Delmar DustPan

I see there is mention of Matt Campbell, a junior infielder from Delmar, Md., on the Seahawks baseball rooster at the University of North Carolina Wilmington.

Over at Contracts Prof Blog (It is on the side bar) they refer to a contract for Sarah Palin to appear at a June Fundraiser, hired by California State University Stanislaus. At first the University refused to disclose the amount paid but a Judge ordered them to do so. The answer is $75,000 for three hours' work, in two payments of $37,500. The University was also on the hook for her accommodations and travel expenses, which included two first class tickets and two unrestricted coach tickets. Other tidbits; a spotlight directly on the Speaker should be avoided. Unopened bottled still water (2 bottles) and bendable straws are to be placed in or near the wooden lectern. The contract to speak is here.

Well this is actually a couple of mornings ago. I had a cardiac stress test on Friday that was no big deal. The drawback is no caffeine for 24 hours prior to the test. I normally have had about 8 cups of coffee by 10AM so no caffeine for 24 hours was a big deal for me. I don't ask for much in the morning; a scrapple sandwich, coffee and a little Old Crow and I am set for the morning. I arrived at the lab with a headache from no coffee hoping the injection I would receive would counteract it but it didn't. My normal cheerful outgoing pleasant personality was displaced by a grumpy person, altho my wife said she didn't see any differences. Anyway the day was shot from that adventure so I missed some blogging.

Below is a couple photos of the morning walk. It has finally gotten cool enough to enjoy walking again. Pond's Edge has a service road in the back of the property that is Okay to walk on. There are a couple of collapsed buildings, the Goldenrod and some form of Rudbeckia was out in force.

The Laurel High School Marching Band will host their first annual tournament of bands competition tonight starting at 5 p.m.

Admission $5; children under 3 years are admitted free. Proceeds will go to the Laurel Performing Arts Department's various programs.

Bands from the three Delaware countries plus some neighboring Maryland bands will perform their 2010 field show on the Laurel football field.

From the State Register March 5, 1942

The chimney fire in the Masonic Temple of Delmar lent a realistic atmosphere to the tests in the stateline town. Firemen worked in the darkness and air raid wardens were given their first bonafide job of dispersing some 200 spectators who had gathered to watch the fire.

Mayor LeRoy T. Lockerman of Delmar supervised 135 men in the defense of the town and ambulances service and first aid facilities were given a trial. Off to the south could be seen the dull glow of Salisbury, Md. but out of Sussex County all was darkness, said Mayor Lockerman.

Tom McGuire sent me a couple photos of the sloppy trash pickup made on the Maryland side of town this week. I drove around a couple streets on the Maryland side of Town today and it looks like at each spot the trash truck stopped at, there was a line of trash that fell out on to the street. Supposedly Town Hall has contacted the trash company (Chesapeake Waste) but I would be surprised if anything is done about it.

Last Wednesday I went to the Snow Hill Library to listen to a talk given by Eleanor Mulligan on the Women's Industrial Exchange. The Women's Industrial Exchange I knew nothing about but thought it might be interesting and it was. Eleanor Mulligan gave an excellent presentation of the subject. She amplified on the exchange movement talk by going into a number of time-related subjects.

As we know the United States has had constant economic up and down swings thru out it's history. In the 1830's there was also economic problems resulting in the male bread winner being bankrupted. The woman of the house hold had no way to earn money without the disgrace of working outside the home in a factory. As Eliza Doolittle said in "My Fair Lady" " I sold flowers; I didn't sell myself. Now you've made a lady of me, I'm not fit to sell anything else." So short of selling themselves the other skill they were trained in was fancy hand goods, fancy lamp shade, china painting, linen and other hand crafted popular in that period. In 1832 a depository for such items opened in Philadelphia so those items could be sold discretely. This movement spread across the states and territories and there were shops in a number of places to sell these items. The Woman's Industrial Exchange began shortly after the Civil War in the home of Mrs. G. Harmon Brown of Baltimore, where women brought their handwork to be sold to local citizens and visitors. Mrs. Harmon's endeavor was part of a nationwide Exchange Movement to help "gentlewomen of diminished means" to discreetly earn a living.

