davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Smyrna times., 1958-12-18
Church Women
Cheer Patients

Mrs. Elizabeth Lamb presided
at the recent meeting of the
Women of St. Peters Episcopal
Church when a Christmas pro-
gram was presented by Mrs.
Fred Heinold, Sr., educational
secretary. Members of the group
were assigned names of fifty
three residents of the State We'll
fare Home whom they will visit
and present gifts of tobacco and
candy on Sunday, Dec. 81 after
2:30 pm. The group will also
sponsor the purchase of gifts for
eighty members of the church
school for the party to be held
Saturday, Dec. 20, and authoriz-
ed the payment to the vestry of
$500 to apply to the fund for
new kitchen equipment in the
parish house. Mrs. Richard w.
Comegys, Christian Social Rela-
tions secretary, is in charge of
the Welfare Home project.
Smyrna times., 1958-12-18
Eagles Card 50 Basketball Opener
Jan. 6 Against Chestertown Quintet

action. His height is expected to
strengthen the Smyrna rebound
ing game and give the team
needed aid under the offensive
basket. Coach Tritt will mark
his third year at the helm of the
Eagle quintet when the team
opens its home season with Mid
dletown on Jan. 9. Two new
comers to the schedule, Lewes
and Seaford, will make their bow
this year. Both will be met on
foreign courts. A special game
with the faculty is also listed to
be played Feb. 27. School Off
cials are hopeful that the new
750-seat field house being con-
structed opposite the high school
building on Frazier Street will be
completed so that a portion of
the contests can be played there.
Until that time all trays will con-
tinue to be held in the old gym
nasium in the high school build
ing. Tap-off time for varsity
games is approximately 8:l5 pm.
with the junior varsity prelim-
mary getting underway at 7 pm.
Smyrna times., 1958-12-18
Precautions Against Possible Fire
Dangers Are Taken In Area Schools

Administration officials of the
Smyrna Special School District
have just completed a review of
the various fire regulations and
procedures in effect in the Smyr-
ma District. While it was felt
that existing rules were operat-
ing satisfactorily, certain addi-
tional precautions are being in
stituted. Two drills, one for fire
and one for AFRAID, are. held in
every school of the district each
month. Building principals re-
port the results of these drills to
the district superintendent and
these reports are then forwarded
to the state. The drills are held
at different times of day, and are
unannounced, no one knowing
when the drill will be held ex-
cept the building principal. Dur
Smyrna times., 1958-12-18
Roland Mills, 6
Dies In Hospital

Roland M. Mills, ST., of Clay
ton, died in the Delaware Hos
pital, Wilmington, on Dec. l3 at
the age of "a. He was the son of
David Mills and Tabitha Mabrey
Mills. Funeral services were held
at the FAIRIES Funeral Chapel on
Tuesday, Dec. l6, with the Rev.
Frank 0. Baynard of EwelPs-St.
Paul Church, Clayton, in charge.
Interment was in Odd Fellows
Cemetery, Smyrna. Mr.. Mills is
survived by his wife, Mrs. Edith
H. Mills, of Clayton; his mother,
Mrs. Tabitha Mills, Smyrna; one
son, Roland Mills, Jr., Media,
Pa; two grandchildren; two sis
tiers, Mrs. Daisy Davis of Clay
ton, and Mrs. Martha Marshall
of New York City. Mr.. Mills was
a farmer in the Clayton area and
retired to town some years ago.
He was a member of Ewell's-St.
Paul Methodist Church in Clay
ton.
Smyrna times., 1958-12-18

