Current Chesapeake
January 5, 2012
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Proudly Serving Calvert and Anne Arundel Counties
Can O’Donnell Unseat Hoyer? See Page 3
Don’t Miss Fishing Shows See Page 11
Fine Arts Center Update See Page 15
Happy New Year!
One Last Look At 2011 Page 12
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On the Cover
Visit the businesses listed below for the best in local products and services:
Photo by Bruce Wahl. How can we forget 2011? First an earthquake, followed by a hurricane, then flooding! We look back at some of the top stories of the year in this issue, along with re-publishing our most requested Current photos. Cover Story page 12.
On the Water
Rockfish season may be over, but there are plenty of great sport-fishing shows upcoming to get you prepared for the next season. Bob Munro explains in our On the Water column…Story page 11.
Fine Arts Center
The Twin Beach Players continue looking for a permanent home, following one of their most successful performance seasons. Will a Fine Arts Center ever be a reality? Story page 15.
Also Inside 3 8 10 11 12 13 14 16 21 22
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Thursday, January 5, 2012 Chesapeake Current
Community Taking Care of Business Pride & Joy On The Water Cover Story Community Letters In Remembrance Business Directory Out & About
Snowball’s Chance In You-Know-Where? Can O’Donnell Beat Hoyer?
By Nick Garrett
Some juicy local political news has created quite a buzz over the last few weeks. With the Republican primary and the Presidential election looming, one local race (aside from the Chesapeake Beach town elections) will get our attention in 2012. State Delegate Tony O’Donnell, Republican representing parts of Calvert and St. Mary’s counties, has announced that he is running against 16-term incumbent Congressman Steny Hoyer from our very own District 5. I’m sure I’m not the only one who initially snickered at the thought of Delegate O’Donnell’s beating Congressman Hoyer, the powerful House Minority Whip, who is always seen on TV beside President Obama. No offense, Delegate O’Donnell, nothing personal. But no one has been able to beat Steny yet. Out of 20 opponents in 16 campaigns since 1981, counting Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, Green Party candidates and write-ins, no opponent has ever earned more then 92,000 votes to Hoyer’s average of 129, 500. After deeper thought, though, O’Donnell’s choice to run against Hoyer makes sense and may not be such a long shot, after all. Consider this: none of Hoyer’s previous opponents have been seasoned politicians or strong Maryland Republican leaders like O’Donnell. Further, due to the timing of the race, O’Donnell, the minority leader since 2007, has nothing to lose and everything to gain. Both O’Donnell and Hoyer were just re-elected in 2010 to their respective seats. Congressman Hoyer defeated Republican challenger Chuck Lollar handily even though Lollar gained some popularity after proving himself a strong orator. O’Donnell fended off Chris Davies, a history teacher, to earn his fifth term from District 29C. The Republicans made huge gains and an election sweep in 2010 and Hoyer, the Democrat, was able to fight off his challenger by almost two to one. On the other hand, one could argue that based on the data, O’Donnell did not enjoy any additional benefit from the wave of Republican-leaning voters to help him win re-election. He earned roughly the same numbers he had in previous campaigns. Should this raise concerns that his popularity is waning? Perhaps, but not likely. Consider the reasons and motivations that Delegate O’Donnell may feel confident about a run for Congress. First of all, it is telling that O’Donnell has held a seat since 1995 with a Southern Maryland Delegation comprised of all Democrats except himself (and newcomer Mark Fisher, who just ousted Sue Kullen for the District 27B delegate’s seat in the past election). And given the fact that the GOP now dominates the Calvert County Board of Commissioners, does he envision a new trend? Will this give him an edge when trying to convince Democrats that he is the right choice to represent us on Capitol Hill? The US House of Representatives currently has a Republican majority and even though Congress has an all-time low of an approval rating, it is not expected to switch back to the Democrat majority as soon as the 2012 campaign season. That is with respect to over 200 years of pendulum-like precedent as to how Congress changes hands from one party to another. The idea of being in the Republican majority in the House of Representatives must definitely be a motivator for O’Donnell. To be able to accomplish more with Republican leadership than with the Democrat majority that O’Donnell has known since 1995 in the state house would likely allow him so much more legislative influence then he has had recently in Annapolis. This is not to suggest he has not done his best to navigate meaningful legislation through the process. It’s just much easier when your party is in charge and your bills taken more seriously and more quickly embraced and supported. It is also telling that O’Donnell has managed to get some bills passed during his time in the Democrat-controlled state house with popular support. Lastly O’Donnell does not have to run again to retain his seat in Annapolis until 2013/14 and let’s face it, a run for Congress will certainly increase his public profile. If O’Donnell looses against Hoyer, he will have just over a year to recover and refocus his efforts to his delegate seat. He has essentially said, in summary, that his motivation for running is to bring his perspective on solutions to government waste and our country’s spending problems. At the state level, O’Donnell has criticized the “power monopoly in the state legislature” that sends resources to the same areas and less to areas like or Southern Maryland. He has focused his rhetoric in many cases on education, transportation, and the environment in Southern Maryland as a delegate. So how will O’Donnell take this potential and use it to earn what will have to be at least 120,000 votes, when the most he has pulled in the past is only 8,401 in his 1998 race against John Gott? He will have to create more of a presence not only in the region, but north in Price Georges County and parts of Anne Arundel where Hoyer is very strong. It will be very interesting to see what Delegate O’Donnell does to increase his base by 100,000 and raise at least a few million dollars to give himself a viable shot. It is fair to say that this should be an interesting race with two politicians who have at least some measure of bi-partisan appeal or they would not be where they are so strongly in their respective seats. Good luck to both and may the best man legitimately win.
O’Donnell Makes Run Official Tony O’Donnell, Republican Leader of the Maryland House of Delegates, before the end of the year filed his candidacy for Maryland’s 5th Congressional District with the State Board of Elections in Annapolis. O’Donnell, who represents portions of Calvert and St. Mary’s counties in the House of Delegates, announced his congressional candidacy in a video statement on December 14. At the time, O’Donnell said he shared the frustration being felt by struggling families in Southern Maryland, Prince George’s and Anne Arundel Counties with out of touch politicians in Washington. Upon filing, O’Donnell said, “This is pretty simple. If you want to change the way Congress works, you have to change the people in Congress.” O’Donnell’s opponent, incumbent Congressman Steny Hoyer, has served in the House of Representatives since 1981. O’Donnell continued “Before there was the internet, before Joe Gibbs ever coached a Redskins game, and before Parris Glendening was Prince George’s County Executive, there was Congressman Steny Hoyer. Thirty –one years later, we are losing our jobs, losing our purchasing power and losing our home values. Tony O’Donnell files papers in Annapolis to challenge It’s time we lose our Congressman.” Steny Hoyer.
About the Author: Nick Garrett is the owner of The Garrett Music Academy in Owings, a published author, and has served and continues to serve on various boards and commissions in Calvert County. He is also a State Senate legislative aide for District 29.