The Woman's Industrial Exchange of Baltimore City (333 N. Charles St) continues today as a non-profit organization that was founded in 1880, incorporated in 1882, and continues to serve the same mission of providing local people the opportunity to earn income by selling handmade items to the public. The Maryland State Legislature incorporated the organization "for the purpose of endeavoring by sympathy and practical aid to encourage and help needy women to help themselves by procuring for them and establishing a sales room for the sale of Women's Work."

Perhaps one of the memorable items about the Woman's Industrial Exchange of Baltimore City was the restaurant. It was a relic of that genteel age when a lady simply never appeared in public without gloves and a hat, the Exchange was a step back to a time of Chicken salad, tomato aspic and cucumber sandwiches (without the crust, and ice cream with a chocolate sauce. Also memorable was a group of waitresses who started there in the 1930's and continued working there until they were in their 80's and 90's. They always used that Baltimore tradition of referring to you as "Hon." When "Sleepless in Seattle" was being filmed in Baltimore, the producers of the film discovered the place and was fascinated by the waitresses - to the extent they were a bit of a pain. One waitress (in her 80's) told them not to worry about her as she was preserved in aspic. Marguerite Schertle (93), one of the waitresses, was even given a part in the movie. The restaurant however closed about 2005. I have heard of another restaurant going into the building (Dogwood's).

Most of those 19th-century Woman’s Exchanges have closed now. The remaining ones open are;
Brooklyn Women’s Exchange in New York
Woman’s Industrial Exchange of Baltimore City in Maryland
Woman’s Exchange of St. Louis in Missouri
Woman’s Exchange of St. Augustine
Woman’s Exchange of Memphis in Tennessee



The window of Woman's Industrial Exchange of Baltimore

Eleanor Mulligan pointed out that much of her presentation came from the book
"The Business of Charity: The Woman's Exchange Movement, 1832-1900" by Kathleen Sanders.

Acorn Collection Day on Oct. 16 seeks volunteers

DOVER- (Sept. 17, 2010) –With acorns in abundance this time of year, volunteers are needed for DNREC’s 6th Annual Acorn Collection Day being held from 9 a.m. until noon, Saturday, Oct. 16. Volunteers will collect acorns from places where seedlings would not generally be able to grow – along trail edges, open spaces and roadsides – at two Delaware State Parks and the Smyrna Rest Area.

Acorn Collection Day is the perfect opportunity for families and youth groups to volunteer, gain community service hours and help Delaware’s environment. Since the volunteer event was initiated in 2005, nearly 2,300 pounds of acorns have been collected.

The acorns will be scattered in reforestation areas to grow on their own. The oak trees will expand wooded areas and forested corridors that provide valuable habitat – shelter and food – for many native wildlife species.

Three collection sites, one in each county, will have bags and collection materials for volunteers.

New Castle County
Lums Pond State Park
1068 Howell School Rd.
Bear, Del. 19701
Meet at Area 2, first parking lot

Kent County
Smyrna Rest Area
5500 DuPont Highway
Smyrna, Del. 19977
Meet at the building entrance

Sussex County
Holts Landing State Park
Holts Landing Road
Millville, DE 19970
Meet on Marlin Drive (left of entrance)

Pre-registration is encouraged by contacting Lynne Staub at (302) 735-3600 or by email, Lynne.Staub@state.de.us.

To learn more about volunteer opportunities with the Division of Fish and Wildlife, visit www.fw.delaware.gov/volunteers.

I met a fairy today who said she would grant me one wish.

"I want to live forever," I said.

"Sorry" said the fairy, "I'm not allowed to grant wishes like that!"