Coach Richardson Tritt will
unveil the 1859 version of Smyr-
ma High Schools basketball
quintet on January 6 when the
Eagles travel to Chestertown,
Md, to oppose an old rival on
the schedule. The game will be
the season opener for Smyrna,
which has scheduled eighteen
contests during the campaign.
Prospects for the team this year
are good, according to Coach
Tritt. Four lettermen from last
years mediocre squad return to
form the nuclei of this seasons
team. Dick Cole, Ronnie Mccoy,
Wayne Cole, and Jim Persinger
are the veterans. All but Persing-
er will be in the Jan. 6 starting
lineup. He will miss the early
part of the schedule due to a leg
injury sustained playing football.
The other three, together with
Barry Pritchard, elevated from
the jayvee ranks, and Bob Boy
er, a newcomer to the sport, will
comprise the starting five. Bob
Eckhart will also see plenty of
Smyrna times., 1958-12-18
Big Game Hunter
Awes Boy Scouts

The Smyrna Rotary Club was
host to Troop 1875, Boy Scouts of
America at the annual Christmas
party and court of awards at The
Wayside Inn Thursday night at
which the guest speaker was
Lou Atwell, big game hunter of
Wilmington. He was presented
by Leroy Sayers, and was an as
sociate of Frank Buck. Many
experiences in big game hunting
were related, telling of wild
game captured, of his experience
of being captured by head hunt
ters on Samoa and his means of
escape. A modern safari was ex-
planned, with details of organiza-
ton and ways of penetrating the
wilds. The speakers colorful
career included boxing, college
athlete, and circus performer. An
exhibit of the working tools of
an African big game hunter was
of interest to the scouts. The
response was made by Harry p.
Jones. Earl Ford is scoutmaster.
First class awards were present
ed by w. E. Matthews, Jr. to
Donald Massey, Austin Pase, Ed
Continued on Page Twelve
Smyrna times., 1958-12-18

ing fire prevention week, firemen
of the Citizens Hose Company
visited and inspected all schools
of the district, and run an unan-
nounced fire drill. Complete in
structions for fire drills are pre-
sented to teachers as part of a
30-page handbook in September.
The instructions included the
statements: cease what you are
doing at once. Monitors close all
windows, and close doors when
all pupils have cleared the
ROOM" Teachers are expected to
take roll books with them to as
sist in making certain that all
pupils are out of the building.
Special provisions are made for
any crippled pupils and all are
taken from the building. Fire
Continued on Page Twelve)
Smyrna times., 1958-12-18
Icy Road Causes
.TwO-Car Collision
Injuring Four
West OF Clayton

The first snow storm of the
winter season was responsible
for a tWo-car collision east of
Clayton last Thursday night in
which four persons were injured.
State police said that a car oper-
ated by Jean c. Dulin, 25, of
near Clayton, skidded on the icy
road when she applied her
brakes at the intersection of
Routes 40 and 800. The car slid
into the face of oncoming traffic
and collided with an auto driven
by Clarence M. Emerson, Jr., l9,
of Smyrna, which was proceed
ing east on Route 300. Emerson
suffered decorations of the face
and Virginia Wyatt, l8, of Smyr-
ma, a passenger in his car, re-
ceived decorations of the face
and forehead. The driver of the
other vehicle escaped injury.
However, Hazel Conley, 81, of
Clayton, and Ada Buck, "a, also
of Clayton, passengers in the
car, both sustained minor injur-
les. All of the victims were TAX
en- to Kent General Hospital in
the Smyrna American Legion
ambulances. Two were released
Immediately after treatment,
while the other three were held
for observation. The group in the
Dulin car were on their way to
a Christmas party at the Downs
Chapel Church when the mishap
occurred.
Smyrna times., 1958-12-18
Crangers Ready
Yuletide Baskets

The Christmas party of the
Smyrna Grange featured a COW
cred dish supper and program on
Thursday night. Guests included
newly-elected State Master Paris
Kirby of Milford, and Mrs. Kir-
by; also, Bayard Taylor, state
secretary, of Wilmington, and
Mrs. Taylor. Harry c. Johnson
is master. The program appropri-
ate to the Christmas season was
presented by Mrs. Ch arl e
Dukes. There was a reading,
THE Best Gift of ALL" by Har-
old McGrath. Carols were sung
by a group of grange children,
including Debbie, Bobby, and
David Jones, Michael Dukes,
Michael McGrath, Bonnie and
Diane Blendt, all of Smyrna, and
Jean Boyd, of Wilmington. There
was a monologue by Mrs. Dukes,
and a gift exchange between
members. The grange completed
plans for the fifteen baskets
which they will prepare for
needy families, to be distributed
Christmas Eve. The next regular
meeting will be held on Thurs
day, Jan. s.
Smyrna times., 1958-12-18
Smyrna Council
.Okays Borrowing
$4,000 For Sewer
Line Extensions

