davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Smyrna times., 1955-06-23
SPECIAL MEET
TOWN COUNCIL
Grant Permission To High
way Department For
Removal of Trees
EXHIBIT OF EQUIPMENT

A special meeting of Smyrna
Town Council was held Friday
night with Mayor George M.
Blendt presiding. A resolution
was proposed and passed by coun-
Gil to grant permission to the
State Highway Department to
proceed with the removal of trees
on Commerce Street as necessary
to conform to federal specifica-
tions in the repaving of the street
from DUPONT Parkway westward
to the town limits. 1t is required
that the street be thirty-six feet
from curb to curb in order to get
federal aid. The Highway Depart
ment will prepare an agreement
with the town to be presented at
a later date for councils approval.
William Horney, who will be in
charge of the beach at Lake Como
during the season, reported pro-
gress on the operation. The con-
cession is being operated under
his direction and the schedule of
guards will also be set up by him.
He will supervise all activities on
the beach. Mr.. Horney is men,
ber of the staff at Smyrna High
School in the physical education
department. 1t is planned to have
an exhibit of all new equipment
which has been purchased by the
town in recent months to be held
on Market Street Plaza next Sat
urday morning. The display will
include the new garbage disposal
unit, the more recently-purchased
trenching equipment, the ladder
truck used by the electric crew,
and the radar for use of the pol
ice department. There will be
someone at the exhibit to explain
the various pieces of equipment to
all Smyrna residents who are in
terested. Vernon Westfall ap-
peared at the meeting and sug-
gested that "Slow" signs be pIac-
ed on Delaware Street near the
fire house as an added protection
to children who live in that area.
This matter was referred to the
police department for recommend
ed action.
Smyrna times., 1955-06-23
GETS
NEW OFFICERS
State Convention Held at Re-
hOboth Friday and Satur-
day Names Officers
LOCAL MEN ATTEND

Delegates of the David c. Har-
rison Post No. IA, American Leg
ion who journeyed to Rehoboth
last Friday and Saturday, June IL
and 18, to take part in the 37th
annual state convention of the
American Legion, were greatly
pleased with the group of new
officers selected to serve the De-
partment of Delaware for the ap-
preaching fiscal year. Morris Was
serman, a member of the Joseph
B. Stahl Post No. 80, Wilmington
Manor, was elected to the post of
Department Commander. John M.
Longbothan, Post No. 8, Milford,
was elected first vice commander
and Kennard Jackson, Atlas Post
No. 9, Smyrna, was chosen second
vice commander. The new histor-
ian will be Edgar P. Moore, Law
renee Roberts Post No. 21, Will
mington. Rev. DR.. Park w. Hunt
ington, also of Post No: 21, Will
mington, was named chaplain.
Chester Williams of Roger w.
Gumby Post No. 16, Laurel was
elected sergeant-at-arms. Other
officers chosen were District Com
manders: No. 1, Wilmington, John
Neyland, Jr.; No. 2, rural New
Castle County, Edward A. McGill,
Claymont; No. 8, Kent County,
William Craig, Milford; No. A,
Sussex County, Charles E. Jack
son, Seaford. District vice COM
manders chosen are Dominick
Degiacamo, District No. 1; G.
Stanley Lintman, No. 2; Kenneth
Aiken, No. 3; and Ralph Lyons,
No. A. Milford was chosen as the
site for the 1856 convention. The
exercises in general were spotted
throughout with good speakers,
their topics well chosen and their
talks brief and to the point, A
very colorful parade followed the
close of the convention, spaced
with a number of marching bands
and units from other state organ
izations.
Smyrna times., 1955-06-23
KENT SENIOR CPA SQUADRON
TAKES PART IN NATIONAL TEST

The Kent Senior Squadron of
Civil Air Patrol worked for the
first time with the state civil de
fense organization by participat-
ing in the nationwide exercises
last week. Wing headquarters in
Wilmington dispatched a plane
from the Smyrna airport to Dover
Air Force Base to pick up a pack
age of anti-biotics, which was then
flown to Dupont Airport in VIII
mington. The pilot for the mis-
sion was Capt. Reynolds Jones,
and Joseph Rash served as radio
operator and observer. Radio con-
tact was maintained throughout
Smyrna times., 1955-06-23
OBSERVE 5Oth
ANNIVERSARY
Local Club Observes 50th
Birthday of Rotary Inter-
national with Special Film
PROGRAM FOR PEACE

