TIME MACHINE ... This Sunday's Preview

1958.. Personnel changes at Pocomoke schools; 1917.. Practices will be maintained for Worcester physicians called to war service; 1923.. Plans approved for Salisbury's proposed Wicomico Hotel; 1889.. Pocomoke City's new fire company and engine quell large in-town blaze; 1899.. Dangerous roads in Accomack County.

It's all a part of our local history and you can read more about it this Sunday right here at The Pocomoke Public Eye!
  

And this week from AcrossThe USA view a TV commercial for a 1970's Fiat. 

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

Sturgis One Room School Museum Annual Fundraiser

Sturgis One Room School Museum

Annual Fundraiser

Chicken & Dumpling Dinner

& Black History Program

Saturday, February 7, 2015

6:00 PM

Come one, come all!  Please join us for another unforgettable evening of community fun, fellowship, live entertainment & inspiration!

Performance by Pocomoke High School Show Choir

Pocomoke City Volunteer Fire Co. Community Center

1410 Market Street

Tickets Available Now - $20 each

Final Ticket Sales: January 30

Tickets can be purchased at the following locations:

City Hall (101 Clarke Ave) or Chamber of Commerce (6 Market St)

Questions:  Call Sturgis One Room School Museum @ 410 957-1875

Rescheduled General Membership Luncheon

Rescheduled  General Membership Luncheon to be held at Hartley Hall Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, 1006 Market Street in Pocomoke City.

Wednesday, January 21, 2015 from 12:00 - 1:00 PM

The menu for this event includes:  Fried Seafood Platter, Baked Chicken Breast, Tossed Salad, Baked Potato, Asparagus, Cornbread & Dessert.

There is no charge for this luncheon.  You are asked to bring paper goods, canned foods or any non perishable items for the Hartley Hall Senior Housing tenants. This is an independent living apartment complex located behind the Hartley Hall facility.

Spaces are limited!

Register online or email Deb at pocomokechamber@gmail.com 

Registration Deadline is Monday, January 19, 2015.

Please confirm you can attend the luncheon on January 21 even if you already signed up for the December date.  Thanks!

THANKS TO MORE NEW & RENEWING PACC MEMBERS!

Many thanks to the following 

new & renewing

PACC Members!

Annemessex Plumbing & Heating, Inc.

Atlantis Homes

Branscome Eastern Shore

Great Pocomoke Fair

H & H Furniture

Holiday Inn Express

Hoober, Inc.

Mariner Oil Co./Taylor Oil & Propane

Maryland Coastal Bays Program

Poultry Supply, LLC

Shore Bank

Smart Graphic Designs/Frugals

TD Digital Printers, INC

Women Supporting Women

 

From[Pocomoke Area Chamber of Commerce]

 

 

PETA Tries Fat-Shaming to Convince People to Go Vegan

Peta ad links obesity to animal fats

Peta, the animal rights campaigning charity, is launching a provocative new bus ad linking obesity to eating animal fats.

 

The ad will appear on the back of buses and creates an optical illusion, which shows an obese man seemingly making a single deck bus tilt due to his weight.

The copy asks, "Time to go vegan?" The charity says it is trying to make the point that meat, dairy products and eggs are prime culprits in Britain's obesity crisis and going vegan is the way to reduce weight.

The ad was made in-house with photography by Pal Hansen.
Yvonne Taylor, senior programmes manager, Peta UK, said: "People who insist on stuffing themselves with Sunday roasts, bacon, cheese and eggs are throwing their health under the bus.
"Going vegan is a delicious, easy way to help dump unwanted weight, save animals' lives and keep your body running at peak efficiency on high-octane veggie power."
[SOURCE]

TIME MACHINE ... 1962, 1959, 1654, 1880's & 1890's, 1941, 1958

"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 archive/historical archive material)


January, 1962
The Evening Sun (Hanover, Pa.)

Worcester Leaders Meet To Discuss Economic Future

Snow Hill, Md., (AP)-  Civic leaders and businessmen will meet in the Worcester County Courthouse Feb. 23 to plan and discuss the economic future of the county.

"This is probably one of the most important meetings ever to be held in Worcester County," said William G. Kirban, Jr. of Snow Hill, chairman of the county's eight-member Economic Development Committee. 

