davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Smyrna times., 1955-12-08
ROTARY HEARS
MRS. KILLEN
Former School Teacher Was
Guest Speaker At Club
Thursday Night
TAUGHT AT SEVERSON'S

The Smyrna Rotary Club had
as their guest speaker on Thurs
day night Mrs. Salida B. Killen,
a former school teacher of days
gone oy. Her recollections OF
students of sixty-one years ago
were told. Clarence S. Collins,Sr,
and Rynear Slaughter, two OF her
former pupils, were present.
Matthew ". Ford, who was Mrs.
Killen's Sunday School teacher at
Severson's Church in the Bay
View section of Kent County
many years ago, also attended the
dinner meeting. An active grang-
er for many years, Mrs. Killen is
the possessor of commendation
for over fifty-four years of service
in the Patrons of Husbandry. She
also holds a certificate of penman-
ship issued in 1896 by the Della
ware State Fair. Her presenta-
ton to the Rotarians also includ-
ed reciting poetry and several
readings given in a clear, firm
voice. DR.. c. j. Prickett respond
ed to her tale of her memories.
Mr.. Slaughter was chairman OF
the program, and Howard Pletsch
presided. Birthday greetings were
extended to Mr.. Pletsch and Clyde
Underhill. DR.. Prickett was Sc
lected as the Rotary Club repre-
sentative to the committee of
judges for the uotdoor Christmas
decorations of homes. Alden Short
was a visitor from Georgetown.
Mr.. Collins and Mr.. Ford were
guests of Mr.. Slaughter, and Mrs.
Killen, of the club.
Smyrna times., 1955-12-08
CHILDREN'S BUREAU PROGRAM
DISCUSSED FOR KENT COUNTY

Grange; Mrs. Robert Belber and
Mrs. Leon Tabb, of the Smyrna
Clayton JaneCees; Harry Shortt,
and Leonard Hitch, of Smyrna
Lions Club; Miss Ruth Ellen
Reihm, Smyrna-Clayton Business
and Professional Womens Club;
and Mrs. Henry C. Webb, Twen-
tieth Century Club. With this
group as a nucleus it is proposed
to hold another meeting in, Janu-
ary to which representatives of
other groups in the Smyrna-Clay-
ton area will be invited, at which
time plans for the continuing pro-
gram for an annual campaign will
be outlined. Miss Townsend and
Mrs. Mcconnell told of the work
of the bureau, answering ques-
tions posed by the group, and
emphasized need of financial sup
port by Kent County in the care
of the children which come under
the bureaus guidance.
Smyrna times., 1955-12-08

Representatives of several SER
vice and civic clubs and other
organizations of Smyrna met at
Belmont Hall Monday night to
talk over with officials of the
Children's Bureau of Delaware
plans for a campaign for funds
from Kent County, outside of
Dover, for the work of the bur-
eau. Mrs. Majorie w. Speakman,
hostess at the meeting, presented
Miss Elizabeth Townsend, execu-
tive director, and Mrs. ]. H. Tyler
Mcconnell, second vice president
of the board of directors and
chairman of the 1855 campaign
for funds in Kent and Sussex
Counties. The following were
present: Earl Downs, president of
the Smyrna Special District
School Parent Teacher Associa-
tion; George D. Wright, president
of the Smyrna-Clayton Junior
Chamber of Commerce; John w.
Dukes, Master of the Smyrna
Smyrna times., 1955-12-08
NAME CONTEST
WINNERS HERE
Charlotte Pryor Wins Local
Voice of Democracy
Contest
RECEIVES RADIO

First and second place winners
in the local Voice of Democracy
contest sponsored by the Smyrna
Clayton Junior Cramber of Com
merce have been announced by
the president, George D. Wright.
Charlotte Pryor was awarded the
first prize, a portable radio dom
ated by Boulevard Electric Sales
& Service; and Faith Houtman,
second, a pen and pencil set from
Sayers jewelers.. The winners of
all the Jaycee units in the state
will compete at Seaford Friday
in the elementary school at 1880
pm. The state winner win be
awarded a TV set and will be
eligible to represent the state at
the national finals to be held in
Washington in February. Robert
Belber was the Jaycee chairman
for the Voice of Democracy pro-
ject locally. The national winner
will be awarded $500 scholar
ship and all-expense paid trip to
Washington. The following were
asked to serve as judges for the
local contest: Mrs. Margaret M.
O'Neill, Miss Elizabeth Thornley,.
and the Rev. o. C. Jones.
Smyrna times., 1955-12-08
TO HONOR FOOTBALL TEAM
Art Wolfe, Sports Broadcaster to
Be Master of Ceremonies


