Playing With Rainbows - an interview with Randie Hovatter

Local Graphic Design artist and Stained Glass Artist Randie Hovatter of Delmar Maryland talked to Delmar Historical and Arts Society about her work in glass;

Could you tell us a little bit about yourself - your education, interests, past work experiences?
I graduated with my BFA in Graphic Design from Salisbury University this past December. Currently I am employed as a graphic designer at K&L Microwave, but I still enjoy selling stained glass on the side. I also work at Macky's Bayside Bar and Grille in Ocean City during the summer, so come visit unless you are a sub-par tipper.

When did you first realize art was your calling?
I have always loved art. In an area like the Eastern Shore it can be difficult to turn art into a 9 to 5 profession, but I ended up being lucky. I only have to beg on the street three days a week now.

How was it that you started working with stained glass?
I have been working with stained glass since I was about 15 years old. My mom asked me if I wanted to take lessons at Glass by Grammy in Salisbury, and after seeing the projects there I was immediately interested.

How long have you been working in stained glass?
About 7 years.

What advice would you give to someone else wanting to learn?
Stained glass can be very challenging depending on the project. You will know pretty much instantly whether or not you are going to enjoy it as a hobby. But once you finish your first successful piece it is a proud moment.


Do you have a mentor, if so how important has this been to the development of your professional practice?
My mentor is Carolyn Adkins of the aforementioned Glass by Grammy. She can make anything out of glass. I was her first student, and she continues teaching glass from her studio on Snow Hill Road in Salisbury. She has been very important to me, both by being full of good advice and by always being willing to help me when I struggle with a tough project.


Are you self-taught or did you take professional courses in stained glass production?

I learned all of my stained glass skills at Glass by Grammy, but sometimes I like to try new types of projects on my own.

How do you find clients and receive commissions?

I have a website, www.coroflot.com/randiehovatter , and I get a lot of clients simply through word-of-mouth. On my business cards it says Graphic Design and Stained Glass.


Is there an ‘ultimate’ commission you would like to undertake?

A glass Sistine Chapel... I'm just kidding, that would take forever.

If someone wants to give you a commission how can they contact you?

The best way to reach me is through my email, rh14809@gulls.salisbury.edu.

An Interview With Elaine Patterson of the Maryland Historical Press

In preparing the May edition of the Delmar Historical and Arts Society May Newsletter I did an interview with Elaine Patterson of Delmar, Maryland who has a book publishing business called Maryland History Press. For those who may be interested in local book publishing here is the interview;

Tell us a little about yourself and Maryland History Press.

I was born on a farm just outside of Stockton, Maryland, and completed my high school and secondary education in the region. In 1998, I retired from a job as Executive Administrative Assistant at Salisbury University. As a native of the Eastern Shore, I have long been interested in learning about our early colonists and how our culture, customs and history evolved. In 2000, I founded what is now Maryland History Press and began reprinting some of my favorite out-of-print titles. Soon, others asked me to help them publish their manuscripts.

What type of books are your specialty?
My focus is on the history of Maryland with an emphasis on Delmarva’s history, culture, and people. Memoirs and genealogy research are also important offerings at Maryland History Press.

What services do you provide to writers?
I offer services and guidance to help authors through the publication process, including consultation, ISBN, barcode, copyright and Library of Congress requirements, editing, proofreading, printing bids, marketing ideas, etc. My cost-effective author-subsidy program allows the author to be more efficient while maintaining control. I also offer editing and proofreading services for individuals, non-profits and businesses who may need marketing materials, website text and newsletters.

What advice do you have for aspiring writers?
Aspiring writers should be passionate about their subjects and do extensive research. For fiction, authors need to make their dialogue, plot and settings believable. For non-fiction, carefully documented resources give credibility to their works. Prior to contacting a publisher, writers should have credible people proofread and give honest feedback.

What is the single, biggest mistake new authors make?
I believe the biggest mistake made by new authors is foregoing critique and guidance. Bringing a manuscript to print is often a lengthy process involving mandatory requirements, attention to detail and timelines. Patience and being willing to make changes are key to developing a quality book.

