50 years ago - May 21, 1959

From the pages of The Smyrna Times
May 21, 1959
Highest Military Honor Presented to Smyrna Officer
    Lt. Col. Jerome D. Niles Jr., Delaware National Guard, was one of two officers given the conspicuous service cross, the state’s highest military honor, at the Delaware National Guard’s combined Armed Forces Day- Governor’s Day celebration on Saturday at the New Castle County Airport.
    In front of a color guard bearing flags and battle honors from the Delaware Guard’s past, the Governor and Major General Joseph J. Scannell, adjutant general, received a plaque for “performance of conspicuous service above ordinary requirements of duty well done during several snowstorms which occurred during the 1957-58 winter months.”
    The ceremonies were followed by luncheon at the Air Base Officers’ Club.

Legion Auxiliary to Sell Poppies
    Mrs. James Rogers, poppy chairman, has announced that Poppy Week is being observed here under the sponsorship of the Auxiliary to the David C. Harrison Post No. 14, American Legion. The red memorial poppies are now on sale and the members of the auxiliary have the cooperation of the junior auxiliary girls, Girl Scouts, and Boy Scouts.
    The proceeds from the sale of poppies are used toward the program of rehabilitation of war veterans and the support of the public is requested by the chairman.

Wessel’s Opening Termed Success
    An estimated 350 persons attended the grand opening of the new Wessel’s Children Store during the first weekend in its new location. The event coincided with the store’s eleventh anniversary celebration.
    The business, operated by Mrs. Evelyn Wessel, has offered a complete line of children’s shoes  and clothing to the people of the Smyrna-Clayton area for more than a decade.
    Many flower bouquets and planters were received to mark the occasion.
    Door prize winners were Mrs. Nancy Horn, Clayton, a ladies bag, and Miss Marilyn Pleasanton, Smyrna, a pair of children’s shoes.

Peddrick Awarded Scholarship
    R. Steve Peddrick of Clayton has been awarded the D ‘aware Scholarship to Bowdoin College, Director of Admissions Hubert S. Shaw announced today. He will enter with the Class of 1963 in September.
    A senior at Smyrna High School, Peddrick has been a member of the track, football, and basketball team, is editor of the school newspaper, and won honorable mention in the State Science Fair competition. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Rodney S. Peddrick of Delaney Road, Clayton.
    The Delaware Scholarship, the gift of the anonymous donor, provides a tuition scholarship for a qualifying student from the state of Delaware. 

Grange to Reward Best Ag Student
    George Wilson, overseer, presided at the regular meeting of the Smyrna Grange at which time the charter was draped in memory of the late Edgar T. Heinold, chaplain.
    The grange community service committee will present a bond to the agricultural student achieving the highest scholastic standing at the awards assembly at the John Bassett Moore High School in June.
    Mrs. William Anderson was presented a corsage as the Grange mother of the year with the most children; Mrs. Orville Newnam, the mother with the oldest child, and Mrs. John Dukes, mother with the youngest child.
    At the grange meeting of Thursday, May 28 at 8:15 p.m., Mr., and Mrs. Richard Phillips, Middletown, assistant and lady assistant steward of the State Grange, will be guests and will present the program.

Red Cross Luncheon Set
    The annual luncheon meeting of the Delaware Chapter, American Red Cross, will be held in the Gold Ballroom of the Hotel DuPont, Wilmington, on Friday, June 5 at 12 noon. Representatives of Area No. 4, which includes the towns in northern Kent County, are expected to attend.