Westside Historical Society 21st Annual Heritage Festival

The Westside Historical Society would like to inform you of their 21st Annual Heritage Festival, to be held on Saturday May 9, 2009, at the Recreation Park on Station St, in Mardela Springs, Maryland. This has become a popular family event celebrating the history and cultural heritage of the area, which has grown up around the Nanticoke River. This is a family affair, with great traditional food including oysters fritter, BBQ chicken, scrapple sandwiches and other good food, fun things for the kids and interesting things for the adults. Bring your lawn chairs and stay the day under the shade trees. The day starts with a small parade and finishes in the late afternoon with an antique tractor pull in recognition of the importance that agriculture has always played in the lives of people in the area. There is no admission fees or parking fees to this enjoyable event.

Each year the festival features a theme related to some aspect of the life in the region. This year the theme is related to Agriculture; being it is such an important part of the Eastern Shore. The festival will begin at 9:15 am with a parade of antique tractors, cars, trucks, children’s entries, the Mardela Middle School Band, and other organizations.

Sillie Willie the Clown will be strolling the grounds all day. Several local musical groups will be entertaining during the day. Gerald Lyons & Friends from Mardela Springs, and Tom Sawyer are in the line up. Local Indians will be displaying and demonstrating their heritage, in the past they have danced and invited festival attendees to participate. We have a K-9 demonstration by the Wicomico County Deputies around 12 noon, which is always very interesting. Horse ride with Susie the dog will be returning.
There will be a homemade cake raffle and a bake table. We will also have a Longaberger basket raffle, 50/50 raffle, and a silent auction. There will be tractor and wagon rides around the town. The Barren Creek Museum located on Main St. will be open. It is a short block away, not to far, you can take the tram or you can walk.
Each year we have a program book associated with the theme of the festival and guide to the day’s event. Be sure to pick up your FREE COPY at the information tent located on Station St. across from the food wagon and support those businesses and organizations that have purchased an ad.

The day ends with a tractor pull of antique tractors. Anyone can enter their tractor(s) as long as it meets the requirements. Registration and weigh-in begins around 11 am. We reserve parking areas for pullers near the track. The pull actually begins around 12:30 pm.

We hope you will join us for this event on Saturday May 9.

TRAFFIC ALERT - Rehabilitation Of Route 13 Requires Northbound Lane Restrictions

Nighttime Work Hours from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Dover -- As part of the on-going pavement and rehabilitation program, the Department of Transportation (DelDOT) announces northbound lane restrictions on Route 13 between Route 15 and Route 10 in Dover beginning on Sunday, May 3 and ending on Thursday, May 21. The lane restrictions will occur from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., pending weather. To decrease the impact on commuter traffic, all work will occur at night. The contractor for these improvements is Daisy Construction Company.

Variable message signs have been posted throughout the work corridor to warn motorists of the impending construction. Motorists are advised to slow down in work zones and use caution when traveling through this area.

Today's Wildlife Photo

Classified Ads

Today is the last day to submit Classified Ads. If you have something you'd like to sell, list the items, price and contact information and we'll add them to our Classified Ads for FREE. Send the information to, alberobutzo@wmconnect.com.

NASA Wallops Island Launch Next Tuesday Evening

If you've never seen a space launch up close and in person (well, as close as you can get as a civilian), here's the chance to make up for it. Grab the kids, binoculars (it gets far, far away really fast), camera, popcorn and drinks and head out to Wallops Island's Goddard Space Flight Center on Tuesday and get a good seat for one of the most thrilling events you'll ever witness. Be prepared for loud noise and bright lights!

The weather forecast calls for clear skies, only a 10% chance of rain all day, and 24 hour temperatures between 60 and 79 degrees, so it's a very good chance that the launch will be a "Go" as scheduled.

