1955 Lewes graduations

75^th LEWES HIGH SCHOOL COMMENCEMENT

JUNE 7, 1955

Dr Leon H. Ferrin, superintendent, announced the ceremony will be June 7, and that

Judge Elwood Melson of New Castle will be the speaker. In the school auditorium .

Baccalaureate Service will be next Sunday at 8 pm with Lewes ministers and the

High School choir. Rev. W. W. Hamilton will give the sermon.

Graduates are; Rrobert Hastings, John Hudson, III., Ronald Jackson, William Joseph,

Jack Lee Kee, Edward Cotner, Otto Lang, William Millman, William Mincy, Jr.,

Larry Palmer, Irvin Ritter, James Ritter, Douglas Scott, William Smith, Jr., Charles

Sockriter, James Stritsinger, Charles Sweetman, Olwin Tharp, William Vessels, Frederick

Vogal and George Edward Wyatt, Jr.,

Mary Lou Baily, Shirley Downs, Mary Ann Carver, Jean Dodd, Janet Gibson, Shirley

Hudson, Gail Janney, Vera Kassatkin, Patricia Martin, Carol Lee Maull, Thelma Parsons,

Orneo Hether Purcell, June Lee Ritter and Laura Short.

Class President, George Edward Wyatt, will give a welcome address. Glenwood Harrington,

School board President will hand out the diplomas and Dr. Ferrin will give various awards.

The High School Band will play the Processional and the choir will present a program of

musical interludes.

Abstract by Harrison H. 04/29/18, Wilmington Evening Journal , June `1, 1955.

LEWES COAT OF ARMS

LEWES COAT OF ARMS

Visual evidence of this historic towns identity with Lewes, Sussex County, England,

will now be seen with the placement of their “Coat of Arms” on some 36 landmarks

around Lewes through the efforts of Colonel David Hall Chapter Daughters of the

American Revolution.

The shield has a field of dark blue and gold blocks on a red background, with a Gold

Dragon in the upper right corner.

The nine page “Historic Guide to Lewes” by Zwannendael Museum was first to call

attention to the project. Members, Helene Carter Potter and Ruth Chambers Stewert

assembled the historic data for the landmarks. Virginia Cullen, resident journalist has

written “Lewes Folklore” to go with the guide.

Lewes, Delaware was named after Lewes England by William Penn when he was in charge

of the “Three Lower Counties on the Delaware” sometime about 1782.

Abstract 04/29/18 by Harrison H. of Wilmington Evening Journal June 24, 1955.

WYE OAK 2002 DESK

WYE OAK

WYE MILLS, MARYLABD

The great white oak fell in the spring of 2002. A violent thunderstorm did it in.

The giant white oak was more than 450 years old and for some of that time stood watch

over the village of Wye Mills. It stood proud as a fine but ailing specimen of the State Tree

of Maryland, a white oak.

This is a bit of information about what has happened to some of the fallen trees wood

savings.

McMartin & Beggins, furniture makers of St. Michaels, the owners being Jim

McMartin and Jim Beggins, have constructed from the remains a desk that has become a

permanent addition to the State House and will serve Maryland governors generations to

come. In this way the Wye Oak continues to live as a symbol of survival.

Governor Robert Ehrlich, Jr., the 2002 governor accepting the finished desk, said,

this is not my desk, it is the peoples desk and another proud symbol of our past.

Abstract: January & February, 2002 issue of Shore Living Magazine, article by

Ann E & Richard A Dorbin. Abstract by Harrison H. 04/28/18.

ANDY SHAW MASTER SPAR CARVER

ANDY SHAW OF LEWES

A SPAR CARVER

First off, what is a spar? Within the seafaring world , a spar is a stout, round,

wooden pole, such as a mast, boom, gaff or yard. Yard is not familiar to me.

A spar is used in the 'rigging' of a sailing vessel to support the sail and that all there is to

know about that.

Andy Shaw, was at one time the shipwright at historic St. Mary's City. Andy grew up

in Lewes and on board ships along the East coast. He became involved in wooden

boat building and became a master 'spar carver'. He knows a spar is critical to

effective sailing. The mast of a ship. Dependability requires well made spars.

Andy mentored apprentice Daewin Weigel in all aspects of spar carving from picking

out the exact piece of wood to mounting the finished piece on the ship.

Abstract: by Harrison H. 04/28/18 , the source being a Maryland State Arts Council

publication titled “Maryland Traditions” at marylandtraditions.org.