Kirban said his committee will attempt to create a favorable climate for industry and work to attract it. The group also plans to:

1. Publicize the county.

2. Encourage conservation of natural resources, with special attention to seafood and agriculture.

3. Work indepently with a similar state group appointed by Gov. Tawes last fall, as well as with the county's Chambers of Commerce and other local groups.

Jack Truitt of Berlin is vice-chairman of the committee and Robert Jackson of Ocean City is secretary. Other members are Angelo M. Villani of Ocean City, John H. Pigman of Berlin, G. Howard Collins of Snow Hill, Robert I. Gibans of Pocomoke City, and Dr. Myron Smith of Pocomoke City. 


October, 1654
Maryland State Archives

Assembly Proceedings, October 1654

(Original Spelling)

Concerning Swearing

It is Enacted that Every person or person within the Province that shall be Lawfully Convicted of Swearing shall be Lyable to pay for Every oath Tenn pounds of Tobacco which shall be discovered and brought to Tryall & punishment as is mentioned in the Act Concerning Drunkeness. And if any person or psons shall be known and Convicted to be a Comon Swearer Blasphemer or Curser by any Imprcations whatsoever against God or man after one admonition by a Magistrate shall be Subject to such penalty or punishmt as the Court before whom it is presented shall Determine.


July, 1959
The Salisbury Times

FROM PIT TO POOL.  The Lions Club of Pocomoke City turned an old sand pit into a beach and swimming pool on the outskirts of their town. Now in its third season, the several acre pool, known as Merrill's Beach, is enjoying increased popularity. Property for the project was donated to the club by the late Archie Merrill of Pocomoke City. Club members fenced it in, provided pumps for fresh spring water and erected a concession stand.

Footnote: Merrill's Beach was located just to the east of the overpass north of Pocomoke City on Route 13.  Its creation came about when sand and gravel was being excavated for construction of the overpass. As a member of the Pocomoke High School Band I remember our band playing for opening day at Merrill's Beach one year. I also recall our phys-ed class went there for swimming.  The beach was eventually forced to close because the fresh water pumping equipment couldn't maintain health department water safety standards. -tk 



ICE SKATING DAYS ON THE EASTERN SHORE OF VIRGINIA... 

 In our mind's eye, similar to this?

December, 1885
Peninsula Enterprise (Accomac Court House)

Skating parties have been frequent during the late cold weather and been participated in by both sexes. On Monday last especially, a gay party of ladies and gentlemen "took in the sport" at Hoffman's wharf, and at night the "boys by the light of the moon" indulged in the light fantastic on wharf. Jeff D. H. Mears acted as floor manager, and John Hutchinson as musician on the occasion. The ladies were not invited to the hop.

December, 1888
Dispatch (Richmond, Va.)

The boys had their first skating this season on Onancock creek to-day.

 January, 1891
Peninsula Enterprise (Accomac Court House)

Chincoteague.

Our young bloods had the first opportunity last Tuesday in last two years, to try their skill in skating. The ice houses are being filled up by those of a more practical turn of mind, and will be filled with fine ice if the cold snap continues a day or so longer.

January, 1893
Peninsula Enterprise ( Accomac Court House)

Onancock.

The creek was frozen over last week and for several days the skating was excellent.

January, 1895
Peninsula Enterprise (Accomac Court House)

Parksley.

Our young people have been having fine times in skating and are wishing for more ice.

Footnote: If you're under 30 do you ever remember outdoor ice skating on the Eastern Shore? If you're older, can you recall when? -tk


January, 1941 (Time Machine archive)
Abilene Reporter-News (Abilene, Texas)

 Pocomoke City, Md., Jan. 1-  (AP)-  It's been a mild winter, but two local residents hadn't figured as too unusual until:

Young Billy Ross and Clifton Dennis, out hunting with new Christmas rifles, bagged a three-foot, nine-inch alligator- about as common in Maryland as patting a polar bear.

The gator is believed to have escaped from a circus visiting here last year.  


1958.. Marylanders loved their Colts!

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!  



PPE remembers JMMB.

Princess Anne Police unveils Citizen Notification Service

Princess Anne Police unveils Citizen Notification Service
The Town of Princess Anne citizen notification service delivers important and timely emergency and general information to the residents using the latest technology available.
What is Nixle?