How do you see the future for the smaller and self-publishers?
Over the years, small publishers have gained greater acceptance and acclaim. With existing and future new technologies, I envision even greater opportunities for small publishers. Self-publishing has challenges that many authors find discouraging and difficult to overcome. For that reason, small publishers, such as Maryland History Press, often offer author-subsidy services.

How do you scout for new authors?
I use several avenues to reach out to potential authors. One, of course, is through my website, www.marylandhistorypress.com. Networking venues, such as book events, make people aware of my passion and services. I am especially gratified that potential clients are often referred to me by Salisbury University’s Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History and Culture, as well as by my local printer and previous customers.

How can people reach you to buy your books or to use your services as a publisher?
I can be reached by calling 410-742-2682, and by emailing sales@marylandhistorypress.com. Customers may order online via my website. To save on shipping and handling, locals may also call in orders that can be hand delivered.

Copyright Infringement and Historical societies

As many of you know I am involved in a couple of Historical societies. One type of fundraiser these societies frequently do is to compile some type of history book for their area. A case that is currently going on in Montgomery County Texas involves alleged Copyright Infringements between the Montgomery County Genealogical & Historical Society, Inc" and Melinda Cagle. Now I don't know anything about either party. It does look like the Montgomery County Genealogical & Historical Society (MCG&HS) has some problems/issues internally as they have a number of open slots on their Board of Directors etc.

Anyway from what I can see of the case; back in 2001 the Montgomery County Genealogical & Historical Society initiated the second Montgomery County history book project. The person who was in charge of the family history section anticipated moving to another city and asked Melinda Cagle to assume responsibility for that part of the book. since 2001 Melinda Cagle has worked on the Book until its completion in late 2010. She spent her time, effort, and money collecting and editing hundreds of stories and photographs for the Book. She seem to have greatly expanded the original idea of the book.

In 2009 MCG&HS wanted to see some results on the book, in late 2010, Cagle presented the Book to some of the MCG&HS Board members as a courtesy but refused to let them see details of it. The board discovered she had plans to copyright the book in her name. MCG&HS was going to have its name on the front cover of the Book since they had assumed it was their book. Cagle said she was allowing the Historical Society's name on the book as a favor to them to increase donations. Well you can imagine the ensuing discussion which has resulted in case 4:11-cv-01066 Montgomery County Genealogical & Historical Society, Inc. v. Cagle - UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT, SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS - Copyright Infringement

I do not have a court date on this trial, if it will ever go to trial, but I would be interested in knowing the end results. What the historical society did (trying to publish a book) and using one of it's member's to put the book together was typical of most societies. What went wrong was the effort Melinda Cagle put out (which was extensive) was assumed by the society to be volunteer work. Melinda Cagle didn't think it was. Perhaps there is a lesson here that a letter should be issued to the people doing volunteer work that the results of their efforts belong to the historical society and no one else.

Civil War legacy preserved

Picked up from the Daily Times


ONANCOCK -- In observance of the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War, the Virginia Sesquicentennial Civil War Commission and the Library of Virginia have asked The Eastern Shore Historical Society to join with them in a state-wide search of original manuscripts and documents that still remain in private hands.

On June 4 and June 5, the community is invited to share their Civil War era documents at two separate locations in Accomack and Northampton counties. This will be an exciting opportunity to preserve your private collections and make them available to the world without them leaving your possession.

This program, titled The Civil War 150 Legacy Project, was created specifically to locate, identify, scan and then digitalize precious artifacts and original source materials in the state of Virginia that relate to the Civil War and emancipation. The scanned documents will then be kept in the archives at the Library of Virginia and made available through their online database, which can be accessed globally for research for generations to come.

"This is a great chance for people to share their carefully guarded treasures that their families are reluctant to relinquish. Anyone can sign up, have their items scanned immediately in front of their eyes and then safely take them home to press into the pages of their family Bibles or file away in shoeboxes in the attic. It is designed to be seamless and easy for both amateur enthusiasts or big time collectors," Jenny Barker of the Historical Society said.