"The Air Force Research Laboratory’s TacSat-3 satellite will launch May 5 on an Air Force Minotaur I rocket from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility and the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport. The launch window on May 5 will run from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. TacSat-3 features three revolutionary trials: the Raytheon Company-built Advanced Responsive Tactically Effective Military Imaging Spectrometer hyperspectral imager, the Office of Naval Research's Satellite Communications Package, and the Air Force Research Laboratory's Space Avionics Experiment.

This trio of payloads will offer real-time imagery (within 10 minutes of collection), sea-based information transmitted from ocean buoys and plug-and-play avionics to assist the warfighter in keeping one step ahead of the adversary.

The PharmaSat experiment, developed by NASA’s Ames Research Center and will measure the influence of microgravity upon yeast resistance to an antifungal agent. PharmaSat focuses on questions key to countermeasure development for long-term space travel and habitation.

Three cubesats will be launched as secondary payloads on the TacSat-3 mission. The satellites, which contain their own power and data systems, are four-inch cubes that weigh 2.2 pounds each. The cubesats are being provided by California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo; The Aerospace Corporation, El Segundo, Calif. and the Hawk Institute for Space Sciences, Pocomoke City, Md. During the rocket’s ascent, each cubesat will be deployed separately from the P-POD into space.

Launch Information: The TacSat-3 mission is scheduled for launch on the evening of May 5, 2009. The window runs through May 9. The launch window on May 5 is from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.Viewing the LaunchThe launch will be visible in the mid-Atlantic region. Locally, the NASA Visitor Center on Va. Route 175 and the beach at the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge/Assateague National Seashore will be open to view the launch.

Launch Status: Prior to the start of the countdown on launch day, updates on the status of the launch will be provided on this web page and on the Wallops launch status line at 757-824-2050. On the day of the launch, updates will be provided on the status line and radio station 760 AM, which has a range of about 5 miles from the NASA Visitor Center. In addition, the launch will be web cast at http://sites.wff.nasa.gov/webcast/ Countdown status also will be available during the countdown on Twitter at http://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops

Launch Vehicle Information: TacSat-3 will be launched on board a Minotaur 1 rocket, integrated by Orbital Sciences Corporation (OSC). The Minotaur 1 is a four-stage vehicle, two stages being refurbished Minuteman II stages and the two stages being OSC developed. The Minotaur is about 70 feet tall and 5 feet wide."

Yard Sales 5/1/9

CLICK HERE for the latest posting of YARD SALES.

Good luck everyone on finding deals and making money. Have a wonderful weekend.

If you are having a yard sale in the near future, and you would like to post your ad here, please send it to me, SunnyInOC, at atlanticjw@aol.com. Please type "YARD SALE" in the subject of your email. Please have the email to me no later than Thursday at 3pm. And remember, it's FREE!!!

Fernando Guerrero Tickets Go On Sale Monday Morning

Tickets for the "Boxing's Future Champions" will go on sale Monday morning at the Wicomico Youth and Civic Center. Tickets prices are $15, 25, 50, 60, 100, and 125. Tickets can be puchased by calling the Wicomico Civic Center Box Officer at 410-548-4911 or stopping in at the box off. Tickets can also be pruchaced online by going to http://www.wicomicociviccenter.org

Helicopter-Gate . . . .Saga Continues

A private investigator has recently been assigned by the DLA - Defense Logistics Agency - to investigate the procurement procedure and where-a-bouts of the mysterious missing helicopter that was donated to the Somerset County Sheriffs Department.

The Daily Times editor, Greg Bassett, reported on WQMR radio that the helicopter had been seen being transported via rollback from one abandoned chicken house in Somerset County to yet another abandoned chicken house in Wicomico County. The surplus military helicopter was obtained by the Somerset County Sheriffs Department through a grant request with the assistance of Greg Bassett's wife.

The tri-county council rejected the operational request from the Sheriff's Department after the helicopter was obtained citing high operational cost for the program.

The helicopter was also spotted being stored in Sam Goldman's hangar at the Salisbury-Ocean City airport before being transported to an abandoned chicken house in Somerset County. Moreover, the helicopter was sited several times being flown around Wicomico County. It has a military camouflage paint job.

