davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Smyrna times., 1957-12-19
OPTOMETRISTS MEET HERE
DIR. r. Wells Campbell Elected to
Position on State Board

SAeANhA OhA tOhfu
The Delaware Board of Exam
iners in Optometry held an or
ganizational meeting Sunday at
The Wayside Inn, Smyrna. DR..
H. Martin Moss, 702 N. Union
Street, Wilmington, was elected
president, and DR.. Elizabeth F.
Phillips, Georgetown, was re-
elected secretary-treasurer. DIR.
Phillips, previously a member of
the board, was recently appointed
by Governor Boggs to serve an
other two-year term. DR.. Moss
and DR.. R. Wells Campbell, Smyr-
ma, new members of the board,
were appointed to two-year terms.
DR.. Moss succeeds DR.. Marvin
Berman, Dover, as president. Mat
tiers considered included a discus
sion on duties of examiners, and
the board set the optometry reg
istration fee for 1858. Several re-
quests for applications to take OPP
tometry board examinations in
Delaware were received. 1t was
decided that the next examinations
by the board will be given in June
1858. DR.. Phillips pointed out
that applicants who have passed
national boards must still take
the Delaware examination.
Smyrna times., 1957-12-19
TOWN COUNCIL
OKAYS WORK
Plans for Resurfacing Main
Street Approved at Friday
Night Meeting
POLICE REPORT LISTED

Following a report at the meet
ing of Town Council Friday night
by w. ]. Miller, deputy chief en-
gineer, State Highway Depart
ment, of proposed plans for the
resurfacing of Main Street, coun-
Gil authorized Town Manager Rex
D. Gilmore to notify the State
Highway Department approving
tentative plans, the town assum-
ing responsibility for storm drains
and new curbing where required.
Edward H. Richardson of Edward
H. Richardson & Associates, Inc,
consulting engineers, Newark,
was present and gave a report on
the sanitary sewer possibilities in
the westerly and northwesterly
sections of Smyrna. Mr.. Richard
son gave estimates of costs, told
of the advantages and disad-
vantages to each of three alter
nate plans, and also gave his con-
clusions. He will present complete
cost estimates for the Glenwood
Manor portion at the regular
meeting of council on Friday, Dec.
27. 1t was suggested that the
police department put additional
mo parking from here to corner"
signs on the northeast side of the
intersection of Main Street and
Mt. Vernon Street. Chief of Police
John w. Jacobs, Jr presented the
report of his department for Nov
ember, showing 76 complaints, 20
arrests, 18 motor vehicle viola
tions. l assault and battery, ! dis
orderly conduct; fines collected
S535; police car mileage, 3,OOZ
Action was postponed on condem-
nation proceedings on the Turner
Estate property on Main Street
until the meeting of Friday, Jan
10. Council decided to stand by
it's previous decision to have the
building removed on the Ridge
way-Morris estate property. Mr.
Gilmore reported having reviewed
with engineers the plans for thu
/ well house and eight blocks o.
street work which will be com
pleted soon. after the first of the
year.
Smyrna times., 1957-12-19
TO CELEBRATE
CHRISTS BIRTH
st. Joseph's Church, Clayton,
To Observe Feast of
Christ's Birth
ON CHRISTMAS EVE

