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Dear CSM Letter Writers, Your letters are very important to us and folks fromall over the county are always telling us how much they enjoy reading them. The CSM Mailbox is your forum to write about your memories of our beautiful Cecil County, and of course topics presented in Cecil Soil Magazine. We get tons of letters after every issue is distributed, but the funny thing is, the more we get, the more we want! To thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with us, we'll have a free “Proud to be from Cecil Soil" T-shirt waiting for you at our Rising Sun office should your letter be selected for publication. Be sure to include your T-shirt size and contact information. We look forward to hearing from you! Thank you kindly. Sincerely yours, P.S.— We've provided a simple and convenient form that you may use, if you wish. July / August 2007... Hello Cecil County,
With sincere thanks, Dear CSM, I have lived in the Rising Sun area all of my 63 years. It used to be that you knew every soul from Conowingo to Calvert. Not so today — so many new people. But that’s a good thing — I find new and young people bring different ideas to the area. How interesting it was back then, circa 1948-1949? Stores and people were different then. We had Pogue & Roberson’s Variety Store, Poists’ News Agency, two hardware stores with the old wooden creaky porches. They sold everything imaginable. Also, we had two banks. I actually lived on Main Street where the present Ace Hardware is today. Back then it was a four unit apartment building—Vickery’s on one end and us on the other. In the middle two apartments were the Finnifrocks and Bus and Jean West. My brother and I spent many, many hours there. Back then everybody knew everybody else and everyone looked out for each other. We had quite a few gas stations and everyone from all over loved “Shallcross Sausage.” Not many remember when the Post Office was in a tiny little building on Cherry Street (site of present flower store now). There were a few kids that grew up in town — known as “the town kids.” Everyone knew us. Does anyone remember these “town kids?” Nancy McCardell, Patsy and Billy Spencer, Carolyn Shallcross, Terry and Woody Vickery, Butchie Brumfield, Sally Knabb, Jimmy and Patsy Hudson (my brother and I), Jane Cameron, Billy and Carol Buck, Michael McFerren, Sandy and Sharon Yates, Joan and Suzanne Poist, Tommy Davis, Emma Robinson, Billy McNamee, Eddie and Dottie Little, John Ryan and I apologize for the other names I can’t remember. My favorite thing was to go to Ashby’s Drugstore & Special Gifts for a very special “Chocolate Nut Sundae” made by Mr. Clarence Ashby or Catherine Kirk or Richard Goodie. I called you last week because I am so taken with Cecil Soil Magazine. It is so interesting hearing about people you have known or maybe had forgotten about. I always read it cover to cover. Everyone I know loves it too. I know it takes a lot of work and I commend you and all involved with Cecil Soil Magazine. Patsy Coale Colora, Maryland Publisher’s note: Thank you for your wonderful letter Patsy, I’m sure a lot of those “town kids” will enjoy it also. If you want to see a young Butchie Brumfield turn to page 56. Ed, Dear Carol and Ed, The Upper Chesapeake Community Band decided to advertise in your May/June 07 issue for the first time. First of all, the layout done for us was beautiful. Then when the magazine came out, we found our name mentioned in four places! Thank you for publishing the poem in memory of Marcia Isaak. She was a very special lady to our band and also in the community. And then we got immediate contact from four persons, who saw our ad and schedule in the Cecil Soil. We have never had such positive results from any other avenue of advertising that we have tried over the 13 years of our existence. Thank you Cecil Soil — so glad we found you! Mary White Director—UCCB