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By Lyn Striegel
Investing 201
Your Money Matter$
Last issue, we told you about annuities, dollar cost averaging, capital gains, investment returns, and cash and cash equivalent investments. If you missed it, look for the article online at www.ChesapeakeCurrent.com along with others in our Live Secure series. Now that you have the basics, let’s put these in context. This article will focus on discussing how professional money managers use diversification in managing a portfolio and how those concepts can work for you. Diversifying your investments means going beyond percentages of assets in stocks and bonds. It also extends to looking at the investment styles a money manager is using, whether the investments work across multiple investment sectors and other factors. You already know that a mutual fund is intended to provide diversification of risk by assembling a portfolio of securities in a pool off of which you buy a share. The majority of money managers who put together portfolios attempt to diversify their investments in various ways. There are some, of course, who run portfolios composed of a very small number of securities, but even with these types of funds, there is diversification. In some cases the mutual fund portfolio manager picks investments based on the “investment style” of the investment; in some cases, the manager stresses diversification within different market sectors such as pharmaceuticals, high tech, communications, etc. Stock funds invest in stocks. But, the portfolios differ based on the investment objectives of the fund and the fund managers’ investment style. Investment Styles: Investment styles refer to the type of return you will get on your investment in certain stocks. The three major styles are income, growth, and value. You will find mutual funds labeled with these styles. • An “income” stock or mutual fund, for example, intend to provide you with a long and sustained history of paying dividends. An electric utility stock is an example of an income stock. “Blue chip” stocks are examples of income stocks. As an investor, if you hold an income stock, you are looking for steady, regular current income through the payment of dividends. An asset manager can further diversify his or her focus by using “income” stock available through “small cap” companies, for example. • A “growth” stock or mutual fund is expected to achieve high rates of growth in operations and earnings. For a company to achieve higher than normal rates of growth, it will generally reinvest its earnings in the company rather than paying them out in the form of dividends. Therefore, you as an investor will expect to receive low or no dividends on a growth stock. Over the long-term, however, if you hold a growth stock, you are looking for long-term appreciation in the stock price and therefore capital gains when you sell the stock. Growth stocks are inherently riskier than income stocks—high tech companies, companies with new and unproven businesses are examples of growth stocks. • “Value” stocks or mutual funds are considered to be under performing, that is the prices for value stocks are lower than the investment managers think they should be. An investor buying value stocks is paying lower prices than for growth stocks believing that the price of the value stocks will rise when whatever causing the underperformance is solved. A company’s stock may be considered a growth stock in some years and a value stock in others. If, for example, a company that is categorized as a growth company experiences a turnover in management that causes the stock market to lose confidence in the company (demonstrated by
a decline in the value of its stock), then that company may fall into the value category. Companies will change categories from growth to value and vice versa only on fundamental changes such as management turmoil, industry problems, etc. There are other investment styles as follows: • “Cyclical” stocks or funds are those that follow business cycles. Steel, housing, natural resources are types of cyclical stocks since they tend to rise or fall in value based on where the economy is. In a recession, for example, fewer houses will be built, so, the market value of building companies or lumber companies is likely to fall. When the recession ends and building of houses resumes, such stocks are likely to rise. • “Defensive” stocks or funds are the opposite of cyclical stocks. These are stocks that are expected to perform well even through difficult business cycles. Stocks such as those representing food companies, beverages, pharmaceuticals are considered to be defensive stocks since demand for the goods these companies produce isn’t likely to lessen based on economic circumstances. • “Blue Chip” stocks or funds are what you think they are. They represent the highest quality companies, those with regular dividend paying records in good times and bad. Stability is the characteristic of the blue chip company stock. • “Balanced” mutual funds mix income and growth stocks to offer the benefit of both. • “International” mutual funds focus completely on international stocks, including emerging markets. • “Global” mutual funds mix U.S. and international stocks. • “Socially conscious” mutual funds screen potential investments to meet certain social, ethical or religious criteria. • “Regional” mutual funds concentrate stocks in one region. • “Sector” mutual funds buy stocks in one industry or area of the economy. All of the above represent investment styles or approaches to classifying stock. Investment managers of mutual funds use these classifications to assemble the portfolios of stocks in a fund. Sectors. Sectors are ways of grouping companies that are in the same business. So, sector funds are offered for pharmaceutical stocks, utilities, high tech, and any number of different businesses. As an investor, you are offered the choice through a sector fund of buying shares of many different pharmaceutical companies so that if one company experiences a problem you hope the other companies in your portfolio will compensate for the problem and offer you stable returns. Remember, however, that if you buy a sector fund, you are a believer in the sector itself. High tech funds (particularly the dot com funds) grew tremendously over the 1990’s, but certainly have declined in market value in 1999-2000. Sector funds are volatile. Index Funds. Index funds are mutual funds that track a particular index, such as the Dow Jones Industrial Index. The managers of these funds purchase securities for the fund that match the index. An investor buying an index fund is therefore making an investment in all the securities in the index and hopes that the index itself will grow in value over time. Index funds have been very successful in attracting investors for two primary reasons 1) the basic premise of an index fund is that the index itself will outperform most professional money manager. 2) Since there is no need to pay for a professional manager, it is less expensive to purchase an index fund. Index funds are also interesting because there is very little risk that a shareholder will have to incur any capital gains taxes. Since the securities in an index have already been chosen and do not usually vary, there is little trading of securities in an index fund. A mutual fund may have a great deal of trading occur within it and such trading can produce capital gains that by law must be distributed to the fund shareholders at least annually. When a mutual fund portfolio manager sells a stock at a profit, the fund incurs a capital gain that must be passed to the shareholders of the fund. Suppose the mutual fund trades a lot of securities and incurs a large capital gain while at the same time it performs poorly and loses money? The shareholder of such a fund faces the troublesome prospect of having invested in a poorly performing fund while still having to pay its share of the capital gains taxes on the fund. In boom market times, index funds have outperformed most other types of mutual funds. This is not true in down markets, of course. There, investors have the choice of using a “managed index fund” where a portfolio manager is involved in making investment choices, but the basic securities in the fund parallel the chosen index. A managed index fund can incur the types of capital gains other mutual funds incur and pass to shareholders. Have a question about Money Matters? Email legalstriegel123@yahoo.com. Next issue: Investing 201 Continued About the Author: Lyn Striegel is an attorney in private practice in North Beach and Annapolis. Lyn has over thirty years experience in the fields of estate and financial planning and is the author of “Live Secure: Estate and Financial Planning for Women and the Men Who Love Them (2011 ed.).” Nothing in this article constitutes specific legal or financial advice and readers are advised to consult their own counsel.
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Thursday, January 5, 2012 Chesapeake Current
Calvert Wins Top Community Again
By Susan Shaw Calvert County Commissioner
Auld Lang Syne Happy New Year! The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) is elected for a four-year term and elects officers every year on the third Tuesday in December. On December 20, the BOCC held the second election in this term and elected Commissioner Gerald “Jerry” Clark as the President and Commissioner Steven “Steve” Weems as the Vice President. I offer my congratulations to them! Does this action mean that I have somehow been “dissed” by my fellow Commissioners? NO. This action is not about me nor about the job I have done in the role of BOCC President, as was stressed at the time of the election. Rather, the other four Commissioners were all quite complimentary about my tenure as President. This action is a reflection of the desire to experience a different leadership style and to allow others the opportunity to lead. Commissioner Clark, like myself, has served as a Commissioner for nine long years. He sought the opportunity to demonstrate his form of leadership. Nine years is a long time to wait. We all sincerely believe we are acting in the best interests of Calvert County. Additionally, my style of leadership is not for everyone and is not a prerequisite for doing a competent job. One of the parts of the Commissioner role that I most enjoy is being out in the community, recognizing citizens for all their good works, supporting community efforts of all kinds, and gathering information about what County government is doing right and where we can improve. While enjoyable for me, it is also exhausting and time-consuming in addition to all the other crucial duties of a Commissioner like budgeting, administrative duties, reading volumes of background information, answering 200 to 300 emails per day, and interacting with the media. Yes, many less people call now, but many more email. While numerous emails can be dealt with fairly quickly, others require weeks and months of follow-up. Because my children are adults and I am not currently running a business, and because I am a very energetic, outgoing person, I could make time and energy commitments that most people cannot. Please keep in mind that the County Commissioner role is paid for part-time work. Commissioner Clark will demonstrate his own competent leadership style which is different from mine, and which may provide a more realistic model for the other current Commissioners and for future office-holders. Commissioner Nutter stated that he does not feel ready quite yet to take the helm of the BOCC, but that he felt that experiencing a different way of doing the President’s role would help in his preparation and Commissioner Weems seconded that notion. I agree. Commissioner Slaughenhoupt voted in solidarity. I must tell you that it took me a little while to understand that the other Commissioners were not repudiating my work over the last year and that the decision was really not about me. Commissioner Clark brings important strengths to the Presidency of the BOCC. Like me, he has gained a lot of experience and knowledge over these last nine years. He has led the Tri-County Council, composed of all the elected people in the three Southern MD Counties, over the last two years, and has tightened and heightened the management of that entity. As a business owner, who has to make a payroll and a profit on a regular basis to stay in business, he is good at decisive decision-making. He is very strong fiscally, with an in-depth knowledge of real estate contracts and finance. These skills are crucial as we move into a period where we will have significantly less property tax revenue to distribute among all our priorities as a County government. He likes to negotiate and I teasingly call him a wheeler-dealer in admiration of those skills that will be put to good use over the coming year. We share a practicality and pragmatism in our views. He has a healthy skepticism about the motives for requests that will serve the citizens well. Most importantly, Commissioner Clark cares deeply about Calvert County. Consequently, I extend my most sincere congratulations to both Commissioner Clark and to Commissioner Weems in their new roles as BOCC President and Vice President for the coming year. Calvert County is truly blessed with the elected leadership of all five Commissioners. I am proud to serve with each of them. Each brings a unique background and perspective that makes our total commitment a formidable force. I will continue to play an integral role and will continue to represent you to the best of my ability. Thank you for your generous and on-going support.
Calvert County has been named one of the country's 100 Best Communities for Young People for 2011 by America's Promise Alliance following its first-time selection for the award in 2010. The 100 Best Communities award celebrates America's young people and the communities most dedicated to helping local youth graduate from high school. The competition honors cities, counties and towns working to decrease high school dropout rates and create brighter futures for young people. America's Promise Alliance lauded Calvert County for its commitment to education and collaboration among the agencies, nonprofits, businesses and community organizations that provide services to children and youth. The organization also recognized the county's high graduation rate, the provision of family services through the Calvert County Family Network and the school system's service learning component. A wide variety of Calvert County citizens were involved in the award application as part of the Interagency Council for Children and Youth, with the Calvert Collaborative for Children & Youth (CCCY) serving as the lead organization. The application process comprised four months of research, drafting and coordination. In 2011, more than 300 communities in all 50 states and Washington, DC, were nominated for the 100 Best competition. The winners come from 39 states.
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Shoppers Cause Trouble At Mall Anne Arundel County Police are still sorting out what happened outside Westfield Mall in Annapolis just before Christmas. On December 23, at approximately 4:30 in the morning, Mall security personnel requested police assistance in reference to a large crowd. Officers from Southern District arrived and learned several retailers had planned a pre-sale of Air Jordan shoes. A large crowd was outside awaiting the sale, and Mall security requested these customers remain in their vehicles until the stores officially opened at 6:00 a.m. The original crowd of approximately 200 refused to cooperate with directions, and the crowd size grew to approximately 500 people by 5:30 a.m. Numerous Anne Arundel County officers and several Annapolis City Police officers responded to provide crowd control. Westfield Annapolis Management consulted with the stores selling the shoes and the pre-sale was cancelled. The crowd was disbanded without incident and patrons were told to return during regular business hours. Officers remained on-site at the Westfield Mall to assist with crowd control near stores where the in-demand shoes were being sold. More than one store in the mall was
scheduled to sell the shoes, and large crowds continued to form in the mall before the stores opened. The size of the crowds required additional police resources from the Annapolis City Police Department, the Anne Arundel County Sheriff’s Department and the Maryland State Police to facilitate crowd control and patron safety, however, no estimate on the number of officers required was provided to the media. Outside the Foot Locker store, officers used barricades near the storefront to channel waiting patrons and keep lines intact. Despite these efforts, some people in the crowd remained unruly, and there was minor and intermittent pushing and shoving among the waiting patrons. One male, identified as 32-year-old Sean Maurice Turner, of Washington DC was charged with Failure to Obey a Lawful Order, Disorderly Conduct and 2nd Degree Assault. Officers say he approached the barricades in an attempt to move to the front of the line. Officers manning the barricades were concerned that a large-scale fight was likely to erupt and hundreds could be injured if the man successfully moved ahead of other awaiting shoppers.
