50 years ago - July 7, 1960

From The Smyrna Times,
July 7, 1960

Complete support of comprehensive school plan given by Smyrna Board

The Smyrna Board of Education, meeting in a special meeting on Friday, July 1, reaffirmed their belief in a Comprehensive High School. The meeting was called as the result of a request from the Dover Board of Education that Smyrna consider possible consolidation with the Dover District relative to a Kent County High School.

The Smyrna Board of Education noted that Smyrna will soon need an additional elementary school and also a new junior or senior high school. Enrollments in all schools of the district are now at the point where additional facilities are needed.

A further problem affecting the district, according to school officials, is the desire to provide a more comprehensive program for pupils in the district. Certain academic courses cannot be offered without sufficient enrollment. The district has been considering an additional foreign language, in line with college and national recommendations. This is presently impossible because of small enrollment in such proposed classes.

A number of students would take vocational work in electrical, mechanical, and industrial areas if such shop areas were available.

Smyrna and Middletown had such a proposal before the Legislature, but the $3,000,000 proposed school was stricken from the Omnibus School Bond Bill about a month ago in spite of the fact that it had the blessing of the State Board of Education.

The Dover Board of Education is attempting to insert a similar building proposal in the Omnibus School Bill for a comprehensive high school in the Dover area.

Smyrna Board officials indicated their support of such a school…

Jaycee painting party brightens lake scene for holiday crowds

As part of their service to the community, nine members of the Smyrna-Clayton Junior Chamber of Commerce painted two pavilions at Lake Como, one on the Main Street front, the other on the beach. The work was completed in preparation for the anticipated use of the beach especially over the Fourth of July weekend.

The Jaycee committee in charge of the project included Paul Cosden, James Haas, and Ray Slaughter.

Capacity crowds used the bathing beach and enjoyed the swimming area at Lake Como over the entire weekend, and the place was mobbed on Sunday and the Fourth of July.

All of the parking space was taxed to the limit as the crowds converged on the beach, thought by many to be the most attractive municipal beach downstate.

There were no untoward incidents reported by Smyrna police, and the guards are on duty daily. The project is under the direction of town manager Rex D. Gilmore.

Clayton moves into 2nd in Mar-Del League

Fast-moving Clayton gets a breather from torrid Kent Mar-Del League action this Sunday when it entertains winless Smyrna. The host nine, with victories in five straight contests, has moved into second place and now rate as the leading threat to league leading Centreville.

Centreville tightened its hold on first place last week with a 4-1 decision over Kenton.

Clayton took over second place with a 6-2 win over Rock Hall. Dick Griffith gained his fourth victory with a 4-hit, 17-strikeout effort.

Leipsic edged Greensboro, 8-7, and Sudlersville blanked Smyrna, 4-0.

Ronald Miller, Centreville, and Art Webster, Clayton, share the batting leadership at the season’s halfway point, according to figures release today. Both players boast .500 averages.

Clayton put five players in the top seven batters, placing Charlie Scott, Harry Barrett, Dick Griffith, and Bill Courtney, in addition to Webster in the select group.

Scott also has the most hits, 16, followed closely by Miller’s 14 safeties.

115 attend Bible School sessions of Asbury Church

An open house and chapel service conducted by the Rev. J. Howard Link, pastor, marked the close of the Daily Vacation Bible School at Asbury Church on Friday, and a display of the handwork made by the 115 children will be seen in the narthex of the church on two Sunday.

“The Teachings of Jesus” was the theme, and the emphasis was on service to others. The making of gifts for shut-ins and delivering some of them in person formed the basis of the projects conducted.

The making of 19 small gifts to be opened each day and placing them in a Sunshine Box was the work of girls in the junior department. The box was presented to Mrs. L.M. Price, a patient at Scott’s Nursing Home, by Linda Dukes and Linda Nowland.

“Kat Kits,” small bags in the form of a cat’s head, containing games, coloring books, and crayons were made for children at the Lutheran Hospital in Baltimore. Small wagons filled with dollipops, and mouse trap paper clips were also made for shut-ins at that hospital.

Mrs. June Short served as superintendent.