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CSM believes the most important editorial in our magazine are the great letters we get from you. For more letters, visit our website: www.cecilsoilmagazine.com Sincerely yours, P.S.— We've provided a simple and convenient form that you may use, if you wish. November / December 2007... Dear Ed and Carol, Love and God Bless, Dear Sir, Some weeks ago I was talking to you regarding my subscription to Cecil Soil Magazine. During our conversation you suggested and encouraged me to write you a letter regarding my life, since I’m 90-years old.
I vividly remember the depression – we lived on a small farm and had plenty to eat and wood for warmth, but no unnecessary conveniences and not much money. My family consisted of my grandparents, Eli and Maribel Jackson, parents Munson and Claribel Jackson, sisters Lillian and Rebecca, and brothers Edward and Craig. Grandfather farmed in the summer, and gunned for ducks in the winter, sending Canvasbacks to Baltimore for $5 per pair. Father was a Judge of the Orphan’s Court at one time, and sister Rebecca was Treasurer of Cecil County for many years. We all had chores to do – mine was to fill the wood box in the kitchen, help plant the garden, thin corn (a thing of the past) and feed the chickens. The church was the center of our activities, with an occasional trip to Holloway Beach in Charlestown. When I attended high school, my allowance was $.25 per week. I graduated from the two-room Principio School, Perryville High School and two years at Tome School. There were no buses in the county, so we would stand at the intersection of RT 7 and Jackson Station Road and “hook a ride” to McMullen’s Garage - now Riverside Market, and then walk Aiken Avenue to the school. Many people working at Perry Point knew us, so there was never a problem. I married Howard C. McGuirk on September 4, 1940, and have three children – daughters Lynn Tate and Bonnie Giraldi, both of Perryville, Maryland, and son Howard C. McGuirk, Jr. of Massillon, Ohio. There are also five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. I worked at Social Security in Baltimore, and then transferred to Aberdeen Proving Ground, where I resigned with the pregnancy of my first child. When I went back to work after 17 years of raising children, I went to work for the County Commissioners of Cecil County, staying there about 20 years until I retired. These are some more of the things that I remember; we had an Atwater Kent floor model radio when I was a kid, and listened to Amos and Andy every night. There was no vandalism like there is now; everyone respected you and your property. I remember the traffic on RT 7 getting bad enough to make it necessary for RT 40, and eventually the construction of I-95. I walked the double-decker bridge over the Susquehanna River on many Saturday’s, with $.35 to spend - $.25 for a movie and $.10 for ice cream. I also remember: the Bainbridge Naval Training Center at Port Deposit, a post office at Principio in the Whitaker Iron Company building, Schum’s Bakery on Aiken Avenue, the boarding house on the corner of Front and Broad Streets – ran by Grandmother Mary E. Owens, A.H. Owens on Front Street before moving to Broad Street, construction of the Conowingo Dam in 1926, and the coming of television, cell phones, VCR’s, DVD’s and iPods. I am a member of the Principio United Methodist Church, the Principio Quilting Group and Eastern Star #78. At my quilting group, some of us make tie coverlets for the nursing homes and Perry Point. We’ve made 275 and sold 42 of them. We also make and sell quilts, plus quilt for other people. I’ve had a good, happy life and I am very thankful. I enjoy your magazine very much. Sincerely, Publishers Note: Thank you Mildred for sharing with all of us your remembrances of those innocent times you experienced in Cecil County. Readers: See pg. 53 for a delightful story; The Aiken Homemakers, by Maggie Creshkoff. Dear Ed, Regards,
See Rumbleway ad page 35
Even though I live and work in Delaware (but was raised in Elkton), I have a friend who works at the Dupont Stine/Haskell labs on Elkton- Newark Rd., and she has started sending me her issue of Cecil Soil Magazine once she has read it (it seems that all employees at that site receive a copy). As I was reading your article (on Page 6) about where your office is located, you mentioned some familiar names. My grandparents (Kelly and Elsie Halsey) had a farm in Rising Sun, just beyond the farm belonging to Joe Mahoney’s parents (my grandparents’ farm was further down the road on the left). When I was a very little girl, I would come spend a couple of weeks with my grandparents “on the farm” while my parents went on their own vacation. To give my stay some variety, my grandmother would often take me to the Mahoney’s to play with Joe and his older sister Sally. That was at least 50 years ago, and I’m sure that Joe probably doesn’t remember me (but I can still picture his house and his sister’s bedroom). Your story went on to mention Joe’s wife “Anne”. If his wife is “Andrea” (Williams), who had beautiful red hair, then her brother, Frank Williams, was my “boyfriend” starting at Elkton Junior High School through Senior High. Wow…small world! As I started reading the current issue, the article on Bob Litzenberg caught my eye because he and Esther (and children) lived in back of my parent’s home (Gil and Bert Halsey) in Elkton Heights when I was growing up (our backyards faced each other). And then on Page 60, I saw the photo of Judy (Schamne) Hart—who moved to Elkton from Chicago as a little girl and became my neighbor (on King St.) where we played with dolls together. Again…small world! My mother-in-law still lives in Elkton Heights, but was not aware of your publication. At what locations in the Elkton area can your magazine be found? Thank you,