At the regular meeting of the
Town Council Friday night Town
Manager Rex d. Gilmore an
nounced that no ashes will be
collected on Christmas Day and
no garbage the day after, but
that both collections will be
made on Wednesday, Dec. "a.
Ashes will also be collected on
Dec. 81. MIR. Gilmore also pro-
posed that Friday, Dec. 26 be
declared a holiday for employees
of the street, electric, and office
departments, and council agreed
to this suggestion, which pro-
vides a long weekend. The town
manager reviewed the various
projects due for the next six
months, and council authorized
the borrowing of $4,000 to COW
er the cost of recent sewer ex-
tensions. Chief of Police John w.
Jacobs, Jr. reported on a recent
F.B.I. conference he had attend
ed, and submitted report of the
police department for the month
of November. 1t listed 81 COM
plants; s arrests; 7 motor We
hicle; / assault and battery; 2
cases continued for the Court of
Common Pleas; police car mile
age, 3,346; fines collected, $500.
A delegation of three residents
of Locust View in the eastern
section of Smyrna was present
to request that something be
done about the condition of that
street, and the town agreed to
make temporary repairs. Appli-
cation for a trailer permit of Mr..
and Mrs. Roy Collins, Sr. of 3l3
West Mt. Vernon Street was
denied, due to an ordinance
which prohibits trailers being in
stalled in the town. Mr.. Gilmore
submitted copies of an organiza-
tion chart of the Town of Smyr.
ma which he had compiled which
shows graphically the chain Of
command down from the people
of Smyrna through the mayor
and council and the town man
ager. Requests for street lights
in the High Street area will be
taken care of as soon as the
schedule of work permits. AL
members of council were presen
and Councilman Kenneth D
Smith presided in the absence O.
Mayor George M. Blendt, who
was in Richmond, Va. on bus
mess.
Smyrna times., 1958-12-18
Speaking Schedule
Arranged To Tell
Exchange Story

A schedule of speakers to ap-
pear at various meetings of SER
vice clubs and other organiza-
tions was set up at meeting of
the International Student-Ex-
change Chapter of the American
Field Service for the John Bas-
sett Moore High School. They
will be prepared to tell the his
tory of the American Field Ser
vice and explain the student-ex-
change program to groups in
Smyrna and Clayton as a step
toward having foreign student
attend the John Bassett Moore
High School during the l959-60
school year. Funds will have to
be raised by the cooperation and
efforts of residents of the entire
Smyrna Special School District
which includes the territory from
Kenton east to Leipsic in north
ern Kent County, and a portion
/ of Southern New Castle County.
Nelson S. Everhart presided at
the recent meeting, with Mrs.
Martin Golden serving as secre-
tary. So far the list of persons
who will present the project at
more than a dozen organizations
meetings during December and
early January includes George V,
Kirk, Nelson S. Everhart, Nor
man G. Wilder, the Rev. w. H
Revelle, Jr., Mrs. Mary Jane Beh-
rens, Mrs. Margaret M. O'Neill
| Charles V. Williams, and Mrs
Golden. The project has been
presented to several groups with
! favorable reaction evidenced
Charles M. Gee is serving as
treasurer for the effort and any
one wishing to make a contribu
tion to this venture in better un
derstanding of those from Other
nations may do so directly tc
him. President Eisenhower has
said the ATS International Schol
arship sis helping to spread the
real concept of American demo
cracy throughout the world anc
to create a true international un
derstanding of our country. Car
lried far enough the project will
be an effective agent in combat
ing totalitarian propaganda ane
will help eliminate the misunder
standings that promote conflict.
Smyrna times., 1958-12-18
Increases
Services, Offers
Discharge Papers

