Thursday, June 14, 1979 --

• The Spring Hill Annex of the Wicomico County Health Department on Route 50 was reopened after an infestation of bats forced the building’s closure last week. County Health Officer Dr. John Buchness said an exterminator was called in to deal with the situation. He said five of the bats were sent to a state lab in Baltimore to be tested for rabies. About 20 people work in the building; no one has reported being bitten by a bat. The building serves about 20,000 outpatients each year. County Administrator Matt Creamer said crews will ensure the building is sealed to prevent more bats from entering.
• The Salisbury Moose honored William “Reds” Martin for his contributions over the years to the organization’s goals. Martin, who has been a barber at the Twilley & Hearn Barber Shop for 57 years, has been strong and active supporter of the Moose for the past 37 years.
• Scott Ditch, a leader of the Rouse Co. in Baltimore, met with Salisbury business leaders to encourage them to be more aggressive in driving revitalization for Downtown Salisbury. Ditch's boss is James Rouse, who is world famous for designing Columbia, Md., and redeveloping cities around the world. Ditch said one key is to preserve old buildings -- even if they are going unused now -- and they can be brought back online as community needs evolve.
• Moore’s Lumber behind the Super Giant celebrated its grand reopening. Among the big sale items: Georgia Pacific Tankbark Hickory wood paneling was available for just $3.49 for a 4-by-8-foot sheet.
• John Howard Burbage of The Style Guide in Berlin announced that Bill Hopkins has been appointed as new manager of his clothing company’s store in Shoppers World in east Salisbury. Hopkins has more than 23 years experience in the clothing business. The Shoppers World store also features a Big & Tall Specialty Shop.
• The $2.6 million renovation project at Wicomico Junior High School is nearly complete. Wicomico School Buildings Chairman J. Russell Hopkins said contractors J. Roland Dashiell & Sons have been making good progress and will meet their July 1 deadline. The project refurbished the building’s interior, doubling the number of classrooms and creating specialty rooms.
• Upwards of 3,000 people are expected to attend the Boy Scouts Air Expo scheduled this weekend at the Salisbury-Wicomico Regional Airport. The event features military sky-writers and helicopter units, antique military aircraft and the Maryland State Police Medevac helicopter. Airplane rides will be available from Bayland Aviation. The event benefits the Delmarva Council of the Boy Scouts of America.
• In business news, John Hess of Hess Apparel announced that George George has been promoted to manager of the Downtown Plaza store and Rich Rosenholtz is the new manager of the Salisbury Mall store. George had been assistant manager at the mall store; Rosenholtz was manager Downtown. George will continue to be the company’s buyer of junior shoes. Meanwhile, insurance broker Avery W. Hall held a luncheon to herald four of his employees for their length of continued service: Gerry Brimer, 34 years; Jean Sturm, 26 years; Walter Jones, 33 years; and Virginia Windsor, 24 years.