The fiftieth anniversary of Ro-
tary International was observed
at the meeting of the Smyrna Ro-
tary Club, when a moving picture
was shown which emphasized the
international character of the or
ganization. The film showed that
meetings were held despite the or
der of Hitler in Germany, and
also that Rotary Foundation spon-
sors exchange students. All coun-
tries are eligible to take part in
this plan. 1t further showed that
Rotary in foreign countries is CIV
ing aid and assistance to the
down-trodden in their community
work. The role of a Rotarian was
portrayed by Edward Arnold, ma
tionally known movie actor. 1t
was revealed that the information
al convention of Rotary has a
larger group from foreign coun-
tries than at the United Nations
meetings. The start of Rotary
under Paul Harris in 1905 in
Chicago, and the classifications
for membership were shown.
World peace is one of the objec-
tives of Rotary, the program
noted. William E. Matthews, Jr.,
was chairman of the program, and
Clarence Bodley directed group
singing. George E. Bryson pre-
sided. Edward Wilson was nom
mated and elected vice president
of the club for the ensuing year.
Charles Swain was elected a di-
rector for the year. M. v. Bank
ert, was a visiting Rotarian from
Martinsburg, Pa, and Morris Sim
on, from Dover. Clinton D. Rob-
ertson was the guest of Mr.. Mat
thews.
Smyrna times., 1955-06-23
Death of Lewis e. Jones

Funeral services for Lewis E.
Jones, 80, of Cheswold, will be
held from the FAIRIES Funeral
Chapel Saturday, June 25. He
died in Smyrna Wednesday, June
%. The Rev. Walter L. Beckwith
of Asbury Methodist Church,
Smyrna, and the Rev. William
Kitchens of Ewell's-St. Paul
Church, will officiate and inter-
ment will be in Odd Fellows Gem
etery, Smyrna. Friends may call
at the Funeral Chapel Friday
evening. He was the widower of
the late Margaret Dempsey and is
survivd by the following: three
sons: William l.. of North Miami,
Florida; Clifton J. of Smyrna; and
James w. of Clayton; two broth
ers: Isaac S. of Wilmington and
Charles of Dover; and seven
grandchildren.
Smyrna times., 1955-06-23
5OTH MEETING
OF RED CROSS
Affair Thursday Night At
tended by Representatives
From All Areas i'm State
HELD IN HOTEL Dupont

The fiftieth annual meeting of
the Delaware Red Cross Chapter
was held last Thursday night, at
tended by representatives of all
of the Red Cross areas in the
state, as well as many officials.
Mrs. Clay Bailey and Mrs. Henry
G. Webb represented Area 4. Held
in the Gold Ballroom of the Hotel
DUPONT the dinner was attended
by about three hundred persons,
who heard a talk by Theodore
Koop, director of news and public
affairs for the Columbia Broad
casting System, who spoke on the
preservation Of freedom, which
calls for free press and free
broadcasting industry. A pageant
with incidental music depicted Red
Cross activities since World War
I, with Mrs. Ethel Jean Myers as
the reader. It told of the start
of the Delaware Chapter on June
20, 1905 in Wilmington, with Gen.
eral Charles Bird as president. DIR.
James Draper was the vice presi-
dent; Henry Candy, treasurer; and
Miss Emily P. Bisse1l, secretary.
In the words of Mrs. Myers: 'fThe
tone of that first meeting, held in
the rooms of the Historical Soci-
ETY. of Delaware, was loud and
clear; we hear it today; God Will
ing, we and our children shall
hear it for many years to come"
Governor ]. Caleb Boggs was a
guest and gave brief talk. Lam
mot DUPONT, Jr., was renamed
CONTINUED on Page Eight)
Smyrna times., 1955-06-23
Death of Mrs. Mary P. Latta