Still another in it's list of COM
munity services was added by
members of David c. Harrison
Post No. Ia, American Legion,
this week when announcement
was made that duplicate dis
charge papers can now be ac--
quired through the organization.
Post Commander Ollie F. Loose.
in explaining the Legion's new
lest service, said that several cas-
es had developed in the past two
years where veterans had mis-
placed, lost, burned, or had stoIz
en- his service discharge papers
Such documents often are valu--
able to servicemen in employ
ment and pension applications.
Any veteran of World War l,
World War II, or the Korean
War is eligible to receive this
service. Com m a n d er Loose
points out that the opportunity
/ is not limited to members of the
local post. Duplicate copies of
your discharge papers may be
obtained by contracting either
Loose or the post service officer,
Glenn Matthews. The Legion
here also operates an ambulance
service for Smyrna-Clayton and
surrounding areas. The local post
was the first in the world to put
such service into operation.
Smyrna times., 1958-12-18
Barn, 5000 Bales
Hay Burned On
Pratt Farm By
Wind-Swept Blaze

Volunteers of the Citizens
Hose Company responded to two
fires in less than IL hours, the
first at 7:30 pm. Tuesday at
Smyrna Landing, and the second
at $50 am. Wednesday on the
Herman Pratt farm on the road
to Blackbird. A 50x50 foot barn
and contents were destroyed in
the early morning fire. The cause
has not been determined. Three
thousand bales of hay, estimated
value between two and three
thousand dollars, were lost. The
loss is covered by insurance. The
firemen managed to save Sec
ton of an adjoining barn, which
was partially destroyed. The
buildings were owned by Her
man Pratt, of Smyrna, and the
contents owned jointly by MIR.
Pratt and William Kemp, who
lives on the next farm and tills
his own and Mr.. Pratt's farms.
The two-story barn was built of
frame and corrugated tin roof.
200 bales of hay were saved,
pulled by firemen from the Sec
ond structure, of which one end
was destroyed. The Smyrna fire.
men were assisted by the Clay
ton Fire Company, and Senger
Transportation furnished large
milk trucks used to haul water.
The site of the fire was about
three miles northwest of Smyr-
ma. Chief Robert FAIRIES directed
the IS volunteers of the two
companies. The firemen had to
stand guard for many hours, as
a change in the wind would
threaten other buildings, and the
house occupied by John Green,
who was not involved in the
Continued on Page Twelve
Smyrna times., 1958-12-18
Scout Aides To
Ease OyerwOrked
Librarians Job

A project is being conducted
by seven members of the Senior
Girl Scout Troop which is prov
ing of inestimable help to the
Smyrna Public Library. The
scouts, all fourteen years old,
work in the library in their scout
uniform as aides to Mrs. Louise
Denney Clifton, librarian, stack
ing books, stamping cards in the
file, and busting shelves and
books. The increase in the use
of the library, especially by
young readers, has put an extra
burden on the librarian, and the
offer by the scouts to assist came
as an unexpected boon at this
time. Their work started Dec. |
and according to Mrs. William
Kraus, troop leader, the girls
have set their own schedule tC
work Tuesday and Friday even
ings from $50 to s o'clock. The
library project is one in a five
point program leading to theil
membership pin. The library
work is the service project
wherein the girls give of them
selves to serve their community
The other points include camp
ing, emergency preparation, ir
which the girls devise a call sys
tenn of their own if the troop i.
needed to help in an emergency
knowledge of how the Girl Scout
Council operates; and one ir
which the girls expand their owr
personal interests, in arts, crafts
music, or other creative effort
The girls now engaged in the
service to the library are Patsy
Moffitt, Karen Kraus, Dorothy
Gray, Joyce Thompson, Karer
Everhart, Donna Rae Long, ane
Carol Ann Pryor. Mrs. c. L
Harmonson, president of the
Smyrna Library Commission, ha.
expressed the appreciation ot
that group for the assistance be
ing given by the scouts. The
troop is sponsored by the Twen
tieth Century Club.
Smyrna times., 1958-12-18
Brass Quintet to Carol