Law Day Event

Local Bar Association to Host Law Day Event tomorrow, Friday May 1, 2009.

A Legacy of Liberty - Celebrating Lincoln's Bicentennial.

In celebration of the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln's birthday in 1809, the Women's Bar Association- Lower Eastern Shore, in conjunction with the Circuit Court and District Court of Maryland for Wicomico County will sponsor a Law Day Program. Law Day is a national day set aside to observe how the law and the legal process have contributed to the freedoms that we have as American citizens.

As part of the local observation of Law Day, area attorneys and judges have volunteered to host a Law Day program for middle and high school students selected from Salisbury, Wicomico and Bennett Middle Schools and Wicomico High School. The students will have the opportunity to tour the District and Circuit Courts, observe court cases, and discuss Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, with attorneys leading the discussion.

"It's important for young people to realize the effect Abraham Lincoln had on our nation and our constitutional democracy," said Assistant State's Attorney, Franzella Hayward Starkey, one of the coordinators of the Law Day Program. "We are excited to provide the youth of our community with this program in which we will explore the Law Day theme, "A Legacy of Liberty," says Starkey.

The Law Day event is an annual event that is hosted by members of the Wicomico County legal community. Please see the next page for the agenda and note the times where cameras are prohibited.

For more information contact: Carolyn Widdowson or Fran Starkey 410 – 548 – 4880

The Law Day Agenda for Friday, May 1, 2009 is as follows:

8:45 - 9:00 - Gathering in the Jury Assembly Room

9:15 - 9:30 - A view of the Jury Orientation film

9:30 - 10:30 - District Court tour and Observation of cases
**Cameras not Permitted in the Courtroom**

10:30 - 11:30 - Observation of Circuit Court cases
**Cameras not Permitted in the Courtroom**

11:30 - 11:45 - Questions and Answers

11:45 - 12:30 - Lunch

12:30 - 1:15 - A discussion of Lincoln's Legacy in the Jury Conference Room

1:15 - 2:00 - Observation of Drug Court
**Cameras not Permitted in the Courtroom**

2:00 - Questions and Answer Session

2:15 - 2:30 - Dismissal

Former Youth Rehab Counselor Charged With Unlawful Sexual Assault

Montevilla Anderson

Former Youth Rehab Counselor Charged with Unlawful Sexual Assault of Ferris School Client

Location of Incident: Ferris School, Snowden Cottage, 1825 Faulkland Road, Wilmington, Delaware, New Castle County

Date and Time of Occurrence: March 17th, 2009, at approximately 4:30 a.m.

Suspect(s): Montevilla G. Anderson, 48, of Vandever Avenue in Wilmington, Delaware

Resume: Shortly after 1:00 p.m. this afternoon, detectives from Troop 2 arrested Mr. Montevilla G. Anderson for allegedly grabbing the genitals of a 14-year-old client (a juvenile committed to this institution) of Ferris School.

In this case, which occurred on March 17th, the client was sleeping in his assigned room when Anderson entered his room and grabbed the victim’s genitals. This woke the victim, and upon being confronted, Anderson fled the room.

Mr. Anderson responded to Troop 2 today where he cooperated with investigators. He was subsequently charged with a single count of Unlawful Sexual Contact in the 1st degree (felony). A computer check also revealed he was wanted on five other active capiases. This subject was arraigned, issued a $2,500.00 unsecured bond and released from custody.

Mr. Anderson has strong ties to the community and has been involved in a variety of groups and clubs as an instructor and facilitator. Anyone who believes they too have been victimized by Mr. Anderson is asked to call Troop 2 detectives at 302.834-2630 ext. 224.

Swine Flu

Joe,

I am writing because I want to try to educate a few very insensitive, obnoxious individuals. I work for a chicken plant. Do you know how many times I have been questioned today about why our Hispanic population is being allowed to work today? My response is always the same. Do you have any knowledge of them traveling to Mexico in the past few weeks? The answer is always NO!! Just because you are Hispanic doesn't mean that you have the flu. If, however, an individual has been to Mexico then there is reason for concern. You CANNOT get the swine flu from a person just because they are Hispanic. I swear the ignorance of some people sometimes is overwhelming.

