Delmar DustPan

At the 2009 Maryland Fishing Challenge finale nearly 1,500 anglers qualified to participate in today’s grand prize drawing. One of those winners today was Emily Mills of Delmar, Md, who will receive a Chesapeake Bay fishing trip from the Maryland Saltwater Sportfishermen’s Association. Congratulations Emily Mills

Remember in the upcoming week men without facial hair and women with cosmetic applied may go to jail. At the town hall is being sold a badge for $5 each that will keep you from going to jail and incurring a $10 fine.

Remember what happened to Alfonso Bedoya in the film 'The Treasure of the Sierra Madre' when he didn't show his badge

The New Century Club and the town employees have been busy yesterday making another pass at cleaning things up for the 150 year birthday party. New Flower, new mulch etc.

Yesterday my wife and I went to visit our daughter in Germantown Maryland. Once on I-495 we decided to spend a few minutes browsing the Ikea store at exit 25, well as everyone knows you don't just spend a few minutes in an Ikea store and you also don't leave empty handed. It has been a while since I had been in a store that aimed at this household furnishing style and market - great prices, good designs, and bright colors. A lot of their goods today are made in China and a Swedish name stuck on it but it is still refreshing. It is also a well designed store from a marketing standpoint. You wander and wander and the closer you get to the checkout registers the more small, impulse-buy items are displayed. After about two hours I finally got my wife to leave and we toted our things-we-didn't-know-we-needed-until-we-went-to-Ikea back to the car.

Today in 1883, Mabel Vernon was born in Wilmington, Delaware. Mabel Vernon was among the most militant suffragists. She was a Quaker, a strong supporter of women's rights, a member of the American Woman Suffrage Association and a member of the militant wing of the organization. She was known for her audacious demonstrations during major presidential addresses. Vernon interrupted President Wilson’s July 4, 1916 speech, when he spoke at a labor, gathering by asking, “Mr. President, if you sincerely desire to forward the interests of all people, why do you oppose the national enfranchisement of women?” Wilson ignored her question.

After Wilson's closely contested reelection in November 1916, she and other NWP activists secured front-row gallery seats for his annual address to Congress. During the speech, Vernon and the others unfurled a suffrage banner from inside Vernon's coat, an action that won publicity across the country. Vernon was also among the first group of NWP women sentenced to brief terms in the District jail when she was charged with obstructing traffic while picketing the White House in June 1917. In 1920, women won the right to vote

Vernon died on 2nd September, 1975.

For those who may want to follow some suffrage stories, Rhonda Tuman in Georgetown does a blog called Celebrate 90 Years of Woman Suffrage

Yes come tomorrow it will be here once again - Talk Like A Pirate Day As much as you may have hoped it would just fade away tomorrow you will no doubt hear a few; Avast, me hearties, Ayyyy Matey, Yo-ho-ho, Thar she blows! (strange that expression would be used on Delaware Pride day) and the ever popular "arrrgh".

Today at 9 AM starts the two days sale at the two chicks barn out on Columbia (Delmar Sharptown Road). Should be some good stuff I am getting ready to go out and look at it now.

On Sunday the Sesquicentennial Parade will start from the High school at 1 PM. I understand they have over 70 entrants in the parade. The Parade will go south on 8th Street, at State Street it will turn west and march down State street to Pennsylvania will it will turn south to Mason Dixon Park.

The Delmar Sesquicentennial Program Booklet is out. At $3.50 a copy they are a great buy and at $3.50 you get 62 pages of Delmar History and facts. At that price you can afford to pick up a few extra copies and mail them to your sons and daughters who no longer live in the area. They are sold at the local banks and town hall.

I trust everyone noticed the News Journal article on Delmar's 150th anniversary . If not the on-line version is here.

I was down to Salisbury today looking at a graveyard that contains a Great Great grandfather of mine - a gentlemen (at least I hope he was a gentlemen) named John Hastings. Now the grave yard is located on Hastings Street which is between Locust and Vine Street. It is in an area that is blue collar and have a number of small homes that have been there for a long time. It is also in the section of Salisbury known as Rabbit Gnaw.


Rabbit Gnaw is east of the railroad tracks and South Salisbury Blvd and continues east to about Snow Hill Road and north to Buena Vista Street and south to Washington Street, if you go by boundaries. Rabbit Gnaw started about the 1900's and was a blue collar area for workers that worked at Jackson Shirt Factory and a few lumber mills in the area. Today maybe they work at Pepsi Cola plant. It was a rough area (may still be) but when I lived on Roger Street, which is part of Rabbit Gnaw, I didn't have any fear traveling around the neighborhood so maybe fear is more an adult thing than a child thing. The Salvation Army was established in Rabbit Gnaw because the neighborhood did have a reputation of being rough and poor.

