The board of governors of the Catonsville Country Club have called a meeting of the soccer enthusiasts to be held at the clubhouse this (Saturday) afternoon. The club team is a member of the Maryland and District of Columbia Soccer League, and at the opening of the season, had a creditable eleven upon the gridiron, but as the season continued one player after another failed to make his appearance, and as a consequence Catonsville was obliged to forfeit several of the scheduled games owing to lack of players.

The meeting will determine whether or not Catonsville will continue to be a member of the league.

******

St. Joseph's Passionist Church, Frederick avenue, reopened Sunday night, after having been closed for three months while interior decorating was being done. Solemn complines were held and Father Stanislaus, Provincial of the Passionist Order, officiated, assisted by Fathers Gerald and James. The sermon, which dealt with the reopening of the church, was preached by Father Robert. Special music was furnished by the choir.

*****

A serious forest fire was discovered Thursday afternoon in Oak Forest Park, which endangered a number of cottages scattered throughout the woodland.

The flames were discovered in the woods near Hilton avenue, and spread rapidly, being fanned by a strong east wind. The Catonsville Engine Company was summoned and when the firemen arrived, the blaze was burning for half a mile. Before it was under control, about 30 cords of oak and chestnut wood were consumed, entailing a loss of $150.

******

Mr. J.H. Judik advertises in another column a sale of live stock and farming implements at his country home on the Shell road, near Catonsville, on Tuesday, December 7, at 10 A.M.

75 Years Ago

An article in the Nov. 30, 1934, edition of The Catonsville Herald and Baltimore Countian reported a joint meeting that rolled into a friendly competition.

Catonsville's Rotary and Sterling Clubs held a joint meeting on Tuesday night at the Odd Fellows' Hall on Ingleside Avenue. Ministers of all the churches of Catonsville were present as guests. A Thanksgiving dinner, with turkey and all the trimmings, was served. The guest speaker was the Rev. Edgar C. Powers, former pastor of the Catonsville Methodist Episcopal Church.

Following the dinner, the club members and guests adjourned to the Alpha Bowling Alleys, where a spirited match was rolled between teams of twelve men each, representing both clubs. For the first time in the history of the clubs, the Rotarians walked off with the long end of the score, much to the surprise of the spectators (and probably the Rotarians also). The final score was Rotary, 2,257 pins; Sterling, 2,192 pins.

Still not satisfied with the result, some of the Sterlingites (it is alleged) proposed another match between the five selected best rollers from each team. This proposition was agreed to by the Rotarians. The extra match was rolled and it also resulted in a victory by the Rotary.

*****

Aroused early Monday morning by chicken thieves who attempted to enter his poultry house, W. Kyle Upton of Dogwood and Rolling Roads, Woodlawn, gave the visitors a hearty welcome by shooting in their direction before he called for the Pikesville police. The raiders beat a hasty retreat before the officers arrived.

*****

"First Things First" was the subject of the address presented to the senior class of Catonsville High School at their assembly Wednesday morning by Mr. Frank Liddle, well-known authority on the problems of youth and president of the Federated P.T.A. of Baltimore County.

Mr. Liddle brought out the fact that most young people of today are so interested in the good things of life that they have no room for the best. He stated that while music, dramatics, and athletics are excellent pastimes, the church should not be neglected in favor of these or other social activities.

In these days of keen competition, Mr. Liddle continued, it is important to get a good education and to develop the highest type of character possible. He said, "Remember, it is not necessary to be rich in order to be a man; and character, which is the most important in life, cannot be bought."

50 Years Ago

An article in the Dec. 3, 1959 edition of The Herald Argus announced a speedy delivery from a stork.

That the Catonsville Emergency Squad is equal to any eventuality was demonstrated last Saturday, Nov. 28.

At about 11 A.M., Mrs. James Loar of 6023 Montgomery avenue, Catonsville Manor, called the squad and requested an emergency trip to Montgomery County General Hospital. The squad ambulance, manned by Sam Steinberg, his son Sam (Buddy) and Fred Neighoff, left hurriedly with Mr. and Mrs. Loar.

"Right in the middle of nowhere" the stork landed on the ambulance roof and the vehicle was braked to a sudden halt. The stork had picked a spot where no help was available. A vacant house was the only sign of civilization as far as the eye could see.

So the men went to work and assisted Mrs. Loar in introducing into the world an eight-pound six-ounce daughter. It was exactly 11:29 A.M. on old Route 29.

When the excitement subsided, the ambulance proceeded 20 more miles to the hospital where doctors said that "mother and daughter are doing fine."

*****

The Gay '90's will be the theme of a dance and floor show to be held by the Women of the Moose, Catonsville chapter No. 1008, this coming Saturday, Dec. 5 at 9 P.M. in the Moose Home, No. 7 Bloomsbury avenue. A hot roast beef platter will be served. In charge of arrangements is the 62-member Academy of Friendship with Mrs. Edwin Ward as chairman.

*****

The newly formed Cam-Jockey Custom club of Arbutus, in a ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 28, presented Samuel Porpora, operator of a drive-in restaurant, at 5604 Baltimore National Pike, a plaque and certificate of appreciation for his efforts in promoting and encouraging the organizing of the club. Officers of the club and a Catonsville police officer attended the ceremony.

Main purposes of the Cam-Jockey Custom Club are to promote highway courtesy, to foster a better understanding between the driving public and hot rod safety clubs and to encourage highway safety among teen-agers.

Editor's Note: Sam Porpora operated the Varsity Drive-in on Baltimore National Pike from 1948 until the mid-60s on the present site of the Burger King. A fan of Edgar Allen Poe since he was a small boy growing up in Little Italy, he often gave tours of Westminster Cemetery in Baltimore where Poe is buried. He is now a resident of the Charlestown Retirement Community. His wife, Dolly, was inducted into the Maryland Senior Citizens Hall of Fame last month.

Material from archives courtesy of Catonsville Historical Society.

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