Thanks for your help.

Rick Hoppes Is You New Acting Fire Chief

Fire Chief David See is going to be retiring effective June 30, 2009. However, he has decided to take some of his accumulated leave and so today will be his last actual day on duty. Mayor Ireton has named Deputy Chief Rick Hoppes as Acting Fire Chief effective tomorrow, Friday, May 1, 2009.

FORD SEAFOOD IS NOW SELLING CRABS!

We will be at Goose Creek in Princess Anne today from 2pm-8pm, Friday, Sat and Sun. With the weather people are advised to call 443-669-7234 to check on hours.They can also call that number for deliveries or general info.

All my customers have been loving my crabs and they keep sending friends and family. Every order by the bushel or dozen is hand picked for size and quality. Only the biggest and best crabs are sold. The best part is I have something for every budget. I have huge females for $10 a dozen or 3 dozen for $25. People love them and 3 dozen feeds a family cheap! But I also have premium jumbo crabs, 7"+ jumbos that no one else has. They are absolutely beautiful. These crabs aren't cheap, $50 a dozen or $100 a half bushel but they are unmatched. I 100% guarantee everything I sell. I sell crabs to restaurants and markerts in Baltimore and my prices here are the way below retail elsewhere (although my prices on Jumbos are high these crabs can be $100 dozen in the city).

Blackberry Phone Lost Or Stolen At GOB

A Blackberry was lost or stolen at or near the Government Office Building (GOB) on Tuesday afternoon at about 2:30. Someone made an outgoing call from the cell phone to a number at the GOB at 3:50 that same afternoon. This may have been an attempt to return the phone by redialing a number that originated a call in an attempt to assist in locating the missing phone. Since the phone has not been returned or reported found, service has been turned off. If you have found the phone please call 410-548-3140 to make arrangements to return it to its owner.”

Where Will Big Brother End Up Next?

Remember this camera next to my Office at 300 W. Main Street?

All of a sudden the camera has been removed from the Taylor's building, across from my Office. Mind you, I haven't been back to 300 W. Main Street since the beginning of this past winter. Now you tell me, it was there when I was going in and out of my Office on a daily basis and the SPD could see who was coming and going every day. Then I chose not to go there any more and it disappears?

It would appear they also installed one on the Library, perhaps for the Salisbury Festival. Nevertheless, I personally find this very suspicious now that the Mayor is gone and a new Mayor is in Office.

DOES THE AG. DISTRICT DOWNZONING MAKE SENSE TO YOU?

Anyone who heard the environmental lobby perform at the public hearing this week on the proposed bill to prohibit “cluster subdivisions in Wicomico County surely cringed in fear of unbridled development and the end of farming in the County before someone has succeeded Barack Obama as the President. I sure did while listening to alarmists like King Burnett and John Grout, and that condition continued until I heard the historical data that the Planning Office recently presented to the County Council after the hearing about the total amount of these subdivisions and other residential development in the rural areas.

During the 11 years since cluster subdivisions were authorized (to limit the extent of development) there have been a grand total of 12 such subdivisions approved in rural areas that contain 263 lots on 972 acres, and most of that acreage is permanently preserved open space that is not part of the lots. That rate -- on average of about 1 subdivision and 24 new lots each year – will not come close to depleting farm land in Wicomico County, and actually preserves most of the subdivided land, separate from the homes and lots, for agricultural usage together with any areas that are significant in terms of the environment.