"Fine," I said, "In that case, I want to die the day after the Democrats get their heads out of their asses!"

"You crafty bastard," said the fairy.

Historical Re-enactment of the Philadelphia Campaign of 1777 at Brandywine Creek State Park

GREENVILLE (Sept. 16) - During the weekend of Sept. 25 and 26, the rolling hills of Brandywine Creek State Park will be transformed into a Revolutionary War battlefield. More than 1,000 historical re-enactors from New Hampshire to South Carolina will recreate the Battle of the Brandywine, one battle in the pivotal Philadelphia Campaign of 1777. The Revolutionary War re-enactment is hosted by Brandywine Creek State Park and the 2nd Virginia Regiment.

From 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Sept. 25, and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sept. 26, the re-enactors portraying both British and Continental soldiers will be set up at their camps in the park. At 1:30 p.m. on both days, the re-enactors will conduct a battle demonstration. The troops will face off and fight over American independence, immersing onlookers in the action. The groups will also perform military drills, field music, cavalry demonstrations and artillery drills on both days.

Other special programs and events are scheduled. On Saturday, there will be a court martial in the park’s pavilion followed by a living history presentation. Noah Lewis plays the role of Ned Hector, a black revolutionary war hero who fought for American Independence in the Continental Army. On Sunday, there will be a Church Call at the pavilion at 10 a.m. followed by a memorial service for long-time park historian, Lee Jennings. Jennings was the inspiration for the award-winning living history programs that are offered throughout Delaware State Parks. Ongoing programs about the life of a soldier, 18th-century medicine, children’s games, discussions and more will also take place in the pavilion, as well as a ladies’ social.

Merchants, or “sutlers,” from Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia and Ohio will bring items for sale from food to clothing and other accessories. Historical interpreters dressed in authentic clothing will be on hand throughout the park to answer questions. A working camp kitchen will be in the Continental Camp with kitchen cooks available to answer questions about what soldiers ate during the 18th century.

In August 1777, British General Howe landed at the northernmost spot in the Chesapeake Bay and marched toward Philadelphia. After a skirmish with the Continental forces at what is now Cooches Bridge, the British continued their march and clashed with George Washington at the Battle of the Brandywine on September 11, 1777. After defeating Washington, the British marched into Philadelphia. The Battle of Cooch’s Bridge was the only Revolutionary War battle to take place on Delaware soil.

Tickets are $15 per car, per day. Delaware State Parks Annual Pass holders will receive a $2 discount. Two-day tickets may be purchased in advance, by Thursday, Sept. 21, for $25. Two-day ticket holders will also receive VIP parking in a lot adjacent to the event. Tickets and more information are available by calling 302-655-5740 or visiting www.destateparks.com/revwar2010.

Brandywine Creek State Park is located three miles north of Wilmington at the intersection of Delaware Routes 100 and 92. The entrance is on Adams Dam Road. More information about the park and its programs is available at 302- 655-5740 or www.destateparks.com. More information about the 2nd Virginia Regiment is available at www.secondvirginia.org.

Today marks the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month in Delaware. It goes from September 15th – October 15th, 2010.


STATEMENT IN OBSERVANCE OF HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

Whereas, Delaware has a long history of welcoming immigrants and becoming home for people from all over the world; and

Whereas, the Hispanic presence in the First State dates back before 1529, with the first mapping of the area that today bears the name of Delaware; the map drawn by Diego Ribero; and

Whereas, Hispanics have served in every conflict since the Revolutionary War, serving with honor and distinction and making invaluable contributions through their service to our country; some have given their all and all have given some.

Whereas, Hispanics have made great contributions to the quality of life in the First State through their work in many fields such as law enforcement, healthcare, education, science, art, music and athletics; and

Whereas, members of Delaware’s Hispanic community have succeeded in finding the delicate balance between retaining their cultural and ethnic heritage while establishing themselves as an integral part of American life; and

Whereas, the Hispanic community shares the core American values of love of family, strong work ethic and religious faith; and

Whereas, Hispanic Heritage Month is the period set aside each year to celebrate the life, work, culture and traditions of Hispanic Delawareans.

