davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Smyrna times., 1947-12-11
TALKS
AT POST MEET
c. A. BurrOus, Vice Command
er Delaware Department
Makes Appeal
CALLS FOR MEMBERS

Because the American Legion is
the exponent of democracy, honor
ably discharged veterans should
join the Legion, Charles A. Bur-
rous, Jr., Smyrna, vice-commander,
Department of Delaware, Ameri-
can Legion, told about $50 men,
bers of Delaware Post, No. 1,
American Legion, Monday night.
Speaking at the post meeting,
Commander Burris outlined the
reasons for becoming Legion
naire. The American Legion, he
said, believes in the majority to
rule, the minority to criticize, and
both to cooperate in emergencies.
Mr.. Burrous spoke of the senti-
ment imbedded in the minds and
hearts of veterans and noted their
"justifiable' pride in service to
their country. Veterans should
join the Legion for patriotic rea-
sons, he said, for the Legion pro-
notes patriotism which must live
forever. The American Legion, he
added, has helped the veteran, the
community, the state and the ma
ton and does not discriminate in
it's help. Realizing this, he con-
tinued, veterans should be honest
enough to support the Legion.
Selfshness, he said, does not find
favor with God nor with man. He
urged the veterans to support the
Legion and to help one another.
The speaker was introduced by
John E. Finan, commander Of Del
aware Post. In line with the good
neighbor policy, the veterans called
upon their neighbors and invited
them to attend the meeting. An
honored gust was Lee Bradbury,
Wilmington district commander.
and refreshments
followed.
Smyrna times., 1947-12-11
FROST HURTS HOLLY
Late Spring Frosts Kill Holly Ber.
ries in Delaware

Holly, like many other crops this
year in Delaware, is suffering from
the effects of the late spring frosts
which killed off the berries on the
holly trees except in high areas.
This was announced by State For
ester w. S. Taber, who added that
scores of people are now busy in
the annual harvest of holly for the
Christmas season in lower Della
ware. The work of making wreaths
is nearly complete. Artificial ber-
ries were used in most of them.
Records in Taber's Office indicate a
big increase in the amount OF holly
prepared for large commercial dec
Grating purposes. Most of this
holly, both in sprays and wreaths,
is treated for preservation before
being shipped. At present three
processing plants are operating
downstate.
Smyrna times., 1947-12-11
OSTROM WILL
HEAD BOARD
Attempt To Increase Effective
Educational Service
For Youth
LOCATED IN DOVER

In its program to develop an in
creasingly effective educational SER
vice for youth, the State Board of
Education has approved appoint
ment of Stanley R. Ostrom as
state director of guidance to CO.
ordinate and integrate the guild
ance activities in the state. The
appointment of Mr.. Ostrom marks
a milestone in the program de-
veloped under the leadership of DR..
George R. Miller, Jr., state super
intendent of public instruction, to
make the educational facilities and
personnel more adequate to meet
the needs of the youth of Della
ware, it was explained. Prior co
this appointment, Mr.. Ostrom was
an instructor at Syracuse Univer-
sity where he taught courses in
guidance and was the graduate
adviser to masters degree candi-
dates. He. was the state supervis-
or for the guidance program on the
secondary level in North Dakota,
and has had experience as a high
school teacher and principal. Mr..
Ostrom received his B. A. degree
from Concordia College in Min
inesota and his M. A. degree from
the University of Minnesota.
Further graduate study was taken
at Syracuse University where the
major portion of the requirements
for his e. d. D. degree has been
completed. He has written sever
al articles for publication in the
guidance field, and is affiliated with
professional organizations. The Di-
vision of Guidance will be located
in the State Department of Public
! instruction offices at Dover.
Smyrna times., 1947-12-11
First Presbyterian Church

First Presbyterian Church, Rev.
Walter G.. Hards, minister, an
nounces: Sunday School at 10 am.
The Book of Revelation is the most
difficult New Testament book to
understand, yet one of the most
blessed. Beginning this Sunday,
we shall study for the rest of the
month in this book. If you are in
terested, join us. The Church and
Sunday School is open to all.
Topic for this Sundays lesson:
Religion Is Worth What 1t Costs" "
Divine worship at II a. m. Ser
mon topic: "How To Meet Tempta-
ton" The church choir will sing
at this service.
Smyrna times., 1947-12-11
STATE GROUP
HOLDS MEET
Speaker Pays Tribute To
Judge John Bassett Moore
In Talk
ELECT OFFICERS