My new neighbors bought the house across the street and have spent and continue to spend a small fortune fixing it up. They are from the western shore and plan to use it as a "summer" home. Yesterday they came riding in on their bikes so I figure they are here for bike week.

I received an email with a copy of the current Double Mills newsletter attached to it. It was an interesting newsletter as all of their newsletters are. The current copy has an article on One Room School houses by Stephanie Elliott and an article about Lester Elliott of Delmar when he drove a school bus in the 1940's. The newsletter is focused on restoring Double Mills but many of the articles and photos are orientated to Delmar and west of Delmar. Interestingly no where on their web site do they give directions as to how to get to Double Mills. The Mockingbird Vol II #4 had a good article on the Canning House located in Columbia Delaware.

On October 3rd they will have a Double Mills Corn Festival from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. at Wright’s Market in Mardela. From their newsletter it says; There will be games, prizes, corn “maize,” face painting, Silly Willy the clown, pumpkin decorating, and stagecoach rides. Plus antique farm equipment, antique cars, Civil War encampment, live music, great food, and shopping!

There will be a Double Mills version of “Antiques Roadshow” going on throughout the day. Bring your antiques and have them appraised by Charlene Upham Antiques—price
is $6 per item or 3 items for $15 !

One of the highlights of the festival will be the Corn Pageant and the crowning of the Corn Prince and Corn Princess. Children ages 4-7 are invited to compete
in the contest. Each contestant is asked to wear outfits or costumes pertaining
to corn, and they will be judged on their answers to a few standard questions and also on how well their outfit reflects the corn theme. All participants are asked to pre-register by emailing stephanie@doublemills.org or calling 302-846-0643.

I was sorry to hear that George Truitt passed away yesterday. He was one of the community leaders of Delmar for the past 70 years. I think he was involved with most of the organizations in town over the years and made numerous attempts with his own money and time to create a Delmar Historical Society.

Picked up From This Day in Delaware History today;

1861 Caleb Ross, son of former Delaware Governor William Ross, died of typhoid fever in Confederate service as an enlisted man in the 9th Virginia Cavalry in Big Spring, Virginia near Luray.

1864 Pvt. Henry Canning, drummer boy of Co. F, 2nd Del. Reg., died of scurvy in Andersonville Prison in Georgia.

Today's facts were compiled by historian Roger Martin and brought to you by the Delaware Public Archives.

I would have to say tonight's meeting was inconclusive as to if the town wants a casino.

There was about a five minute presentation on the casino

There were about 50 to 60 people there. About 16 or so people spoke with a breakout of about 10 against and six for. There were five write-in comments and they were all against so those that commented had 15 against and only 6 for. As expected those who were in favor of a casino were going for jobs and a larger tax base. Those in favor of the casino were also connected with the fire department or did not live in Delmar Delaware. One comment made was that if the casino was in Delmar Delaware the town could control what it did - yea - that is why Woodcreek development fills the town meeting room - because the town thought it could control a developer. Those against a casino wants to keep the small town favor of Delmar. Since it was going against the opinion of the Mayor and Council a show of hands as to who was in favor of the casino was asked for and there were more people in favor of the casino in the audience then against maybe 27 to 25. Again the majority of those who held their hands up for the casino did not live in Delmar Delaware. As I said there was no clear cut winner in this. A public referendum was requested but the Mayor and council were non-committal on that. The meeting lasted about an hour.

The Delmar Field Hockey team is selling a 48 X 70 SOFT, THICK, FLEECE DELMAR WILDCAT BLANKET as a fund raiser. At $40 each they are a good bargain. Show your school spirit and buy one from any Delmar Field Hockey Player or the Blankets will be available at home football games! The money goes to support the Delmar Field Hockey program.

THANKS YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

As you may be aware tonight the Elected Officials of the Town of Delmar is hosting a Public Hearing at the Delmar Fire Dept., Bi-State Blvd. and Grove St. Delmar, DE at 7:00 p.m. The purpose of the hearing is to receive the community input regarding future considerations for potential economic development plans (they want a casino) within the corporate limits of Delmar. Residents will be granted an opportunity to state their support in favor or concerns against the possibility of a Casino being located within the Town. For individuals unable to attend the hearing, written comments can be forwarded to the Town of Delmar, 100 S. Pennsylvania Ave. Delmar, MD. 21875 or email: townmgr.delmar@verizon.net.