Publisher’s Note: Linda, both Anne and Joe fondly remember you well, even though it has been over fifty years since all of you played together. CSM can be found in over 300 locations in this area, but they are snatched up quick… you’re best bet is to visit any of our advertisers where you should be able to find a copy. Dear CSM, Again, I look forward to continue reading Cecil Soil Magazine with it’s amazing and interesting things. Thank you,
Dear Mr. Okonowicz, Thank you for the delightful article you wrote in Cecil Soil Magazine on Mr. Bob Litzenberg! Bob’s wife, Esther, is my Book Buddy through the Cecil County Public Library. I visit her about once a month and bring her books. I must tell you that Esther was thrilled that Bob “hasn’t been forgotten” (her words). She is a precious woman and you have touched her. Thank you! Cathryn Harjung
Dear CSM, One thing that I love about, Maryland and Cecil County is it’s rich history. You don’t find that in the ‘younger’ states. I love the old photos and history that your magazine covers! So often in the hustle and bustle of cell phones, laptops, high-speed Internet, and blackberries, people forget the history and heritage, which led us to where we are today, and they forget to slow down, enjoy life. One of the things that I enjoy is reading the historic markers that are in the area. I was wondering if your magazine would ever consider doing a series on them? I also came across an interesting marker in Calvert (on Brick Meetinghouse Road—just past the intersection of 272 on the left as you’re heading towards Elkton)... it’s not an official roadside marker... I snapped this picture on my way home this morning. Apparently there used to be a tannery on the property. I thought it was interesting and thought that maybe the sleuths at Cecil Soil knew more about this. Keep up the good work!!! Dear Mr. and Mrs. Belote, Sincerely,
Dear Mr. Ed, Look forward to your Cecil Soil Magazine every other month, which I pick up at the Elkton Diner. Never know what you are going to read about. I was born here in Cecil County and love it here. Keep writing about our area. Virginia Allison Powell
Dear Mr. Belote, My brother brought me another copy of Cecil Soil Magazine, which after reading it gives me two reasons for this letter. The first reason for writing to you pertains to the copy of the post card on page 10 showing the tracks of the LC&S subsidiary of the B&O along the Little Elk Creek and reference to an article by Mike Dixon in a previous issue. Of the several railroad companies, which surveyed or proposed a line along the Little Elk Creek from the construction suspended at Providence. I had developed an interest in trains since Pe rryville had a busy freight yard in the 1930’s and there was still passenger service on the lower end of P&BC. That developed into an interest in railroad history, primarily the lines of the PRR, but also of the B&O in this area. I would like very much to obtain a copy of the article by Mike Dixon or even a photocopy of the article if possible.
When I had the Sprite, I was not 6’1” like Mr. Bert Shirey, I was 5’9” and shall we say somewhat bulky and was in my 40’s on into my 50’s. My explanation for getting in a Sprite was to put your right foot in and just flow in behind it. Just don’t hi the turn signal lever with your left knee, I found out the hard way they broke easily. Getting out was indeed a different matter, although at the time I had no problem, passengers often did. We had a UD graduate student volunteering on the Wilmington & Western Railroad in the late 1960 and early 1970 era, who did not have a car. One evening after we finished for the day, I offered to take him to where he roomed in Newark. I thought I was going to have to take the top off the Healey to get him out of it. There was a special spirit of camaraderie among the drivers of such cars back then. Richard E. Hall
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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I was born on September 17, 1916, on a
little farm on Jackson Station Road (across the
road from the Cecil County Holly Tree.) I played
We love getting your wonderful
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county. For more letters, visit our
website: www.cecilsoilmagazine.
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Mailbox
under this tree as a child, eventually becoming
a member of the first Holly Tree Committee. I
attended the first lighting ceremony and many
more after that. The B & O Railroad trimmed
it (they would send a train for the opening
ceremonies) until turning it over to the county
in 1972. 
Maggie Creshkoff’s article on our
Rumbleway Farm was wonderful, and we
wanted to thank you. Our Farm Day was a
great success; attendance was high and the
weather was beautiful. The Farm Store had its
grand opening and we look forward to your
next visit to the farm. All in all it was another
fun filled festival; we look forward to next
year. Please join us this winter for Dinner at
the Farm, and bring your grandkids to have
Breakfast with Santa on Dec 8. We hope Cecil
Soil Magazine has many more successful years. 
First off, I want to tell you that I LOVE your
magazine... I look forward to each issue and
read it cover to cover! I’ve
grown up in Cecil County
(and lived here my whole life
except for going away to college
in Iowa)... Cecil County
just feels like home to me... I
moved back and don’t intend
to move anywhere else! My
husband (he’s lived in Rising Sun his whole life
& loves it) and I are very lucky to own a small
horse farm in Rising Sun with seven lovely
horses and three charming cats... that’s what I’ve
always dreamed of—I don’t plan to leave! 
The second deals with getting in an Austin
Healy as show on page 56 of the September-
October issue of Cecil Soil Magazine (Bert Shirey
photo in Cecil Scrapbook). For many years I
drove an Austin Healey but a slightly later model
then the “bug eye” shown in the photo. I went
from a big Austin Healey six cylinder Austin
Healey down to a four cylinder Sprite because
my wife didn’t want our oldest son driving that
fast a car when he turned sixteen. 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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