The brass quintet of the CitiZ-
ems Hose Company band will
play carols in the corridors of
all floors of the medical center
at the State Welfare Home on
the afternoon of Sunday, Dec. 81
to create the Christmas atmos-
phere during the time when
many visitors from churches and
other organizations are in the
building leaving gifts for the res
idents. They will also play carols
on the streets of Smyrna at mid
night Christmas Eve. Members
of the quintet are Paul B. Grier,
Martin Golden, Howard Green,
Karl McDougall, and William
Voshell.
Smyrna times., 1958-12-18
Mrs. M. Speakman
Awarded Diploma
For Defense Work

Mrs. Marjorie w. Speakman,
a member of the National De-
fense Executive Reserve of the
Small Business Administration,
has returned to her home here
after attending a conference on
national security held at Wash
ington, D. c. The two-week con-
ference was an intensive, con-
densed course of study in every
thing pertaining to national Sc
curity, and was attended by re-
serve officers of the three
branches of the armed services,
and members of the Industrial
Defense Executive Reserves. The
course was completed by 450
persons who were awarded di-
plomas at the close of the ses-
sions, which were held daily for
two weeks from 8:45 am. to 4
pm. in the conference auditori-
um at 18th and Constitution
Ave. The aim will be for those
attending to return and dissem-
mate their knowledge among
people in their locality, for it is
felt that we can only be secure
with a strong team of civilians
and the military. The lecturers
were members of the Industrial
College of the Armed Forces
from Fort McNair.
Smyrna times., 1958-12-18
l,2OO Youngsters
Jam Into Theatre
To Greet Santa,
Convey Requests

That the trend toward science
has affected children below ten
years of age was indicated by
the requests to Santa Claus dur
ing the annual celebration spon-
sored by the Smyrna-Clayton
Jaycees Saturday afternoon at
the Smyrna Theatre. AS the long
line passed out of the theater
many boys asked for chemistry
sets, a new departure here. Un-
usual requests included one for
a Jaguar, live horse, a trip to
Florida, an ''ice cream maker" t,
a bike and a baby; nothing, a
live puppy, and most colorful of
all, the request to come out to
our house." Music also has come
to the fore, with many requests
for radios and record players;
bows and arrows, batons, rifles,
bikes, drums, cowboy boots,
dolls, and typewriters were re-
peated over and over. Many
children were too awed to ask
for anything, as they feel this is
the real" Santa Claus. An esti-
mated crowd of 1000 packed the
theater, with more than a thou
sand gift-filled stockings handed
to the boys and girls by Santa
himself, who had the assistance
of Jaycees in dispensing the gifts
to the crowd. The children rang
ed from babies in their mothers
arms to ten-year-olds, and they
were entertained for an hour by
animated cartoons until Santa
Claus arrived. A clown handed
lollipops to the children before
they entered the theater, and the
celebration was handled with no
accidents or incidents. The Jay
Gees had the cooperation of the
management of the Smyrna The,
atre, merchants and other friends
who supported the fund for the
stockings, and the Smyrna po
lice who were on hand at the
Continued on Page Twelve)
Smyrna times., 1958-12-18
Santa To Send
Riddles To Bed

Santa Claus is coming to town
he will tour the town of Smyr-
ma early in the evening of Christ
mas Eve and will greet young
children by name as he passes
their home if their parents have
notified William Minner, chair
man of the project for the Smyr-
ma Lions Club, or by calling
Wells Campbell. The purpose of
Santa's first trip through the
town is to urge the little child
rem to go to bed early so that
they will be asleep when he
makes the trip to leave their
toys.
Smyrna times., 1958-12-18
Schools To Close
Tuesday As Xmas
Vacation Begins