Now since this meeting is at the Fire Department and the fire department and the mayor and half the Delmar Delaware council have come out in favor of a casino it is like holding the meeting on biased territory. Altho I will be there to speak against the casino simply because I don't think it is a good image for Delmar, I do expect the fire department to run their volunteers thru to speak in favor of it, giving the appearance of the town being in favor of it.

I saw in today's 'Daily Times' that Ashley Rowbottom of Delmar has received her doctorate degree in Physical Therapy from UMES. Congratulation Ashley!!!

On Sunday September 12, 1943 the American Legion of Delmar presented the Town of Delmar with a memorial plaque for the 271 men and women from the Delmar area who was serving in the Armed Forces in 1943. As listed in the September 10, 1943 edition of the Bi-State Weekly these are the men and women on the memorial plaque that was available at that date, it is not the total 271 that were presented a week later. I have no idea where the memorial plaque went. Since the war would continue for another two years and more men and women from our area would have joined I assume it was considered outdated and disgarded. Roland E. Galusha had a gold star by his name as he was killed in action.

Carlton M. Adkins
Howard L. Adkins
William Lewis Adkins
William L. Atkinson
Mark M. Atkinson
Roy R. Aydelotte
James Bacon
Cecil W. Baker
Lee P. Baker
Raymond J. Baker
Warren W. Baker
Carroll S. Barr, Jr.
William K. Beach
George W. Beasley
Charles Beauchamp
Stanley J. Boyle
Charles H. Brittingham
Doris H. Brittingham
Oscar E. Brown
Harry N. Burrows
Cecil J. Burton
Willis E. Burton
Paul Bramble
Joseph N. Byrd
Samuel L. Byrd
Jack H. Calloway
Marion H. Calloway
Maurice E. Cannon
Everett T. Carey
Richard L. Carey
John P. Caulfield
James T. Caulfield
John E. Collins
Luther C. Collins
Carlton J. Conoway
Edward C. Conoway
Oliver L. Cook, Jr.
Charles H. Crowley
Clayton D. Cugler
Walter G. Cugler
William S. Cugler
Richard E. Cullen
William J. Curdy
Harry B. Cutter
Albert U. Davis
James W. Davis
Paul J. Davis
J. A. Dennis
Mitchell F. Dennis
Olin W. Dennis
Paul H. Deshields
Donald M. Dickerson
Joseph C. Dickerson
Paul L. Dickerson
John M. Disharoom
William R. Draper
George W. Duncan
James R. Dutton
Alvin A. Elliott
Alvin E. Elliott
Calvin J. Elliott
George W. Elliott
William M. Elliott
Jackson P. Ellis
Leslie E. Ellis
Paul K. Ellis
Samuel M. Ellis
William H. Ellis
James deFelice
Sewell R. Fields
Harold W. Figgs
Henry G. Fisher
William H. Fisher
William E. Fitzgerald
David J. Foskey
Guerney G. Gaines
Irving R. Gaines
Robert E. Gaines
Tennyson W. Gaines
William C. Games
Amos C. Galusha
*Roland E. Galusha
Bayard J. Gordy
George J. Gordy
Howard W. Gravenor
Charles A. Green
Oswald W. Green
Lloyd V. Hall
Eugene F. Hammond
Louis M. Hartman
Carlton J. Hastings
Clyde T. Hastings
Clifford L. Hastings
George H. Hastings
Glen T. Hastings
Howard E. Hastings
Louis M. Hastings
Odell M. Hastings
Ralph H. Hastings
Willis D. Hastings
Vaughn E. Hitchens
Robert B. Hayman
Edwin T. Hearn
James Hearn
John W. Lavater Hearn
William E. Hearn
William H. Hearn
William M. Hearn
Omon Higgins
Paul E. Hill
James R. Hitchens
M. L. Hitchens
William W. Hitchens
Alvin T. Hoffman
Joseph S. Holden
George E. Hopkins
Levin J. Horsey
Thomas W. Horsey
Elston G. Hovatter
Paul A. Howard
Thomas O. Hoxter
Marion C. Hudson
George W. Hudson, Jr.
Everett R. Hutchison
James A. Johnson
Robert P. Johnson
C. William Jones
E. G. P. Jones, Jr.
George Kerekesh
Mike Kerekesh
Peter Kerekesh
George W. Kirk
Chester R. Lake
Norman E. Layfield
William Leadbetter
Linwood C. Lecates
Robert W. Lecates
William M. Lecates
James H. Long
Joseph W. Lowe
Edward H. Lynch
William S. Marvel, III
James S. McAlister
Paul H. McAllister
Ralph C. McCain
Clarence L. McCaine
Robert McCain
Brian C. McLaughlin
John T. McLaughlin
Elsie Northam Meyer
Roland L. Mills
Walter T. Mills
Luther W. Mitchell
Milton E. Mitchell
James C. Morris
William A. Morris
William R. Morris
Benjamin H. Mitchell
John H. Martin
Charles W. W. Mitchell
William R. Neff
Robert L. Neill
William W. Neill
Charles S. Nelson
Sylvia B. Nichols
Francis E. Nunvar
George H. Oliphant
William W. Parker
Robert W. Pennewell
John W. Penuel
James A. Penuel
Earl G. Perry
Davis N. Phillips
G. Wright Phillips
Joseph H. Phillips
Luther L. Phillips
William J. Phoebus
Charles Powell
Irving Powell
Robert E. Powell
James R. Powell
Robert O. Pote
William T. Pritchett
Paul A. Pusey
Maurice C. Reddish
Fred I. Rider
Harry P. Ring
Jenn W. Roberts
Charles V. Robertson
Calvin E. Ross
George E. Ross
Henry C. Ryall
Robert H. Ryall
Frank B. Sample
John W. Sample
Kathryn E. Sample
George O. Searcey
John D. Searcey
Lewis S. Selby
Margaret C. Sherwood
Carroll Smith
Joshua J. Smith
Millard C. Smith
Oliver K. Smith
Ross M. Smith
Clarence T. Smithers
Earl L. Smullen
George W. Sparrow
Walter J. Stephens
Robert R. Stewart
Arthur R. Studley, Jr.
Norman G. Sullivan
Norris H. Sullivan
Orville H. Sullivan
Walter G. Sullivan
Joseph L. Superka
Peter Tamburino
Curtis Taylor
Howard F. Taylor
James L. Taylor
Walter E. Teets
Joseph E. Tinley, Jr.
James E. Thompson
James R. Truitt
Louis H. Truitt
Elmer R. Twilley
Levin C. Twilley
Robert J. Vincent
Wilton C. Wailes
George B. Walker
Howard T. Waller
Glen W. Ward
William T. Ward
Earl F. West
Henry P. White, Jr.
John F. Whitley, Jr.
Raymond B. Wilkinson, Jr.
Francis P. Williams
Melvin L. Williams
Howard M. Wilson
Isaac A. Wingate
Samuel B. Wright
Melford L. White