In the recently renovated and
redecorated exterior and interior
Of st. Joseph's Church, Clayton,
the beautiful Feast of Christ's
birthday will be celebrated in ac-
cord with the liturgy of the Cath
olic Church. A Solemn Mass will
be sung at midnight, Christmas
Eve, Dec. "a. The celebrant will
be the Very Rev. Charles P.
Brown, SSH, pastor. He will be
assisted by Rev. Patrick j. Veale,
SSH, deacon, and Rev. j. Philip
Kirrane, SSH, subdeacon. The
sermon on this occasion will be
preached by Father Kirrane. Prior
to his appointment to st, JOS
eph's, Father Kirrane was a fac
ulty member of st. Joseph's Sem
mary, Washington, D. G. More
recently, he was assigned to St
Peter Claver Church, Baltimore
In preparation for Christmas, con-
fessions will be heard on Tuesday,
Dec. "a, from 4 to 6 pm. and
again in the evening from Z to
8 pm. All should take advantage
of these hours. st. Joseph's Choir
al Group will sing the Christmas
carols from 11:30 to 11:55 pm.
The procession to the Christmas
Crib will take place for the bless
ing. This will be followed by the
congregational recital of the no
vena prayers in honor of the In
fant Jesus. Solemn Mass will fol-
low these ceremonies. Additional
Masses will be celebrated on
Christmas morning at z, 8, 8 and
the last Mass at 10 o'clock The
choral group is under the direc-
ton of Mrs. Clare Pletsch, organ
ist. Miss Eleanor Burke will be
the soloist. Howard Pletsch will
augment the organ music with
violin solos. Mrs. Sandra Cantil-
lon will direct the Childrens Choir
at the 9 o'clock Mass. The Jose
phite Fathers extend to all the
members, friends and acquaint-
ances their sincerest wishes for a
holy and blessed Christmas and
a New Year filled with the graces
of the Infant Jesus.
Smyrna times., 1957-12-19
L. J. VODVARKA
NEARS AWARD
Smyrna High School Senior
Now Faces Three-HOur
College Examination
SCHOLARSHIP POSSIBLE

Larry ]. Vodvarka, a senior at
Smyrna High School, has been
named a semi-fnalist in the Ma
tional Merit Scholarship competi-
tion according to Charles V. Will
liams, principal, Larry is one of
the 1900 high scorers on the ma
tionWide college aptitude tests
given to 100000 seniors in $4,000
high schools on Oct. %. The semi
finalists outscored 100000 fellow
seniors and thus moved a step
nearer the four-million dollars in
Merit Scholarships to be awarded
in the 1858 program. Smyrna High
School had six seniors enter the
competition this year. officials an
nounced that they are very pleas
ed that student had again rank
ed in the top. Although no stu
dent in the class of 1857 scored
high enough to enter the semi
final competition, Smyrna also
had representative in 1856 Mer-
it Scholarship Contest. Last year
Robert Hurd received a scholar
ship as a result of his high score
in the General Motors tests. The
semi-finalists now face a rigorous
three hour college board examin-
alton to be given Jan. IL. Stu
dents whose high scores substan-
tiate their earlier test perform
ance will become finalists. APP
proximately 300 scholarships will
be available according to John M.
Stalnaker, president of the Ma
tional Merit Scholarship Corpor-
alton. Those not chosen as final
lists will receive Certificates of
Merit attesting to their high abil-
ity, and all colleges and univer-
sites will be notified, enabling
these students to be considered
for other awards and prizes. The
value of the merit scholarship
varies with the financial need
from $10o to $4,000 per year. The
scholarships are for four-year
training, and award winners
choose their college. The merit
program is designed to serve stu
dents most able to benefit from
college education, regardless of
means. Competition is open to
public, private or parochial high
schools in the United States, Alas
ka, Canal Zone, Hawaii, Puerto
Rico and the Virgin Islands. The
1900 seniors represent one-half of
the nations senior class.
Smyrna times., 1957-12-19
GAS EXPLOSION
WRECKS HOME
Commerce. Street Home OF
Wilson FAIRIES Ruined By
Sunday Night Blast
OWNER INJURED