Officers instructed the man to step away from the barricade, and although he initially complied, he returned twice more in an attempt to cut in line. On the third approach, he refused officers’ instructions to step away, so officers attempted to arrest him for his failure to obey their lawful order. As they began to take the suspect into custody, the suspect used both hands to push one officer in the chest. The suspect was taken into custody without injury to himself or the officers. In a separate Westfield Mall incident at about 7:45 a.m. on December 23, an officer was summonsed to the area of the Lids Store for a trespassing complaint. Mall security personnel advised they had repeatedly asked a 19-year-old female to leave the mall for disorderly behavior. The female refused to comply with their instructions. The responding Anne Arundel County Police officer additionally
instructed the woman multiple times to leave the mall or face arrest for trespassing. The female refused and resisted arrest when the officer attempted to take her into custody. As the officer unsuccessfully struggled to handcuff the resistant female, a male, who was later identified as her boyfriend, tried to interfere with the arrest. The officer was able to push the male away and maintain his grasp of fthe woman long enough for other officers to arrive and assist. Both suspects were taken into custody. They were identified as Leah Danielle Garrison of Philadelphia, who was charged with trespassing. Garrision later complained of pain in her right side; she was transported to Anne Arundel Medical Center for treatment. Her boyfriend, Cameron Demarco Gilbert, of Mitchellville, MD was charged with obstructing/hindering and resisting arrest.
Arrests In Parachuting Incident Anne Arundel County Police say that on December 21, at approximately 2:04 a.m., officers from Western and Southern District responded to the 1600 block of Hawkins Road in Crownsville for a report of an injured subject. A call was received to 911 indicating that an adult male sustained injuries from a parachuting accident. Upon arrival, officers spoke with the injured person, Robert Scott Morgan, 25, of Fairfax, VA and a witness, Sean Michael Bullington, 34, of Draper, UT. The officers’ investigation revealed that Morgan climbed the Maryland Public Television radio tower and was injured after attempting to “Base” jump off of the tower. However, Morgan’s parachute did not fully open before he hit the ground. As a result, he sustained injuries to his lower extremity and was transported to Shock Trauma as a precautionary measure. Morgan was later issued a criminal citation for Trespassing on Private Property and Bullington was taken into custody at the scene and charged with Trespassing on Private Property and Providing a False Statement to Officers.
New Dispatch System On Hold Anne Arundel County Executive John R. Leopold announced that the County is temporarily suspending the rollout of its new computer-aided dispatch system in the interests of safety for police officers, firefighters and paramedics. The old system will be reactivated while technical issues are fixed. "We want to have the most modern communications and tracking systems available to our public safety personnel, but our priority concern is their safety when they are out in the field," County Executive Leopold said. "I support this recommendation by Chief Teare and Chief Ray to shut the new computer system down while we fix problems that have been identified by our dispatchers and first responders." The new Tiburon e-911 system was activated on December 6. Public safety personnel have since identified problems that could potentially put them in danger, such as difficulty determining the exact location of an officer responding to a call or viewing prior incident information for a particular location. After discussing the challenges this week, members of the Administration, public safety agencies and the Office of Information Technology met and decided to revert to the prior dispatch system for 30 days to resolve problems with the new system.
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Thursday, January 5, 2012 Chesapeake Current
Police Blotter Calvert County Sheriff’s Department Reports: Citizens with information on the following crimes or any criminal activity in Calvert County who wish to report it anonymously can now access the Calvert County Crime Solvers link through the Sheriff’s Office website. Go to www.co.cal.md.us and click on the Crime Solvers link to leave an anonymous tip on-line. Information leading to the arrest and conviction of a suspect could result in a $1,000 reward. Destructions of Property Someone cut a hole in the tire of a vehicle parked in the driveway of a home on F Street in Chesapeake Beach sometime between December 12 at 10:30 p.m. and December 13 at 5:30 a.m. Another vehicle had the same type of damage done during the same timeframe on 29th Street in Chesapeake Beach. DFC Woodford is investigating both incidents. Burglary A home under construction in the 14000 block of Solomons Island Road in Solomons was burglarized overnight between December 12 and 13 and copper piping was stolen. Dep. R. Kampf is investigating. A home on Barstow Road in Prince Frederick was burglarized sometime between September of this year and December 13 and over $4,000 in brass and copper was stolen. Sgt. M. Bomgardner is investigating. CDS Violation Dep. G. Gott conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in the area of Skinners Turn Road and Boothhaven Lane in Owings on December 15 at 8:47 p.m. He arrested the passenger of the vehicle, Michael A. Smith, 26, of Owings, and charged him with possession of marijuana. Theft of Vehicle A green 2004 Ford Focus worth $6,000 was stolen from outside a home on Fairground Road in Prince Frederick on December 17 at 5:55 p.m. The owner advised Dep. C. Fox that he had left the vehicle running to warm it up while he ran back inside his home to get something. When he came back outside, the car was gone. Anyone with information is asked to contact Dep. Fox at (410) 535-2800. Theft A woman advised Dep. C. Fox that while shopping at the Prince Frederick Walmart someone had stolen her purse out of her shopping cart on December 18 at 3:30 p.m. The purse was later found in the store but $400 in cash had been stolen.
State Police Barrack U Reports: Assault and Theft Trooper Smith was off-duty at the WalMart store in Prince Frederick when he observed store employees accosting a theft suspect on December 19 at 3:25 p.m. The suspect fled on foot and Tpr. Smith chased him across the parking lot to the Wendy’s restaurant. The suspect entered his vehicle and pulled away. While doing so, the Trooper was struck but uninjured. A look-out was broadcast for the suspect vehicle. A Calvert County Sheriff’s Deputy stooped the vehicle and arrested Edwin D. Correa, 24, of Owings. He was in possession of stolen video games totaling $508. He was incarcerated at the Calvert County Detention Center.
Thefts Trooper Matthews responded to the K-Mart in Prince Frederick for a reported theft on December 21 at 12:26 p.m. Cameron R. Walden, 18, of Dunkirk, was apprehended for stealing DVD’s from the store. He was arrested and incarcerated at the Calvert County Detention Center. Corporal Waner received a complaint regarding the theft of a front license plate on December 22 at 9:13 a.m. The victim reported the theft occurred while the vehicle was parked in the driveway in the 4900 block of Sandy Point Rd. in Prince Frederick. Investigation continues.
Trooper First Class Hunt responded to the 2200 block of Eagle View Court in Chesapeake Beach for a reported theft on December 12 at 1:00 p.m. A 32-inch LCD Vizio television and a credit card were stolen from the residence. Investigation continues. Possession of Oxycodone and Theft Trooper First Class West responded to Hospital Rd. in Prince Frederick for a reported theft on December 14 at 3:50 p.m. Security advised that the victim’s purse with credit cards and cash was taken. During the investigation, Lea A. Santos, 44 of Lusby, was found to be in possession of Oxycodone for which she did not have a prescription. The victim’s stolen items were not located, however other stolen identifications and credit cards were located. She was arrested and incarcerated at the Calvert County Detention Center. Disorderly Conduct Trooper First Class Merkelson responded to the 7-11 store in Dunkirk for a domestic argument on December 10 at 2:24 a.m. During the investigation, Crystal K. Sweeney, 30, of Huntingtown, became disorderly inside the business, causing a disturbance. After refusing several warnings, she was arrested and incarcerated at the Calvert County Detention Center. Theft and Destruction of Property Trooper Costello responded to the 1900 block of Constitution Dr. in St. Leonard for a reported theft and destruction of property on December 19. Two Christmas wreaths were stolen from outside the residence, and two lantern lights that the wreaths were attached to were damaged in the process. Investigation continues. Trespassing On Christmas Day at 3:12 pm, Trooper First Class Dawson responded to Project Echo on Main St. in Prince Frederick for a reported unconscious subject lying on the sidewalk in front of the building. Lori D. Jurney, 47, of Prince Frederick, was extremely intoxicated and disoriented. She was placed under arrest for trespassing and public intoxication. She was incarcerated at the Calvert County Detention Center.
Arrests Made at Checkpoint Members of the Calvert County Sheriff's Office and the Maryland State Police conducted a sobriety checkpoint on December 16 as part of the ongoing efforts to educate the citizens of Calvert County about the dangers of driving while under the influence of alcohol. The checkpoint was set up on Route 260 in the area of Twin Shields Drive in Dunkirk. The checkpoint was set up at this location based on statistical data compiled by the Calvert County Traffic Safety Council in reference to alcohol related crashes and alcohol related arrests. Funding for the checkpoint was provided from grant funds through the Maryland Highway Traffic Safety Office's "Checkpoint/Strikeforce" program. A total of 1,054 vehicles entered the checkpoint and were given an informational pamphlet regarding the State of Maryland's DUI laws. A total of five people were tested when alcohol was detected to ensure they were not under the influence of alcohol, one person was arrested for a DUI related offense. The checkpoint was conducted
from approximately 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. As a result of the checkpoint the following arrests were made: David Jerome Borak, 51, of Chesapeake Beach, who was charged with Theft under $100 for Stolen Registration Plates and Driving While Suspended. Borak was also had an open arrest warrant for Fraud through Montgomery County. Melvin William Brown, 50, of Dunkirk, who was charged with False Statement to a Peace Officer, Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, Possession of CDS Paraphernalia, Driving While Suspended, Driving while displaying Suspended Registration, and other traffic related offenses. Stephen Clyburn, 51, of Dunkirk, who was charged with Possession of CDS Paraphernalia. Mark Edmund Robinson, 48, of Chesapeake Beach, who was charged with Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and other related traffic offenses.
