1/1/22 annoucement from Worcester County Public Schools

     

Worcester County Public Schools is excited to welcome back students to full in-person learning on Monday, January 3, 2022. We want to reassure families that we are keeping a close eye on current trends in our community's COVID-19 metrics. However, to make our return from Winter Break successful, we need your help!

View full announcement:

January 1, 2022 - WCPS Return from Winter Break - Worcester County Public Schools (worcesterk12.org)

1/1/22 announcement from Somerset County Public Schools

 

SCPS will return in-person from Winter Break on Monday, January 3, 2022.

At this time, we have no plans to make changes to our in-person learning status. We will return on Monday, January 3rd in-person, maintaining our mask requirements for students, staff and visitors. We will continue to maintain our enhanced sanitization efforts, and social distancing protocols to minimize the risk of transmission in our school buildings.

View full announcement:

https://www.somerset.k12.md.us/apps/news/article/1546379

         Wishing all a Delmarvalous New Year!

Time Machine Holiday Edition Preview

 

This Sunday The Pocomoke Public Eye's Time Machine concludes our Holiday Editions with a look at some items that were in the newspapers at the start of  new years in past times. Wishing a good New Year to all.

Berlin New Year's Friday events cancelled

 

(Town of Berlin Facebook page)

Due to rising COVID-19 CASES in the area and multiple vendor cancellations, the Mayor and Council of the town of Berlin have decided to cancel the laser shows and ball drops on Main Street.

All town-scheduled events for Friday, December 31st, are cancelled.

Although the town's New Year's eve events are cancelled, please consider supporting our local business community.

(Numerous venues serving food and beverages are scheduled to be open New Year's eve.)  

Worcester commissioners returning to safety protocols

 (WMDT)

SNOW HILL, Md. – Due to the recent uptick in COVID-19 cases in Maryland, Worcester County officials have reinstituted COVID protocols for County Commissioners Meetings.

View more:

COVID safety protocols reinstituted in Worcester Co. Commissioners' Meeting Room, Board Room - 47abc (wmdt.com)

January vaccination info from Somerset Health

 (WBOC)

WESTOVER, Md. - The Somerset County Health Department has announced its vaccination schedule for the month of January. All events will be at the Somerset County Health Department, which is located at 8928 Sign Post Road, Suite 2, Westover, MD.

View scheduling info:

Somerset County Health Dept. Releases January Vaccination Schedu - WBOC TV

Former long-time Worcester County Commissioner has died

 (WBOC)

BERLIN, Md.- James Lee Purnell Jr., who served as the first Black member, president and vice president of the Worcester County Commissioners, passed away Monday at TidalHealth Peninsula Regional in Salisbury. He was 84. 

View news story:

James Lee Purnell Jr., First Black Worcester Co. Commissioner, D - WBOC TV

New jury trials in Maryland are suspended

 (WMDT)

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Due to the surge of the Omicron COVID-19 variant, the Maryland Judiciary has announced that it will reduce operations and revert to Phase III of its five-phased reopening plan.

View news story:

Jury trials suspended in Md. amid Omicron surge - 47abc (wmdt.com)

 

More info here:

(7) NYE Midnight Muskrat Dive | Facebook

Pocomoke's decoration winners!

 

Open skating this week

 

Open Skate is the perfect opportunity for you to ice skate with a view.. the ice rink that's been set up at Sturgis Park in Snow Hill. The cost is FREE. Compliments of Ann Sturgis-Coates and Randy Coates. Children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Children 6 and under are not permitted to skate without an adult on the ice with them. The skate times are from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, December 27, Tuesday, December 28, Wednesday, December 29 and Thursday, December 30.

Time Machine Holiday Edition

January, 1925

Worcester Democrat

December, 1982                                          

           (See top of righthand column 2)

Daily Times (Salisbury)

December, 1937

Worcester Democrat

December, 1972

Democratic Messenger

Daily Times, (Dec., 2008)

                

Daily Times, (Dec., 2008)

 

 

Twas' the night before Christmas
And throughout Worcester County
Children were snug in their beds
Awaiting Santa's good bounty.

The Eastern Shore hour was late
When all should be sleeping.
But to no one's surprise
Some sure were peeping.

The jolly ol' elf isn't far away
They all knew.
Maybe he's in Accomack, Somerset,
Or Wicomico, too.

They hoped that with decorations
Making everything pretty,
Santa certainly would visit
Pocomoke City!

Then from Second Street Extended
To Stockton Road,
Santa's sleigh was spotted
With all its good load.

And from the river bridges
To the Virginia line,
He made all his stops
Hoping to make everything fine.

All the children were sure
That when they awoke,
They would find good things
Left by Santa in Pocomoke!

Time Machine Preview

 
Each Sunday through January 2nd The Pocomoke Public Eye's Holiday Edition of  our weekly Time Machine is tracking back through  news and features from the holiday season in times gone by. 

Have a recollection to share? Just send it in and we'll post it on-screen (use comment section or email to tkforppe@yahoo.com ). Names are welcomed but not required.

TidalHealth Reducing Elective Surgeries, Suspending Visitation Starting Monday

 (WBOC)

SALISBURY, Md. and SEAFORD, Del.- TidalHealth announced Wednesday that patient visitation is being suspended temporarily on Monday, Dec. 27 at both TidalHealth Peninsula Regional in Salisbury and TidalHealth Nanticoke in Seaford. At the same time, there will also be a temporary pause at both hospitals of elective, non-emergency surgeries that require an overnight stay.