Ebe Walter Helm, Jr., of Alden,
Pa, was elected president of the
Sons of Delaware at the organiza-
tion's fifty-sixth annual banquet
Monday night in the Hotel Barclay,
Philadelphia The dinner meeting,
attended by about 200 persons, was
in commemoration of Delaware's
ratification of the Constitution.
Mr.. Helm, resident vice-president
of the New Amsterdam Casualty
Company in Philadelphia, is a Mas
on. a member of the Union League
of Philadelphia, the Aronimink
Country Club, and the First Pres
byterian Church of Lasndowne.
Heads School Board
He is president Of the Alden
Board of Education and the Board
of Visitation of the Delaware
County Panel Institutions, a di-
rector of the Family Society of
Delaware County and past presi-
dents of the Insurance Society OF
Philadelphia. Other officers elect
ed were: George F. Coulter, first
vice-president; Avery D. Harring-
ton. second vice-president; John E.
Harper, secretary; Louis Duhada-
way. treasurer! A. o. H. Grier,
historian; Robert l.. Taylor, Her.
man Anderson, Capt. George An
derson, Jennings Hood and John V.
Postles. members of the board of
governors.
Discusses Judicial Systems
Judge John Biggs, Jr., of the U.
S. Circuit Court of Appeals, was
the principal speaker. He was in
troduced by Ruby r. Vale OF Mil
ford and Philadelphia. In his talk
on judicial systems of this country
Judge Bigs discussed the subject of
international law, paying tribute to
the late Judge John Bassett Moore,
a native of Smyrna. During the
meeting memorial tributes We're
paid the late William w. Smithers
and Albert T. Handy, members OF
the board of governors who died
during the past year.
Smyrna times., 1947-12-11
CHANGE STATE
GUARD UNITS
Personnel of Guard Units To
Be Increased; Arms
Provided
GUNS ARE MOVED

Conversion of the two battalions,
736th Gun Battalion and the 945th
Automatic Weapons Battalion, of
the 198th A.A.A. Group, Delaware
National Guard. from semi-mobile
to fully mobile units has been au-
thorized by the National Guard Bu-
reau. At the Office of Brig. Gen.
Paul R. Rinard, the adjutant gen.
eral, it was announced the fleet of
military trucks of the two battal-
ions will be augmented about go
per cent in each case. The person
mel of the units will be increased
and newer arms will be provided.
100 Trucks
The trucks of the 736th Battal-
ion, with units in Wilmington, New
Castle, and Newark, will be in
creased from 35 to about 120 and
the trucks of the 945th Battalion,
which includes Dover, Milford,
Georgetown, and Laurel, from
about 40 to rs vehicles. Staff and
cars, and mostly
two and one-half trucks are in
cluded in the additional equipment
to be received. The order provides
for new table of organization as
to personnel and arms, also, and
will bring the 198th A.A.A. Group
into conformance with the latest
practices of high speed mobile war
fare.
Guns Moved
Two of the 90-millimeter anti
eircraft guns, which have been at
the New Castle County Airport,
have been moved to the State
Armory, for gun crew instructions
of Batteries A and B of the 736th
Gun Battalion, Lieut.. Col. John B.
Moore executive officer of the
group, said. Capt. John w. Ellis,
adjutant of the group, announced
Dec. IS will be the last armory
drill until Jan. 5. during the Christ
mas holiday period. A board has
been set up for examination of
qualifications Of men of the group
for assignment to duty. The board
consists of Ca2ts. Chalfont. c. c.
Hadring, Joshua M. Bennett, Will
liam o. Smith, and First Lieuts.
Nom an F. LeFevre ard James
McCic skey.
Smyrna times., 1947-12-11
ANSWER FIRE CALLS
Two Chimney Fires Reported in
Vicinity of Smyrna