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The Early Bird Gets The Worm By Brian McDaniel Michael Freeburger, owner and operator of Early Bird Home Services, developed a desire to help people long ago. At the age of 12, Michael was an expert floor cleaner, yard worker, grocery getter and much more. Out of all of it, yard work became his main hobby and what kept him busy during his summer breaks from school. The word quickly spread to many of the elderly folks in his neighborhood and he became their go-to kid for services. As he grew, he learned how to do more things that would help people who weren’t able to do things themselves. That was 40 years ago. While growing up in Silver Spring, MD, Michael attended a high school that offered printing as an elective vocational study. It was then that he focused his attention to learning the trade. In printing, Michael worked his way from the bottom to upper management; all the while, putting himself second to everything. During his many years in the printing trade, he never lost sight of what it felt like to help other people with his home services business. In fact, he kept his service business going and continued to work in printing and then attend to his customers on the weekends. Michael married the love of his life in 1986 and later became the father of two boys. Raising a family required him to sometimes burn the candle at both ends. Once he developed a system of working both jobs, he started focusing on making Early Bird his full time job. His plans changed slightly in May of 2011 when the doors at the printing company where he worked closed for good. Michael found himself with plenty of time to reach out to Michael Freeburger. more customers. To list everything Early Bird Home Services offers would take up too much room. The best advice to give someone about Early Bird is to say, “If you need something done, ask Mike.” Anything that you as a homeowner must deal with can be done by Michael, and done very well. From cleaning, gardening, yard work and minor repairs and installations to even assisting clients with their tax filings and caring for pets, Michael does everything. Think about those yearly tasks that can be a pain; especially if we’re talking about an elderly person who may not be able to get things done the way they used to do. Michael is right there to change light bulbs, smoke detector batteries, pick up prescriptions, wrap gifts, refill the water softener and any other tasks you need done. This client testimonial says it all. “Michael Freeburger has worked for my husband and I for three years, helping us with our yard work. As we are in our eighties, and it is increasingly difficult for us to do the necessary things to keep our garden beds, shrubs and trees looking their best, and Mike has stepped in to help as needed. He has weeded, planted, pruned and mulched with great efficiency. One very special thing about Mike is his work ethic. When he agrees to a job he stays with it until it is done right. We find Michael to be knowledgeable, trustworthy and most agreeable to work with.” Having a service as unique as Early Bird Home Services is attractive in this area because so many people can benefit from what Michael has to offer. He has a convenient website and when you call, you talk directly to him, not some answering service. Michael works Calvert, Anne Arundel, Prince Georges, Charles and St. Mary’s Counties. Though his business is primarily to provide trustworthy help for senior citizens, he has found that a lot of households where everyone works and has little time can benefit from what he can do as well. Last year, Michael joined the Bay Business Group, and has donated his time and service to the Early Bird Home Services can also help homeowners and group as well. In the seven years I real estate agents achieve maximum curb appeal.
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worked with Michael at the same printing company, I found him to be extremely reliable and a trustworthy individual. He genuinely loves to serve those in need; young or old. Once you use his service you will want to continue as his list of services continues to grow. When you use Early Bird or anyone from the Bay Business Group, you are supporting local businesses that will stop at nothing to give back to you over and over again. You can reach Michael Freeburger at (301) 440-2053 or online at www.earlybirdhomeservices.com.
Before: The homeowner wanted to put the house on After: With the bushes under control and the lawn the market, but knew it would not bring top dollar sleek and manicured, it won't be long before the home with the shaggy bushes and out-of-control lawn. finds a new buyer!
Before: The brush on the riverbank was out of control After: The unruly bushes and brambles are gone and and obscured the beautiful view of the river and the the homeowners have a lovely unobstructed view of the boat dock. river once again! About the Author: Brian “Crow” McDaniel is the owner of Crow Entertainment, LLC. He serves as one of three Ethics Commissioners for the Town of North Beach and is part of the communications team for the Bay Business Group (BBG).
Taking the Polar Bear Plunge!
Hundreds watched as hundreds of others took a quick dip in the Chesapeake Bay for the 16th annual Polar Bear Plunge in North Beach on New Year’s Day. The air temperature was a balmy 57 degrees, but the water temperature was in the 40s when the brave stripped to their bathing suits and went running into the water. The Polar Bear Plunge is sponsored by the Town of North Beach. Photo by Cheryl Emery. Scan the Current Code to watch a video by Brian McDaniel of the plunge on your smart phone! If this is your idea of a good time, another one, the Maryland State Police (MSP) Polar Bear Plunge, will be held at Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis on Saturday, January 28. The frigid fun begins at 8:00 a.m. with two plunges into the Chesapeake Bay at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. They do it every January to raise money for Special Olympics Maryland.
The Beefy Guys of Roland’s Meat Department By Clare O’Shea
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n 1999, Rick Canter, one of the head meat cutters for Roland’s of Chesapeake Station, found himself looking for a job, when Calvert Meats, long-time iconic meat shopping place, closed its doors after many years on Mt. Harmony Road. He was then hired by Giant. But when they asked him to re-locate to Virginia, it didn’t take him long to say, “No.” Rick explains, “I wanted to stay here in Calvert. It’s my home! And besides, I pretty much knew that I would just be a number there!” He goes on, “The Pelletiers treat me great and I think I treat them well!” You’ve probably seen him bringing the fresh meats out to the display cooler from time to time. Rick is a big, handsome guy with a very kind demeanor, and he is confident confident that he is in the right place, providing an important service to important folks, his customers. He adds, “I am so attached to my customers. The customers are everything. We all know at Roland’s how much we owe to them. And I am here for the duration.” And by the look on his face, you can see he is totally sincere. Sandy Pellitier proudly adds, “Rick opens and closes the store and operates as a manager, beyond the realm as a meat cutter.” He is proud to have worked at Calvert Meats and just as proud to be part of the Roland’s team. “When I left Calvert Meats, I asked Jerry Driver, the owner, if I could take two recipes with me; the Maryland Stuffed Ham, and the Country Sage Sausage - loose or links! Put ‘em in a great Marinara or fry ‘em up for breakfast. Tastes great so many ways!” You get a sense Rick can be kinda shy,
Recently my husband told me he hadn’t been able to score ham soup bones anywhere. He was very frustrated, until we asked Rick to help us out. He said, “Sure! You ask for it. We’ll get it!” Two days later, and at a very reasonable
price, we have our freezer stocked and we are ready for some super winter soup cooking now. It does make us feel like part of the family! About the Author: Clare O’Shea is an account executive with the Chesapeake Current and can be reached at (301) 873-5885.
Two Local Arby’s Close
Rick Canter at Roland’s of Chesapeake Station.
except when it comes to Roland’s Meat Department. He is very proud of it. He says he prepares their Beef Barbeque, along with his meat cuttin’ buddy, ‘Buddy’ Anderson, in addition to Paul Newman. I don’t mean the actor, but the meat cutting Paul Newman! (I really must meet him!!”) Buddy is sort of the Roland’s Maitre De of Chesapeake Beach. You always get a greeting along the lines of “Hello, Dahling!” Very fun and flirty! But they are all into their jobs, slicin’, dicin’ and smilin’ their way each day into the hearts and tummies of local meat lovers. “We have nothin’ but USDA Choice Beef, cut daily, so it’s fresh!! We special cut and do special orders all the time. We try to please our customers, treat ‘em like family!” Rick adds.
The Arby’s restaurants in both Dunkirk and Prince Frederick closed on Christmas Eve along with several others, and it’s unclear whether either they or their other locations in Southern Maryland will ever reopen. Managers were advised not to call the parent company, Knight Best Keller, or KBK Inc. headquartered in Charlotte Hall, or try to go inside the restaurants. Employees were promised their final paychecks, but advised that they should apply for unemployment compensation. The web site of the local company that owns all of them carried this announcement: “Why are we closed?? Answer: Due to financial difficulties brought on by the economy we have been forced to close our stores by the Arby's Restaurant Group. After many attempts to negotiate with them they finally decided Friday (December 24) that it was better to close our 10 locations than to allow us to continue to make progress on
Arby’s in Dunkirk, closed as of Christmas Eve.
securing long term solutions. At this point, negotiations continue with all interested parties and once those negotiations are concluded we will be better able to answer this question specifically.”
Chesapeake Current Business Calendar The Bay Business Group will hold its monthly meeting on Wednesday, January 18 at 8:00 a.m. at the Rod 'N' Reel Restaurant in Chesapeake Beach. Note the new meeting time: 8:00 to 9:30 a.m. to enable business owners to get to their businesses earlier. Join us as we begin the new year, and bring your business cards to network with other business owners and area leaders! State Legislative Breakfast: Monday, January 9 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at the Rod ‘N' Reel Restaurant in Chesapeake Beach. This "breakfast" provides a venue for Chamber members to hear from our State Delegation about bills and legislation to be presented during the 2012 Legislative Session in Annapolis. It is an excellent opportunity to learn about how some of these bills may impact our region. Business After Hours: Thursday, January 12 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Annmarie Garden, 13480 Dowell Road, Dowell, MD. Join fellow Chamber members for an up close and personal experience of the "Garden In Lights," the winner of the Finest Holiday Tradition by Maryland Life's Magazine! Kick off the New Year with great food by Dream Weaver Events Catering. Call the Chamber office at (410) 535-2577 for details or questions about any of these items. Host a Business After-Hours (BAH) Mixer in 2012. Don't miss out on an opportunity to promote your business, sign up today! For more information, visit their website at www.southcounty.org or call (410) 867-3129.