Now, Therefore, We, Jack A. Markell, Governor,
and Matthew Denn, Lieutenant Governor,
do hereby declare September 15th – October 15th, 2010

HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

In the State of Delaware and urge all Delawareans to join the Latin America Community Center in recognizing the importance of this observance, and the contributions of the Hispanic community to the First State.

Jack A. Markell
Governor

Matthew Denn
Lieutenant Governor

An Afternoon with Elsie: A ninety year old waitress?
Are you serious?
Eleanor Mulligan speaks about the Exchange Movement at the end of the 19th century which gave an enormous boost to women as well as the American economy.

From the century’s outrageous styles and social development, the country’s status grew from primitive conditions and the horror of the Civil War to the establishment of the Red Cross and women emerged as a gentle power the nation recognized.

Wednesday, September 15 at 2 pm Snow Hill Branch

The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is hosting one of
the nation’s largest gatherings of small boat enthusiasts
and unique watercraft at the 28th Mid-Atlantic Small CraftFestival from 10am to 5pm on Saturday, October 2. More than 100 kayaks, canoes, paddle boats, rowing shells, sailingskiffs, prams and one-of-a-kind boats will be on display and in the water throughout the family-oriented event. The event includes a boat competition, craft workshops, boat building demos, children’s activities and sailing, rowing and paddling races throughout the day.

Boat owners hailing from throughout the country will offer boat building demonstrations while also participating in the races during the event. Awards will be given for traditional and contemporary design and construction, restoration, and paddling craft, with special awards for peoples’ choice, experimental and 1st launching.

The Museum’s Boat Yard staff and instructors from the Chesapeake Wooden Boat Builders School will also be on hand to offer maritime demonstrations.
The Mid-Atlantic Small Craft Festival is free to Museum
members and children five and under – otherwise admission is $13 for adults, $10 for seniors, and $6 for children ages 6 to 17. For more information, call CBMM at 410-745-2916, or visit www.cbmm.org/MASCF.html.

Root Doctors, Midwives, and Granny Doctors
Crisfield Library
Thursday, November 4 1pm

There was a time before hospitals, synthetic medicines
and technology when people lived closer to the
earth, when plants and herbs were more than ways to
color our gardens, decorate our homes, and brighten
our culinary efforts - they were the difference
between life and death. In the hands of skilled folk
doctors, these humble, amazing plants sustained life.
Discover what miracles thrive in our own backyards
and by roadsides as we learn about these medical
remedies.

The Lower Delmarva Genealogical Society will hold a symposium on Saturday, November 6, 2010 at the Holiday Inn (formerly Ramada) On US Route 13 south, Salisbury, MD. from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The fee is $40, registration by September 30th, $50 late registration or walk ins, coffee and pastry included. No scrapple sandwiches. A buffet lunch will be available for attendees at the Holiday Inn restaurant for $12.

See the data sheets below, click to enlarge

click to enlarge

You can not help but notice, riding down State Street, how bad the old "Flower By Hearn" property looks with the overgrown weeds. Where are the code enforcement people?

Well I voted at the primary this morning. Hell of a choice. One old guy who has held public offices forever and is part of the problem and one younger woman who has never held an elected office in her life and wants to step in and be a Senator.

The war of 1812 was well into its second year, and things did not look promising for the 16 United States of America. Despite the repeated violation of American ships that precipitated the war, it was not a popular conflict. Many Americans referred to it disdainfully as "Madison's War", Attorney Key among them. As it had dragged on the people of the United States tired of the conflict and opposition to the war had grown. Then, on August 25, 1814 it became personal. General Robert Ross and 4,000 combat veterans of the British Army had marched almost unopposed into the Nation's 14 year old capitol city of Washington, D.C. When they left the following day the city was ruined, every Federal building burning or in ashes, the President and his wife hiding in nearby Virginia after narrowly escaping capture.