Members of the CitizeAs Hose
Company responded to three
alarms over the weekend. Two
chimney fires were reported: one
on Friday at Twin Willows, house
occupied by William D. Jolly, own
er, Charles Ewing; the other on
Saturday evening, on the Kenton
Road, occupant, James Dean; own
er, Mrs. Emma Lapham. On SUM-
day there was a blaze in an oil
stove at the home of Mrs. Ray
mond Moore on Mt. Vernon Street.
Smyrna times., 1947-12-11
TO HOLD DRAMA CLINIC
Georgetown High School To Con
tinue Plan of Study

A drama clinic for Kent and Sus-
sex County participants in school,
church or community dramatic
production work will be presented
by the University of Delaware
Dramatic Center on Monday, De-
cember Is at Georgetown High
School, DR.. C. Robert Kase. Direc-
tor of Dramatics at the University,
announced recently. The clinic idea,
originated in the state last year, is
being continued at the request of
the Delaware Dramatic Associa-
tion, whose president, Miss Vir-
ginia Wiley, is Director of Dram
atics at Georgetown High School
and is host for the clinic. The Uni
versitys Academic Extension Divi-
sion is cooperating in the program.
Smyrna times., 1947-12-11
ENGAGEMENTS ANNOUNCED
Donovan Cubbage

Mr.. and Mrs. j. Stewart Dona-
way of Clayton announce the en-
gagement of Mrs. Donaway's s
daughter, Miss Virginia Frances
Donovan, to Mr.. James L. Cub
bage, also of Clayton. Miss DON
ovan, the daughter of the late Mr..
Clifton ]. Donovan, is a graduate
of John Bassett Moore High School.
Mr.. Cubbage is the nephew of Mr..
Linford Clark, Clayton. He was a
member of the Army Coast Artil-
lery Corps and served SO months in
the Pacific theatre.
Smyrna times., 1947-12-11
PLANS READY.
FOR SANTA
Chamber of Commerce Plans
Gala Affair For Children
of Two Towns
LIGHTS TURNED ON

Hundreds of children of the
Smyrna-Clayton area are expected
to turn out for the big Santa Claus
parade next Saturday. Santa
Claus, in person, will be the main
attraction, and he has announced
that he will arrive with gifts for
all. Accompanied by the Citizens
Hose Company Band, he will be the
feature of a parade in the two
towns, with local organizations
and business houses entering floats
in the procession to honor the spir-
it of Christmas. The committee in
charge has completed the plans for
the gala day in the twin communi-
ties, with st. Nicholas scheduled
for arrival in Clayton at 2 pm. and
in Smyrna at $3.50 pm. Town Off
cials have announced that there
will be no parking allowed on
Main Street from Commerce to
South Streets between 2 and 5 pm.
Saturday. The committee has est
imated that there will be more
than 1000 children on hand, with
their parents, to talk to Santa and
to receive gift from him. The
parade will be followed by cere-
monies on the steps of the PostlOf-
fee in Smyrna.
Towns Cooperating
The town governments of both
Smyrna and Clayton are cooperat-
ing to the fullest with the Chamber
of Commerce in granting reduced
electric rates again this year for
those wishing to decorate during
the holiday season. Each town
has also installed special holiday
lighting in the business districts.
A special committee of the Cham
ber of Commerce will select judges
to award prizes for the three best
lighted home exteriors during the
holiday season in Clayton, and the
three best in Smyrna, as well as
prizes for the most attractively
lighted business exteriors in the
two towns.
Turn on Lights
Lights for the Christmas season
were installed Monday, December
1. The bulbs were lighted last
Saturday under the direction of
Town Manager Leslie l.. Maxwell
The decorations include a 25-foot
lighted Christmas tree in the Gen.
ter of the Four Corners. Again
this year, six lighted trees have
been placed along the DUPONT
Boulevard through the town, fea-
ture which caused much favorable
comment by motorists last year.
At that time the installations were
the only lighted trees along the
highway in any town south of Will
mington. The Christmas lighting
includes wiring the tower of the
Town Hall above the town clock
and the top of the fire house. These
lighting features are easily visible
from the highway. Yule decora-
tions have also been set up by mer-
chants in the business section. The
large tree in the center of town
and the six Parkway trees were
presented to the Town by the
Frederick Lodge, tourist home,
north of Smyrna.
Smyrna times., 1947-12-11
Letter
from
Santa Claus