Mrs. Mary P. Latta, 80, former
ly of Taylor's Bridge area near
here, died Tuesday near Whining
ton. She was the widow of John
Edward Latta, and the daughter
of the late Caleb Lewis and Mary
Purnell Lewis. Mrs. Latta was
active in church and community
activities at Taylor's Bridge where
she lived most of her life. Sur
vivors include a son, John Milton
Latta, of Dover; two sisters, Mrs.
Bessie Murphy of Chester, Pa,
and Mrs. Fannie Maclary of
Brandywine Springs, and a grand
daughter, Mrs. Jeanette David
son of Wilmington. Services will
be conducted from the FAIRIES
Funeral Chapel in Smyrna at 2
pm. Friday. Burial will be in
Odd Fellows Cemetery.
Smyrna times., 1955-06-23
DOVER BOY
WINS ROAD-E-O
Robert Gillian Receives S100
Bond and Plaque AS
Statewide Winner
MILFORD BOY SECOND

The Delaware State Junior
Chamber of Commerce statewide
Teen-Age-Road-E-O was held in
Smyrna last Saturday morning
with the cooperation of the Smyr-
na-Clayton Jaycees, the Smyrna
School, the police department, and
of Rex D. Gilmore, town manager,
who directed the setting up of
the course on Market Street Plaza.
Robert Gillian, eighteen-year old
son of Mr.. and Mrs. Lionel G. Gill
liam, of Dover received plaque
and hundred dollar war bond as
winner of the statewide Junior
Chamber of Commerce Teen-Age-
Road-E-O. The awards were made
at The Paddock. The winners
plaque was presented by Francis
Jamison, representing Governor
Boggs' Highway Safety Commit
tee, who announced that the boys
score was 568 out of a possible
625. He will represent the state
of Delaware at the National Teen
Age at Washington, D.
c., on July 25-29. The second
place winner was William Chand-
Ter, Jr., Milford, with 556 points;
and third place winner, James
Selway, Wilmington, $40 points.
They were presented plaques by
Mr.. Jamison. The other contest
ants were Harold Wiley, Jr.,
Smyrna, Levin Williams, Seaford,
and Charles Kitchens, Middletown.
The judges included Mr.. Jamison,
E. Irwin LeKites, Delaware Safe
ty Council, Charles Lemmell and
William Fessenden, both of the
State Board of Education, Fred
Sievers, Jr., general manager, Del
aware Motor Transport Associa-
ton, and Chief of Police John w.
Jacobs, Jr. Paul L. Coeppel,
branch manager, The Pure Oil
Company of Delaware, one of the
national sponsors, attended all
events and the luncheon. Robert
Belber, member of local Joycees,
served as chief scorer. Charles v.
Williams, member of Smyrna
Lions Club, assisted with the
events. The use of six cars was
provided by Ennis & Deakyne,
Ford dealers. Herbert Brown,
Smyrna, was state chairman for
the Road-E-O, and he had the CO.
operation of Martin Golden, past
president of local Jaycees. George
D. Wright, newly-elected presi-
dent of Jaycees, presided at the
luncheon and introduced tn e
judges and guests. The invoca-
ton was given by Mayor George
nj. Blendt, and the luncheon was
attended by twenty-five persons,
Continued on Page Eight
Smyrna times., 1955-06-23
REPORT ON
ENCAMPMENT
Clayton VFW Ladies Auxili-
airy Hears Report On
State Encampment
MAKE AWARDS

A report on the state encamp-
ment was given by the following
from the Ladies Auxiliary of the
Newnam-Lee-Urban Post, Veter-
ans of Foreign Wars at meeting
of the local group: Mrs. Claire P.
Shirey, Miss Mary c. Burke, del
egates; Mrs. Virginia d. Cubbage
and Mrs. Marie c. Cooper, alter
mates, and Mrs. Mary Louise Con-
ley, president. Two members of
the auxiliary were appointed to
department offices, Mrs. June E.
Short, as president of District 3,
and Mrs. Cooper as department
musicians. Miss Elizabeth Dem
ney and her mother, Mrs. Oswald
Denney were guests of the auxil-
iary at the encampment. Miss
Denney was the winner of the
state essay contest, and received
a war bond from the auxiliary
and $50. cash award and silver
medal from the state department.
The auxiliary donated $5 to the
Cancer Fund, and nine handbooks
were purchased for the local
Brownie fy-ups. Three awards of
$3.50 each were made to students
at the Kenton, Clayton, and Smyr-
ma Schools for the student show
ing the most improvement in
character. Letters will be sent to
each auxiliary member for a do
nation of one dollar in honor of
the dead, to be used to erect the
War Memorial Building at Wash
ington, D. G. The department of
Delaware is hoping to attain a
goal of one hundred percent MEM
bership participation. Six MEM
bers of the auxiliary conducted a
party at the State Welfare Home,
serving punch and cookies to the
patients. There was group sing
ing led by the members, with Mrs.
Cooper at the piano.
Smyrna times., 1955-06-23