After destroying the Capitol and heady with their easy victory, the British headed north into Maryland. With them they took an elderly and well respected American physician, Dr. William Beanes. Dr. Beanes was accused of spying, and was taken as a prisoner aboard the British Flag ship Tonnant anchored in Baltimore harbor. The remaining population of Washington, D.C. feared that the beloved doctor would be hanged and appealed to attorney Francis Scott Key to intervene. On August 27th President Madison slipped back into what remained of the Capitol and gave Mr. Key an official sanction. On September 3rd Key and Colonel Skinner, who was experienced in negotiating prisoner exchanges, sailed for Baltimore. They reached the Tonnant under a flag of truce on the morning of the 7th and had been held as prisoners themselves ever since. The release was secured on September 13th, but Key was detained on ship overnight during the shelling of Fort McHenry, one of the forts defending Baltimore.

On September 14, 1814, U.S. soldiers at Baltimore’s Fort McHenry raised a huge American flag to celebrate a crucial victory over British forces during the War of 1812. The sight of those “broad stripes and bright stars” inspired Francis Scott Key to write a song that eventually became the United States national anthem.

Colonel Armistead, commander of Fort McHernry, commissioned Mary Youngs Pickersgill, a local seamstress and flag maker to make two flags for Fort McHenry in 1813 - a large flag and a smaller one to fly in bad weather. She was paid $500 for both flags, the large one being 30 x 42 feet, so it could be seen from a great distance. She was asked to sew a flag with 15 stars and 15 stripes, the number of states then in the Union. Armistead anticipating an attack on Fort McHenry by the British during the War of 1812, asked that the flag be made extra large so that it would be plainly visible to the English Fleet. He had also hoped the large flag would lift the spirits of the Baltimoreans, allowing them to see this flag fly in defiance of the British.



United States Code, 36 U.S.C. § 301, states that during a rendition of the national anthem, when the flag is displayed, all present except those in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart; Members of the Armed Forces and veterans who are present and not in uniform may render the military salute; men not in uniform should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold the headdress at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart; and individuals in uniform should give the military salute at the first note of the anthem and maintain that position until the last note; and when the flag is not displayed, all present should face toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed. The national anthem is also played on U.S. military installations at the beginning of the duty day (0600) and at the end of duty day (1700). Military law requires all vehicles on the installation to stop when the song is played and all individuals outside to stand at attention and face the direction of the music and either salute, in uniform, or place the right hand over the heart, if out of uniform. Recently enacted law in 2008 allows military veterans to salute out of uniform, as well.

The song itself is difficult to sing. It has been totally messed up by amateurs and professionals, but mostly at ball games where celebrities try to turn it into a stage act.

Well it is along way from big city crime but in the past week there has been a number of Breaking and Enterings in Delmar and just outside of Delmar. As Reported on Crime Reports (on the side bar down by Delmar Police);

06 Sep 2010 8900 BLOCK EXECUTIVE CLUB DR Delmar PD
09 Sep 2010 9300 BLOCK COLONIAL MILL DR Delmar PD
09 Sep 2010 1200 BLOCK LOCHWOOD CIR Salisbury PD
11 Sep 2010 300 BLOCK E MILL POND LN Salisbury PD
13 Sep 2010 100 BLOCK W STATE ST Delmar PD


Crime Reports Version 2, which I do not think is as good as version 1, now shows where register sex offenders live on the map.