DNREC Fish and Wildlife staff discover evidence of sturgeon spawning in Delaware River

Division of Fish and Wildlife personnel conducting sturgeon sampling on Sept. 9 at Cherry Island flats on the Delaware River made a rare find: a tiny, month’s old Atlantic sturgeon - the first direct evidence in nearly 50 years that Atlantic sturgeon are still spawning in the Delaware. Although adult sturgeon can attain lengths of up to 14 feet, this young sturgeon weighed less than 1 ounce and was 7 inches long, small enough to fit in an outstretched hand, and was most likely born this spring.

More than 100 years ago, the Delaware River sturgeon population was the largest and most profitable sturgeon fishery along the East Coast. However, overfishing, poor water quality, and habitat degradation caused population levels to currently hover at a tiny fraction of what they once were. Numbers are so low that Atlantic sturgeon have been recommended for listing under the Federal Endangered Species Act and are listed as state endangered in Pennsylvania and Delaware.

Sturgeon are anadromous, meaning they live in saltwater as adults but migrate into their freshwater birth-river system to spawn. Spawning occurs in the spring from April to May. The new offspring live in freshwater for the first two years of their life before venturing into the ocean. Adult males mature in 12 to 14 years while females mature in 18 to 20 years.

Since 1991, the Division’s sturgeon program has captured and tagged more than 2,000 sturgeon. Several individuals have been implanted with transmitters that provide data on habitat use, home ranges, overwintering areas and coastal movements. This important data is necessary to establish habitat protection and someday restoration of this important species.

The Division of Fish and Wildlife is interested in sturgeon sightings and tag reports. If you have caught one or recently seen a carcass, please contact Matt Fisher, Fisheries, 302-653-2887.

The Junior class at Delmar High School are selling tent canopy raffle tickets as a fundraiser. The tent is a 10 X 10 Blue pop up tent canopy with an orange Delmar Logo. Show your school spirit while enjoying the shade. Tickets are $2 each or 3 for $5. They can be purchased through the school or a junior Class member. The tent canopy will be given away at half time at the football game on November 13th.