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Pride & Joy
Celebrating the Quiet Joys By Jenny Kellner Living the lives many of us parents do here in our opportunity-rich area, we often hear, “You really need to slow down.” Which to-do list would ‘slow down’ belong to? Would it go on “do today”, “do this week”, “do by the next meeting”, “do this month”, or the most used list of all, “do by the deadline”? Undoubtedly, ‘slow down’ would get shuffled from list to list with the likes of ‘clean out the junk drawer’, ‘find out what Zumba is’, and ‘go to DMV to change name on driver’s license’. When we think of how to slow down, the first thought to tackle is what can be eliminated. Enriching the lives of our children brings to light three aspects of a child. There are sports, character-building and music activities in our family. Which of these three worthwhile time consumers can go? None. Don’t forget homework, too. Then there’s travel, which is so valuable for general knowledge and experience- gotta keep going. Then there’s family time. Isn’t that what this is all supposed to be about- enjoying life as a family? So, as we head into a promise-filled 2012, we’re back to square one and no slowing down. Perhaps the next question should be, “Why slow down?” Close introspection comes when the body screams out in an unpleasant incident, “That’s it! I’ve had enough!” Even closer introspection came when I realized Let’s slow down and celebrate the simple things in 2012. that we hadn’t walked on the North Beach boardwalk since the day before Hurricane Irene. With the threat of destruction looming in the clouds, I made a point to take a stroll on the pier with our girls before we ran for the hills. Looming disaster is what it took for us to take a break long enough to take a walk. Another reality check came when I threatened the kids to donate “all of those toys you never play with.” The response came like a brick to the forehead, “We don’t play with them because we don’t have time.” When we run ourselves ragged and only see one another in passing, with rushed meals and conversations limited to the logistics of getting this one here on time and that one there on time, what are we really gaining? Is this the right approach to raising happy kids? Probably not, which is why I’ve pushed the question further and am going to try to implement the old adage, “Everything in moderation.” We’ll continue each aspect of our lives, but to a lesser extent. I can just hear you sage, veteran parents laughing. With kids already in college, you have the perspective to see this as a feeble attempt and are saying, “Good luck with that…. everything in moderation!” This column usually spotlights children who are well-rounded, scholarly, altruistic and have made local headlines for some particular accomplishment. However, I often think of the kids who aren’t in the spotlight. Perhaps their parents have wisely decided to slow down and enjoy a quiet and quality family life. Let’s celebrate as our pride and joy: the kids who have time for a leisurely conversation with Grandma, play a pick-up game of backyard baseball, meander along the beach looking for shark’s teeth, make a card for their teacher from last year, try out a new recipe, make faces in the mirror and play with their toys. There’s a fresh year ahead of us. May we all take a moment to remember the “unorganized” joys of childhood so that they make it onto our to-do lists. About the Author: Jenny Kellner is a mother, teacher and Girl Scout leader. She lives in North Beach with her husband, Joe, and their four children, and serves on the town’s Historic Preservation Commission.
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Ring in the New Year With Winter Fishing Shows... By Bob Munro A determining factor this fall for Chesapeake Bay fishing was temperature, both air and water. By the time our season ended on December 15, ocean water temperatures were still in the 50s, causing a delay in the movement of large Rockfish up the Bay. On Christmas Day, our water temperatures finally dipped below 50 degrees. Boats fishing along the Jersey beaches are still catching more Rockfish than they know what to do with. These fish will soon reach the mouth of the Bay and the vicinity of Virginia Beach where they should stay throughout January. Hopefully the big fish will stay in State waters (within 3 miles of the beach), because Federal waters remain closed for Rockfishing. Now that the holidays are behind us, we can look forward to quite a variety of winter fishing and boat shows with two hours of our location. For the last 27 years, the first large show was the Timonium Fishing Expo at the Maryland State Fairgrounds north of Baltimore. Unfortunately, that show has been cancelled due to the current economic climate. However as you’ll see in the accompanying table, there’s no shortage of shows both large and small. Hardly a weekend will pass without a show being offered somewhere not far away. Shows identified as “flea markets” offer new and used equipment for both fresh and salt water. If you’re in the
market for a boat, whether a dingy or a 60-foot trawler, it will be on display in Baltimore, Washington DC, Richmond and Chantilly, VA. Don’t miss the small local shows such as those at Tri-State Marine (Deale), Pasadena (above Severna Park), Edgewater and Solomons. Some shows offer seminars on a variety of topics, including trolling for trophy Rockfish such as the one in this photo. Have a question about Chesapeake Bay fishing? Send your questions to "onthewater@chesapeakecurrent.com" and we'll do our best to get you an answer. Don't catch 'em all, Bob Munro About the Author: Bob Munro of Chesapeake Beach has been a career research biologist for the US Fish & Wildlife Service. At one time or another, he has visited every river entering the Chesapeake Bay from the Susquehanna Flats to Hampton Roads. An avid fisherman, he's fished the mid- Chesapeake since the mid-1980s.
Schedule of Fishing Shows Dates Jan. 13 - 15 Jan. 19 - 22 Jan. 20 - 22 Jan. 28 - 29 Jan. 28 - 29 Feb. 10 - 12 Feb. 17 - 19 Feb. 18 - 19 Feb. 18 - 20 Feb. 25 Feb. 25 Feb. 25 Feb. 4 Feb. 4 - 12 Mar. 17 - 18 Mar. 24 - 25 Mar. 9 - 11
Events Timonium Fishing Expo & Boat Show – cancelled East Coast Commercial Fishermen’s & Aquaculture Trade Expo Baltimore Boat Show Richmond Fishing Expo Annual Fishing Show & Flea Market Kent Island Fishermen 1st Annual Indoors Fishing Flea Market 2012 Washington Boat Show 24th Annual Richmond Boat Show Pasadena Sportsfishing Group’s Fishing & Boating Flea Market/Show 29th Annual Ocean City Seaside Boat Show MSSA Annual Saltwater Fishing Expo MSSA Dorchester Fishing Flea Market Annual Fishermen’s Flea Market Fishermen’s Flea Market Eastern Sports & Outdoor Show Fishing Flea Market, MSSA Essex Chapter 19th Annual Fishing Fair, MSSA So. MD Chapter 2012 National Capital Boat Show
Location Maryland State Fairgrounds, Timonium Ocean City Convention Center, Ocean City, MD Baltimore Convention Center Meadow Event Park, Doswell, VA Monaghan Twp. VFD, 245 W. Siddonsburg Rd., Dillsburg, PA Kent Is. American Legion Post 278, 800 Romancoke Rd., Stevensville Washington Convention Center Richmond Raceway Complex, Richmond, VA Earleigh Heights Fire Hall, Rt. 2 & Magothy Br. Rd., Severna Park Ocean City Convention Center. Ocean City, MD Annapolis Elks Lodge 622 – 2517 Solomons Is. Rd., Edgewater American Legion Hall, Rt. 50 Bridge, Cambridge, MD American Legion Post 223 – 7327 Slacks Rd., Sykesville, MD Tri-State Marine, Rt. 256, Deale, MD State Farm Complex, Harrisburg, PA Commodore Hall, 1909 Old Eastern Ave., Essex, MD Solomons Fire Hall, Rt. 2/4, Solomons, MD Dulles Expo Center, Chantilly, VA
Chesapeake Current
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Goodbye 2011… On To 2012
On The
By Diane Burr
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hat will you remember from 2011? Among our most memorable stories of the year – according to what you, our readers were talking about – were the natural disasters, and the sad fates of two famed birds. And, of course, the economy; it’s been so difficult for so many. In the fall, a spate of strange – and damaging events – had everyone concerned. The first was on a sunny Tuesday afternoon, August 23 at 1:51 p.m. when our area was jolted by a strong earthquake, measuring about 5 on the Richter Scale. That quake, centered outside Richmond, was the strongest quake to rock the Washington DC area in recent memory. Washington National Cathedral, the tallest building in DC suffered damage inside and out. The Washington Monument also suffered millions in damage as well. Fortunately, only minor damage was reported elsewhere. Throughout the metropolitan area, people ran out of buildings, screaming. Everyone from California laughed at us. At Roland's in Chesapeake Beach, a clerk says a couple of bottles of wine fell on the floor and broke during the quake and
throughout the store, there were a few other items that toppled off shelves, but fortunately nothing major was reported in our area. One of the best stories related to this I can share is from a group of us friends sitting around the dock at the Rod ‘N’ Reel, throwing back a couple of cool ones. We started talking about where we were when the earthquake struck. One woman said, “I was in the Subway!” Everyone gasped and said, oh, my, THAT’S really scary! With a puzzled look on her face, she said, well, the lunchmeat wiggled and some of the chips fell off the rack… (I guess you have to be from Calvert or Anne Arundel Counties to get it! We all howled!) A few days later, we were hit with the remnants of Hurricane Irene, the strongest storm to hit our area since Hurricane Isabel in 2003. (Why is it that the storms starting
Serving Southern Anne Arundel, Northern Calvert and Surrounding Areas
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with “I” always hit us worst?) Damage was widespread, mostly from falling trees. That’s been our most requested back issue – people wanting extra copies of the photos, because of course, ours were the best! For your scrapbooks, we’re republishing a couple of them. One person who lost her home was Sheila Poole of North Beach,
Sheila Poole’s home in North Beach was destroyed by four falling trees during Irene. She’s now in the process of rebuilding.
and made its way to Calvert where it met its sad demise. Although authorities Photo by Bruce Wahl. hoped to catch it, a hunter shot it. In late summer, had another The most seriously damaged home in Chesapeake Beach was cut in half by a falling tree during Irene. Photo by Bruce tear-jerker: this one from author Janie Suss of Holland Point about the two boys Wahl. who shot and killed beloved Olive Osprey on her pier with a BB gun. And to make who fortunately had gone to a friend’s house it even sadder, all charges were dismissed that night. She came home the next against those who shot the star of her morning to find that her home had been children’s book, because of technicalities. destroyed by four falling Tulip Poplar trees. It was a year of a lot of laughs, and But fortunately, there is a happy ending to this tragic story. Relatives and friends many tears. We even had a very difficult were quick on the scene to help, and Sheila break-up with a business partner, but we’re continues thanking everyone for their stronger and better because of that. We heartfelt assistance and concern. When I sincerely appreciate your continued saw her out recently walking her dog, she support, and don’t be confused. There’s said she was working with a builder on only ONE Chesapeake Current! Nothing plans. She promises that if she’s in her new else can compare. house by June, she will have it on the annual This said, I doubt that any of us can North Beach House and Garden Tour. If not 2012, Sheila says look for it in 2013 forget 2011! Tour! Thank you, our loyal Current readers A few days after that, floodwaters raged and advertisers. Our sincere out of the Patuxent River, closing Route hope is that 2012 is an 4/Pennsylvania Avenue at excellent year for every one of Wayson’s Corner and you! creating one of the worst traffic nightmares imaginable. We all tried to detour to Route 2, but that turned into a parking lot as well. Most people bailed out and simply went back home for a day of telecommuting or “unscheduled leave.” The Prince Georges County Government Center in Upper Marlboro was flooded badly, and water reached the roofs of cars at a dealership at Routes 4 and 301. If you missed my editorial about that mess, look online for it on our breaking news web site, www.ChesapeakeCurrent.com. The other two Current stories that created quite a buzz this past year were about birds. About the Author: Diane Burr is the owner In January, everyone was talking about and founder of the Chesapeake Current and the osprey that apparently escaped from a Chesapeake Bay Tripper, both based in farm somewhere in Anne Arundel County, North Beach.