As many of you may know Norman Hastings of Laurel has a petition drive asking state officials to drop the no-prison plea deal with former Laurel schools finance director William S. Hitch Jr. I spoke with Mr. Hastings today to find out where the petition was so I could go sign it. He commented that the State attorney office is trying to get him to drop this petition drive. Attorney General Biden's reasoning points out that no other suspect with a clean criminal record would receive a prison sentence where there was no violence and the suspect agreed to pay back the missing money. I think I can name a number of them in Delaware who are serving prison Time or had served prison time. There is also that ridiculous article in the News Journal that says Hitch's sentence was just, but he should pay more and the movement to petition the AG to sentence Mr. Hitch to jail time smacks of vigilantism. So there you go, any honest man asks for justice and the News journal calls him a vigilante. For that reason alone I would first, vote against Biden and second, sign the petition.

For those who may want to sign this petition Mr. Hastings has asked you call him at 302-875-5853.

Some of you who read the Wilmington Delaware News Journal may have saw the full page ad placed by Daniel G. Anderson of Rehoboth Beach. In the ad he says of the 789 Chrysler Dealerships closed, when the Federal Government (us, the taxpayers) bought Chrysler to keep them out of bankruptcy, "788 had donated money exclusively to Republican political causes, while contributing nothing to Democratic political causes." He went on to say Steve Rattner, the car czar who decided these closures, is married to Maureen White, former National Fiance Chairman of the Democratic National committee, which has campaign donation records from everyone in the nation.

However this story has been going around since 2009. The website Snopes says they looked into it and found nothing to back the story up. So why would this man spend a great deal of money on an ad whose contents many say are false? There seems to be many real true scandals on Steve Rattner that could have been printed that other people would have backed Anderson on. Never-the-Less it is good to see someone back their thoughts with their own money and not mine, maybe that is the lesson Democrats need to learn.

Embezzlement continues and in the news below are two recent arrest;

DSP News Release: Employee Arrested for Embezzling over $900,000.00
Location: Bayside Builders, Rehoboth, Sussex County, DE
Date of Occurrence: January 2006 to April 2009
Suspect: Katie McCorry, 43, Greenwood, DE

Resume:
Delaware State Police have arrested an employee after she was indicted for embezzling money from her employer.

Troopers arrested McCorry yesterday after she was indicted on 70 counts of forgery, 7 counts of felony theft and 3 counts of failure to pay state taxes. The investigation revealed that over a 7 year period McCorry was employed as a bookkeeper and wrote checks out to herself from the company. The amount she embezzled from the company totaled over $900,000.00

She was committed on $132,500.00 bail pending an appearance in Superior Court in and for Sussex County.

NEWS RELEASE: Ex-Kenton Treasurer arrested for theft and forgery

Wilmington – The Department of Justice announced that Stephanie Mickle, the former Treasurer of Kenton, Delaware, was arrested today by Special Investigators from the Attorney General’s Special Investigations Unit and was charged with 3 counts of Theft over $50,000 and two counts of Forgery Second Degree. Mickle’s arrest follows an investigation into embezzlement, theft, and forgery of town documents.

“Our office will continue to be a watchdog over public funds.” Attorney General Biden stated. “The Department of Justice Special Investigations Unit worked hard on this case, and with the cooperation of the Auditors Office we’re helping the town of Kenton retain its financial integrity.”

The case was investigated by the Attorney General’s Fraud and Consumer Protection Division following an early June, 2010 referral by the State Auditor’s Office, which had conducted an audit at the request of Kenton town officials. The agencies’ investigations revealed that Mickle made herself Town Manager with forged town Council Meeting documents and then proceeded to sell the town’s cell phone tower easement and access those funds for personal use. Investigators also learned that from 2008-2010, approximately 900 fraudulent financial transactions were made by Mickle, who as Kenton Treasurer had complete control of the town’s bank accounts. Mickle used debit cards, checks, computer transactions, and electronic transfers of funds to pay personal expenses, including previous court-ordered restitution. The total financial loss to the Town of Kenton ranged from $188,000 to $200,000.

Mickle was transported to Delaware State Police Troop 9 for processing and was video arraigned by JP Court 2. She was committed to Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution in lieu of $63,000 secured bond ($13,000 for each Theft charge and $12,000 for each Forgery charge).