The notification service, NIXLE, will alert residents to emergency weather events, road closings, public safety advisories, natural and manmade disasters, and general city information through email and or text messaging.

How Do I Sign Up?

NIXLE is free and is easy to register for through http://princessannepolice.com/nixleSignUp.html. Those who wish to register will need to create an account with a user name and password, enter an email address and/or cell phone number where you would like to receive the messages, and then enter your address. Click the “Sign Me Up” button to complete the registration.

Two of our officers are lucky to be alive

Two of our officers are lucky to be alive this afternoon after a dump truck driver intentionally rammed his truck into two PGPD cruisers, crushing one of them. This occurred at 11:39 am this morning at the Woodmore Shopping Center near Rt. 202 and I-95.The suspect is in custody. Our officers were outside their cruisers at the time.There were no injuries to the officers or the suspect. We are working to determine the suspect’s motive.This incident is still unfolding. You can get the latest at @PGPDNEWS.Prince George's County Police Department

TIME MACHINE ... This Sunday's Preview.

1962.. Billed as ''one of the most important meetings ever to be held in Worcester County;"  1959.. Pocomoke City's "Merrill's Beach;" 1654.. The Maryland Assembly enacts penalty for swearing;  1880's & 1890's.. Ice skating fun on the Eastern Shore of Virginia; 1941..  Pocomoke boys bagged it with their Christmas rifles..what was it? 1958.. A visual reminder from the days of a beloved Maryland sports team.

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  

THANKS TO THESE NEW & RENEWING PACC MEMBERS!

Many thanks to the following 

new & renewing

PACC Members!

Affordable Business Systems

Associated Insurance Centers, Inc.

Atlantic General Hospital

Beauchamp Construction

Becker Morgan Group, Inc.

Bel-Art Products, Inc.

Benelli

Calvin B. Taylor Banking Company

Choptank Electric

Coastal Hospice

Comcast Spotlight

Costen House Museum

Delmarva Media Group, VA/Eastern Shore News

& Chincoteague Beacon

Eastern Shore Lanes

Fairfield Inn & Suites Marriott

First Shore Federal Bank

Hartley Hall Nursing & Rehabilitation Center

Hertrich of Pocomoke

Holloway Funeral Home

Jackspot Restaurant

Jaqueline B. Gordon

Larry Leese & Associates, P.A.

Mar-Va Theater

Market Street Deli

MidAtlantic Farm Credit

Midway Toyota, Inc.

Outten Brothers of Maryland, Inc.

Peninsula Regional Medical Center

Philadelphia Investment Management, Inc.

PKS & Company, P.A.

Pocomoke Animal Hospital

Pocomoke Chiropractic Center

Pocomoke City Volunteer Fire Company, Inc.

Pocomoke Elks Lodge

Pocomoke High School

Pocomoke Primary Care

Ralph D. Welsh, Jr.

Regent Homes by Beracah, LLC

Riverside Grill

Samaritan Ministries, Inc.

Sharp Energy, Inc.

Sysco Eastern Maryland

Tangier Island Cruises, Inc.

TGM Group LLC

The Law Office of Deborah Ullmann, LLC

Three Guys Construction

Tidewater Physical Therapy 

Tri-County Workforce Development Initiative

Tyson Foods, Inc.

WCTG Radio - 96.5 FM

Worcester County Board of Education

Worcester County Commission on Aging

Worcester County Economic Development

Pocomoke City Police Department 2014 End of Year Stats

Pocomoke City Police Department 2014

End of Year Stats

       CRIME          YEAR  2013     ARREST

Murder                  0                  0

          Armed Robbery           3                  2

          Rape                    0                  0        

Assault                 65                 55

          Theft/Wal-Mart          174                96

          Burglary                8                  2

         

          CRIME          YEAR 2014      ARREST

       Murder                  0                  0

          Armed Robbery           2                  2

          Rape                    0                  0

          Arson                   2                  2

          Assault                 44                 44

          Theft/Wal-Mart          199                184

          Burglary                27                 14**

              **4 arrested responsible for 10 incidents

Arrest    Warrants  Patrol Checks      Foot Patrols

2013/ 498     2013/ 81      2013/ 6,928        2013/ 3,668

2014/ 745      2014/ 99      2014/ 10,435       2014/ 5,791

Assist Other Agencies

2013/  185

2014/  104

1944 --- 2014

This is an interesting use of technology---like traveling back in time! 1944-2014
 
Left click and hold on each photo, and then drag your mouse gently from  left to right. The  original photograph will be become a photo of the exact same location as viewed today - drag it back to the left and you are back in 1944!