Ed and Staff, All of us at Galvinell wanted to sincerely thank you for the great article you ran in Cecil Soil Magazine. A big thanks to Drewe Phinny, who I think learned a lot about “butchering” from us. He did a great job of explaining what it is that we do here. The article has brought a lot of interest from the public and not to mention a few new customers. Thanks again for the great article and magazine. Ed — See you at the cook-off! Jennifer Sexton Galvinell Meat Company Conowingo, Maryland Publisher’s note: Thanks Jen, the cook-off was great! Please look at pg. 52 to see all those happy BBQ’in contestants. Cecil Soil Magazine, I want to send a subscription of your magazine to an old friend of mine and also, get one for myself. My Husband picked up the first issue at a store here in Newark. I thoroughly enjoyed it and told him to watch out for the next one. I have seen several, but know I missed a couple along the way. I have enjoyed reading about people I know or have heard about. I grew up in the Fair Hill area and moved here to Newark in 1959 when I got married. My friend Mrs. Foster also grew up in the area a few years ahead of me. We often discuss how great it was to have a childhood in what we call “God’s Country” — peaceful and everyone knew and looked out for each other. Thanks for the magazine and I look forward to receiving all copies. Susan S. Kemether Newark, Delaware P.S. I’m also making time to go to Ripples, The Mistletoe Christmas Shop and Iron Bridge Farm. I learned about all of them from Cecil Soil Magazine. Publisher’s note: I’m very sad to report to you that Ripples has shut down permanently. An upstanding local family created this beautiful store and it will be sorely missed by all. Dear Mr. Belote, Dear Sir: In May of 1958 as newly appointed principal, accompanied by my supervisor, Mr. Norman J. Moore, I made my first visit to Calvert Elementary School. It had been a High School, then a Middle School, and as of September 1958 became an Elementary School. The office was on the second floor and was small — room enough for two desks and chairs, a filing cabinet; and in the front corner on the floor sat a telephone with four batteries along side of it. We were a part of the Armstrong Phone Company. To say I was surprised is putting it mildly; but I came to love it. Our ring was “five shorts,” and if we (our secretary, Evelyn Logan, and myself) weren’t in the office to answer on the first or second ring, it would continue ringing until we did answer. There were ten on the line, everyone was very kind to us; and if we had to use the phone, all we had to say was “May Calvert Elementary School use the phone for several minutes?” It didn’t take long for them to recognize our voices; and they would hang up immediately. Then Armstrong converted to a “new” system. It was quite a thrill to pick up the phone and dial direct to West Covina, California — something I couldn’t do from my home in Newark, Delaware. Your article brought back many fond memories. Sincerely, Vivian Timmons Newark, Delaware P.S. Sam Coale and Bob Logan were two Calvert Elementary School “graduates.” It is truly a pleasure to read your magazine. Dear Mr. Belote, Dear Gentle Publisher of Cecil Soil Magazine, I just finished devouring your March/April 2007 Edition. WOW!! Please include me on your subscription list. Your magazine is fantastic. Made me feel like I was back home in good old Cecil. Thank you so much. Norma O. Bailey Salisbury, Maryland
Ed, Thank you for the 1946 Kenmore High School class picture. My deceased brother, Ronnie Spratt, was in it. It was a picture of him that none of us had seen before. There were also several other friends in it. It was nice to see, as I too attended Kenmore School. Thanks to Bob Dvorak for sending it in. Really enjoy the magazine. Susan Kemether Newark, Delaware
To Where in the County, When I went to Plumpton Park Zoo in kindergarten I was amazed. I loved the monkey and the snakes. I was so glad we went there. I even got to pet a giraffe! That was the best day of my whole life! I believe it’s Plumpton Park Zoo. Tanner Butler (age 10) Elkton, Maryland Publisher’s note: Tanner, we cannot find your phone number, but we have a Proud to be From Cecil Soil sweatshirt for you. Call us at 410-658-3244.