Art Wolfe, sports broadcaster
for Radio Station VANS, Will
mington has been secured as the
master of ceremonies at the BAN
quet honoring the Smyrna High
School football team on Wednes-
day, Dec. IA at the elementary
school. Dave Nelson, University
of Delaware coach, will be the
speaker. Sergt. Greg Carpenter,
Dover Air Force Base, a profess
sional magician, will entertain at
the dinner meeting and there will
be other special features. Reg
istration closes on Dec. 10 for the
dinner and those who plan to at
tend should purchase their tick
cts as soon as possible as the
seating space is limited. The af-
fair is being sponsored by the
Smyrna PTA and Brinton Rey-
nolds, Jr., is acting as chairman
of the committee on arrange
ments.
Smyrna times., 1955-12-08
JUDGES ON XMAS LIGHTING
Outdoor Home Lighting Contest
Sponsored by Town Council


Sponsored by Town Council
The judges for the Christmas
outdoor home lighting contest
sponsored by Smyrna Town Coun-
Gil have been announced by oCun-
china Lester Liefer as follows:
Mrs. Martin Golden, Twentieth
Century Club; DR.. C. ]. Prickett,
Smyrna Rotary Club; Harry
Shortt, president Smyrna Lions
Club; and George D. Wright,
president, Smyrna-Clayton Junior
Chamber of Commerce. There
will be three classifications for the
outdoor decorating and lighting
contest and prizes as follows: fifty
bulbs and under, $40; one hun
dred bulbs and under, SIS; over
one hundred bulbs, $25. The total
of fifty dollars in prizes will be
made available by council. Win
ners will be judged primarily on
originality of the display. The
night of the judging has been sci
as Thursday, Dec. %.
Smyrna times., 1955-12-08
Death of Elizabeth X. Steele

Funeral services for Mrs. Eliza
beth K. Steele, So, of near Clay
ton, who died at her late resi-
dence on December were held on
Wednesday, December from the
FAIRIES Funeral Chapel, with the
Rev. Sydney Bancroft officiating.
Interment was in st. Peters
cemetery at Smyrna. Mrs. Steele,
the daughter of James H. Middle
ton and Margaret Ellen Cahall of
Marydel, is survived by her hus-
band, Chalmers A. Steele, near
Clayton, and the following chill
dren: Mrs. Lavoure Steele Weed,
Mrs. Violet Lowman, Carlton
Steele, Hope Steele, Margaret and
Mary Steele, all of Clayton; Mrs.
Doris Cruson, Smyrna Landing;
and Chalmers A. Steele, Jr., of
Dover; also six grandchildren.
The following brothers and Sis
ters survive: George Middleton
and Mrs. Grace Deamer, of Ches-
ter, Pa; William Middleton, Mar
Gus Hook, Pa; Mrs. Helen Norris.
Odessa; Mrs. Margaret Fulton.
Noble, ILL.,; and Mrs. Esther Short,
Orange, Texas. I
Smyrna times., 1955-12-08
XMAS PROGRAM
AT SCHOOL
"a Trip To Santa Land to
Be Presented Friday, De-
cember 18th
BY $50 CHILDREN

