Saving Family Treasures, will be the subject of a program at the North East Branch Library on Sept. 18, 2010 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Family treasures are often neglected, frequently tucked away in drawers, trunks and attics. Preserving these heirlooms – items such as marriage certificates, family Bibles, letters, journals, and photos – is important, for they tell us about the past and connect the generations. During this talk historian Mike Dixon introduces caretakers to basic methods for preserving and protecting family relics, photos, and papers. Click here for more information. Registration is requested. Telephone 410–996-6269
While a family enjoys the cooling waters of Holloway Beach in the midst of the Great Depression, they take time to mail a postcard home to Lancaster, PA. It was 1938, an era before air conditioning so the beaches of Cecil County were popular for folks from nearby cities trying to escape the oppressive heat and humidity of urban areas.
As speeding vehicles dash across Cecil County on I-95, Our Lady of the Highways watches peacefully over the hectic scene from a tranquil hillside in Childs, MD. The guardian of travelers, a 14-foot high white marble statue of the Virgin Mary, was placed there by Oblates after a massive pileup took three lives one foggy October morning in 1968.
Hearing crash after crash, seminarians, brothers, and priests from the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales who were starting their morning routine rushed toward the Interstate. The first outside aid to reach victims, they tended to the injured and dying while waiting for emergency crews to make their way through the darkness. Moved by the sad tragedy that took place that unforgettable autumn day, the Oblates erected the shrine on the grounds of the novitiate in 1973. In addition to serving as a memorial for the three victims, the patron of travelers reminds people to drive safely and say a prayer before heading out on a trip.
Here is the story of that dreadful day. Thick fog made travel hazardous in the pre-dawn hours of October 2, 1968. As drivers on the John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway made their way carefully across the top of the Chesapeake, they suddenly encountered treacherous conditions about a mile west of the Elkton exit. A swath of almost impenetrable, unmoving mist hugged the ground creating havoc as it cut visibility to 10- to 12 feet. Vehicles rushing into this dangerous spot suddenly started braking, but one car hit the bridge abutment. That triggered a chain reaction as 20 vehicles quickly piled up in the northbound lane about where it crosses Blue Ball Road. Several of the crumpled cars were smashed between tractor-trailers.
Rosemary Culley dispatching from fire headquarters in 1967
Cecil County Fire Headquarters received an urgent call from the Oblates, and the alarm went out on the public safety radio system at 6:20 a.m. While they waited for fire and rescue services seminarians and priests comforted the injured and dying. Once the first arriving emergency responders assessed the carnage, a general alarm was issued for all available Cecil County ambulances and nearby Delaware units. Fourteen tractor-trailers and at least six cars were strewn across lanes of the toll road while police found the fog so thick that they had to probe for victims. Four rescue units and four engines also sped to the wreckage to extricate trapped victims, support EMS crews, and suppress any fire.
When word of the accident was flashed to Union Hospital, Rusty Brandon, the night supervisor, activated the disaster plan. Since this was the era before advanced life support, shock trauma centers, and helicopters, all the injured were routed through the local emergency room. Extra doctors and nurses rushed to the medical facility to help the night-shift cope with the disaster. Before the last injured person entered the door at 8:30 a.m., the medical staff treated eight patients.
Three people died on that stretch of the turnpike before the sun came up at 7:03 a.m. that dark Cecil County morning. It was later reported that the discharge from a nearby paper mill contributed to the sharp, sudden drop in visibility. As for Cecil County Emergency Services, they were ready when the call about an accident on the turnpike required massive use of manpower and equipment from all areas of the county and nearby points. The central control system for dispatching police, fire, and EMS was just six years old, but it proved vital in coordinating the joint effort to such a serious accident.
The Oblates erected the memorial, Our Lady of the Highways, in 1973. Drivers who happen to glance over toward the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales may wonder about the “stone lady” as truckers call her. She is the patron of travelers, watching over the Interstate.
For additional photos visit on Cecil County History page on Facebook by click here https://www.facebook.com/pg/cecilcountyhistory/photos/?tab=album&album_id=2163312793933636&__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARAQrBVJkxih0SDUsYzGpIM2oHXHz4W94goruscZu-0HIaINan-IE29jxT9K5V_QpipvqH8wZsbKlk9HUrAbVNZ6yP1IDT9RhOy1rBSg-AiMm7k2npskPBD35qpdZcBOioTg8vWPuJr8Mnhbr0FbR8J72E1zX3QNSAU1tEbieQ-C9kdYnnDnisBs-zb_MGtSdqSwY5IJJQk&__tn__=-UC-R
Port Deposit, July 30, 2010 – Over the past few years we’ve carefully watched as Port Deposit has become a Cecil County destination spot for fine dining. As a result we often head that way to enjoy exceptional meals coupled with the atmosphere of an attractive historic river town that ideal for strolling. Today was one of those times, especially in light of this pleasant July day as the region finally escaped the oppressive humidity. When we arrived on Main Street with friends, there were plenty of fine eating spots to consider. Each of the five establishment has a unique market niche for the discriminating patron, focusing on everything from tavern food to Cecil County’s finest dining spot in our opinion (Back Fin Blues) and several choices in-between.
While we’ve mentioned this before, we haven’t talked about the newest spot, Capello Confections and Gifts. It’s an excellent bakery found right in the center of Port’s downtown restaurant district.
After finishing our enjoyable meals, the attractive little red shop and the sweet smells wafting down Main Street pulled us right in. Inside we looked at a superb assortment of scones, cookies, cakes and lots of fancier pastries. After all of us purchased something we settled down on inviting chairs on Capello’s front porch. While enjoying the ambiance of a historic downtown, we munched on some delightful bakery products.
Be sure to check out the personal touch Capello’s Bakery provides while offering homemade products and old-fashioned small town service, especially if you have a sweet tooth. You won’t find any of those ingredients in some large commercial bakery in the corner of a big-box store. These tempting products will meet your expectations This is another Port spot that’s now on our list of places to visit regularly since we’ve discovered such temping products By-the-way, they also provide items for private parties and other off-premises purposes.
Oh while we were there we talked to an enthusiastic young person who is in the process of opening up a higher end coffee and sandwich shop. We’re told they’re going to have some of the finest, creative sandwiches around including Cubans, and they hope to open next weekend. We’ll be there to check it out and give readers a first-hand report.
Be sure to visit Capello’s Bakery and some of the other places. It’s been great to see the revitalization that is going on in this old Susquehanna River town as new businesses that pull in tourists from a wide region locate here. It’s certainly caused us to become Port Deposit regulars.
The restoration of Hebron’s Gift, an 18th century Calvert dwelling, is being documented on a blog that shows the progress of the undertaking and shares interesting findings. Hebron’s Gift was first owned by John Daye in 1739 and the present kitchen dates from that time, according to the Maryland Historical Trust. John Daye also established a tanyard east of his dwelling that same year. It remained in operation for over 100 years. The main house was built about 1800. Readers of a Window on Cecil County’s Past may find this weblog of interest.
Photos Courtesy of Cecil County Dept. of Public Works
On June 24, 2010, Gilpin’s Falls Covered Bridge was dedicated. The County Dept. of Public works took photos of the ceremony and they’ve shared them with us. So we’ve built a short slide show of the dedication, which we though readers might enjoy. For the rest of the story, see the links below.
