Tuesday, May 16, 1978 --

• Choptank Hall on the Salisbury State College campus was heavily damaged by a blaze that took 60 firefighters several hours to extinguish. About 20 student occupants of the dormitory escaped without injury in the blaze, which was reported at 12:30 a.m. Firefighters said dense, gray smoke was pouring from the second-floor windows when they arrived.

• Salisbury Police are investigating a burglary at the 914 Camden Ave. home of state Sen. Mary Nock. Police said the burglar entered the residence through a downstairs window, stole silverware from the dining room and then went upstairs, where the former senator’s wallet was stolen. The silverware was valued at $1,655, police said.

• Mrs. Donald W. Mabe has been installed as Regent of the Samuel Chase Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Other installed include: May H. Truitt, First Vice President; Mrs. Julius Dilworth, Second Vice President; Mrs. Elmer Lynch, Chaplain; Mrs. Frank D. Smith, Recording Secretary; Mrs. Wayne Davenport, Corresponding Secretary; and Mrs. Charles A. Popp, Treasurer.

• Betty K. Gardner became the first woman ever to file for a seat on the Wicomico County Council. Currently a member of the county Board of Zoning Appeals, she is employed by her family’s construction business and lives on Atlantic Avenue. Wade H. Insley III, a Salisbury lawyer, will serve as her campaign treasurer.

• The owners of Little Jimmy’s Nite Club on Alexander Street in Salisbury pleaded “no contest” to two charges of serving alcoholic beverages to customers under the age 18 drinking age. County Liquor Board Chairman Norris B. Twilley said he and panel members will review Salisbury Police Detective Coulbourn M. Dykes’ four-page arrest report before deciding whether to suspend the club’s Class “D” tavern permit.

• The No. 43 1974 Dodge Charger used by racing legend Richard Petty will be on display at Barr Dodge on North Salisbury Boulevard. Petty drove the Charger to 31 victories and 16 pole positions in a four year span. The car’s final race was at Riverside International Raceway in California. Petty retired from competitive racing earlier this year.

• The new employee cafeteria at Peninsula General Hospital has opened as part of the facility’s renovation. The two-level dining room -- which features indirect lighting -- seats 170 people and has a modern red and orange color scheme. The restaurant is managed by Marriott Corp.; Richard Phillips serves as the hospital’s Director of Food Services.

• More than 700 people packed into the Delmarva Convention Center for a 79th birthday dinner to honor Avery W. Hall. Dignitaries included former Gov. J. Millard Tawes, Salisbury Mayor Elmer F. Rurak, and an array of business and political leaders.

• Salisbury Realtor William J. Ahtes and builder/developer J. Roald Dashiell presided over a groundbreaking for Canal Woods II, which will add 28 new condominiums to the existing 42 units in south Salisbury. Sales will be coordinated by the Ahtes and Hanna Group.

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