(The Smyrna Times this week re-
ceived the following letter from
Santa Claus himself, and we re-
print it so that all the children of
Smyrna and Clayton may know
that Santa will really be here next
Saturday,:
Dear Children:
I guess you all must know what
a busy fellow I am along about
this time every year. 1t seems as
though poor Mrs. Claus and I just
can't find time enough to get
everything done. Sometimes peo-
pie say that they wish they had
my job because they think that !
work only one night year. And
I just laugh and think of all the
preparations that Mrs. Claus and !
are making all year round. This
year has been a little worse than
ever. You see, Dancer and Pranc-
er have been sick in bed with the
flu, which has been very bad up
here at the North Pole this winter.
But Mrs. Claus is very good doc
tor and we have managed to get
them on the road to recovery SO
that they will be able to make
their usual calls on Christmas eve.
Then too, we have all the letters
which you boys and girls send us,
to read and we have to fill the or
order for all the things you want.
That's why I felt very badly when
I got the letter from your wonder
full Clayton Chamber of
Commerce a couple of weeks ago.
Mrs. Claus, said, they want
me to come way down to Smyrna
and Clayton, Delaware to talk to
the children down there. They're
going to have a arade a-G the
Firemen's Band will be there.
That's NICE, Mrs. Claus told
me, "I know how you love pa
rades,.
"That's just the trouble. I'm so
busy that I don't know if I'll be
able to get there thus year..
Mrs. Claus gave me very dis
gusted look and said, Santa, my
dear, I can see that you're getting
old. When you were couple OF
hundred years younger, you
thought nothing of going to thirty
or forty parades in a day.
IT should say I. am not getting
old", told her, "I'll sit down right
now and write a letter to all those
children down in Smyrna and Clay
ton, so that they'll know I'll be at
their parade without fall.
And that is how this letter hap
pened to get written.
1 will be in Smyrna and Clayton
next Saturday afternoon and I ex-
pect to see you all there to say
hello to me.
! Until then,
Affectionately,
Smyrna times., 1947-12-11
TO GIVE PAGEANT
Christmas Pageant To Be Present
ed In Clayton

An invitation has been extended
to residents of Clayton and vicin-
ity to attend a Christmas pageant
Sunday evening, December IA at
7:30. The program will be present
ed by the Methodist Youth Fellow
ship of st. Paul Church in Clayton.
The Junior Choir of the church has
prepared a program of special mu-
sic. Robert Holloway, president of
the Peninsula Conference M. Y. F.
will install the newly-elected offic-
ers at the beginning of the service.
Smyrna times., 1947-12-11
LEGION HOLDS
INSTALLATION
Clifton ]. Jones Installed As
Head of Local American
Legion Post
SCOUT BAND APPEARS