It works both directions

 
Scroll down for more of the same. Just fascinating!
 

http://interactive.guim.co.uk/embed/2014/apr/image-opacity-slider-master/index.html?ww2-dday 

(Thanks to Bill H., Salisbury, for forwarding.-tk)

TIME MACHINE ... 1828, 1902, 1996, 1959, 1974, circa early 1960's.

"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, 1828

A new weekly newspaper to be published in Princess Anne was to be entitled "The Somerset Iris And Messenger Of Truth." According to the publisher "The proposed periodical will be chiefly devoted to Politics, General Literature, and Morality.  It will review with temperance and candour the effusions of contemperaneous writers, and will apply the laws of criticism, or appropriate reprehension, to every lurking sophistry, insideous deception, and unveied or wanton falsehood."

"The Iris will be printed on a super-royal sheet, with entire new type, at Three Dollars for a whole year, to be satisfied by Two Dollars if paid within thirty days, or Two Dollars and Fifty Cents if paid within six months.  A subscription will be taken for six months after which it will cease upon the order of the subscriber."  


January, 1902
(Peninsula Enterprise- Accomac Court House)

Chandler-Bloxom
Regardless of the snow storm, dark night and other difficulties in the way, the marriage of Mr. Thomas Chandler, a prosperous young man of upper Accomac, and Miss Margaret Bloxom, the beautiful, and accomplished daughter of Mr. C.W. Bloxom. of Parksley, was solemnized at Zion Baptist Church, Wednesday, Jauuary 20th, 1902.

The bridal party entered the church, beautifully decorated with festoons and arches of evergreen, one arch bearing the letter B and another the letter C, with a large bell suspended from centre of main arch, at 8 o'clock to the strains of Mendelssohns wedding march, skillfully rendered by Mrs. Florence Rew, preceded by the ushers, Harry Gillespie and Woods Garland, James Abbott and Willie Marsh up opposite aisles, followed by four of the bride's little Sunday school scholars, Mary Parks and Sarah Core, Mary Wessells and Sadie Parks, each carrying pink satin ribbon, which reached from the door to the arch in the centre of the church which the little girls attached to the arch with long bows of pink satin ribbon. Next came the bride with maid of honor, Miss Elizabeth Mason, up one aisle and the groom with his best man, Prof. V.S. Deitrick, up the other, and were met at the altar by their pastor, Rev. M. F. Sanford, who gracefully performed the ceremony, while "Eventide" was softly and sweetly played, which made them man and wife. Alter the ceremony, while Lohengrins wedding march was being played and amid showers of rice, the bride and groom retired from the church to the home of the bride's sister, Mrs. W. W. Parks where an elegant supper was served to them and numerous guests with old time Virginia hospitality. 
The presents were numerous and valuable. 

Mr. and Mrs Chandler will be at home to their friends at their beautiful new home at Mappsville which has just been completed, after the 15th of February. 
May long life and happiness attend them. 


November, 1996
The Capital (Annapolis, Md.)

Church bell back after 100 years

Salisbury-  St. Peter's Episcopal Church finally got its bell back- after 108 years.

Several parishioners were on hand Saturday as the 1,500 pound bronze bell was lifted from the tower at the Wicomico County courthouse where it had rested since 1888. 

It was after the fire of 1886 in Salisbury, which burned down the church and 200 buildings, that the bell was lent to the city. Two years later, the bell was installed in the courthouse, and its ownership forgotten.

The most persuasive evidence in finding the bell was noting its inscription, from Isaiah 51:1- "Hearken unto me, ye that follow after righteousness, yet that seek the Lord."

The bell will be refurbished before returning to the church tower.

Footnote:

The bell, which alerted Salisbury citizens to the 1886 fire, is now back home.


December, 1959
The Cumberland News (Cumberland, Md.)

(Excerpts)

Tawes May OK Island Bridge

BALTIMORE (AP)-  Gov. Tawes indicated Thursday he will approve a proposal for a public authority to construct a bridge between Worcester County and Assateague Island.