Photographer Follows His Dreams
Bark Danger Update
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ou might remember the article we did in the Chesapeake Current last year on the budding local photographer who calls himself Bark Danger getting his own show at the Chesapeake Beach Town Hall. We’re pleased to report that since then, this aspiring artist’s career is on the fast track. Oh, and he just turned 21! “I’m now living in Salisbury, I moved here in May,” says Bark, the former North Beach resident who discovered his love of photography while working under his real name, Mark Branson, at Roland’s Super Market in Chesapeake Beach. “I’m now working full-time with Life Touch Studios as a lead photographer, and I’m working part-time with Picture People, a family portrait studio. Of course, I’m still taking my own photos. My work is on display currently at Common Grounds, A Fair Trade Coffee House in Salisbury. I’ve sold more than ten framed pictures there to date!” “I applied at Life Touch, and they called back next day. I sent them my portfolio, and they called me for an interview, and I got the job the next day. They said they liked my entire portfolio. I was really surprised!” he adds. If that’s not enough to keep him busy, he’s also picking up additional work through his web site and Facebook page. “Tons more,” he says. “My art, my progression, I feel every picture I shoot gets better and better. Numerous people have contacted me through the web site. I’m really cheap compared to everyone else. I charge just $50 for a photography session, which includes a CD of your photos. The lowest other I’ve found charges $100. But I’m just doing what I love.” Life Touch Studios is the company that does school photos for students, but also photos for yearbooks. “Sure, I remember them coming in every year when I was in school and I never thought much about them,” Danger says. “But they’re fascinating. And to think that the photos that I’m taking will be on record forever and be so important to each them – and their families – for the rest of their lives. That’s amazing. I still have my yearbooks and I know lots of others do as well. Looking back, I can say, ‘I took that picture.’ It’s a great feeling to know I’m making a difference in people’s lives.”
“One of the most memorable experiences I’ve had so far is Life Touch sending me to Tangier Island (in the Chesapeake Bay), which was fascinating. They paid for my trip to go and I took photos for the yearbook for the only school on the island, and they only have three seniors graduating next year. Their accents are awesome! I was able to go out with them on the island and take some awesome photos for their yearbook. And I took great pictures of the school,” he adds. He’s also looking forward to more creative photo sessions. “I want in the spring do a different program than in the winter, more creative photos than the normal yearbook photos. We’ll have senior pictures in spring and summer, and I’m really looking forward to those,” he adds. And to think it all started with the little art show at the Chesapeake Beach Town Hall atrium back in 2011. “All that month, I’d go and just watch the people looking at my photos,” he says. “I wanted to see the different expressions they had on their faces, which was very gratifying.”
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Dear Chesapeake Current Readers, Thank you Calvert County, for the compassion you have shown this past year. As our economy has worsened, you have stepped up. Your actions prove that our destiny is less controlled by elected power and more controlled by the power of your willing hands and hearts. We often talk of quality of life in our county. Usually we measure that by controlled growth and home values. I suggest that the better measure is the quality of our people. Your generosity suggests you agree. This year was a record breaking year and together we accomplished so much. Because of your efforts, in 2011 End Hunger In Calvert County distributed over 450,000 pounds of food to our 11 Calvert partner food pantries. That food went to the needy in our county. To put that number in perspective, in 2008, our first year, End Hunger In Calvert County’s collected 23,000 pounds of food. Although Calvert County is one of our nation’s wealthiest counties, over 10,000 county residents now regularly use local food pantries. It seems hard to believe I know. But to anyone who has been laid off, or had your hours cut back, or seen work slow down, you know it’s true. Together we are filling the gap for people who have to choose between paying the mortgage or buying food. In early 2011, End Hunger In Calvert County opened the End Hunger Warehouse to meet the county’s pressing for a local distribution center to serve our food pantries. 2011 also marked the launch of The Farms of End Hunger; farmland dedicated to supplying fresh produce and nutritional food options to hard-hit families. Hundreds of us came out during our Annual Community Harvest Day and thousands of pounds of white and sweet potatoes. To the thousands of volunteers who got involved and dedicated your time to serving the community, from the deepest wells of gratitude I thank you for believing in our mission of feeding the hungry in our county. I wish you and your family a happy and blessed New Year and let’s get ready to make 2012 another year for the record books. Together We Can, Rev. Robert P. Hahn Chairman of End Hunger of Calvert County www.endhungercalvert.org
Friend the Chesapeake Current on Facebook and visit our breaking news site, www.ChesapeakeCurrent.com. For regional events and ideas for stay-cations, friend our sister publication, the Chesapeake Bay Tripper on Facebook or visit us online at www.ChesapeakeBayTripper.com. Brian McDaniel Bob Munro William "Billy" Poe Clare O'Shea Susan Shaw Lynda Striegel
The Chesapeake Current is a locally-owned and operated, bi-weekly news magazine covering Calvert and Southern Anne Arundel Counties. None of our content is syndicated – it’s all local and all about our communities. The Chesapeake Current is available in 175+ high-traffic locations throughout our readership area, and is completely supported by ad revenue. We are a “priceless” or free publication. Want a subscription so you always stay Current? Call (410) 231-0140 for information. In this issue, there are NO authorized inserts. If you find any, please contact us immediately and we will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law for theft of services. The Chesapeake Current is owned by Bayside Partners, LLC, which is solely responsible for the form, content and policies of the newspaper. Copyright 2012. All rights reserved. No content or images may be used for any reason without express written permission.
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Dear Chesapeake Current Readers, If you’ve driven through Chesapeake Beach during holidays over the last few years, you may have noticed a brightly lighted, playful, waving crab in various locations around town. Some play a game and track the crab as he moved around nightly! Two years ago, the fun began. Citizens watched as the crabs that were placed in the median along Highway 260 began to move toward the Bay! Each day they got a little closer to their goal of reaching the waters of the Chesapeake Bay. Many were amazed when they made it past Tyler’s Crab House unscathed, and went over the wall at the Veterans’ Park and into the Bay! The last two years, this cute little waving crab has appeared all around town, including the entrance to several of the subdivisions, along Highway 260, near the “CB” sign on 260… you just never know where he’ll turn up. He has become quite an attraction in town, and each year young and old alike love watching him cavort all around town! Special thanks to the Public Works Crew of Chesapeake Beach for giving us this great new “attraction.” Watch for him again next year!
Owner, Executive Editor and Publisher: Diane Burr News: Send news and calendar items to: editor@ChesapeakeCurrent.com Advertising Sales: email: ads@ChesapeakeCurrent.com or call Clare O’Shea (301) 873-5885.
Current Contributors: Anna Chaney Sid Curl Cheryl Emery Nick Garrett Jenny Kellner Jay Lounsbury
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Could You Catch The Crab?
Pat Carpenter Events Coordinator Town of Chesapeake Beach
The Chesapeake Current P.O. Box 295 North Beach, MD 20714 (410) 231-0140
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2011: Our Year of Compassion
Photos by Nancy Feuerle.