Click to enlarge
Delmar Alumni Association

It looks like there are two good evenings over at Delmar High School next week. On Wednesday September 23rd there will be a dinner theater. They will have the first show at 5 PM followed by dinner from 6 PM to 7:30 PM and a second show at 7:30 PM. The theater part will be a program and chorus sing. You know how good Delmar School chorus is so it should be good. The dinner part promises to be just as great. The culinary arts club (about thirty some students) will serve Chicken and crust, Ham and cabbage, and Beef and dumplings. Nothing low cal here, my kind of food. Tickets are $8 Adults, $7.50 Seniors, $7 students, $5 for under ten. Sounds like a good value. Tickets can be purchased from the school office, town hall or any culinary arts student

On Thursday September 24th at 6:30 at the high school there will be FREE lite fare coffee, tea, and pie and a historic reading about the high school by Dr. Bastian. The food again served by the culinary arts club.

Those people who have filed to run for Mayor of Delmar Maryland are; P. Douglas Niblett and Thomas McGuire. Those people who have filed for the two Commissioner spots are; Carrie Williams, Carl Anderton, Jr and Nicole Schafer. So the incumbents are re-running for their positions and we have two new people who have thrown their hats into the ring. There will not be a primary election instead with this number of people they will go direct to the main election on November 17th.

We know about the incumbents, Thomas McGuire has been appearing to a few joint council meetings. He has also been busy volunteering to paint sidewalk curbs in town so he has gotten some name recognition. Nicole Schafer is new, I don't recall her but I understand she is a young person who lives on Chestnut street. I glad to see her involved in the election process.

I welcome anyone who would like to post statements on my blog about these candidates to do so

According to the school calendar there is a Delmar School District Board of Education meeting tonight at 7 PM. No agenda for tonight is posted on their website.

The Auditor of Accounts did an audit on Colonial School district in regards to the use of a supercard held by the District’s Superintendent, Dr. George Meney. The school uses a VISA card program for procurement and/or travel purchases. The program is called the SuperCard Program: one card with purchasing and/or travel options, on the same card. There was an allegation that the Superintendent of Colonial School District improperly used his State SuperCard.

As usual in the Auditor's report the man's name is never referred to only his title (District Superintendent.) At times I have to say Tom Wagner is a wimp. His findings were;

During the period of July 1, 2007 through May 30, 2009, the District’s Superintendent made 163 purchases totaling $10,094.15 on his State SuperCard. Purchases included conferences, gas, car washes, and meals. Meals included breakfasts to conduct business with District board members, educational foundation members, members of the public, and employees of the District as well as other school districts. One hundred thirty-two (132) transactions for $7,500.55 were for in-state meals.

His Recommendation; The Board should perform, at a minimum, an annual review of the Superintendent’s SuperCard spending and personal expense reimbursements. This could be performed in conjunction with the Superintendent’s annual performance review.

My question is why should the taxpayers of that school district pay for these people's meals. If they are out-of-state on a trip, yes, but in state and probably local let him pay for his own meals, and the people with him pay for theirs. Delaware has a number of insulting situations from the outlandish pay school officials (including the University of Delaware and DelTech) receive to these type of "perks". Yet they come crying about how they have to cut back on their budget and how it is going to effect the students. Bullshit they don't give a damn about anything but lining their pockets and acting like little kings.

Today was the day of the Delmarva Antique Bottle show - actually bottles, sea glass, insulators and about everything else collectible. It has normally been held in Lewes at the Cape Henlopen High School but since they are doing construction on the school the show moved to Midway at the Beacon Middle school. I took RT9 over and saw about a zillion Briggs-King campaign signs and a couple Robinson campaign signs. Also a large number of Woolly Bears caterpillars. As usual they are out this time of year crossing roads and paths. According to superstition or fact, the number of them and the amount of black in the caterpillar's bristle coating forecasts the severity of the coming winter. Thousands will die on the roadways today.

This is a well attended event. It draws a lot from New Jersey, I assume due to it being held in Lewes (close to the Lewes-Cape May ferry, altho I think bottle collectors will travel any distant to attend a show. I view it's popularity as it downfall as it is just too crowded for me. I was there by 9:30 and by ten you had to fight to get next to a table to look at the "stuff".

Sea Glass seems to be a big thing now. There seems to be some selling point as to where it is from - East Coast, Chesapeake Bay etc. The "frosty" look is due to the lime and soda in the glass leaching out by being in the water for 40 or so years.

always popular are insulators

Shilling's from Salisbury was there

Gateway Books from Hebron was there