View full news story:

TidalHealth Reducing Elective Surgeries, Suspending Visitation S - WBOC TV

SKATING EVENTS

 

Worcester County Department of Recreation and Parks is offering two holiday events with their ice rink. The community is invited to skate with their friends and family at either or both events, Skate with Santa and Open Skate.

Skate with Santa is a free family event being held on December 22, at Sturgis Park in Snow Hill from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Event attendees will have the opportunity to ice skate, decorate ornaments, hop on a train ride, enjoy festive music, sip on hot chocolate and get a picture with Santa. The Marine Corps League 1st State Detachment has generously donated toys for this event. The first 300 kids to arrive will be gifted a toy. This event is open to all ages. The event address is River Street, Snow Hill, Maryland 21863.

Open Skate is the perfect opportunity for you to ice skate with a view! The ice rink will be set up at Sturgis Park in Snow Hill. The cost is FREE. Compliments of Ann Sturgis-Coates and Randy Coates. Children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Children 6 and under are not permitted to skate without an adult on the ice with them. The skate times are from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, December 27, Tuesday, December 28, Wednesday, December 29 and Thursday, December 30.

Goodbye to Phillips Crab House in Ocean City

 

(Announcement on Phillips Crab House Facebook page:)

"The Phillips family has made the difficult decision to sell our Phillips Crab House property in Ocean City, Maryland, and the location has now permanently closed. Over our 66 seasons in business, we’ve served millions of families, vacationers and OC locals, and our family feels so fortunate to have earned the loyalty of our guests, who came back year after year to build their vacation memories with us. Thank you for being such a wonderful part of our story.

 

Not many restaurants live to see their 50th season, let alone celebrate over 65 years, and our family credits the amazing Crab House team for giving the business such longevity. From the crab department to the prep room, through the upstairs and downstairs kitchen staff, to the servers, bussers and bartenders, our employees returned season after season and became part of the extended Phillips family. Led by a strong management team, our staff worked together to deliver delicious dishes, all served up with a warm smile and welcoming Eastern Shore hospitality. None of our success over the years would have been possible without their hard work and dedication, and we are so grateful for their loyalty.

 

While it is extremely difficult for our family to say goodbye to the Crab House, we will take with us all the memories from the days and nights with our coworkers and guests, the lessons we have all learned from working together as a strong team, and the friendships we have grown over the years. As we move forward, we will continue to build on the strong foundation that our original Crab House location gave us. We remain firmly planted in Maryland and will dedicate our resources in support of our Baltimore restaurant location, Baltimore culinary center and the growth of our retail, club, foodservice, and international business."

Governor Hogan tests positive

 (WBOC)

BALTIMORE (AP/WBOC)- Maryland’s governor announced Monday that he has tested positive for the coronavirus, but is feeling fine at the moment.   

View news story:

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan Tests Positive for COVID-19 - WBOC TV

Holiday pretty around Pocomoke City

 

Vote for your three favorites (larger views) on the Pocomoke Recreation Committee Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/230756228097398/

Time Machine Holiday Edition

December, 1953 (excerpt)

The Denton Journal

December 24, 1945

Salisbury Times

 December, 1972

Sunday Times (Salisbury)

December, 1937

Baltimore Sun

December, 1934

Salisbury Times

December, 1925 Letter To Santa

Worcester Democrat

Kathy Horney

Pocomoke City

At Christmas time, my mind always goes back to about 1970.

 

I was young (20) and doing Christmas shopping in downtown Pocomoke City.  The air was crisp and cold and a light snow was falling.  The downtown area was lit up with Christmas lights in the storefront windows and Christmas carols were playing over a P.A. or loudspeaker system (I don't know what the technical term is) but I remember that it was beautiful.

 

At that time, you could do ALL of your Christmas shopping downtown - didn't have to go anywhere else. There was a 'five & dime' store, a 'dollar' store, a couple of department stores, a couple of shoe stores, a couple of dress shops, a men's clothing store, a couple of jewelry stores, a couple of catalog stores, a couple of hardware stores, a couple of pharmacies, a couple of banks, and a car dealer by the river.  Just turn the corner off of Market St. and go just one block down Clarke Ave. and there was a soda fountain shop, a couple of mom & pop grocery stores, and a fish market (I think). There may have even been a beauty salon on Willow St. between Second & Clarke (memory is fuzzy here). If you proceeded on to the next block down Clarke Ave., there was a second-hand store (clothing, etc.), a deli, and a small mom & pop clothing store.  Unbelievable isn't it?  Yes, all of those businesses were in the downtown area (at the same time).

 

I miss it when I get thinking about it.  It was different shopping like that than when you go into these hugh chain stores and have to fight the crowds. Whole different atmosphere - the magic of Christmas has gotten lost in greedy commercialism.  Well, maybe that's a bit extreme, but right now I am savoring those wonderful memories of times gone by.

 

P.S.  You could shop without worrying about getting your purse snatched, or getting mugged or carjacked, etc.

Emailed to The Pocomoke Public Eye, Dec., 2013

(PPE reader comment)

 Anonymous said...

Kathy Horney is indeed correct; there was a beauty salon on Willow Street between Second and Clarke! And the downtown merchants banded together to purchase a new automobile which they gave away in a drawing every Christmas season. For each dollar you spent in their store you received one ticket. I believe that the car dealers were also in on this so if you purchased a new car for $2,500 you received 2,500 tickets. I think it was 1970 or '71 that Sharon Benchoff won the car. Her father, Dick Benchoff, was sales manager at Midway and the last thing she needed was another Camaro so they tried to sell it back to Midway but Midway refused to give them a decent price to they had to sell it privately.

Daily Times, (Dec., 2008)

Daily Times, (Dec., 2008)