Materials may include letters, memoirs, pension materials, military passes, discharge papers, diaries, hand drawn maps, pictures, claims for damages and reminiscences during the years of 1859-1867. Of particular interest to the project are global and pacifist perspectives and the viewpoints of individual African Americans, foreign observers and women. The only stipulation is that items brought in for scanning must be owned by the individual presenting the materials for digitalization. Items do not have to specifically be about Virginia as long as they contain valuable anthropological content.

The Ker Place Museum, Headquarters for the Eastern Shore of Virginia Historical Society, in Onancock will be the location for the scanning and digitalization on Saturday, June 4 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. The Barrier Islands Center located in Machipongo will be the Northampton County location on Sunday, June 5, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Pre- registration is a must and all questions and scheduling can be made through the Eastern Shore of Virginia Historical Society. Please call 757-787-8012 or email Jenny Barker at jbarkerkerplace @verizon.net.

Help The Cape Charles Historical Society

CAPE CHARLES -- The Cape Charles Historical Society announced the award of a third $10,000 grant to fund the interior ceiling repair and installation of a new roof at the Cape Charles Museum and Welcome Center in Cape Charles, work critical to the maintenance and safety of the 1947 Museum building.

The latest grant is a $10,000 one-for-one matching grant from the Marietta McNeil Morgan and Samuel Tate Morgan, Jr. Foundation of Richmond. This grant requires the Historical Society to raise $10,000 specifically designated as challenge match contributions for the ceiling/roof project. New and renewing members have so far provided nearly $2,000 toward the match.

In January, the Historical Society received $10,000 from the Richard and Caroline T. Gwathmey Memorial Trust of Richmond and another $10,000 from the Eastern Shore Community Foundation. The ceiling repair was completed and inspected on March 10, and bids for the roof and drain work will go out shortly.

The Cape Charles Historical Society will greatly appreciate donations toward the required $10,000 Morgan match. Checks may be sent to the Cape Charles Historical Society, P.O. Box 11, Cape Charles, Va. 23310. To pay by credit card, please send an e-mail to ccmuseum@hughes.net stating the amount of your donation and you will be billed via the Internet.

Delmar Milling Company

In 1911 the Delmar Milling Company was located in Delmar, Maryland just south of East Chestnut Street on what is today Bi-State Boulevard. It was a two and half story frame building located next to the "woods" as Delmar was not developed any farther south at that time. The central mill and attached storage shed had a large Corn crib and storage shed in the back and an office building out front. The mill was powered by electric with three electric motors on the first floor and appropriate shafting to run two corn mills, a corn crusher and a flour mill. The second floor had a hominy mill, gyrator, smut machine, separator and dust collectors.

Today the section between Chestnut and Pine is perhaps the largest accumulation of American Four square style houses in Delmar.

DELMAR BELL TELEPHONE DIRECTORY 1917

For those who may do family tree research I have copied the 1917 phone directory over for Delmar. Altho Delmar Delaware is listed on all addresses you can tell, where street addresses are given, Delmar Maryland is included. I have never had any luck putting columns in Blogger so allow for the sloppy columns.

BELL TELEPHONE DIRECTORY JANUARY 20, 1917
DELMAR DEL.