"A Trip to Santa Land is the
title of the Christmas program
to be presented by approximate
ly one hundred and fifty element
ary school children at the Smyrna
Elementary School on Friday,
December 16 at 8 pm. Mrs. John
H. Fearon, music instructor at the
school, will direct the production
with the cooperation of the grade
school teachers. The story of the
musical production shows how a
group of children wanting to go
to Santa Land find that their wish
has come true. They arrive in
Santa Land and watch the toys
come to life and perform for
them. Santa and Mrs. Santa help
to make the play realistic. The
leading parts are played by Mel
son Everhart as Santa and Gail
Mills as Mrs. Santa. The Choir
uses include Santa's helpers,
Grade Q; Christmas fairies, Grade
1; Spanish Dolls, Grade 8, which
will include robots, clowns, and
dancing dolls. There will be a
solo dance by Terri Truitt. The
school rhythm band from Grade
2 will play. Swedish dolls will be
from Grade 4. Firemen and mai
orettes, French Dolls and Rag
Dolls from Grade 1 will add color
to the ensemble. These groups
include a representation of each
class in the school. Mrs. Fearon
will have the assistance of the
following teachers: Mrs. Charles
King, Mrs. Ethel Powell, Mrs. Ebe
Joseph, Mrs. Robert Everett, Mrs.
Lulu R. Ricards, Miss Arie Hill,
Mrs. Leroy Piper, Mrs. Alyne
Robinson, and Miss Caroline
Stats.
Smyrna times., 1955-12-08
FIREMEN'S XMAS TOY FUND
Containers Placed on Store Coun-
ters and in Restaurants

ters and in Restaurants
The Citizens Hose Company
committee working on the Christ
mas toy project has placed con-
tainers on the counters of various
stores and restaurants in this
area to receive contributions to
the fund used to provide fruit,
candy, and nuts for all children
who receive the toys. There will
also be a kettle suspended at
Four Corners, with special light
over it, into which pedestrians are
asked to drop their change. The
cooperation of the public is urged
for this huge project sponsored
by the firemen who are now at
work renovating the toys which
will be taken on Christmas Eve
to several hundred children who
live in the area which comes un-
der the local volunteers protec-
tion.
Smyrna times., 1955-12-08
COVER METERS
FOR HOLIDAYS
Expression of Christmas
Spirit and Good Will By
Town Council
DEC. 10 TO JAN. 2

The parking meters in Smyrna
will be beheaded for the holiday
season, a gesture of good will by
Town Council as we'll as an ex-
preston of the Christmas spirit.
Free parking will start on Satur-
day, Dec. 10 to coincide with the
appearance of Santa Claus that
afternoon at the Smyrna Theatre,
and will continue through Mon
day, Jan. 2. This action was taxi
en- at the recessed meeting of
council on Friday night. A reso-
luton was approved by unanim-
GUS voice vote of council members
in favor of the enactment of an
ordinance regarding the adoption
of a police pension fund. 1t stat
ed that the council feels it imper-
ative for public safety that the
municipal police force be main
tained with proper and efficient
personnel, and that personnel can
only be attracted by the assur-
ance of an adequate pension sys-
TEN. Mayor George M. Blendt ap-
pointed Charles M. Gee, chairman,
Chief of Police John w. Jacobs,
Jr., and John e. Wilson III as
members of a police pension board
for administering of the proposed
plan. Permission was given to
Mr.. and Mrs. Albert Beverly to
locate their trailer on lot on w.
Mt. Vernon Street, subject to the
towns regulations in regard to
water and sewer. Councilman
Wilson made a motion, which was
carried, that the ordinance being
drawn to regulate trailers in the
town of Smyrna be worded to
prohibit additional trailers and to
provide that trailers now in place
may remain only as long as they
are in the hands of the original
owners. Copies of the ordinance
will be mailed to all real estate
dealers operating within the town
of Smyrna. The bid of Irwin G.
Burton, Inc. for the purchase of a
Chevrolet dump truck for the sum
of $3089 was accepted. A delega-
ton of residents of Cottage Dale
Acres was present as the bids for
work on the streets, curb and gut
ters, etc. in CDA were reviewed
by Town Manager Rex ID. Gill
more. The bid will be awarded
on Friday, Dec. 9. Action on the
purchase of billboards to be used
on DUPONT Parkway at approach
es to Smyrna was deferred until
spring. Mr.. Gilmore reported that
the no parking signs covering
driveways had been ordered as
well as signs to take care of all
parking situations.
Smyrna times., 1955-12-08
XMAS GIFTS
TO CHILDREN
Jaycees To Pack One Thous.
and Gift Stockings For
Children
SATURDAY AT 2 Pm.