A powerful gas explosion wreck
ed West Commerce Street home
and rocked the neighborhood late
Sunday afternoon, injuring the
owner, Wilson E. FAIRIES, veteran
volunteer fire official The blast
and fire which followed also re-,
suited in injuries to Reynolds
Bradley, first assistant chief, who
suffered cut lip which required
two stitches. He was hurt dur
ing the removal of shingles when
one flew and cut his lip. Firemen
remained at the scene until 1880
pm. The cause of the explosion
which ruined the two-story seven
room house and furnishings short
ly after 5 pm. has not been as
certained, but firemen said an ac-
emulation of gas was believed
responsible. A neighbor's home
was also damaged. FAIRIES, re-
Gently honored for his "a years
as an active member of the Cit
liens Hose Company, during
which he answered 900 calls, was
in the kitchen of the dwelling
when the blast came. He suffer-
ed minor burns of the face and
was treated by DR.. w. c. Pritch-
ard, Jr. Mrs. FAIRIES and her
daughter, Mrs. James Rogers, had
left the house only a short time
before the explosion came. One
side of the house was bulged II
inches by the concussion, the front
wall of the living room was blown
out, the dining room floor was
forced up and the front porch dis
iointed from the house. Furnish
ings were scattered. Firemen said
the kitchen was also wrecked and
it was here that fire developed.
They were able to confine the fire
to that section, however, altho it
burned for a time in the parti-
ton. The blast wrecked the sun
porch at the home of Mr.. and
Mrs. Alan Robinson, next door,
authorities said, causing damage
estimated at $2500. Loss was ex-
pected to exceed $4,000 to the
FAIRIES home, partly covered by in
surance. One of two cocker
spaniel dogs owned by the FAIRIES
disappeared during the explosion
and it was not known whether it
became frightened and ran away
during the excitement or was kill
ed in the initial blast. Neighbors
served hot coffee to the firemen
at the scene and delegation
from the Ladies Auxiliary to the
fire company served hot coffee at
the fire house.
Smyrna times., 1957-12-19
NATIVITY AT CLAYTON
Special Yuletide Program Will
Greet Santa Claus

SpeCtdl luleClue Program VIII
Greet Santa Claus
The Christmas program at the
Clayton School will be presented
in the auditorium on Friday, Dec.
20 at 1:15 pm. All grades will
take part. The first and second
grades will present Christmas in
Mother Goose Land, and the
fifth and sixth grades a brief
play on the Nativity. Children
in the third and fourth grades
will show how Christmas is cele-
brated in England, Mexico, and
Germany. The elementary junior
high school pupils will sing carols
before and after each presenta-
tion. After the program Santa
Claus, sponsored by the Clayton
School Parent Teacher Associa-
ton, will distribute candy and
fruit to all the children. The pro-
gram will take the place of the
regular December meeting of the
PTA. The next PTA meeting is
scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. s.
School will be dismissed at the
end of the day on Friday, Dec. 20
and will not reopen until Thurs
day, Jan. 2, according to Coleman
Metzzler, principal. On Friday
the eighth grade at the Clayton
School presented an assembly for
Grades 5 and 6. "The Birth of a
Nation, a play directed by Mrs.
Peggy ]. Brown, of the social
studies department, told of the
writing of the Declaration of In
dependence in early July 1776 in
Philadelphia.
Smyrna times., 1957-12-19
SANTA HEARS
900 REQUESTS
Merchants Provide Gift-FilIed
Stockings for Presentation
To Smyrna Children
POLICE HANDLES CROWD

Bikes, batons, typewriters, cub
scout suits, sky sweepers, and
tents outranked all other requests
when 900 children were greeted
by Santa Claus at the celebration
at the Smyrna Theatre Saturday.
Each child made his or her re-
quest as Santa handed each a
large net stocking filled with toys.
The expression of awe on the
faces of the children reflects their
feeling that this is the real
Santa Claus" 1t took an hour
and ten minutes for the boys and
girls to file past, and they had
an hour of animated cartoons
shown them before Santa arrived
Santa was impersonated by Arth-
ur Thomas. There will be many
little girls twirling batons on the
streets of Smyrna if Santa pro-
duces all the batons and major
cite costumes requested. This was
a new trend this year, apparently
spanked by Charlotte Walker,
majorette for the Smyrna High
School band and the band of the
Citizens Hose Company. The re-
quests included nurses sets, ice
skates, bow and arrow, sleds,
football uniforms, pool table
(this by a girD, helicopters,
punching bags, cameras, space
suits, and a cocker spaniel pup
py. Guitars were high on the list
with the boys, some of them spec
flying the Elvis Presley variety
One boy, when asked by Santa
what he wanted, looked skeptlcal
and replied: The same thing l
told you yesterday night" An
other boy told Santa Claus that
he was going to Japan the next
day, but he still hopes to be
reached there. This turned out to
be true, as his father in the SER
vice is assigned to Japan.) Among
the unusual requests was for a
china Palomino horse, wanted by
a girl who said she has her own
Palomino horse. A smart-aleck
asked for a gold-plated Cadillac;
and one boy wanted to thank
Santa for what he brought him
last year. A group of Smyrna
Jaycees assisted with handling
the crowd which numbered l,O0C.
Merchants of the community pro-
vided funds for the gift stockings,
which were packed by Jaycees
and JaneCees. Owners OF the
Smyrna Theatre cooperated in the
project and the Smyrna police
were on hand to maintain order
in the theatre and in handling
traffic at the site.
Smyrna times., 1957-12-19
MANY ATTEND
ASBURY EVENT
Mrs. Donald KnOtts Directs
Christmas Production of
HandeI's ''The Messiah"
TWO CHOIRS PERFORM