In fact the Planning Office’s data shows that more land has been subdivided for the conventional “large lot” subdivisions, such as “The Plantations” -- the one with the long white fence on the south side of Route 50 near Hebron – which has 42 lots on 641 acres. The same number of lots could have been developed on about one-quarter of that acreage if it were platted as a cluster subdivision, and at least half of that lesser acreage would be preserved open space for farming separate from the lots. Altogether, during the 11-year period, the conventional subdivisions such as The Plantations have consumed 1053 acres in rural areas to create just 75 lots – about 14 acres per lot as compared to 3.7 acres (including the preserved open space) in the cluster subdivisions, in which the average developed area is less than 2 acres per lot.

So, why would we want to do away with cluster subdivisions to preserve land for farming and open space??? Maybe the four members of the County Council who are sponsoring the legislation will explain why that makes sense before they vote next week. Those Council members are: John Cannon, Wm. McCain, Sheree Sample-Hughes and David MacLeod, and their telephone numbers and e-mail addresses are listed at: http://www.wicomicocounty.org/council/council.html

Key Events In Wicomico Schools This Week

Friday:

Reception for students with artwork in the Wicomico County Elementary & Secondary Student Art Show, and the students' families, 7 p.m. at the Wicomico County Public Library. The 31st annual Wicomico County Elementary & Secondary Student Art Show, featuring more than 1,000 works from students in every Wicomico school, is on display at the Wicomico Public Library in Salisbury through May 3. Art teachers have elected 20 to 50 pieces per school, including paintings, drawings, photographs and sculpture, to represent the creative efforts of Wicomico students. The artwork will be displayed in the lobby and throughout the children's side of the library. The exhibit is available for viewing during library hours: 10 a.m.- 9 p.m. Monday to Wednesday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday to Saturday, and 1-5 p.m. Sunday. For information about the Wicomico County Student Art Show, please call Gary Beauchamp, supervisor of fine and performing arts, at 410-677-4573.

Parkside High School will host a mock crash at 9 a.m. Friday for the seniors of Parkside and James M. Bennett High School, as the two schools prepare for their proms. The mock crash, which illustrates for students what happens when a student drinks and drives, will take place at the basketball courts behind Parkside. A number of law enforcement agencies, fire and rescue personnel, and a funeral home will be involved in staging the mock crash, after which an assembly will be held in the auditorium. Parkside's prom will be on Friday night at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, and JMB's prom will be held at Salisbury University May 23. (Wicomico High, whose prom is Saturday, hosted a mock crash before homecoming last fall for students of Wi-Hi and Mardela High.)

Sunday

Derek Wu, a senior at James M. Bennett High School, will give a piano recital at 1:30 p.m. Sunday in the Great Hall of Holloway Hall at Salisbury University. The recital is free and open to the public, but attendees are asked to bring canned goods to support the Maryland Food Bank and/or donations to support the Salisbury/Wicomico Youth Leadership Academy. In addition to being a senior at JMB and the student member of the Maryland State Board of Education, Derek is an award-winning pianist who has studied at the Peabody Institute.

Before & After

The spirit is high for a change Downtown and the Plaza is really starting to take shape.

Salisbury Kennel Club Yard Sale

INDOOR YARD SALE
Clean Out Your Attic
MAY 9

7:00 A.M. UNTIL 1:00 P.M.
Sponsored by
SALISBURY MARYLAND KENNEL CLUB

31663 WINTERPLACE PARKWAY AT NEW TRAINING CENTER
Setup will be allowed Friday night between 8:00 and 9:30 p.m.
$15.00 FOR 6’ X 12’ SPACE
OR
$25.00 FOR 12’ X 12’ SPACE
BRING YOUR OWN TABLE
FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL: 410-430-6113

ADMISSION FREE

Smith, Comegys & Shields

During Budget Session Meetings the Three stooges had lunch at this local restaurant this week. For what it's worth, I could see them hooking up at the Salisbury Festival and deciding to grab a bite to eat together but when you're in the middle of your Budget Session, well, it's just not an ethical thing to do. Some might say it's a quorum and they should know better. I had been hoping these three would start seeing that the taxpayers want change. Maybe I'm wrong, maybe they said absolutely nothing at all about business while they were out together. What do you think?