Tonight the Smyrna-Clayton
Jaycees will assemble at the Office
of Bayvo Products Company, Com
merce Street and pack one thous-
and gift stockings which will be
presented to the children of this
area who are at the Smyrna The
atre on Saturday at pm. The
annual Santa Claus project, made
possible by donations of the peo-
pie in Smyrna and Clayton to the
Smyrna Clayton Santa Claus
Fund, is conducted by the jay
Gees who have been at work dur
ing the fall months in prepara-
tion. Each child will be given a
chance to tell Santa what he or
she wants for Christmas and will
be given a toy-filled stocking and
an orange. At the theatre the
children will be shown six car
toons before Santa Claus arrives.
The Jaycees emphasize that the
seats at the theatre are all needed
for the children and only mothers
with children too young to sit
alone will be allowed seating.
John Pappas heads the Jaycee
committee on plans and the fol-
lowing Jaycees have acted as So
licitors for the fund: Donald Helm
old, Charles Sutton, Edward Woot-
ten, and Mr.. Pappas. The Smyrna
police force will have the assist
ance of the Jaycees with handling
of the children at the theatre,
dispensing the stockings and also
helping with the traffic near the
theatre as hundreds of young
boys and girls arrive and depart.
Mrs. George Schwartz, Dover,
owner of the theatre, has cooper
ated with the Jaycees in what has
come to be the biggest Christmas
celebration for all of the children
during the holiday season.
Smyrna times., 1955-12-08
Century Club Program Today

The Twentieth Century Club
will have as guests this afternoon
at their Christmas program men,
bers of the New Century Club of
Middletown and the Odessa Wom-
ems Club. The guests will be
welcomed by Mrs. Harold E.
Wickham. There will be a dis
play of Christmas books for all
ages and one of Christmas decor
atoms for the home. The program
has been arranged by the Fine
Arts department of the club. Mrs.
Martin Golden, chairman. Mrs.
Carl Wright heads the committee
of hostesses for the tea which will
follow the program. Members of
the club are reminded that dues
are payable and should be in at
this time.
Smyrna times., 1955-12-08
LEGION POST AUXILIARY
Women Send Gifts to veterans
Hospital to Perry Point

HOSpltal 10 Rerry foiht
The Auxiliary to the David G.
Harrison Post No. IA, American
Legion held the December meet
ing at the home of Mrs. George B.
David with Mrs. Leonard Collins
as co-hostess. Mrs. Howard Now
land presided. Mrs. Nowland, Mrs.
David, and Mrs. Helen Grier went
to the Veterans Hospital at Perry
Point last Saturday to take gifts
from the unit for the annual Gift
Shop. The past presidents of the
local unit sent twelve gifts, gift
wrapped with contents noted to
women veteran patients at the
hospital in addition to those for
the men from the unit. This is
done each year by the group OF
past presidents. On Saturday a
group from the local auxiliary
will take 135 gifts for the Gift
Shop at the VA Hospital at
Brack-Ex. The gifts will be Sc
lected by veterans to SEND TO
members of their families and the
wrapping for mailing will be done
NV the women from the unit. The
local auxiliary members also take
twenty gifts to veterans who are
now patients at the State Wei
fare Home here and each veteran
receives a personal call by men,
ber of the unit.
Smyrna times., 1955-12-08
Arrives on Oaxinawa

Army Pvt. John w. Ford, son
of Mrs. Mary p. Ford, Clayton,
recently arrived on Okinawa and
is now a member of the 22d Anti
Aircraft Artillery Battalion. A
strong U. s. outpost in the Far
East, Okinawa is located off the
coast of China between Formosa
and the southern tip of Japan.
Private Ford, a cannoneer in the
battalion's Battery C, entered the
Army in October, 1855. He CONT
pleted basic training at Camp
Cook, Calf. Ford wears the Army
Of Occupation Medal for duty in
Japan and the UN and Korean
Service Ribbons.
Smyrna times., 1955-12-08
HOW TO MAIL PACKAGES
Your Cooperation In Mailing
Packages win Assist Greatly