CONVENTION
Miss Ruth Ellen Reihm At
tending Meeting of BPW
Clubs in Louisville, Ky.
TO BE HELD JULY 2 TO z

Miss Ruth Ellen Reihm, of
Smyrna, President of the Della
ware Federation of Business and
Professional Women's Clubs, will
be in Louisville, KY, July End to
July 7th, to take part in the Ma
tional Board Meeting of the Ma
tional Federation of Business and
Professional Women's Clubs, Inc.
National and state officers from
48 states, Alaska, Hawaii, and the
District of Columbia will attend
the sessions, which will be held at
the Hotel Seelbach. Senator Mar
garet Chase Smith, Maine, will
speak at the banquet Sunday
night, July End. Senator Smith, a
former president of the Main Fed
Grafton of Business and Profess
sional Women's Clubs, will also
receive the Federations Distin-
guished Service Award, highest
honor the organization can be-
stow. w. Randolph Burgess, I'm
der Secretary of the Treasury of
the United States, and A. Boyd
Campbell, president of the Cham
ber of Commerce of the United
States, will address the session
Saturday evening, July list, at
7:3O pm. w. c. Tom" Sawyer,
vice president, Freedoms Founda-
ton, will present the Federation's
Freedoms Foundation Award and
address the luncheon session Mon
day, July 4th. Miss Marguerite
Rawalt, of Washington, d. c., ma
tional president of the Federation,
will give the presidential address
at the Monday luncheon. Miss
Rawalt will preside over the 4-day
meeting and introduce the speak
ers. Founded in 1919, the Nation
al Federation of Business and Pro-
fessional Women's Clubs is devot-
ed to the advancement of women.
There are now 10000 members in
$500 clubs. National officers are:
Miss Marguerite Rawalt, Washing
ton, D. c., President; Miss Hazel
Palmer, Sedalia, Mo-, 1st Vice
President; Miss Grace B. Daniels,
Kingston, Pa, End Vice President;
Miss Fannie Hardy, Little Rock,
Ark, 3rd Vice President; Miss
Hattie M. Steinberg, York, Ne
braska, Recording Secretary; Miss
Ruth c. Cullin, Bremerton, Wash,
Treasurer. Mrs. Genevieve Rogers
Riley, New York,is National Ex-
ecutive Director. National Head
quarters are maintained in both
New York and Washington.
Smyrna times., 1955-06-23
Street Dances start Tonight

The series of street dances to
be sponsored during the summer
months by the Smyrna7Clayton
Junior Chamber of Commerce will
start tonight, Thursday, June 20
on Market Street Plaza. The COM
mittee for the dances includes
John Long, chairman, Harry Can
non and Robert Belber. The Silver
Eagles will cooperate in the ven-
ture by loaning the latest record
ings which will be amplified. Adj
mission will be twenty-five cents.
1t is planned to hold the dances
periodically during the summer,
and hoped that there viii be some
dances held with live music.
Smyrna times., 1955-06-23

the entire fight. On landing at
DUPONT Airport thep lane was
met by civil defense personnel
who rushed the package to civil
defense headquarters to be distri-
buted for casualties in the theor-
etical bombing of Wilmington.
This first attempt for CAP to
work with civil defense was re-
ported to have been a successful
operation, which increases the
value of the local squadron of
CAP in the event of an emergen-
cy or either a local or national
scale.
Smyrna times., 1955-06-23
ENTERTAIN AT HOME
JaneCees to Entertain Residents
of Welfare Home Tonight