Now both of these cases appear to have sent the alleged embezzler to jail due to their inability to post bond, unlike William Hitch. I am sure the lawyer they will obtain will cite the William Hitch case often. With no jail time and no fine plus Hitch only has to pay it back at $50 a month (it will take about 251 years to repay the stolen money) this should set a precedent for the other two embezzlers. The reason for punishment is it acts as a deterrent to other people who may think of doing the same thing. With the ridiculous legal system we have in Delaware there is no reason to think these two will receive anymore than a slap on the wrist.

I recently purchased this. It is Miss Helen Frances Chipman's graduation announcement. Her and the other four graduates were to graduate on May the 19th at 8 PM at the Elcora theater in Delmar. A good class motto of "To be actors, not spectators", a motto the voters of Delmar, Delaware are in dire need of.

The other four students were;
Elsie Franklin Hearne
Arva Luce Marvel
George Merle Nelson
Samuel Hearn Culver

Last year Double Mills had their first annual Corn festival and it was great. This year the 2nd Annual Double Mills Corn Festival is Oct. 2, 10-4 at Wright's Market and I expect it will be as good, if not better, than last year.

This year they will be selling program books that will have receipes and articles in it. Anyone wishing to buy an ad for the Corn Festival Program book, can submit your graphics ASAP. Ads are $50 for a whole page; $30 for a half page; and $20 for a quarter page. I think they should contact Stephanie (stephanie@doublemills.org) ASAP for additional information.

Activities include: lots of fun things for kids - games (lollipop pull, duck pond, corn relay, corn pool, corn toss), crafts, kiddie train, pumpkin decorating, scarecrow making, corn maze, tractor track, corn-on-the cob-eating contest (if corn available), face painting, balloon art, etc. For the adults, live music from Lost in Time bluegrass band (award-winning), and the Gigtones, featuring WBOC's Charlie Paparella. Stagecoach rides will be available again this year for all ages, and hopefully we'll be able to rustle up some old cars and farm equipment again. There will be demonstrations (blacksmith, corn shucking, corn grinding, textiles), craft vendors, local authors, as well as GREAT FOOD by Jerry Fletcher's Catering, and an adult corn-on-the-cob eating contest (if avail.). Silent auction and white elephant sale will also be held. Also again this year we will be having the antiques appraisal by Charlene Upham & Steve Blumenhauer, natiionally certified estate appraisers. Appraisals are $6 per item and 3 for $15. Admission to the festival is a donation of $3 per person. Any adult who brings an antique for appraisal will get in free. Also, any family of 4 or more (mom, dad, and children) will only be charged $10. All proceeds from the festival will go directly toward the new foundation and the "Bring Down the Mill Campaign."

Double Mills grist mill is the last water-powered, turbine driven mill on the Eastern Shore, and the last grist mill of any kind in Maryland's 3 lower counties. One million dollars will need to be raised to save it for future generations to enjoy.

Another example of taxpayers dollars and censorship.

The Defense Department is attempting to buy the entire first printing - 10,000 copies - of a memoir by a controversial former Defense Intelligence Agency officer so that the book can be destroyed, according to military and other sources.
Read On

Bonanza, the western television series, started on NBC today, September 12, 1959 and ran until January 16, 1973. I think it may be the TV series with the most restaurants names coming from it. In 1963, Dan Blocker, who played Eric "Hoss" Cartwright on Bonanza started the Bonanza Steakhouse chain. In 1968, Dan Lasater, Norm Wiese and Charles Kleptz founded Ponderosa (named for the Cartwrights's ranch) in Kokomo, Indiana. I am not sure when they started up, but there is a chain of Hoss's Steak and Sea Houses. I think the numerous Little Joe Restaurants were already in existence before the Bonanza TV series. All we are waiting for now is a chain of Hop Sing steakhouses.