Your Cooperation in Mailing
Packages VIII Assist Greatly
Postmaster Mary s. Goldsbor-
ough again requests the cooper
alton of the patrons of the Smyr-
ma Post Office during the coming
Christmas period by assisting
with the mail as suggested. Wrap
all packages with heavy paper
and tie with heavy cord, face all
mail with the stamps in the same
corner, bring all mail to the post
Office and do not expect carriers
to stamp your mail for you. Slips
for labelling your Christmas mail
are being delivered now, use these
slips and when you bring bundles
of mail to the post office just
hand them to the clerk, if you
drop your mail in the slots be
sure you drop it as marked,
Smyrna and Smyrna r ID only in
one slot and all other mail in the
other slot. Your cooperation in
facing mail and bringing it to the
post Office will assist greatly dur
ing this period. For the conven-
ience of the patrons the windows
at the post Office will remain open
until 500 pm, Saturday, Decem-
ber 18th. They will close at 100
pm. as usual on Saturday, Decem-
ber oath. However all Christmas
mail that is received on December
oath will be delivered.
Smyrna times., 1955-12-08
Kenton Grange Christmas Party

The Kenton Grange will hold
the annual Christmas party in the
church basement on Tuesday, Dec.
13 at 8 pm. The party is for
members of the grange and their
families and features an exchange
of gifts. The grangers will also
pack boxes for needy families of
the community. Mrs. Susie Knots
is chairman of decorations; Mrs.
Dot Barthelmeh, refreshments;
and Mrs. Paul Palmer, program.
Smyrna times., 1955-12-08
MODERATOR HERE SUNDAY
Moderator of New Castle Presby-
terry to Officiate Here Sunday

w OhSs%SoO
Next Sunday, December 11th
the Rev. Charles w. Blaker, D. D.,
moderator of the New Castle
Presbytery will conduct the morn
ing service at IL am. DR.. Blaker
is principal of the West Noting
ham Academy, at Colora, Mary
land. On Sunday, Dec. 18th the
Rev. Willard Glenn Purdy, D. D.,
minister of First and Central
Presbyterian Church, Wilmington,
will be in charge of the service.
At the morning service last Sum-
day fifteen new members joined
the church by profession of faith.
The members were welcomed by
the Elders and minister in the
manse before the service of ad-
mission in the church. A total of
forty-four new members Joined
the church during this year.
Smyrna times., 1955-12-08
YARD
100 YEARS OLD
Right Lumber Yard, Robert
Mills Owner, Celebrates
Anniversary
ESTABLISHED IN 1855

The one hundredth anniversary
of the Right Lumber Yard, known
by that name since 1888 and pre-
viously as the Wright Lumber
Yard, will be observed during the
week of December GIT. The bus
mess was established about 1855
at the present location on East
Commerce Street, one block west
of the DUPONT Parkway, and has
catered to several generations of
Smyrna residents. Robert Mills,
the present owner, bought the
business in 1949 from Miss Flor
ence Blome, of Middletown, who
took it over in 1888. He had been
employed by Miss Blome for three
years. A native of Hebron, Md,
he had moved to Smyrna in 1886,
and had been associated with
Walter T. Massey and Sears-Roe-
buck, Dover. During the ami
versary week Mr.. Mills will re-
ceive visitors at any time and on
all cash and carry purchases will
allow ten percent off. The lum-
ber yard adjoins a large three
story house which has recently
been purchased by Mr.. Mills from
Miss Blome, marking a return to
an original ownership of the house
and lumber yard by one person
The Office, located at the entrance
to the lumber yard has long been
a landmark in Smyrna. At one
time the entire property had been
a farm and a milk house still
stands which is used for storage
Of tools. A story from an old
newspaper states: "In any COM
munity where progress is the
order Of the day the dealer in
lumber is an important factor in
business affairs" and this holds
true today as well as in the past
The business has at various per-
iods been conducted by John C.
Bailey, John v. Voshell, and John
M. VanGasken. 1t was purchased
by Joseph H. Wright in 1899 and
enlarged at that time. He had
previously conducted a lumber
yard on Benson Street. Subse-
quently the owners were w. W.
and ]. ". Wright. The house on
the property is one of the finest
in Smyrna. 1t has eleven rooms
and three Railways and is known
for the beauty of its chandeliers
and mirrors. Miss Blome will give
up possession on January first
and will return to Middletown
where she has an apartment. Mr.
Mills plans to make the house
over into three apartments which
he will rent.
Smyrna times., 1955-12-08
Named To Deans List