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There IS Theatre in the Beaches
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“What!� exclaimed the Ghost, “would you so soon put out, with worldly hands, the light I give?� Since 1843, when A Christmas Carol, was published in book form, these words written by Charles Dickens, and spoken by the Ghost of Christmas Past to Ebenezer Scrooge, have described a mission sought by all who are in service to our kids. We thank our community for their support of our local theatre troupe and the talented children who performed the latest and most classic of productions, A Christmas Carol. With all this support the light continues to glow. We had 80 children perform in the show. There is a lot of production behind that. The parents—including director and mother Regan Cashman, deserve a huge thank you for lending their kids to this remarkable program we have here in the Beaches. Thank you for all your volunteer hours and for simply allowing your kids to perform or work on the set and behind the scenes. Because we turn no one away who wants to be a part of the Twin Beach Players, we are growing bigger, brighter and outgrowing spaces. We need a Fine Arts Center in which to put all our budding, blooming, bright artists. We are looking. Which space will hold us? Will we have the money to afford it? We have begun our fundraising campaign for this new space. We held a gift raffle at the North Beach Firehouse during all ten performances of A Christmas Carol. We sold raffle tickets for $1 each or six for $5. We raised $700.00. We thank all who bought tickets. This money is set aside for the Twin Beach Fine Arts Center. Stay tuned for information about our February fundraiser. We are in the process of grant writing. Foundations often ask for letters of support from the community. We have received nods from community members that they will write letters of support. We have received our first letter. It is from the town of North Beach, signed by Mayor Frazer. We will continue to ask community members for letters of support. The Fine Arts Center will be a gathering place for all talented artists, musicians, singers, dancers and small orchestras. We would like to have costume changing rooms, a lobby to exhibit art and classrooms. Designed to be an intimate theatre seating approximately150, it will be a place for performers to share in Northern Calvert County. When we have that space, we may outgrow that, too. Perhaps we will be like the Round House Theatre in Silver Spring, MD, that has several buildings for performances and classes. Who knows? We appreciate your help. We will one day need staff for the Fine Arts Center. Do you know any theatre lovers who may want to work in this Twin Beach Fine Arts Center? We want to know if you are interested in this project. Contact the Twin Beach Players or me in care of the Chesapeake Current (editor@ChesapeakeCurrent.com), if you want to ask how to lend your support. Our children’s light has never shown so brightly! Jana Barberio Chesapeake Beach
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Thursday, January 5, 2012 15
Julia Bates, 71
Frank Bottjer, 67
Julia Ann Bates, 71, died November 30, 2011 at Anne Arundel Medical Center after a lengthy illness. Born December 29, 1939 in Chattanooga, TN to her late parents, Albert and Lucille Durham Elrod. A resident of Churchton for 33 years, Julia worked in the food services area of Central Middle School. She retired from Anne Arundel County Schools in 1990. She enjoyed spending time with her family and pets, and doing yard work. In addition to her parents, Julia was preceded in death by her brother, Howard "Pete" Elrod, and sister, Gladys Carson. She is survived by her husband of 47 years, Bruce W. Bates; daughters, Michelle Bates of Royal Palm Beach, FL and Jennifer Stotler of Leonardtown; grandchildren, Bryanna, Kalie and D.J.; sister, Doris Futyma of Huntingtown; and a special friend, Barbara Dove. Services were held at Hardesty Funeral Home, P.A., Galesville. Online condolences can be made at www.hardestyfuneralhome.com.
Helmut Frank Bottjer, age 67 of Huntingtown was born May 19, 1944 and passed away F r i d a y , December 30, 2011 at the University of Maryland Hospital in Baltimore. He was the loving husband of 47 years of Nancy Bottjer and loving father of Karen Baber and Steven Bottjer. He is also survived by his grandchildren; Matthew Baber, Brooke and Chloe Johnson and his brother, John Bottjer. Mr. Bottjer resided in Huntingtown over 33 years and had retired as Deputy Chief of the WSSD. He then went to work in the Prince George's County Police Department and retired after 20 years of service. He was a member of FOP Lodge 89. His hobbies included fishing and playing golf. He was also known as a big Redskins fan, but his family was most important. Lee Funeral Home in Owings handled arrangements.
Shirleen Booth, 63
Pamela Broome, 48
Pamela Maria Shirleen Alice Broome was Booth was born born on October February 6, 25, 1963, in 1948 was passed Calvert County. away December She was the 19, 2011. fourth of five Visitation and children born to funeral services William and were held at Eliza Gantt. Sewell Funeral Pamela lost a courageous battle with cancer Home's Chapel in Prince Frederick. Her final resting place is the cemetery and slipped peacefully into eternal rest on at Mt. Hope United Methodist Church, 145 December 21, 2011. Pamela began her early Christian Dalrymple Road in Sunderland. education at Brooks United Methodist
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Church, under the leadership of the late Reverend Joseph Collins. She later became a member of Healing and Deliverance Church of the Holy Spirit under the leadership of Pastor Aniachi Be’lu-John. Pamela was educated in the public schools of Calvert County, and was employed at The House of Grace in Bowie, MD as a private duty caregiver until her health failed. Pamela provided care and unconditional love to everyone she worked with. She had one of the most beautiful smiles and a pleasant personality. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends doing some of her favorite things; playing cards, watching her favorite football team “Dallas Cowboys,” but most of all she recently gained an interest in watching WWF (World Wrestling Federation) along with her parents. Pamela honestly enjoyed life. Her favorite saying was “I got a life to live” and she lived it. Growing up, she was known by her siblings and close cousins as “cry baby.” It wasn’t unusual for Pam to be seen crying while watching Charlie Brown cartoons. She would say (between sniffles) “They know they don’t have to treat Charlie Brown that way!” Pamela never liked seeing people sad or hurting in any way. On August 2, 1986 Pamela was united in marriage to Ralph Antonio Broome Sr. and from this union four children were born. She leaves to cherish her fond memories, her parents William and Eliza; father-in-law Asia Broome; four children, Ralph Jr., Ral’nisha, Ju’shaun and Ju’vawn; three sisters, Janet, Audrey, and Sherrylynn; one brother, Antonio “Tony”; five brothers-in-law, Asia “Mark”, Leonard, Jerome, Thomas (Leslie) and Scott (Janice); one sister-in-law, Lynette Savoy; five grandchildren, Iyanna, Zayne, Ra-Jon, Janyla and Andrew; six aunts, Mamie Jones (Herbert), Susie Johnson; Annie Reddic; Helen Gantt; Amelia Johnson; Gladys Gantt; two uncles, Thomas Johnson (Lois Jean), George Gantt (Joanie); one great aunt, Mary Bourne; two great uncles Thomas Gray, and Harry Gray (Christine). Pamela had two cousins she held dear to her heart, James “Jim” Gray and Dwan “Terp” Johnson Sr., a special friend Gerald Jacks and a host of nieces, nephew, other relatives and friends. Visitation was at Sewell Funeral Home's Chapel in Prince Frederick andat Brooks United Methodist Church, 5550 Mackall Road, St. Leonard MD where funeral services were also held. The Brooks UM Church Cemetery is her final resting place.
Tom Coyle, 57 Th o m a s A n t h o n y “Tom” Coyle, 57, of North Beach passed a w a y December 11, 2011 at his residence. Tom was born September 11, 1954 in Washington, D.C. to Bernard James and Mary Frances (Lohr) Coyle. He was raised in Camp Springs, MD and attended St. Phillips and Camp Springs grammar schools, Tawney Jr. High School and graduated from Crossland High School in Oxon Hill, MD. He resided in the Clinton area and was employed as a carpet installer and also worked at Coyle’s Cleaners. He moved to North Beach in the early 1990’s and worked at Fishing Creek Marina and later as a dock master at the Rod & Reel in Chesapeake Beach. He was active in the Twin Beach Players as an actor and in production, and in his leisure time enjoyed music and animals. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, and is survived by brothers Bernard James “Jimmy” Coyle and wife Joyce of Clinton, Michael P. “Mike” Coyle and wife Pat of Lusby, Gary F. Coyle and wife Mary Ann of Berlin, MD and a sister Mary B. Coyle of Bowie. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. A memorial visiting and celebration of Tom’s life was held at Rausch Funeral Home in Owings. Expressions of sympathy in Tom's name may be made to a charity of one's choice.
Brian Dowell, 44 Brian “Keith” Dowell, 44 of Dowell was carried home by our Lord on Th u r s d a y , December 8, 2011. Keith was born in Calvert County, Maryland December 31, 1966, and resided in Dowell his entire life. Keith and his family, Valerie, Autumn and Justin recently began attending services at The Potter’s Place, a one room church where his wife, Valerie serves as music director. Prior to moving to the Potter’s Place Keith served as a Deacon at Southern Calvert Baptist Church. After moving to the Potter’s Place, Keith continued
his life of service by truly acting as the hands and feet of Jesus and doing all he could to help those around him. He did what he thought needed to be done. He built a porch roof over the entrance to the church to protect people from the weather. After he finished that, he told his wife that he wanted to build a steeple for the church. On December 8, 2011 he gathered his tools and headed out to build his vision. He drew a small diagram of his idea on a piece of notebook paper, and then started construction. Regretfully, it was the last thing he would ever do while on this earth. He was doing something for others. If we all can be that sincere and that giving in our last moments on earth, it truly can be a better place. Keith lived his entire life with a servant’s heart. He volunteered with the Solomon’s Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department as soon as he was old enough to get involved. Since he was younger, and smaller than many members of the department, they nicknamed him Smurf. He eventually became a Sergeant with the Department. He later served our country for five years in the United States Army, as a Military Police Officer, and continued as a member of the Army National Guard. He became a United States Capital Police Officer in 2002, and worked there until his death. Keith is survived by his wife, Valerie, his daughter, Autumn, and his son, Justin, as well as his siblings, Barry Dowell, Brad Dowell, and Laura Wright, and his grandmother, Velma Dowell. Keith is the third son of Retired Maryland State Trooper, C. “Buckie” and Brenda Dowell, and the son-in-law of Mike and Ronnie Warren, of Lusby. The family requests that memorial contributions be made in "Keith's" memory to his children: The Autumn & Justin Dowell Fund, C/O Mr. Bucky Dowell, P. O. Box 12, Dowell, MD 20629; or your gift may be placed with any PNC Banking Institution. Rausch Funeral Home handled arrangements.
Peter Fratta, 78
Bernard S. "Corky" Franklin, 64
Peter J. Fratta of Dunkirk was born in Italy on July 11, 1933 and departed this life on December 30, 2011. Visitation and services were at Hardesty Funeral Home in Galesville. His final resting place is the cemetery at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 101 Owensville Road, West River, MD 20778.
Bernard S. "Corky" Franklin, Jr., age 64, of Shady Side, passed away December 30, 2011 at Anne Arundel Medical Center, Annapolis. Rausch Funeral Home handled arrangements. A Celebration of Life and Memorial Fund will be announced in the near future.