Referring to the plan submitted by an executive study commission, the governor said, "I think we'll be able to go along with it."

The commission, headed by Sen. John L. Sanford (D., Worcester), recommended building a $1,217,000 steel and concrete toll bridge reaching 2,800 feet between the Worcester County mainland on the Eastern Shore and the almost barren island, south of Ocean City. The island is now accessible only by boat.

The bridge would be financed through the sale of revenue bonds.


March, 1974
Marylander And Herald (Princess Anne)

FARMER OF THE YEAR

Each year the Somerset County Conservation District honors the farm it feels is outstanding in the field of conservation work completed on the farm.

The 1974 Farmer of the Year, John Murray, Mt. Vernon, was this year's selection.

Mr. Murray's conservation program consists of drainage, ponds, cropland rotations, pasture, hayland and woodland improvement.


Circa early 1960's..  

(Ad courtesy of Choppy Layton.)

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!




PPE remembers JMMB.

TIME MACHINE ... This Sunday's Preview

1828.. News about Princess Anne's new newspaper; 1902.. A beautiful Eastern Shore wedding is described; 1996.. Old bell is back at Salisbury church after more than 100 years; 1959.. Governor may okay a bridge to Assateague; 1974.. Somerset County's farmer of the year is named; Circa early 1960's.. "Chop Hop" ad.

It's all a part of our local history and you can read more about it 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

PPE'S Wish To All..

TIME MACHINE ... 1930, 1958, 1884, 1896, 1899, 1915

"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, 1930
Marylander And Herald (Princess Anne)

Somerset County Makes Great Strides In 1929

Following the custom of years, The Marylander and Herald this week publishes a brief summary of important events in the life of Somerset County during the year just closed.

During 1929 the farmers of Somerset enjoyed one of the most prosperous years in the county's history. Crops were good and prices on all farm products were at a high level. Strawberries prices held up well throughout the season, and the prices paid for beans, tomatoes, and potatoes were the best in several seasons.

Roadwork during 1929 was carried on at several places in Somerset, more roads being constructed last year than in any year past- over a mile of concrete was constructed in Mt. Vernon District, a mile at Rehoboth (Rehobeth), a mile at Fairmount; and a mile in East Princess Anne- over four miles of concrete in all. In addition to this the County Road Engineer Robert S. Jones built about two miles of slag road, the longest stretch of which was constructed in the Revell's Neck neighborhood.

In Princess Anne many changes are noted. New business houses were opened and old ones remodeled, new lines added, and the community as a whole greatly benefited.

The Rotary Club and the Chamber of Commerce sponsored many worthwhile matters, and are responsible for the erection of a public drinking fountain, and for the first concerted effort toward a community Christmas event. 

During the year a Junior Firemen's organization was perfected and band of forty-two pieces organized. Also a Women's Auxiliary of the Firemen was organized and played an important part in the affairs of the Volunteer Fire Company.

Princess Anne and the county as a whole enters the New Year full of confidence in the continued growth and development of this favored section of the Del-Mar-Va Peninsula.

February, 1958
Salisbury Times

SNOW HILL, MARYLAND SCHOOL VACATION

The following students are spending their vacation between semesters with their parents: Lois Dickerson, James Freeney, Tom Shockley, Spratt Ploxice of the University of Maryland, College Park; Fooks Truitt and James Wasche of Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore; Peggy White and Phyllis Scarborough of Hood College in Frederick;  Ann Vincent, Ann Grant and William Kerbin of Western Maryland, Westminster; Joan Cowen, Robert Bowen, Albert Cherrix, Michael Coffin, State Teachers College in Salisbury; Others are Carroll Waller from William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia; Paul Cordry, Steve and Allen Boyer, Swarthmore; Carolyn Hottinstein, Emily Brimer, Edgar Dryden, Robert DeVaux from Washington College in Chestertown; John McHale, Drexel Institute in Philadelphia; Albert Blann and Jerry Lank, Goldey-Beacom, Wilmington; and Don Hallet Doughty at the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore. 

January, 1884 (Time Machine archive)
(Peninsula Enterprise- Accomac)

Notwithstanding the disagreeable weather on Monday night (Christmas Eve) it was very lively in this locality. The firing of guns and pistols began at early bedtime, and continued during the night. Many delicious meals were prepared and eaten, and not a few persons participated in drinking eggnog.