REVISED GEORGE ALFRED TOWNSEND OF SUSSEX

SUSSEX COUNTY DELAWARE

GEORGE TOWNSEND, WRITER

George Alfred Townsend, Sussex writer, was writing before modern electronics were

in competition, such as television of the internet. He was born in Georgetown, January

30, 1841, to the Rev. Stephen and Mrs. Mary Fleming Milbourne Townsend . Reverend

Townsend was a Methodist clergyman for more than fifty years in Sussex County.

In the year 1850 , age 9 year, he was a resident of Port Deposit, Cecil county, Maryland.

When in his teenage years he developed a talent for writing and as the Civil War came

about he took a job with the New York Herald as correspondent. His vivid descriptions of

fighting in the Virginia's eared him a large following and a growing reputation.

At age 24, on the 21^st of December, 1865, at the St. Philips Episcopal Church in

Philadelphia, he married Elizabeth Evan Rhodes who lived from 1842 to 1903, died inWashington, D. C. and they had two children, a daughter, Genevieve, who lived 1866 to 1943, a son Junior, who lived 1874 to 1948.

In the year 1870 he was resident of Washington, D. C.

After the war, he took the pen name “Gath” and continued to write about important current events. During 1867, while in Washington, D. C. he became a friend of Samuel Langhorn Clemens. He, Clemens and other writers tried to 'syndicate' their columns,

sending articles to many different newspapers, however, nothing came of the plan.

Townsend wrote twenty one columns a week for the Cincinnati Enquirer, two for Philadelphia Times, two for the Boston Globe and several for the New York Tribune. This he does with just two assistants.

In addition to the newspaper work, Townsend also wrote poetry, biographies, and novels. The most famous being “The Entailed Hat” which drew upon the Delmarva Peninsula

history which marked the pinnacle of his career and his popularity began a decline even

though he wrote for two decades longer.

In 1884 his residence was at “Gapland”, Burkittsville, Frederick County, Maryland

In the early 1900's he came down with diabetes and his failing health and a changing public taste for news, made it difficult for him to earn a living. He was forced to sell his library to pay his bills.

In 1911, Samuel Bancroft, a Wilmington industrialist underwrites the publication of

Townsend's poems , 'Poems of the Delmarva Peninsula” that were published two years

later..

When Townsend died in Manhatten, New York City, on April 15, 1914, he had been

virtually forgotten by the American public. He was buried in Laural Hill Cemetery,

Philadelphia. .

Abstract: Michael Morgan, Sussex Journal, Delawarebeaches.com, Wednesday, 25 April

2018, by Harrison H.

1927 REHOBOTH NEWSPAPER AD

REHOBOTH BEACH 1927 ADVERTISMENT

WILMINGTON NEWS JOURNAL

WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 1927

This is an abstract of a 3 column x ½ page advertisement in the above named

newspaper. Beginning with “Golden Hours Await You Here” . Every form of vacation

pleasure awaits you here at this delightful resort where Pine Groves meet the Sea. Beach

Parties, dancing, swimming, boating, fishing, tennis, golf and hiking. Invigorating sea

air, good pure water, etc. There is no better bathing beach on the Atlantic Coast than here.

Seashore Realty, Henry W. Conant Company, in the Arcade Building , deals in rentals

and insurance.

Hotel Carlton,, newly decorated, hot & cold running water, electricity, in each room.

New bath house free to guest, American Plan.

W. H. Hopkins, First & Olive Streets, offers one large lot on Columbia Avenue, from

street to street, $1000. Lot facing Golf Course, $600. House in the Pines, $2500.

Corner house, overlooking duPont Lake , large rooms, fireplace, four bedrooms at a

bargain. Rehoboth Avenue lots at $800. Cottages and rooms for rent.

Ralph W. Wingate, realtor and insurance, phone 77.

Belhaven Hotel , dancing, George Madden and the Delawareans will furnish music

for the season.. Mrs. M. C. Barnett, Proprietor.

Anna M. Gregorius , Chiropractor, a Palmer School Graduate, at the Merton Hotel

every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, between 12 noon and 5:30 pm.

John R Tyndall, Contractor & Builder. Estimates given, phone 106 Rehoboth Beach.

Ewing Construction Company, Quality Concrete Block and Building Material . Laurel Avenue and Surf. Phone 14.

REHOBOTH DAIRY, pasteurize milk and dairy products. E. F. Seimes,

Wilmington Avenue.

(INSERT) 29 January 1929, Wilmington News Journal: Harry J. Ellis, owner and manager

of Rehoboth Dairies, made a business trip to Wilmington on Friday last.

Rehoboth Garage, First and Rehoboth Avenue, G. W. Joseph, Proprietor, Auto repairing,storage, washing, gas and oil . Largest garage in Rehoboth with reasonable rates.

