heavy equiprment rolled into place following a formal groundbreaking held Dec. 7.

The $252,000 expansion — which has been in the works for nearly two years — will include a chest pain evaluation unit and education center. The final regulatory hurdle was crossed late last month when the Crisfield board of Zoning Appeals unanimously approved a variance for the 1,400 sq. ft. addition.


July, 1910
The Washington Post

COMPLAIN OF RAILROADS

Eastern Shore Residents Say They Are Denied Proper Facilities

Pocomoke City, Md., July 27-  A petition signed by 1,000 residents of the Eastern Shore, protesting against the facilities furnished by The Baltimore, Chesapeake, And Atlantic Railroad Company and The Maryland, Virginia, And Delaware Railway Company, in both freight and passenger service between Baltimore and Eastern Shore points, has been filed with the public service commission.

The Pennsylvania Railroad Company has so arranged its time table that the people of the Eastern Shore, as far down as Crisfield, can go to Philadelphia and return in one day, with time to shop in the Quaker City, while the time tables of Baltimore are so arranged that  a trip to Baltimore and return in one day is almost impossible.

Thus it is said that Eastern Shore trade is diverted from Baltimore to Philadelphia. 


Who remembers Tru-Ade?



1957 Tru-Ade Ad..



(Text courtesy blog.retroplanet.com)

The beverage sold as Tru-Ade was actually a pasteurized, non-carbonated soft drink. It was made with concentrated fruit juice and was available in both orange and grape flavor. It was bottled in Washington, DC from 1942 to 1969, although they were headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. In 1947, after the sugar shortages of WWII were behind them, the management at Tru-Ade, Inc. decided to get into the cup vending business. They designed and had manufactured a vendor called the Tru-Ade Cup Dispenser. Tru-Ade seems to have gone out of business some time in the 1970s.

Tru-Ade is no longer available as far as I can determine, but there are an awful lot of people who’ve left posts all over the Internet asking where they can find some. It must have been a delicious drink!


August, 1887 (Time Machine archive)
The Denton Journal

(Excerpts)

Maryland Cooking

(Quoting a New York Times correspondent.)

In Maryland one of the roads to Paradise begins in the kitchen and ends in the dining-room.  Nowhere in the world do people as a class live better.  They are born to good eating, and the cultivation of the appetite becomes a second nature.   

The choices things of life flourish here with a luxuriance that few, if any sections of the country can match.

... Cantaloupe, oysters, soft crabs, trout, rail birds, luscious peaches just plucked, and an indescribable watermelon fresh from the vine!  

Good eating is so infectious in the State that it pervades politics.  In one of the counties, Wicomico, the campaign is invariably opened in the spring by a great turtle dinner.  All the candidates and politicians and district leaders come together in a love feast of turtle and politics.  They sit around on stools and fences eating and talking and laughing booms and courting friendships.  The affair lasts an entire day, and after it is over the candidates proceed to slaughter one another instead of turtle.  Oyster roasts are features of all  large campaigns.  Several dozen bushels of oysters are roasted in one great fire and every man, equipped with an oyster knife, helps himself.  Good dinners are also numerously used in a political way, and many a boom had its fruitful origin in well cooked food, flavored with rare old wines.

A year of so ago the best restaurant here, and all in all the best in the south, imported a staff of high-salaried New York cooks. The arrangement lasted less than a week.  By that time the guests had asked for a return to Maryland dishes, for to a Marylander the subtle charm of home cooking is the greatest glory of the ages.


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!

Friday, June 26, 2015

SATURDAY'S EVENT CANCELLED..

***CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER***
June 27

Lucas Oil Pro-Pulling League Truck & Tractor Pull 



For the eleventh year, the Fair Committee welcomes the East Coast Pullers for a sanctioned Lucas Oil Truck and Tractor Pull.

Event classes include Super and Pro-stock diesel tractors, pro-stock diesel four-wheel drive trucks, two-wheel drive trucks, and modified tractors.

Kitchen open. Call 443-614-3044 for more information. 


***CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER***

Thursday, June 25, 2015

TIME MACHINE ... This Sunday's Preview.

1942.. Snow Hill serviceman and a famous Hollywood actress among those on ill-fated airplane; 2004.. Construction starting on McCready emergency room expansion; 1910.. Eastern Shore residents petition for better rail schedules to Baltimore; 1887.. Kudos given for Maryland's and Eastern Shore's great eating.

Remembering a mid-1900's popular soft drink.


It's 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!

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Worcester County Recreation And Parks...