Miss Pamela Joy Gibe, daugh-
ter of Mr.. and Mrs. Walter Gibe
of Smyrna, was named to the
Deans list of the high school de-
partment of Virginia Intermont
College in Bristol, Virginia. Re-
quirements for Deans list at In
termont are at least three AS
on full time subjects with no
grade lower than B, and a good
citizenship grade.
Smyrna times., 1955-12-08
BUREAU AIDS
LIONS GUESTS
Children's Bureau Executives
Explain Functions in Low
er Counties
SUPPORT NEEDED

The Smyrna Lions Club had as
their guests at dinner on Mon
day night Miss Elizabeth Town
send, executive director of the
Children's Bureau of Delaware,
and Mrs. ]. H. Tyler Mcconnell,
general chairman for the 1855
campaign for funds in Kent and
Sussex Counties. There are at
present twelve children from Kent
County and nineteen from Sussex
County in boarding homes or
adoption homes under the care of
the bureau, Miss Townsend told
the Lions, as she explained the
Bureaus functions. The first is
to provide temporary foster homes
placement for any Delaware child
when such action seems in the
child's best interests. The second
is to provide, under the states
adoption laws, adoption place
ment of any Delaware child pro-
vided the child is legally free,
and suitable for it. Mrs. Nc
Connell stressed the need for ade-
quate support from residents of
Kent and Sussex Counties in ord
er for the bureau to continue to
serve the families and children
requiring its services. Many
couples who are unable to have
children of their own turn to the
Bureau for help in securing a
child by adoption, Miss Townsend
said. but added that the demand
for white children far exceeds the
supply. The problem is reversed
in the cases of Negro children,
for whom adopting families are
urgently needed, she continued.
After tracing the history of the
bureau, which dates back to 1918,
she explained that it has an oper-
ating budget for 1855 of s161, ,020,
about 63 percent of which is Sc
cured through the United Com
munity Fund. The remainder is
secured through income from per-
petual trusts and endowments,
appropriations from the Levy
Courts of the three counties, pay
ments by parents of children in
care, funds from Dover Commun-
ity Fund, and individual contri-
buttons. Although approximate
ly % percent of the children in
boarding homes under the Bur-
eau's care are from Kent and Sus-
sex Counties" she concluded,
"only about two percent of the
funds received come from those
counties" The speakers were in
troduced by Henry T. Price, and
the response was given by Nor
man G. Wilder. Harry Shortt
presided.
Smyrna times., 1955-12-08
SMYRNA Homemakers Club

The Christmas party of the
Smyrna Homemakers Club will be
held in the social hall of Asbury
Methodist Church on Thursday,
Dec. Is at 8 pm. The program
will be arranged by Mrs. William
Nowland and Mrs. Ernest Matti-
ford. There will be a small gift
exchange. The decorations will be
in charge of Mrs. James Fleming,
chairman of the committee.
Smyrna times., 1955-12-08
To Sing in Hood College Choir

Miss Tarun Comegys, a fresh
man at Hood College, Frederick,
Md, is member of the Hood
College Choir which will sing with
the U. S. Naval Academy Choir
at the Naval Academy Chapel in
Annapolis, on Sunday afternoon,
Dec. 18. DR.. and Mrs. Richard
w. Comegys will attend the con-
cert and their daughter will re-
turn with them for the Christmas
holidays.
Smyrna times., 1955-12-08
Mrs. Clifford Pryor Has Accident

Mrs. Clifford Pryor, a teacher
of the sixth grade of the Smyrna
Elementary School, is a patient at
Delaware Hospital, Wilmington as
the result of a fall when she slip
ped on the step at her home. She
is in cast with a triple break
above the ankle. She was taken
to the hospital by her husband
who was with her when the acci-
dent occurred. Mrs. Leon Tabb
is acting as substitute teacher
during her absence.