The first in the summer project
of the Smyrna-Clayton JaneCees
of providing entertainment for the
residents of the State Welfare
Home will be conducted tonight
when patients on the first and
second floors of the main building
will be served ice cream and
cookies and will be visited. The
hostesses who will serve will be
Mrs. Leon Tabb, Mrs. Harry Can
non, Mrs. Walter Downes, Mrs.
John Shetzler, and Mrs. George
E. Bryson, president. The Jane
Gees award to be given annually
at Smyrna High School COM
mencement to the girl who shows
exemplary leadership was given
for the first time to Janet Wick
ham, and was presented by Mrs.
Bryson.
Smyrna times., 1955-06-23
GRADUATES
HEAR SPEAKER
Judge Harold C. Kessinger
Addressed Smyrna Gradu-
ating Class Wednesday
AWARDS PRESENTED

Happiness is not achieved if we
work for it, but "is a by-product
of the good, useful, decent life"
Judge Harold C. Kessinger told
members of the graduating class
of the Smyrna High School, as
he urged them to be Industrious,
religious, and thoughtful of others.
Speaking at commencement exer-
cises on Wednesday night, Judge
Kessinger based his talk on three
points: 1.-THE world we live in,
the self we live with, and the
faith we live by" Noting the
great growth and change in the
kind of world we live in, he said,
that the graduates were entering
the most wonderful time in Amer
ica, and urged them to substitute
creative for destructive thinking.
He stressed their being able to
think, to choose, to discriminate.
In this great, new, modern world"
he stressed that they not be big
sponges, absorbing the political
speech, the headline, the oft-re-
peated commercial" but be think
ing citizens, not a voting group.
The self they live with is their
responsibility, he said, urging
them to make a self with which
they would not be bored. He
emphasized the need for a faith
to guide, comfort, and inspire
them, and wisdom to appreciate
their blessings. Hazel Anne Hol-
land delivered the valedictory ad-
dress on the subject, Wisdom Is
Power" George l.. Galley, presi-
dent of the Faculty Club, pre-
sented awards to the valedictorian
and to Mary Ann Mormon, salu-
tatorian. The Glenn S. King
Memorial Award was presented by
Jack Dukes to Ronald Stevens
and Hal Bodley for service to the
school. DR.. G. ]. Prickett, presi-
dent of the Board of Education,
presented diplomas to the forty
two graduates. He is retiring af-
ter having served for twenty
years as member of the board,
ten years as president. Henry T..
Price, member of the Board of
Education, paid tribute to DR..
Prickett's long service and pre-
sented him silver bowl on be-
half of the members of the board.
George w. Wright, superintend-
ent, also extolled DR.. Prickett.
The invocation and benediction
were pronounced by the Rev. o.
c. Jones, pastor of the First Pres
byterian Church. Mr.. Wright was
presented a check by Barry Attix,
president, on hehalf of the Class
of 1855 with which to purchase
two trophy cases for the corridor
of the high school.
Smyrna times., 1955-06-23
TOWN
WATER RATE
To Discontinue Use OF So
Called "Spigot Count" In
Figuring Bills
EXPLAINS CHANGES

Effective July 1 the Town of
Smyrna will discontinue the use
of the so-called "spigot count" for
figuring water and sewer bills,
with the changes in water and
sewer rates having been adopted
on May 13. Non-metered water
users will be billed a fiat rate of
six dollars per quarter, per fam
lily unit, in advance. Metered
water users will be billed at the
following quarterly rates: Up to
10000 gallons, six dollars mini
imum; next 10000 gallons .3O/
thousand; next 10000 gallons .2O/
thousand; all over 100000 gal
Ions, is 5/thousand. Meters will be
required for all commercial or in
dustrial water users. Apartment
houses will have the option of
paying six dollars minimum per
family unit, or installing a water
meter.
Sewer Bills Quarterly
Sewer bills effective Jan. /, 1856
will be billed quarterly with the
water bills. Sewer rates will be
fifty percent of the water bill.
Water and/or sewer bills will be
due within 80 days from date of
billing. If not paid within that
period water service will be cut
off and all arrearages must be
paid before the town will recon-
meet the water service. Proper
ties using town water, but not
connected to town sewers where
available will be billed for sewer
at above rates whether connected
to town sewer or not.
Explanation For Change
With the changes to go into eff
feet Town Manager Rex d. Gil
more explains the reasons for this
step, as follows: to get rid of out
moded methods of charge, to
streamline the bookkeeping sys-
tenn, to more equalize water
charges based on water consump-
ton rather than facilities; to put
the water plant on a paying basis;
and the need for building up a
fund for future requirements and
plant repairs. Pertaining to the
sewer rate it is necessary at this
time to establish method of col
Continued on Page Eight
Smyrna times., 1955-06-23
Auxiliary of Citizens Hose Co.