Early Bird Morning Fitness 


Early Bird Morning Fitness class includes a warm-up, cardio activity, strength training, dynamic stretching, and balance activities for older adults.
Days: Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays
Dates: July 6 - September 25, 2015

Times: 8:00 a.m. - 8:40 a.m.

Location: Worcester County Recreation Center

Open To: Ages 45 & older

Cost: $40 per person

Contact: Lea Cataggio at 410-632-2144 x109 or lcataggio@co.worcester.md.us for more information.

Sunday, June 21, 2015

TIME MACHINE ... 1880, 1958, 1897, 1867, 1976.

"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 archives/historical archives material)



January, 1880 (Time Machine archive)
The New York Times

Baltimore, Jan.7. -  Advises from Pocomoke City note a curious sequel to the sensation caused a fortnight ago by the scandalous charges brought by Mrs. Polk against ex-State Senator Aydelotte, of entering her house during the absence of her husband and attempting to violate her person.  Aydelotte is a conspicuous pillar of the Presbyterian Church.  The Rev. Mr. Brown is an eloquent speaker and popular Pastor of the Presbyterian flock, having accepted a call from the West to take the Pocomoke City charge.  The congregation has been violently agitated by the charges against Aydelotte, and a split is threatened.  On Sunday the church was crowded, but in place of a sermon the Rev. Mr. Brown gave from the pulpit a scathing diatribe, denouncing Aydelotte and the whole community.  He came there, he said, supposing he was coming into a Christian, moral, community, but found himself among a people without principle or morality, lost to all sense of shame, rotten to the core.  He was ashamed to acknowledge his residence there, and recently in Philadelphia he could not acknowledge to a brother clergyman that he belonged to Pocomoke.  He ended by resigning his pastorate, and the congregation dispersed in high dudgeon. The excitement throughout the county is intense. 



May, 1958
The Salisbury Times

Prizes Awards At Deal Island High

DEAL ISLAND-  During the Deal Island High School graduation held in St. John's Methodist Church in Deal Island last night, the Luther Webster Memorial Scholarship awards were presented by Mrs. Vernon Jones, chairman of the awards committee.

Miss Kate Anderson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dewey Anderson of Deal Island, and Miss Rebecca Abbot, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Abbot of Deal Island received the awards.

There are two awards of $300 each presented each year by Richard C. Webster, owner of Somerset Seafood Co. The awards are given on the basis of character, scholarship, leadership (in school and community) and perseverance and are to be used by the winners for the purpose of furthering their education in any field of related or advanced learning.

Miss Anderson is planning to enter a State Teachers College or take a business course.  Miss Abbott is planning to go to State Teachers College.

The Rev. John E. French, DD, Superintendent, Salisbury District Methodist Church,  addressed the graduates.  



July, 1897..



                                                                           The Evening Star (Washington, D.C.)


August, 1867 (Time Machine archive)
The New York Times

(News from Maryland's constitutional convention)

A new county to be called Wicomico, is authorized to be formed on the Eastern Shore, out of portions of Worcester and Somerset, should the majority of the people within the bounds of the proposed county declare for it by their votes.


June, 1976..

                                                                                    The Eagle (Bryan, Tx)



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!

Thursday, June 18, 2015

TIME MACHINE ... This Sunday's Preview

1880.. Sequel to a Pocomoke scandal; 1958.. Award winners at Deal Island high school graduation; 1897.. Incoming train arrivals stir excietment in Ocean City; 1867.. A new county could be carved from  Worcester and Somerset;  1976.. Astrodome hosts Triple Championship night with baseball, boxing, and wrestling champions- top ticket price is $4.50.

It's 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 one of our contributors of current local items of interest?  Please contact pcitypubliceye@gmail.com .

Sunday, June 14, 2015

TIME MACHINE ... 1941, 1967, 1916, Early 1940's; 1895.

"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 archives/historical archives material)


May, 1941..


The Brooklyn Daily Eagle (Brooklyn, NY) 


Circa late 1800's, early 1900's.