July and August we have all night service. . Phone 46.

Arcade Toggery Shop. Haberdashery, Cleaners, Pressing in Arcade Building.

R. B. Ingram, Real Estate and Insurance offers a 50 x 100 lot on Hickman Street.

$650.00.

Blue Bird Cottage now open. June & July room and board, $15. In August $18

a week. Rehoboth Ave., ½ block to beach. Mrs Wisch. Box 13

Boarding at Rossanna Cottage on Olive Ave, a block from 0cean. Mrs Lighthall.

On sale a J. S. Boyd's Every Evening News.

Horns Makes It Famous.

The owner of the mid town garage was Gertha W. Joseph, born 12 March 1876 ,

died 18 February 1962, buried Epworth Cemetery. He was son of Alfred M and

Sarah E., Joseph. He was married to Katie D Lynch, had children Alice, Alberta

and Gerturde, perhaps a son Norman. And before 1920 operated a livery stable

where his garage was. .

04/25/18 HARRISON H.

NAVY RAM JET TEST AT FT MILES FIRING RANGE

LEWES' FORT MILES

TEMPORARY TEST RANGE

NAVY RAM JET ENGINE

June 14 1946

The Navy's new 70 pound ram jet engine which is to propel stratospheric missiles at

1500 mph speeds was successfully tested at Fort Miles Thursday June 13 1946 by Naval

Officers and Johns Hopkins University scientist.

The ram jet engine has been developed the past year by U.S. Bureau of Ordnance and the

Johns Hopkins University physics laboratory.

Because of it's form and has no moving parts it is called the “flying stove pipe” and is the

first step beyond the turbo jet.

Repeated attempts to clear the firing range of menhaden fishing craft and fishing party boats

lasting three hours, several rounds of 5 inch rockets were fired as a warning and the area

cleared.

Two types of the ram jets, the 3A and the Cobra were fired which proved conclusively that

the ram jet is a practical method of achieving high speed flight at high altitudes.

Source::

Abstract of Wilmington News Journal, Friday, June 14, 1946 by Harrison H.

CORNER CUPBOARD IN THE PINES AT REHOBOTH

CORNER CUPBOARD

INN AMONG THE PINES

REHOBOTH BEACH, DELAWARE

Tucked away on a sandy street , Park Avenue,    sits the Corner Cupboard Inn,

“the inn that was in before inns were in” under pines known as  Rehoboth Pines.   It gives

the feeling it should be near a mountain lake or Cape Cod.

The inn has eighteen sleeping rooms and a most popular restaurant, or should we

say 'eating place' ? Whatever, they serve Eastern Shore cooking with a bit of southern

flair.

There have been many well known guest hosted almost year after year.

Corner Cupboard has a strict policy regards the guest arrival and partings but facts are

that foreign diplomats and  military attaches and U.S. Government personnel enjoy the

Inn hospitality with world wide guests who enjoy the inviting warmth of a wood burning

fireplace, no signs of a commercial registration desk.    Meals are served either inside or

outside.

Today, the years after 1974, the reputation and popularity is in charge of Elizabeth Gundry Hooper, the niece of Alice and Jessie Gundry who in 1932 opened the place.

Corner Cupboard is special due to the fact that there are no major changes year to year.

The friendly atmosphere is always there. It's like “grandmothers place” of years gone by.

Mrs Hooper died in 1999.

Abstract of James Mewhan's “Rehoboth Beach Memoirs” by Harrison Howeth.

CARMENS SUB SHOP LEWES

CARMEN'S SUB SHOP

LEWES

Carmen's Sub's, aka Carmen's Delicatessen, in Lewes was owned and operated by

Carmen J. Marcone and his wife of 52 years, the former Doris Hunnicutt.

They also owned other fast food shops in Rehoboth and Milford.

Carmen passed away Tuesday, July 19^th, 2016 in Milford. He was born August 22^nd

1923 to John & Pauline Magnelli Marcone of Wilmington.

During WWII he served as a paratrooper in the 503 Airborne Division.

Carman was a member of Delaware's Bowling Hall of Fame and worked at the Milford

Bowl ing Alley later after retirement.

Source: Abstract of NewsZapDe July 27 2016 by Harrison H. 04/06/18 :

A LOVE STORY

This is a love story from a small ranching community out west where there lived a man

and his wife and four children. Not much different that their neighbors, they raised cows, built

fences and did the best they could to keep the little town alive.

The children went to the local school where there were less than a hundred students.