.Twenty-three members of the
Ladies Auxiliary of the Citizens
Hose Company attended the meet
ing on Monday night, with Mrs.
Connie Morris presiding. The
group plans to hold a hot dog
roast on July 6 at Lake Como to
which the firemen will be invited.
On Saturday, June 25, food sale
will be sponsored by the auxiliary
to be held at the Acme Market
starting at 10 am. Mrs. Florence
Ford, ways and means chairman,
will be in charge of the food sale.
Smyrna times., 1955-06-23
Dinner in Honor of Hal Bodley

Mrs, Harley Bodley, Sr., enter
tained at a dinner party at the
Hi-Way Diner in honor of her son.
Hal Bodley, before the commence.
ment exercises at the Smyrna
High School last Wednesday night.
The guests included Mr.. and Mrs
Joseph Lombardo and son, of Sal
isbury, Md, Mr.. John Brown,
Washington, D. C., Mr.. and Mrs.
James E. Turner, Sr., Mr.. and
Mrs. Charles v. Williams, Mr.. and
Mrs. Clarence Bodley, Mr.. and
Mrs. Neal Oechsler, Miss Joanne
Oechsler, and Mr.. and Mrs. Will
lard Y. Rutter, all of Smyrna. The
guests attended the commence
ment program at the school after
the dinner.
Smyrna times., 1955-06-23
Traffic Light at -Four Corners

Traffic has been proceeding
with care at Four Corners over
the weekend as a result of the
traffic lights having shorted out.
1t was decided to have the lights
on standards replaced by an over
head light which was installed on
Tuesday by members of the elec-
trio crew under the direction of
James Warren.
Smyrna times., 1955-06-23
Civil Defense Drill by Firemen

Forty-one volunteers of the Cit
izens Hose Company took part in
the recent statewide civil defense
test. They went into action with
their trucks assigned to relay
with Leipsic and Cheswold Fire
Companies at Massey's Mill Pond.
The drill was very successful, ac-
cording to fire company officials,
and the organization and proceed
ure improved over previous drills.
Smyrna times., 1955-06-23
Joint Meeting of Legion and Aux.

A joint installation of new off,
GERS of the David c. Harrison Post
No. IA, American Legion and of
the Auxiliary to the post, will be
held tonight. A covered dish sup
per at Z o'clock will precede the
program to be held in the Legion
Room in Town Hall.
Smyrna times., 1955-06-23
Smyrna Grange Meets Tonight

The final meeting of the Smyr-
ma Grange before the summer re-
cess will be held tonight, Thurs
day, June %, at 8:15 pm. Mas
ter John Dukes will preside, and
Russell Bruette, lecturer, will ar
range the program.
Evening star., 1955-01-21
Benefit Ball
Tomorrow

Members of the Service
Guild Of Washington and pa
irons of the Guild Charities
are looking forward to the
guilds annual Candlelight
Ball to be held at the Shore
ham tomorrow.
Proceeds of the ball, which
traditionally celebrates the end
of the guilds benefit CAM
paign, go to several projects
to which the guild also sends
volunteer workers. Included
are a revolving fund at Chill
dren's House. which makes
available short term loans TO
parents Of emotionally dis.
turbed children. and the Wal.
ter Reed Veteran Hospitality
Fund.
Mrs. Richard K. Lyon Is
chairman of the dance. Her
committee includes Mrs. David
Bress and Mrs. Morton Rabi-
neau, cochairmen; Mrs. Nor
man Diamond, entertainment:
Mrs. Samuel Decker. decora-
tions: Mrs. Monroe Romansky.
tickets and invitations; Mrs.
Paul Bauman. membership
and associations: Mrs. Jarvey
Jacobson, patrons: Mrs. Ralph
B. Rothstein, publicity; Mrs.
Raymond Gerber. ticket ar
rangements. and Mrs. Stanley
Robinson. treasurer.