A near capacity audience at
tended the A sbury Methodist
Church production of portions OF
HandeTs "The Messiah" last Sun
day afternoon. Mrs. Donald Knots
directed the twenty-one voices OF
the senior choir in the presenta-
ton. The service was highlighted
bv a tenor recitative entitled
Comfort Ye My People" by Ken
meth Attix, and solo, HE Shall
Feed His Flock" by Mrs. Grace
Minner. Additional soprano Sc
lections, Then Shall the Eyes Of
the Blind Be Opened" and !
Know That My Redeemer Liveth, >
were presented by Miss Betty j.
Griffin. The early evening YES
pers service was completed WIN
several Christmas selections by
the junior choir, under the dlrec-
ton of Mr.. George L. Galley. Ihe
Rev. w. H. Revelle, Jr. rendered
the prayer. The church was ap-
propriately decorated in the true
Christmas spirit. Boughs OF pine
and holly on the window ledges
enhanced the beauty of the CANDLE
light production. Potted palms
and three-tier candelabra comph-
mented further the desired ERECT
Announcement was made that the
Sunday morning, Dec. 18th SER
vice will be in complete charge OF
the Asbury young people who are
home from schools and colleges
for the Christmas holidays. A
large lighted tree has been placed
near the Mt. Vernon Street en-
trance of the church. 1t is anoth-
er of the church's efforts to con-
vey to the public the warm wish
es and tidings of the Christmas
season.
Smyrna times., 1957-12-19
Sparky Talking Dog at GoIden's

Sparly Talking Dog at Golden's
Sparky, the talking dog used
for the training of school children
in fire prevention, is now on dis
play in a Main Street window of
Golden's Pharmacy, and is heard
at intervals giving his message.
He was shown to the children in
Grades 1-6 at Smyrna Elementary
School by Fire Chief Robert Far
les, and also at the Thomas d.
CLAYTON School. He stresses the
need for special care at Christ
mas time. The dog wears a fire
marshal" badge given him by
State Fire Marshal Favinger, VINO
made him a deputy fire marshal.
The Francis B. Gebhart Insurance
Agency has distributed to school
children comic books and copies
of the Golden Rule in prevention
of fires, with emphasis on the
special hazards of the Christmas
season.
Smyrna times., 1957-12-19
Appointed Acting Chief Petty

Henry F. Bush, son of Mr. and
Mrs. Henry S. Bush of Bombay
Hook, has been appointed acting
chief petty officer of his recruit
company at Great Lakes Naval
Training Center. AS a recruit
petty officer he will wear a min
iature rating insigne as a badge
of authority during the remainder
of his nine weeks of Boot Camp"
He was chosen for the position
in recognition of leadership quail
ties displayed while undergoing
recruit training.
Smyrna times., 1957-12-19
FIREMEN PLAN
XMAS CONCERT
Nj j d nig h t Christmas Eve
Street Serenade Planned
BY Quintet
ALSO AT WELFARE HOME