Dear Ed, Sometime back my Niece, Jeryle McCardell, who lives close to Port Deposit, Maryland mailed me a copy of your Cecil Soil Magazine and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it from cover to cover. At that time, I subscribed to the Cecil Soil Magazine myself and have looked forward to receiving it each time that it is printed. Since I am very familiar with most all of the areas that you write about, and since I grew up just west of Rising Sun, many names of people and of places come to mind as I read each issue. I look forward to continue reading the Cecil Soil Magazine. I enjoyed talking to you on the phone on Friday of last week. To keep informed of what is happening around Cecil County, and surrounding areas, I will look forward to receiving your next issue. Sincerely Wilmer K. (Birdie) Fisher Florida Dear Mr. Dixon, I am writing you because of one of the articles that you wrote. I did not realize how blessed I was to meet Dr. Peter Stavrakis. I did not get introduced to him until five years later. I was traveling on 896 South out of Newark on my motorcycle when a fuel truck spilled a load while refilling one of the gas stations. Traffic was being diverted back to route 4 to enter 95 on 273 or 279 in Elkton. A pick-up truck did not see me approaching at 20 mph and backed out or turned directly in front of me. I hit him broadside and went over the handlebars hitting the roof support of the truck with my head/upper body. I became lodged in the truck. I was not wearing a helmet at the time. Many people have told me that if I had a helmet on things would have been better. I had some neck problems from just my face mashing into the roof support. I would not like to think about the spinal damage if a hard helmet had hit and bounced back. The car ahead of me heard the impact and turned back. The police report said the police were there in 3 minutes probably due to the fact they were directing traffic. I am willing to bet the car that turned around beat the police to the scene. The driver of the car was Dr. Peter Stavrakis. Having been a paramedic you are familiar with the phrase/term “Golden Hour”. For people unfamiliar it is the care you receive in the first hour after your injury. It makes all the difference in your condition. I found out that Dr. Stavrakis was there before the police. I only had “Golden Minutes” between the accident and a Doctor on the scene. I thought I was blessed to have a doctor there and did not realize it until I talked to Dr. Stavrakis on the fifth anniversary of the accident. I brought him a dozen roses to thank him for turning around. I sat and chatted with him for about a half hour. I was introduced to his wife and learned how he went from the Russian side to the American side through German occupied land healing people the whole way. I thought God did not want me dead if he put this man in the area of my accident. It was not until I read your article. It said he “retired” in 1994. It also said that he went back to Dr. Hsu practice. I am living proof that you never “retire” from the ER. He and my mother, a nursing supervisor, are the reasons I am still alive. I will keep your article to remind me of an extraordinary man who it seems just wanted to live an ordinary life. Sincerely yours, Robert W. Bruner II Newark, Delaware Dear CSM, I read with great interest in the article on the old Tome School. My father, Robert P. Bradford attended Tome. I want to say around 1915 & 1916. He played football, basketball, and competed in the Penn relays for their track team. Could you please tell me where I can find more information on Tome? I would appreciate hearing from you, Cecil County is a lovely area. Thank you Robert H. Bradford Elverson, Pennsylvania Yes Mr. Bradford, you may contact Mike Dixon at the Cecil County Historical Society at 410-398-1790 – ETB Please send your letters to: Cecil Soil Magazine, P.O. Box 645, Rising Sun, MD 21911. You may also fax them to 410-658-3242 or use this handy form. All letters become the property of Cecil Soil Magazine and Back Porch Publications, LLC, and may be edited for clarity or space. All letters received are given due consideration for publishing. Beginning in January 2010, writers of letters selected for publication in future issues will receive a free one-year subscriptions to CSM, or extensions to their existing subscriptions, when applicable. Current | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 |
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Dear Ed,
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Belote, 
The Coffee Pot was built in the northeast corner of the shop behind the show room of the Wilson & McNamee Garage where school buses were also kept. The Coffee Pot was built in the area in front of the mechanic’s work bench with all of the material for the Coffee Pot laid out, cut and the pot assembled in that corner of the shop. It was all done with hand tools, the only power tool in the garage was a 3/8” Black and Decker drill with a defective switch. Power tools were very scarce in those waning years of the Great Depression, much work was still done by hand until after WW-II. With only Bill’s sketches to work from, no real prints, it took a lot of extra figuring to lay out and assemble all of the framing for the Coffee Pot and although there was some griping about extra work, Uncle Howard was rather pleased and proud of the finished product. Sorry, but I do not remember for sure if he laid out, cut and assembled all of the sheet metal covering the pot or if he had any help. He may have simply clamped sheet metal to the frame, laid it out and cut to fit. I do not remember seeing anyone or someone being mentioned as helping with the sheet metal work and don’t recall anyone in town as having specific experience in such work back then. On the other hand, I was not all that old at the time either, so may not have known if there was.
Dear CSM,
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Belote, Cecil Soil Magazine • PO Box 645, Rising Sun, MD 21911 • Phone 410-658-3244 • Fax 410-658-3242 Contents ©2004-2008 Back Porch Publications,
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