June, 1896  (Time Machine archive)
(Peninsula Enterprise- Accomac Court House, Va.)

Destructive Fire at Parksley.

Most of the Business Houses Destroyed -- Loss About $55,000 -- Small Insurance.

The greater part of the business houses of the thriving town of Parksley was destroyed by fire last Wednesday afternoon. The fire started in the barrel factory of L. F. Hinman on the north side of Bennett street about 3:30 o'clock and in less than an hour the whole block on Dunne Avenue to Cooke street, except the hardware and building material store of E. T. Parks & Co., was in ashes.

The losses heavy as they are, would have been greater but for the hard work done to check its progress. Mr. John D. Johnson and others fought the fire on the roof of his livery stable when it was no longer safe to continue the fight on the ground and saved it -- and the three stores on the south side of Bennett street were only saved by the bucket brigade which kept the houses wet.

The fire was due to the carelessness of a cooper in Hinman's barrel factory and could have been extinguished if he had been in the factory at the time it started.

April, 1899
The Evening Times (Washington, D.C.)

Married Before Daybreak

Pocomoke City, Md., April 5-  Miss Barnes and Mr. Sterling, both of Hunting Creek, Va., came to Pocomoke City on the midnight express Monday night and were married at 1:30 o'clock yesterday morning at Bethany Methodist Protestant parsonage by Rev. J.D. Kinsor. The bride is a beautiful blonde of less than seventeen summers and the groom is about nineteen years of age.

Footnote: Pocomoke City was a destination for many young Virginia couples seeking marriage.  The Virginia age requirements for marriage were stricter than those of Maryland.  


Anticipating the new year a hundred years ago, just as today, it was "out with the old, in with the new" but Word War I was weighing heavy on the new year's prospects.

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@yaho o.com and watch for it on a future TIME MACHINE posting!




PPE remembers JMMB.

TIME MACHINE ... This Sunday's Preview.

1930.. Somerset County makes great strides during 1929; 1958.. These Snow Hill area college students are home for the holidays; 1884.. A lively Christmas Eve on the Eastern Shore of Virginia; 1896.. Destructive fire hits town of Parksley; 1899.. Midnight express is marriage express to Pocomoke City.

And a Saturday Evening Post cover from a hundred years ago..just as today it was out with the old, in with the new for the New Year!

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!

Tribute..

Last year on 12/24/13, PPE's Brenda (JMMB) sent in a timely Christmas Eve posting for her readers. 

We lost Brenda last June. In tribute to her talent and enthusiasm for communicating with her Pocomoke Public Eye readers in words and pictures, we're republishing her Christmas article from a year ago. 

Enjoy.

Christmas Wishes...

MERRY CHRISTMAS to all of the PPE readers!

As some of you may not know I have been quite ill for a few months. Even though I still posted on the PPE the majority of work was done from my hospital room in Baltimore City as I battled an aggressive form of leukemia.  My posts from the last few weeks came from a borrowed lap top as I rested at the home of my daughter and her boyfriend in Baltimore after treatment at the hospital during the day.

Baltimore is a beautiful city...nothing to be compared to our good old Eastern Shore, of course, but still beautiful.  Christmas there is as colorful and magic-like as it is at home- except for one area.

A few days after the first snow fall there I found myself strong enough to venture (with my daughter and her boyfriend) to 34th - The Hampdens.  (hope that is correct)

I don't suppose in my entire life I have EVER seen anything quite like this... One entire block decorated for Christmas!  Lights after lights, open homes to visit and gaze at even more decorations.  The entire block is so brightly lit you can read a newspaper in the middle of the street! 

This street is a special street as indicated by the number of  children, young and old, who walked and oohed and aahed.  Photographs do the yearly event no true justice.  However, in my mind I couldn't help but think about those Pocomoke City Police Officers who once lived in Baltimore.....I'll just bet they know what I'm trying to convey to you.

So, MERRY CHRISTMAS to the Pocomoke City Police Officers- you too Chief Sewell- and all of you there.  Thank you for all you do to keep Pocomoke - the town I love- safe.

 Here is what I found on 34th Street - 2013.



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MERRY CHRISTMAS