(Reader-friendly viewing of newspaper archives material)
May, 1960
John F. Kennedy campaigns in Salisbury.
It was May, 14, 1960, three days before Maryland's 1960 presidential primary, and John F. Kennedy made a swing through the Eastern Shore with his agenda including an appearance in Salisbury before the Wicomico Democratic Women's Club at Johnny And Sammy's Restaurant and a walk through downtown. Accompanied by state and local office holders and other party supporters the young Senator from Massachusetts seemed to carry an aura of a Hollywood celebrity, or rock star. As far as security arrangements for the presidential candidate's Salisbury visit- a sign of those times- there were none. As a courtesy, Salisbury police did provide some traffic control assistance for the motorcade. -tk
(Excerpts- The Salisbury Times- May 16. 1960)
By Dick Moore
(Of The Times Staff)
Kennedy, "The Candidate," came to Salisbury.
He left, one hour and 45 minutes later, as Kennedy"The man."
At least, that's the reaction of most partisan Democrats, male or female.
And it seemed to be the reaction of most all females, Democrat, Republican, or independent.
The more elderly Democratic women tittered like teenagers when they saw him Saturday. Some restrained impulse to reach out and touch him.
Others were not so restrained, They laid their hands on his arms, and grinned their toothiest. In return they received the warm Kennedy smile, still a boyish grin, yet fully masculine on the square face and under the shock of hair.
Under the personal convoy of Sen. Mary L. Nock of Wicomico County, he was led into Johnny And Sammy's Restaurant after brief greetings outside among a couple hundred assorted Democrats, from Little Leaguers in full baseball regalia to bobbysoxers, party faithful, and the ever present curious women.
As the women filed by him, serious faced Kennedy seemed to be taking a good look at each one- the smiling faces, the colorful hats and the corsages. Then his smile broke on them and they left like "new women."
"Isn't he just wonderful?" exclaimed Mrs. Ruth White, a party veteran.
It was the same with most of them as Kennedy wove his magic.
(following the restaurant visit) .... the caravan moved downtown where Kennedy alighted in front of the County Trust Bank and began to shake hands.
He walked west on Main Street with an easy gait, introducing himself to all who came by. Some pedestrians rushed up to greet him. Others held back, some in disbelief that here was a candidate for president right before their eyes.
To a small boy's request to buy a poppy, Kennedy pointed to one already is his lapel.
To a crippled man who hobbled a hundred or more feet from behind to catch up and shake Kennedy's hand, the senator said, "Thanks for catching up."
Teenagers gathered- especially girl teenagers. But (Senator) Joseph Tydings, Kennedy's big man in Maryland, kept them at arm's length in an effort to stop the demand for autographs. Occasionally one slipped by though, and the senator obliged.
Crossing Main Street for a walk up the north side, Kennedy was grabbed by young John Hess and taken through a quick tour of his store. By then time was running out. The big Kennedy plane was being reved up a for takeoff at Salisbury Wicomico County Airport to take him to his Maryland finale at the University Of Maryland Saturday night.
A hotel room was obtained at the Wicomico Hotel so the Senator could make some phone calls. Then still looking like a sun-tanned young executive just home from a vacation rather than a political candidate in the midst of a great campaign to meet people, he walked across the street to Central Drug Company for a quiet soft drink and a hot dog. Customers gathered to stare. The store-keeper, Dr. Irvin Kamanitz, seemed pleased with his guest. Finally, the clock ran out. The Eastern Shore tour beginning early Saturday at Elkton was over. He had visited in Centreville, Easton, and Cambridge, shaking hands, making brief speeches, talking to people.
Primaries, he said, give the candidates this chance. The people should know the candidates. They shouldn't be picked in a smoke-filled hotel room.
Maryland and Eastern Shore reaction to Kennedy's invasion of the state- the reaction that counts- will come tomorrow in the primary.
June, 1977
(The Derrick- Oil City, Pa.)
Graduates From Dental School
Richard L. McNamara II, son of Dr. and Mrs. L.B. McNamara of 5 Pinoak Circle, graduated from the University Of Pittsburgh School Of Dentistry recently.
He plans to open a practice soon in Pocomoke City, Md.
He received the Zugsmith Award for general excellence through four years of dental school.
He graduated in 1965 from Cranberry High School and in 1969 from Grove City College.
McNamara served four years in the U.S. Coast Guard. He attained the rank of lieutenant junior grade.
His wife is the former Peggy Jean Evans of Lewisburg, W.Va.
Footnote: The young Dr. McNamara joined the dental practice of Dr. Leon Meinster on Second Street and continued the practice, moving to his current Vine Street location, when Dr. Meinster retired.
March, 1891(The Daily News- Frederick, Md.)
The lastest enterprise on the Eastern Shore of Maryland is a marriage bureau. The inhabitants pronounce it a very "pat" way of furthering matramonial projects.
April, 1894
(Peninsula Enterprise- Accomac Court House, Va.)
T. V. Rhea & Co., the lightning rod men who worked the Shore last year, and to the satisfaction, we believe, of their patrons, are again with us, with their headquarters at Onancock. They return with three wagons and say "they are better equipped for their business now than ever before, as they have found what it takes to stand the salt water air and have brought it." They solicit your patronage.
May, 1971 (Time Machine archive)
17-year-old Becky Culp was named Miss Pocomoke for 1971 with Peggy L. Richardson placing as first runner up in the annual competition sponsored by the Pocomoke Junior Woman's Club. Five-year-old Sharon Yvonne Daugherty was crowned Little Miss Pocomoke and Terri Anne Christian was runner up.
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!
I don't remember the JFK visit but sometime around 1963 the schools bussed a large group of students to Snow Hill HS (whether we wanted to go or not) to hear Edward Kennedy make some kind of speech. It was a waste of time and resources.
ReplyDeleteYour friend,
Slim