The band of the Citizens Hose
Company will bring cheer to the
residents of the State Welfare
Home at a concert on Sunday,
Dec. % at pm, and brass
quintet will create a Christmas
atmosphere for the people in
Smyrna by playing carols on the
streets at midnight Christmas
Eve. The men listed below have
qualified by their attendance at
regular rehearsals on Sunday af-
ternoons to play the concert at
the Welfare Home: Rodney DAN
ields, director; Paul B. Grier, Will
liam Voshell, Francis Finch, Karl
MacDougall, Nicholas Rosello,
Roger Kelsey, Clarence Tigner,
trumpets; Martin Golden, Edward
Scarfe, James Reynolds, Jr., John
Sheridan, Jr. and Linden Dough-
ten, Jr., trombones; William
Marsh, bass horn; Vernon Ford,
alto horn; Philip Deamer, bari
tone; Robert Keene, Barry Pritch-
ard, Leonard Geissel, saxophone;
Ralph Tieman, Carlton Seward,
clarinets; Richard Ennis, John
Long, Gordon Miller, James Mood,
Lex FAIRIES, drums. Charlotte
Walker is the majorette. The pro-
gram at the Welware Home fol-
lows: March, Brasses to the
Fore, featuring majorette Char
lotte Walker; The Desert Song;
Christmas carols, Joy to the
World, Deck the Halls, The First
Noel, featuring Paul Grier, first
trumpet; William Voshell, second
trumpet; Roger Kelsey, third
trumpet; Martin Golden, from
bone; William Marsh, bass. This
brass quintet will also play the
carols on the streets Christmas
Eve. The program continues
Tea For Two; Winter Wonder
land, featured Charlotte Walker
in dancing and twirling; Christ
mas carols, featuring Roger Kel-
sey, Karl MacDougall, Nick Ro'
sello, Martin Golden, and William
Marsh. Sweetheart of Sigma Chi
Here Comes Santa Claus; Carols
It Came Upon the Midnight Clear
and Hark the Herald Angels sing
featuring the first quintet
March, Them Basses." Lex Far
les is band manager; and the
band committee comprises Paul 3
Grier, Martin Golden, and Leg
FAIRIES.
Smyrna times., 1957-12-19
Xmas Contest Judges Named

Judges for the residential Christ
mas decoration contest sponsored
by the Town of Smyrna have been
named and the selection will be
made on Monday, Dec. % at 1880
pm. Prizes will be awarded as
follows: first, S25; second, SIS;
third, $40. The judges follow:
Mrs. Margaret M. O'Neill, repre-
senting the Smyrna-Clayton Bus
mess and Professional Womens
Club; Thomas Mulligan, the Smyr-
na-Clayton Junior Chamber Of
Commerce; Charles M. Gee,
Smyrna Lions Club; DR.. c. j..
Prickett, Smyrna Rotary Club;
William E. Jones, Smyrna Town
Council. They will be accompan-
led by Town Manager Rex D..
Gilmore and will meet at the
Town Hall.
Smyrna times., 1957-12-19
Kent Firemen Hold Dinner-Meet

Attendance was cut severely
by the storm at the dinner meet
ing of the Kent County Volunteer
Firemen's Association held We'd
nesday night at Hartly. Only one
of the winners of the statewide
fire essay contest was present to
receive the award, Grace Jane
White of Laurel, who won second
place. Other winners were Jac-
queline Renee Belts, Milford, first;
and Robert Thomas, Westhaven,
Wilmington, third. They will re-
ceive their awards by their local
fire companies. Preparations had
been made for 120 people and
only 80 arrived. Just as the din
ner ended the Hartly firemen re-
ceived an alarm.
Smyrna times., 1957-12-19
Hartly Lions Xmas Tree Sale

The Hartly Lions Club are now
holding their annual Christmas
tree sale, which will last until
Christmas Eve. The trees are To-
Gated along side the Hartly fire
house. and are for sale daily from
9 am. to pm. Proceeds from
the sale will go towards the an
'nual Christmas party held for the
children of the area on Decem-
ber 80.
Smyrna times., 1957-12-19
ROTARIANS ENLIGHTENED
ON NIAGARA RIVER PROJECT