"The Pocomoke River" by Charles C. Kensey (1967)

(Excerpt)

RIVER BOY

The writer was born in Snow Hill, Maryland, one block from the banks of the Pocomoke River in 1884. As I grew to manhood, I was always closely associated with the river for forty-five miles of its length. From ten years of age, always owning a row boat, I spent most of my out of school hours in my boat going up and down the river. When I reached fourteen, my father bought me a used steam boiler and engine which we installed in my boat. My friends and I had a lot of fun and pleasure with this steam boat for a couple of years, towing four or five other boats loaded with boys behind us on the river. Later when I was eighteen, the Pocomoke Steam Boat Company hired me as an engineer on their river steamers. They owned three of these steamers known as "The Highland"- 65 feet, "The Countess"- 55 feet, and "The Vivian"- 40 feet. For three years I served on these boats carrying passengers and freight daily between Snow Hill and Pocomoke City. The company also had the mail contract carrying the United States mail daily between these towns. These steamers were used as tug boats, towing schooners and other sail boats, lighters, etc., up and down the river. Quite often they went out into the Pocomoke Sound to pull a loaded sailboat loose which had become stuck in the "Muds" at the mouth of the river.

(From recollections of Charles C. Kensey who grew up along the banks of the Pocomoke River and was associated with the river during his adult life.)



(Whatever became of...?)

July, 1916 


The  Sunday Star (Washington, D.C.)


September, 1953 (Time Machine archive)  

At the 'ol ball game!

During the days of a 1953 protest by Pocomoke City's baseball team in the Central Shore League over the postponement of a play-off game between Pocomoke and Crisfield legendary Salisbury Times Sports Editor Ed Nichols recalled an incident from more than a decade earlier:

"One memorable night years ago the tool shed at the Pocomoke City ball park was getting a battering. 

Inside was an umpire, Ed Toach, we believe, who the hostile fans wanted to get their hands on.  He'd done 'em wrong they screamed.

The chief of police extinguished the hot tempers finally by having the fire siren blown loud and long.  The only fire blazing in Pocomoke then was around that tool shed.  This mournful screeching stimulated the curiosity of the angry crew.  Off they hustled up town to find out they had been tricked.

But it was too late.  Toach was hustled out of town, saved by the fire bell.

They were the old blood and thunder days of the Eastern Shore (D) League, 1937-1941." 



August, 1895 (Time Machine archive) 
(The Daily News- Frederick, Md.)

BLESSINGS IN DISGUISE

From The LaPlata Crescent

A spark from a cigar dropped in a stable in Berlin, Worcester County, last Sunday evening, reduced to ashes the business portion of the town and destroyed over $250,000 worth of property. Though the losers by the fire may not be able to look at it in that light, the conflagration, so far as the town is concerned, may not be an unmixed evil.  Many of the now flourishing towns on the "Shore" date their present era of prosperity from some more or less disastrous fire.  Salisbury, Snow Hill, and Pocomoke City have in recent years all sprang Phoenix-like from their own ashes, and the new town has in each case far out classed the old.  There is no reason to suppose that Berlin cannot or will not do likewise. 


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!  



Friday, June 12, 2015

50 Years Of NASA Spacewalks!



June, 1965. Edward H. White II becomes the first American spacewalker, floating outside Gemini IV. NASA


See the best photos from 50 years of NASA spacewalks:

Thursday, June 11, 2015

Remembering..


A year of events never attended.. a year of pictures never taken.. a year of stories never written.. a year of life's personal and public enjoyments denied. 

The Pocomoke Public Eye fondly recalls our late colleague, Brenda, - "JMMB" - whose passing was a year ago this week.
                                          ~     ~    ~ 

TIME MACHINE ... This Sunday's Preview.

1941.. (It's only just begun!) Delmarva is attracting more and more motorists; 1967.. Worcester County man recalls his turn-of-the-century era life along the Pocomoke River; 1916.. Ad- Atlantic City, Md.;  Early 1940's.. Things heat up at Pocomoke Ball Park, ump is rescued; 1895.. Optimism for Berlin, Md. following major fire. 

It's 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!

Monday, June 8, 2015

For Summertime Fun!




Discounted Amusement Park Tickets on Sale at Worcester County Recreation Center


Amusement park tickets can now be purchased at the 
Worcester County Recreation Center in Snow Hill at a 
discounted price! Purchase your tickets before heading 
out of town to save your family some money and time
waiting in ticket lines.

We offer tickets to all of your favorite Mid-Atlantic parks. 
Busch Gardens, Diggerland USA, Dutch Wonderland, 
Hershey Park, Kings Dominion, Sahara Sam's, Six Flags
America (MD), Six Flags Great Adventure (NJ), and 
Water Country tickets are all available. 

All ticket prices are discounted below the price you
would spend purchasing the tickets at the gate. Tickets 
can be purchased Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 
4:30 p.m.; cash only. 

Visit our website at www.WorcesterRecandParks.org for 
a complete list of prices. For more information and 
availability, contact Lisa Gebhardt at (410) 632-2144 ext.