On Tuesday evening, December
9, at the goth Century Club, Smyr-
ma, the newly-elected officers of the
David c. Harrison Post, No. ID,
American Legion, We're installed
by DR.. Carl ]. Rees, Depart
ment Commander and the men,
bers of his Staff. officers in
stalled were: Clifton ]. Jones, COM
mander; Albert F. Lambertson,
Harry l.. Robinson, and Davis G..
Turner, Vice Commander; Mrs.
Clara E. Sparr, Adjutant; William
l.. Pleasanton, Jr., Assistant Ad-
jutant; Rev. Alexander E. Dough-
erty, Chaplain; ]. Harper Jones,
Finance Officer; Miss Alberta S.
Cornelius, Historian; Charles C.
Jones, Sergeant at Arms; Albert F.
Lambertson, Chief Ambulance
Driver and Custodian of Ambul-
ance; Herbert I. Benway and John
c. Still, Jr., Executive Committee
men. The retiring commander,
John F. Herbert, Jr., was present.
ed the Past Commanders button
by Mr.. Charles A. Burrous, Jr., past
commander of the Post and at
present Department Vice Com
mander. Mr.. Herbert, who is a
Sergeant of the Delaware State
Police, responded, and later acted
as master of ceremonies.
Music by Boy Scout Band
The Boy Scout Band of Troop
135, Smyrna, under the leadership
of B. P. Osbon, made its first pub
lie appearance before large
group. Mr.. and Mrs. Edward Ever
hart sang several selections, ac-
companied by Miss Alice Jane Mat
thews at the piano. William S.
bud" Wilson, played number
of his own compositions on the
piano. Guests of the Post were:
DR.. Clarence ]. Prickett, Mayor of
Smyrna; Robert K. Dunning,
Vice-President of the Lions Club;
DR.. Ralph B. Jones, President of
the Rotary Club; Guy Edmondson,
President of the Citizens Hose
Company; Mrs. Thomas Russell,
local Girl Scout Leader, and men,
bers of Girl Scout Trops; Boy
Scout Troop 1876 and the Scout
Band; William Short, Scoutlnaster,
and Earl Buck" Ford, Assistant
Scoutmaster; Col. and Mrs. w. E.
Lank and Mr.and Mrs. George Col
Inns of Milford. Col. Lank is a
Past Department Commander. The
following Legionnaires from Penn
Continued on Page Eight)
Smyrna times., 1947-12-11
KENT ALUMNI MEET
County Members To Meet In Leg.
isIatiye Hall

Ernest F. Smith, Jr., of Kenton,
president of the University of Del
aware's Kent County Alumni Club,
announces that the December IL
meeting of the club will be held at
7:30 p. m. in the House of Repre-
sentatives chamber in Legislative
Hall. Dean David L. Arm of the
University's School of Engineering
will be the speaker. Dean Arms
talk is to include a report on the
University today. Also on the pro-
gram will be motion pictures of the
Delaware Muhlenberg football
game.
Smyrna times., 1947-12-11
Cancel Xmas Party

The Christmas party scheduled
on the program of the Twentieth
Century Club will not be held. The
next meeting of the club will be on
January 9 with the program ar
ranged by Mrs. Joseph Ennis,
chairman of American Homes.
Smyrna times., 1947-12-11
Death of Mrs. Martha Downham

Mrs. Martha Jane DoWnham, age
"a, of Westmont, N. ]. and FELTON,
Del, died in Smyrna on December
s. She was the widow of the late
Robert John Downham and is snr-
vived by her sister, Mrs. Mary
Newton of Dover. Funeral ser,
vices will be held on Thursday
December II at 1 pm. at the Fun
eral Chapel of w. A. FAIRIES ano
Son with Rev. Hughlett of West
mont, N. j. officiating. Interment
will be in Lakeside Cemetery
Dover.
Smyrna times., 1947-12-11
HOmemakers Meet

The Smyrna Homemakers Club
will hold it's annual Christmas
party on the evening of Thursday,
December 18 at 800. The party
will be held at the home Of Mrs.
Roland Faulkner.
Smyrna times., 1947-12-11
GRANGE SUPPER TONIGHT
Smyrna Grange To Hold Covered
Dish Supper

The Smyrna Grange will hold
their regular meeting following a
covered dish supper to be held to-
night (Thursday) at $50. The sup
per committee includes: Mrs. Irene
Parry, Mrs. Blanch Short and Mrs.
Florence Goldsborough.
Smyrna times., 1947-12-11
ST. PETERS CHURCH NEWS
To Hold Christmas Treat For Chill
dren on Monday Night, Dec. 20

Regular services will be held on
Sunday at st. Peters Church.
church school at 10 a. m. and
morning prayer with sermon by
the Rev. Percy Donaghay at IL
la. m. The children's Christmas
treat for members of the church
school will be held on Monday, De-
cember 29 at z p. m. at the parish
house. The Advent box, mis-
sionary project Of the Woman's
Auxiliary, was sent this week to a
mission in Virginia.
Smyrna times., 1947-12-11
SEARCH FOR
NO. 1 CITIZEN
Ballots To Be Placed About
The Town To Receive
Nominations
TO BE NAMED IN JAN.

