Saturday, Nov. 21, 1970 --

• Salisbury Mayor Dallas G. Truitt is concerned yet again about a book in the Wicomico County Library. Acting on a tip, the mayor checked out a children’s book titled “Sylvester And The Magic Pebble,” and immediately took it to library Board Chairman Dennnet Kolb to formally complain. The book is controversial because it features two characters who are pigs and work as police officers. The mayor has previously complained about other books in the library and has also criticized racy and violent movies that have played at the Wicomico Theater on South Divisions Street, just across from the library. 

• Maryland voters in a referendum held Nov. 3 approved a reorganization of the state court system, which means big changes are coming to Wicomico County. The People’s Court will be disbanded and replaced with a state-administered District Court. New, professionally skilled lawyers will serve as judges will be appointed by the governor to serve, and will be paid $25,925 annually. Officials expect the judicial process to move faster.

• In socials news, Mr. and Mrs. Robert D. Dashiell of Camden Avenue Extended spent the weekend in Danville, Va. They were attending Parents Weekend at Stratford College, where their daughter, Miss Deborah Dashiell, is a student. Troy Allan Johnson, infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Q. Johnson III of Upper Ferry Road, was baptized in St. Phillip’s Episcopal Church Church in Quantico by the Rev. Ronald Nevin. Mrs. Emory L. Leonard entertained her Bridge Club in her home on Pine Bluff Road. On Wednesday, Robert L. Dickey, a student at the University of Maryland in College Park, will arrive at his family's Pine Bluff Road home to spend Thanksgiving with his parents, Dr. R.L. and Mrs. Dickey.

• The Wicomico County Council has approved a 500-foot extension of the runway at Salisbury-Wicomico County Airport, where installation of an instrument landing system is planned. The county will file an application with the Federal Aviation Administration, asking for federal funding to pay for 50 percent of the project. The entire cost of the program is $605,000, with $405,000 going to the runway and taxiway work, and $200,000 for ILS preparation and installation costs.

• Campbell Soup Co., which employs 1,065 people at its Salisbury plant, has made a $20,000 donation to Peninsula General Hospital to be used to help pay for a new wing that will be constructed. Local Plant Manager John L. Devereux presented a check to William E. Morgan, PGH Board President. The gift was arranged through the efforts of Avery W. Hall, who heads the hospital’s Special Gifts Committee.

• Brice N. Stump, a 21-year-old student at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, has written a new book about the history of Dorchester County. Stump began writing the book when he was just 18. It contains 20 stories, some of which offer histories of forgotten towns and plantations. He also writes about some of the characters who have made the county a special place to live. Stump’s book is for sale at the Book & Magazine Center on the Downtown Plaza.

• Wicomico High School won the City Championship today with a surprising 16-14 win over James M. Bennett. An estimated 2,500 fans packed the stands at County Stadium to view the fall sports classic. Bennett’s team had won the conference championship and was the overwhelming favorite in the contest. The teams have now played each other six times, with Bennett winning three times, Wi-Hi two times and one game ending in a tie.