The remoteness of their location gave them strong interdependence among themselves, the

ranchers and townies.

The man and his wife lived in the old family home on the ranch which they had plans to

remodel some day but the whimsical cattle business , routine ranch improvements and the

kids appetite prevented such.

When the youngest son started high school he dared to dream, dream the his wife could quit

her town job and they could spend more time together. For the last 20 years they never tired

for each others company.

Then, the assassin, cancer, drew down and shot out the light of his life.

His grief was deep, the neighbors did what neighbors are supposed to do, they put their arms

around the proud man and his family. They were there, looking after the kids, and him as

grief and loneliness ground away at his broken heart.

The fall his youngest was a high school senior he sold the cow herd since the market was

good and the interest on the ranch needed a payment.

One day Baxter Black got a phone call from his friend asking him to speak at his sons

graduation. Forget the name of the town but there were six in the graduating class.

All of the arrangement were made, the afternoon before the graduation ceremony he has a

a big barbecue , four hundred showed up, and to them he expressed his appreciation to his

friends and neighbors. He never mentioned his loss and heartbreak, everyone already knew.

After the day was over, a few friends, his four kids, him and me, Baxter Black gathered in

the living room. It was comfortable. Never was it asked about his plans now that the last one was out of school, but one could hear the pages of his life turning.

The hand lettered sign hanging on the gate post out front said it all.

“YAHOO ! THE LAST ONE GRADUATED. THANKS TO ALL. RANCH FOR SALE”

Source: The Delmarva Farmer, 3 April, 2018, “On the Edge of Common Sense” Baxter Black

REHOBOTH OLDTIMERS RUTH COWGILL EMMERT

REHOBOTH BEACH OLDTIMERS

RUTH COWGILL EMMERT

Ruth Cowgill Emmert, early Rehoboth restaurateur, opened the Dinner Bell Inn in 1938 with

just four tables, then built it up to be one of the most popular eating establishments on the

Delmarva Coast. Ofter in season a 1000 people per day would take meals there, ofter waiting

in line along the street awaiting a table. Eventually sleeping rooms were added overlooking

her flower garden that added charm.

Her restaurant business provided her means to be a important humanitarian to which role

she excelled.

Ruth Cowgill was Quaker born and raised, she had a desire to help people.. A 'free lunch'

program during the Depression was her idea. During WWII she befriended many homesick

servicemen stationed in the Cape Henlopen area, serving them her famous white cake.

People who worked for her also were treated with respect and she made them feel like family.

Mrs Emmert was active in civic affairs, the Republican Club, Art League and Soroptimist,

and in 1958 was the Delaware Coast Press Personality of the Year. In 1978 Lieutenant

Governor Gene Bookhammer made her Honorary Lieutenant Governor.

In 1974 Ruth Emmert sold the Dinner Bell Inn and continued with her unselfish interest of

which there were many. She loved Rehoboth Beach, the ocean and white sands, blue skies

and nice, friendly people, good food and flowers. The community of Rehoboth Beach

greatly benefited by her presence.

Ruth Cowgill Emmert died August 1987, age 88, in Pennswood Village Community,

Pennsylvania.

Abstract from James D. Meehan's “Rehoboth Beach Memoirs” by Harrison H 04/04/18

for www.delmarhistory.blogspot.com & facebook's 'Growing up in Rehoboth' page.

de Vries Zwannendael

DAVID de VRIES

NOTES

David de Vries was born in 1593 in the city of Hoorn in the Netherlands to a

wealthy prominent merchant family's and was one of many Dutch entrepreneurs who were

establishing colonies in Asia, Africa and Americas. Dutch banks handled a major share

of Europe's money,, Dutch artist, Rembrandt and Vermear painted Europe',s masterpieces.

Leading thinkers, Baruch Spinoza and Rene Descartes, were among the population

Anthony van Leeuwenhoek was making startling discoveries in science. Netherlands shared

a vigorous seafaring heritage with England and had a desire to set colonies in all parts of the

world. The Dutch were leaders, even down to tulips.

In 1624 the Dutch established a colony on a mid Atlantic island they named Manhattan

and within several years there were new settlements along the Hudson River belonging to

the Dutch.