Ballots and ballot boxes will be
placed about the town in the near
future to receive nominations for
Smyrna's Outstanding Citizen,
1947. The search for the Number
one citizen, sponsored by the Smyr-
ma Lions Club is now under way.
The committee, which consists of
Representatives from outstanding
organizations within the town, has
as its members, the following: Mrs.
G. Harvey Wright, Twentieth Cen
tury Club; Miss A. Louise Denney
Smyrna-Clayton Chamber of COM
merce; Rev. Robert E. Green,
Smyrna Rotary Club; Clifford
Jones, Citizens Hose Company, No.
1; C. A. Burrous, David c. Harri-
son Post, American Legion; G.
Preston Poore, the Smyrna Lions
Club.
Named in January
A Lions Club spokesman earlier
stressed the point that it is not al
ways the person who heads COM
mittees, drives, etc., who is out
standing in his service to the COM
munity. 1t may often be a person
whose deeds are little known. Any
member of the community may
make a nomination to members of
the committee at any time. NOM
nations may also be made by bal
lot. The Outstanding citizen" will
receive a gift and an outstanding
certificate for the year 1947, which
will be presented at a public func-
tion, plans for which will be an
nounced later.
Smyrna times., 1947-12-11
PROGRAM At CLAYTON

Everett Meredith To Be Guest
Speaker For Club
The Clayton Century Club will
meet Thursday, December 18th, at
8 P. M, at the home of Mrs. A.
Edward Dougherty. A Christmas
program under the direction of
Mrs. A. Edward Dougherty and
Mrs. Ray w. Kirwan will be Pre-
sented. Everett Meredith will be
the guest speaker. All members
are requested to attend.
The Detroit tribune., 1947-12-13

women's League at the Paradise
Bowl.
The total score gave 2,327 TO
Frolic girls and 1867 for the
ladies representing Supreme
Linen. Supreme won the last
game by one pin. 733-734 with
a 25-pin spot. Faye Johnson was
high among the two teams.
The Detroit tribune., 1947-12-13
Xmas Activities Launched
At CIeiss Memorial Center

Baptist Church Will give parties
FOR the primary groups of GlelsS
Sunday the River Rouge Baptlsi
Church Will journey 10 Detroit q
share Christmas Experience
with GleiSS youths.
On, Monday. the 18th, Gleis,
VIII holds IFS Christmas festival
for all parents and children in at.
tendance, and the many pl a y $
staged in small parties viii be
blended IN one.
On the 10Th Of December. Tn,
Phalathea Sunday School class OF
jefferson Avenue Baptist will hold
a party for the Jewels Of Gleiss
On the 18th. the Jefferson church
woman's society will share z
Christmas party with the women
OF Gleiss Community Club.
On the 18th. The Grand Rive
Church VIII hold a party for thC
Nursery Children. On the 18th
also, the Second Baptist Church
Will hold a party for the Juniol
High boys and girls
And on the 20th. the Northwes
tern Church will entertain 70
another group Of juniors T he
girl scout party for Christmas
will be held on Dec. p.
The Detroit tribune., 1947-12-13

NJ. and Mrs. L T Red ck
(she IS the torme Miss Marian
Dickersonl celebrated then FIRST
wedding anniversary Nov 80 at
the home OF Mr and Mrs Rob
e., Brown 1910 W Kirby par-
ents Of the wife.
Little friends ot Master Reg
inalG Collins az wilkins street.
helped HIM celebrate his 6ih
birthday Thursday by accom-
psnying him on a trip 20 Tov-
land enc ot the downtown
department stores then ~ ihe
theatre
Mrs Ls,u France 81 900
Brewste noW ot 1924 7 Euclid
lost Hc Noth, Ms Marie
Chambers, 81 Wao passed away
Friday He funeral Wll 3, neli
a. Nj Sine Baptist Crarch
She survived bv son n
New Yark three grand chA.
dren ans ggcat sraChllo a
niece Ruth Wake and nep-
hew. JOHNNIE Walker in addition
10 he daughte VI France
Friends Of r J Fisher Well
known coal dealer ~ 1886 Viii
kins are ENJOYING hearing him
recopn, the eXpe caccs ot ais
recent trip 81 Jacksonville Fla
and o'neg cites r TIC South
land IT,. was ~ Fshcr- 9irsi