School officials have announc-
ed the Christmas vacation dates
and repeat the regulations con-
corning special school closings
due to snow. Christmas vacation
this year begins at the close of
school on Dec. %, and continues
through Jan. 4. The tWelve-day
vacation will be enjoyed by all
pupils of the district. Officials
also announce that regulations
concerning school closing are the
same as last year. If it is neces-
sary to close school, announce
ments will be made over stations
WIDOW and VIXEN in Dover, as
well as Wilmington and Phila-
delphia stations. Officials sug-
gest that the Dover stations are
the best source of this informa-
tion since they have fewer
schools to announce. Parents are
asked not to call the school, as
this ties up phone lines which
are used to contact bus drivers
and make necessary emergency
calls. If it becomes necessary to
close school during the day, the
radio stations will be contacted,
officials said. They note that
school is closed only when it
seems absolutely necessary DUR
ing the day, for some young bus
pupils and even town pupils
sometimes arrive home without
a way to get into their homes
because of working or shopping
parents. Parents are advised
whenever possible to make ne
cessary provisions on days when
it appears that snow is immin-
ent. According to state regula-
tions, the school must operate
l80 days, and all days lost be-
cause of storms must be made
up.
Smyrna times., 1958-12-18
Firemen Complete
Toy Renovation,
Invite Inspection

Dominated by a large Christ
mas tree, the display of renovat-
ed toys in the main section of
the fire house looks to passersby
like the toy department in a
large store, and is heart warm
ing sight. The public is invited
to see the exhibit starting this
weekend and continuing until
Christmas Eve, when the gifts
will be delivered by the volun-
teers. The eye is first attracted
by thirty wheeled vehicles, in
Guiding ten two-wheel bikes
which will gladden. the hearts of
boys and girls. There are sleds
of all sizes, and twelve-foot
table is covered with toy trucks,
cars, cranes, and road grading
equipment, and close by is a
table stacked high with games
of all kinds, jigsaw puzzles,
books, and two sets of encyclo-
pedias. There is a large supply
of music instruments, and even
| three record players. Tables are
filled with large plush animals,
pandas and teddy bears, and
hundreds of small stuffed ami
mails. Members of the Ladies
Auxiliary are in charge of the
doll department which includes
dolls, high chairs, rockers, beds
doll coaches, doll houses, ironing
boards, and stoves. This is not 6
''toy-for-every-tot" project, but
rather gift of large boxes Of
assorted toys to each family. The
committee has been at work fol
many weeks painting and repair
ing the toys and the Workshop
will be active until the final houl
of delivery. The firemen at work
on the toys have had the cooper
alton of the auxiliary, the junior
auxiliary members who dressed
dolls, and Girl Scouts. A contri.
button has been made toward
the project by the Willing Work.
ers Bible Class of Asbury Meth.
odist Church. The volunteers al.
so expect to receive toys which
have been renovated by men al
Dover Air Force Base, making
this a huge cooperative effort
Miss Clara Sparr and Mrs. Alar
Robinson, school nurses, have
helped in compiling the list Of
families to be visited. Each fam.
lily will also receive fruit and
candy provided by contributions
from interested persons. The
committee includes ssell
Biggs, Glenn Matthews, John
Morris, Eugene Robinson, ano
! Robert FAIRIES.
Smyrna times., 1958-12-18
Asbury Presents
"Messiah" Sunday

The senior choir of Asbury
Methodist Church will present
Christmas portions of Handels
Messiah" under the direction
of Mrs. Donald Knots on Sum-
day, Dec. FL at 7::30 pm. The
soloists will be Miss Betty Jane
Griffin, Kenneth Attix, and Mrs.
William Minner. The junior choir
will present a selection, ''The
Friendly Beast" under the direc-
tion of Mrs. George E. Bryson,
accompanied by Mrs. Richard
Nelson. The program will be by
candlelight and will feature a
candlelight procession.