Along with the successful Manhattan and Hudson River settlements came deVries and

several partners to Cape Henlopen and in 1631 a ship Walrus brought settlers to the

Delaware River. When the Walrus arrived settlers erected a wooden stockade on the

banks of Lewes Creek and named the settlement Zwannendael which was also known as the

Valley of Swans. This settlement had been destroyed by native Indians when de Vries made

a return visit a year later. Downcast de Vries buried the bones of the massacred Dutch settlers

and made the decision to abandon establishment of a colony here and returned to the

Netherlands

Source : Michael Morgan, Sussex Journal, Delaware Coast Press, April 4, 2018

Abstract by Harrison H,, April 4, 2018

LYDIA ANN B CANNON MUSEUM

LYDIA ANN B. CANNON MUSEUM

MILTON, DELAWARE

NOVEMBER 1971

The vacant clapboard church at the Broadkill River Bridge on Union Street , a 19^th

century witness of this old shipbuilders town, is now under restoration and soon to become

the Milton Historical Society Museum.

The 109 member society which was incorporated last December was given the old Grace

Methodist Church by Mrs Lydia Ann B. Cannon who as a child went to Sunday School

there.

Histories of shipbuilding and Milton families are to be the themes of the museum, scheduled

to open in the spring of 1972.

John s. Berry, retired from Delmarva Power and Light Company in 1969, is the building

chairman says the museum group hope to obtain, restore and preserve historical items

and memorabilia of the Milton and Broadkill area.

Mrs Cannon is a native of Milton, daughter of a town pioneer, postmaster, a graduate of

Milton High School and Jefferson Medical hospital School of Nursing. She was the

superintendent of nursing education at Milford Memorial Hospital many years.

The church building has been through the ringer, so to speak. Some year ago the Methodist

'split' and became two churches, Goshen and Grace, each building new churches and the

town of Milton purchased the one of our subject. It was once sold to Foley Enterprises

of Gerald Foley and was the home of an manufacturer of electronic items. Mrs Cannon

purchased the building when Mr. Foley died in 1969 and his company dissolved.

Being vacant since then only one stained glass windows has been broken, and the society

intends to restore interior and exterior, the main project is the flooring. The church bell is to

be restored and mounted.

Milton is full of history, records of 250 wooden ships made of Easternshore white oak

built in Milton, and other enterprises as leather tanning, brick factories, and fruit and

processing there of.

Milton is also home to five governors, a Nanticoke Indian village, became Milton in 1807

being named for the poet John Milton.

Milton was incorporated as a town in 1865.

Source: Wilmington News Journal Tuesday November 23, 1971

Abstract: 04/01/2018 by Harrison Howeth

STENGER AND THE DUNE 1970 STUDENT PROTEST.

CAPE HENLOPEN SAND DUNES 1970

JOHN STENGER

The Army's leveling of the “Living Dunes” at Cape Henlopen was brought to a

halt Friday, April 25, 1970, by pressure of state officials and a group of protesting

students from Lewes High School.

An Army official at Fort Meade Maryland announced that the engineers have been called

off the work and told to 'stack' the bulldozers and await new developments.

Governor Peterson and state legislatures are to meet with officials of 1^st Army Headquarters

from Ft. Meade on Monday, April 27^th.

Friday, April 24, about 150 Cape Henlopen students , gathered on the 'Big Dune' that

Company C, 75 Engineering Battalion of Ft. Meade have been leveling the past week.

The students were there at 7 am and met by teacher John Stenger who told the Army he was

holding a science teach in. Stenger told his students the reason for this class is to show how

a natural area can be ruined. And that's all you need to learn today. He said he was not here

to lead a protest just before the student's raced out onto the dune to stop the bulldozers.

Later in the day a biology class of the Kutztown State College join the Lewes students. Police

arrived but no arrest were made but did shut down entrance to the park. More Army brass

arrived and announced the project is at a standstill and ordered the equipment be removed for

maintenance. It was noon when most protesters left the park.

The 70 foot high sand dune was leveled for a trailer park for vacationing service men and is a

1^st Army Recreation Area.

Source: Saturday, April 25, 1970 Wilmington Morning News. Abstract 04/01/18

JOHN STENGER - BEEBE SIT DOWN & SHUT UP

JOHN ROBERT STENGER

1971 NATURALIST AT LEWES

Last night, Wednesday January 27, 1971, at a Lewes Planning Commission Public Meeting

John Stenger, Rehoboth High School teacher, was ordered from the speakers stand by the

Commission's chairmen, Dr. James Beebe, Jr.,

Stenger had said it would take an hour for him to address the ecology and importance of the

dune's near Lewes. An audience of more than 200 was split on the issue whether to hear or

curtail Stenger.

The meeting issue at hand was a proposed development program for Lewes where Lewes

mayor Al Stango and the chairman, Dr. James Beebe, Jr., called for additional changes

that want industrial land use expanded and retained, calling for possible zone changes.

Abstract: Wilmington News Journal January 28, 1971, by Harrison H, 01/04/18