54-5 Adkins, J G, r…………………………….nr Delmar
51-2 Adkins R W, genl mdse……………………….State
4-2 Bank of Delmar, bank………………………...Delmar
54-14 Bradley G H, r …………………………...nr Delmar
22-11 Brayshaw Dr. J, Physician ……………….Delmar
22-2 Brayshaw Dr, J, r ………………………….Delmar
50-2 Brewington A, Autos & Supplier State Delmar Del
32 Citizens Gas Co, Office …………….Railroad Ave
41-13 Culver Irving, “The Orchards” …….nr Delmar Del
29 Culver Irving…………………….Fruit Commissioner
35 Culver Irving ……………………………...Residence
36-3 Culver J Willims, genl Mdse………………...N 2nd
7 Culver J W …………………………………..Residence
48-2 Culver M W , genl Mdse…………...Pine Delmar Del
5-2 Culver S. N., Clothier & Furnisher ……….Delmar Del
59 Culver T S , r……………………………….…Elizabeth
21 Delmar Ice Co, Ice Factory………………….Delmar Del
17-11 Delmar Packing Co, Cannery…………….Delmar Del
19 Del Produce Ex, Inc S M Yingling Agt office Delmar Del
15 Delmar Union Store Co …………………Genl Mdse
8 Ellegood Dr Robt ……………………………...Office
14 Elliott F G……………………………….…Hardware
17-2 Elliott J J, Lumber Factory…………….Delmar Del
51-4 Elliott J J, r…………….cor Maple & Highland Av
42-5 Evans Ernest, r…………………..……..near Melson
10 Faulkner F N, r………………….…..State Delmar Del
25 First National Bank……………………………….….
46 Francis Elder A B, r…………………….…Delmar Del
12 Frazier Jos…………………………………...Residence
24 Freeney J W ………………………………….Residence
43-2 Freeney Miss Rosa L, r………………………..Delmar
43-11 Freeny E E, r…………………………….Delmar Del
16 German & Co, M H…………………………..Dry goods
53-3 Gordy O L Hardware & grocs………………….…State
53-3 Gordy & Holloway, mfrs Cement Blocks………..State
2 Haddock S B, r…………………………………….Delmar
44 Hastings G L ……………………………………….N 2d
3 Hastings & Co …………………...Groceries & Dry Goods
11 Hastings & Co, G L…………………………Wood dealer
9-2 Hearn Albert H, groceries……………………….Delmar
51-11 Hearn Geo E, r……………………...State Delmar Del
54-23 Hearn Geo W, r……………………………..nr Delmar
53-2 Hearn Jos W, r………………………..East Delmar Del
40 Hickey H T…………………………………...Residence
4-11 Holloway Jas, r………………………………...Delmar
28-2 James H B, office………………………..Railroad Ave
26 James H B ………………………………..…Residence
23-3 Jones Geo T, Printing Office………….E Delmar Del
47 Krause S F, r……………………………………….N 2d
56 Long G L, r………………………...Chesnut Delmar Del
13-2 Lowe H S, Farm…………………RD No 3 Delmar Del
42-3 Lowe I S, r…………………………………..nr Delmar
27 Lowe L B …………………………………..…Residence
31 Lynch F E ……………………………………..Residence
36-11 Lynch Dr. Howard, Office…………….……….Delmar
36-2 Lynch Dr. Howard, r…………………………….Delmar
55-2 Marvel Wm S Sr, r……………………Grove Delmar Del
23-4 Melson E J, fancy groceries…………..East Delmar Del
54-31 Mills R J, r…………………………………nr Hebron
54-22 Mills W D, r…………………………………nr Delmar
41-2 Mitchell James W, r…………………………..nr Delmar
42-2 Moore L H, r………………………………….nr Delmar
42-23 Morris J P, r………………………………….nr Delmar
37 P B & W R R co……………………………….Pay station
58 Palm Charles A,r………………………………Delmar Del
23-2 Parker A L Groceries…………….Elizabeth Delmar Del
9-3 Parker Harry L, r…………………..…………..nr Delmar
41-32 Pennewell J J, r…………………..…..……..nr Delmar
1 Salisbury Brick Co, Inc, Brick yard….………………N 2d
30 Slemons S K…………………………………….Residence
49 Stephens W B, r………………..4th & Chesnut Delmar Del
51-3 Sturgis A J, groceries………………..E State Delmar Del
23-11 Sturgis T A, r …………………………………..Delmar
41-11 Tingle Zeno, r ………………………………..nr Delmar
57 Truitt W C, t……………………………….East Delmar Del
34 Veasey Mary Augusta…………………..Stone House, State
38-2 Wainwright M H, Bakery & Fancy Grocs….Railroad Av
48-11 Wainwright M H, r …………….2d & Pine, Delmar Del
6-11 Waller S B, r……………..…………………….…Delmar
54-3 Waller W J,r……………………………………nr Delmar
54-11 Weatherly L B, r………………………………nr Hebron
45 Wells J F, r…………………..….Chesnut & 4th Delmar Del
39 West Nathan,r…………………….………………...Delmar
33 Whayland S H…………………………………..Drug store
17-4 Whayland S H,r…………………………….………Jewel
6-2 Whayland W W, Groceries………………………..Delmar
42-13 White C H …………………………………..Residence
20 Wilson Jas T……………………………………...Clothing