James E. Everhart, past presi-
dent of the Smyrna Rotary Club,
told his fellow Rotarians of the
work of installation of larger gen.
orators by the Mohawk Power
Company on the Niagara River,
to meet present needs and in pre-
paration for future extension. He
described the river and the sur
rounding country. The present
equipment now in use is too
small for the needs, he said, and
he told of the building of new
power plants and use of the wat
er system. His topic was mi
agara Frontiers" Leroy P. Piper
Smyrna times., 1957-12-19

responded to the talk. Lester Lief
er was chairman of the program.
DR.. C. j. Prickett was appointed
to represent the club as a men,
ber of the committee of judges
for exterior holiday lighting in
the contest sponsored by Smyrna
Town Council. James Cooper pre-
sided, and birthday greetings-were
extended to Clarence Collins. The
club changed their meeting date
from Dec. 26 to Dec. 80 in order
to attend the Smyrna Theatre at
Z pm. G. Leslie Gooden, Walter
t. Massey, w. G. Davis and Owen
Egnor were visitors from Dover.
Smyrna times., 1957-12-19
Christmas Vacation Begins

School children in this area will
enjoy a long Christmas vacation
this year. The annual vacation
will begin Monday, Dec. %, with
all schools in this area closed
through Wednesday, Jan. 1. Class
es will resume on Thursday, Jan.
2, 1858. Counting weekend days,
the pupils will have IL days to
enjoy the usual festivities of the
Christmas and New Year season.
Smyrna times., 1957-12-19
James Ford Heads Association

Announcement is made of the
election of James r. Ford as pres
ident of the Del-Mar-Va PENN
sula Fertilizer Association at its
annual meeting in Salisbury Dec.
10. Mr.. Ford is sales manager
of Warner w. Price Company,
local fertilizer manufacturers. The
peninsula association was formed
in 1920 by fertilizer manufactur-
ers located on the Delmarva pen
insula, for the purpose of i'm
proving and promoting the use
of commercial fertilizers agricul-
turally, and for the publication
of up-to-date information con-
cerning fertilizer uses.
Smyrna times., 1957-12-19
Dupont HONORS
SMYRNA MAN
Frank o. Keen Presented Dia-
mOnd Pin in Recognition
of 25 Years Service
FOLLOWS FATHER

A local resident, Frank o. Keen,
has been awarded a 25-year SER
vice pin by the DUPONT Company,
Chambers Works and Associated
Units division, according to an an
nouncement released recently in
the company publication Keen, A
years of age and a native of Will
mington, lives with his wife,
Leona, on their farm located 212
Smyrna times., 1957-12-19
CIodhoppers Exhibit Xmas Item.


The monthly meeting of the
Clayton Clodhoppers All Club
was held at the home of Mr.. and
Mrs. George Wicks, with twelve
members and three leaders pre-
sent. The members had a showing
of the articles made for the baz-
aar which they will conduct on
Friday and Saturday, Dec. 1914
at the Iron Front Hardware
Store, Commerce ST., Smyrna.
The girls are making cookies and
the boys, holly wreaths. There
was a discussion of the Junior
Council dance which will be held
Dec. 21. The club will sing Christ
mas carols at the State Welfare
Home on Dec. %.
The Robbins eagle. (Robbins, Ill.) 1951-1963, 1957-08-31
Robb/Ns EeH

capital gains, interest, insurance
payments, or other pensions.
Under these provisions of the
Social Security Act many per-
sons can supplement their saw
ings and social security benefits
to maintain the standard of liv-
ing they desire.
The Robbins eagle. (Robbins, Ill.) 1951-1963, 1957-08-31
Early Sunday
Meeting Opens
Morning Prayer

On Sunday, September l, 1857
there will he Early Sunday
Morning Service Prayer Meeting
at 600 o'clock. This is to be the
beginning Of a United Prayer
Band of all churches.
We would like all churches in
Robbins to he represented. Come
and unite in prayer for your
church and community.
The first meeting is to be held
at Friendship Baptist Church.
Thereafter meeting to be held
every first Sunday at each church
DESTROYS of early morning prayer
meeting.
Arms of Mercy Prayer Band
Marguerite Summerlin, Pres.
ornelia Crudup, Sec'y.
The Robbins eagle. (Robbins, Ill.) 1951-1963, 1957-08-31

I shall bless the Lord at all
times; His praise shall con-
tinually bs In my mouth
(Psalm 3z,1.)
Hew may We bless and
praise the Lord7 Surely
through acts Of love and kind
ness to our fellow men-in
seeking only the good that 10
God In ell Of US, striving to
be Of service. in His name, to
thosa who need aur help.