Carol Godfrey, 64 Carol Ann Godfrey, age 64, of Huntingtown, passed away suddenly on December 22, 2011. She was born February 8, 1947 in Alexandria, VA to Carl Dempsey and Mary Irene (Maupin) Hautz. Carol was the wife of the late William “Danny” Godfrey who died November 29, 2009. Surviving are their children Angela Harkness and her husband Brian of Lusby, William D. Godfrey, Jr. and his wife Shana of Olney and Thomas K. Godfrey and his wife Crissy of Sunderland, grandchildren Timothy and Kristin Brady, Zachary and Brienna Harkness, Samantha, Casey, Baeleigh, Gavin and Ethan Godfrey, great granddaughter Ryleigh McLaughlin and sisters Mildred Bonner and her husband Andrew of Charlotte Church, VA and Brenda Frye of Fredericksburg, VA. Memorial contributions may be made to Church by the Chesapeake, 3255 Broomes Island Road, Port Republic, MD 20676. Rausch Funeral Home handled arrangements.
Rick Hecklinger Rick James Hecklinger, of Huntingtown passed away on November 22, 2011. He was the son of the late Robert and Charlotte (Burger) Hecklinger of Oregon, OH. Rick was a member of Local 8 IBEW, Rossford, OH and served as president and chairman of health and pension funds. In 1978, he was named training director, overseeing design and construction of the first training center in the history of Local 8. In 1991, he was promoted to the NJATC in Maryland and served as a director. In 2004, was appointed assistant executive director and held this position until taking medical leave in May 2011. He is survived by wife Debbie (Hillyer) Hecklinger, sons Adam and his wife Jill Hecklinger of Towson, MD, Ross Hecklinger of Portland, OR, granddaughter, Madelyn, sister Charlene Fleisher and her husband Terry of Las Vegas, NV and extended family, friends and coworkers. Memorial contributions in Rick’s memory may be made to: Local#8 Scholarship Fund, c/o Toledo Community Foundation, 300 Madison Ave. Suite 1300, Toledo, Ohio 43604. A Celebration of Life will be held in Toledo, OH at a later date.
Willie Hill, 72 Barbara Hill, 71 Husband and wife Willie and Barbara Hill of Lothian left this earth within a day of each other. Willie Hill, 72, of Lothian, passed away on December 13, 2011 at Anne Arundel Medical Center, Annapolis. He was born on July 14, 1939 to the late Robert Lee Hill and Roxie Hill Davis in Rocky Mount, NC. He attended Rocky Mount Public Schools where he graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in 1958. He enjoyed watching and playing all types of sports. His greatest love was playing basketball, at which he excelled. Shortly after graduating from high school, Willie relocated to the Washington, DC area to begin his working career. Willie worked for the Prince George's County Board of Education until his health began to fail which forced him to retire. Willie was affiliated with the Sidney Mudd (ELKS) Lodge #748 in Upper Marlboro, and the Masonic Organization. Willie met Barbara, the love of his life in 1988. On July 20, 1991 Willie and Barbara were united in holy matrimony. Willie loved and treated Barbara's great grandson, Tay'Quan as if he was his own. There was nothing that he would not do for him. Willie loved to hear Tay'Quan, call him "Pop Pop". Willie was a die-hard Redskins fan. He was preceded in death by his brother, Kurtis L. Hill. He leaves to cherish his memories two daughters: Katie Lanett Hill of Danville, VA and TaWanda Waters of Lothian; two
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stepsons: Jerome and DeWayne Waters of Lothian; three brothers: Curtis Hill (Madie) of Duluth, GA, Milton Davis (Mabeline) of Rocky Mount, NC and Kenneth Whitehead of Asheboro, NC; five grandchildren, special friends, Maurice Cunningham, Donald Sampson and James Sprowl and a host of relatives and friends. Barbara Waters-Hill, 71, of Lothian passed away on December 14, 2011 at Anne Arundel Medical Center, Annapolis. She was born on February 20, 1940 in Washington, DC to Pearl and Samuel Thomas. Barbara was educated in Washington, DC public schools. She continued her education at George Washington University where she received her Masters Degree in the Education Field. At an early age, Barbara joined Sollers United Methodist Church. In 1989 Barbara change her membership to Antioch Baptist Church in Upper Marlboro. Barbara was employed by Prince George's County Board of Education from 1966 until she retired in 1996, with 30 years of service. In 2005, she returned to work for the PG County Board of Education under the Retire/Rehire program. Barbara was devoted and very loyal to her husband and family, especially her great grandson, Tay'Quan. "Mom" was a very strong, outgoing and independent woman. She enjoyed listening to her gospel music, traveling, shopping and watching the Washington Redskins. She was preceded in death by her late husband, Willie and her son, Michael Waters. Barbara leaves to cherish her memories a daughter: TaWanda Waters; two sons: Jerome and DeWayne Waters; two stepsons: Carlton Griffin and DeVon Berry; eight grandchildren; Jerome Waters, Jr., Tanya Berry, Carlos Harley, T'Auana Jones, Marquita Harley, Michael Waters Jr., Franchaze Waters and Trevon Waters; nine
great-grandchildren; one aunt: Jacqueline Butler; one sister-in-law: Mabel Barnett, special friends: Mary Duff, Lillian Powell, Martha Miller and a host of relatives and friends. Visitation and services for both were held at Antioch Baptist Church in Upper Marlboro. Their final resting place is Moses Cemetery in Lothian. Sewell Funeral Home in Prince Frederick handled arrangements for the couple.
Carol Johnson, 70 Carol Edna Johnson, 70, a Lothian resident since 1983, was born in Michigan on April 15, 1941 and died suddenly December 15, 2011 at home. She was a homemaker, and enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren. Carol is survived by her daughter, Patricia A. Howard; her sons, Paul D. Johnson Jr., Robert R. Johnson, and James A. Johnson; eight grandchildren, and six great grandchildren. She is also survived by her former spouse, Paul D. Johnson. Visitation was held at Hardesty Funeral Home in Galesville. Funeral services were at St. James Episcopal Church, 5757 Solomons Island Rd., Lothian. Her final resting place is at St. James Cemetery, Lothian.
Patricia Jones, 72 Patricia Marie Jones, 72, of Lexington Park, MD, formerly of Huntingtown, passed away on December 25, 2011 at St. Mary’s Hospital, Leonardtown. She was born on January 13, 1939 in Annapolis, MD to the late Wallace Reid and Helen Olsen Caldwell. She worked as a
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nursing assistant at Calvert County Nursing Center for twenty years, until her retirement in 2002. Patricia was a former member of St. Paul Episcopal Church in Prince Frederick. She loved to spend her free time with her family, friends and her loving grandchildren. She had a love of all animals especially strays and she rescued many over the years. Patricia loved doing crafts, crocheting, needlepoint and knitting. Patricia is survived by a daughter, Darlene Jones of Lexington Park; sons, John Jones and his wife Julie of CO, Bobby Jones and his wife Katie of Port Republic, MD and Mike Jones and his wife Jennifer of St. Leonard, MD; seven grandchildren Wendy, Patrick, Timmy, Kaitlyn, Brianna, Ryan and Sam. A Life Celebration Memorial Service was held on Friday, December 30, 2011 at Friendship United Methodist Church, 22 West Friendship Road, Friendship, MD 20758, with Pastor Byron Brought, Jr., officiating. Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made in her memory to the Well Pet Clinic, 21800 N. Shangri-La Drive Unit 16, Lexington Park, Maryland 20653, www.thewellpetclinic.com. Arrangements provided by Rausch Funeral Home, P.A., Lusby, MD. www.rauschfuneralhomes.com.
David Ligay, 65 David Ligay of Dunkirk passed away on December 26, 2011 at the age of 65. David was born on March 16, 1946 in Yonkers, NY to Alma (Ballas) Ligay and the late Alexander Ligay. He was the oldest of three children and attended St. Casimir Elementary School in Yonkers and Cardinal Hayes High School, Bronx, NY. After a period of study at St. Joseph’s Seminary, Dunwoodie, NY and Seminary of Our Lady of Angels, Albany, NY he was employed by Westchester County, NY Department of Health. He furthered his education at the Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. earning a Master of Social Work degree. He was most recently employed by Prince George’s County, Maryland Health Department as a Medical Social Worker. He was a member of the National Association of Social Workers and attained several advanced professional certifications and licenses. David
was employed there for thirty-two years, retiring in 2010. David was an active member of The Covenant Community of Jesus the Good Shepherd. He had a great culinary passion and was an avid lover of antiques, collectibles and religious articles of all types. During recent years he most especially enjoyed taking pilgrimage journeys abroad with Bill Gilbert and other family members. David was preceded in death by his father, Alexander Ligay, and by a brother Peter Ligay. He is survived by his life partner of 36 years, William H. “Bill” Gilbert, Jr. of Dunkirk, his mother Alma Ligay of Longwood, FL, a sister Susan A. Riehl and husband Michael of Beacon, NY, a sister-in-law Lynn Ligay of Mahopac, NY, and by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Rausch Funeral Home in Owings handled arrangements.
Brenda Perry, 70 Brenda Dixon Perry, 70, of Lothian passed away December 20, 2011 at Anne Arundel M e d i c a l C e n t e r , Annapolis. She was born September 24, 1941 to Agnes (Smith) and Sewell W. Dixon, Sr. at the old Annapolis hospital, and was raised in Galesville. Brenda graduated in 1959 from Southern High School in Lothian, and then attended the University of Maryland in College Park. She married Thomas C. Perry of Bristol, MD in 1961, and they made their home, their living, and raised their family on their tobacco farm in Lothian. Besides raising her five children and nurturing her thirteen grandchildren, her hobbies included quilting, Eastern Shore shopping, gardening, reading and corresponding with family and friends. Brenda was preceded in death by her husband of forty years, Thomas Chaney Perry, Sr., her parents, a brother Sewell W. Dixon, Jr., and a brother-in-law John C. Hines, Sr. She is survived by four daughters, Dale P. Clark (Leslie), Heidi P, Meginnis (Mark) all of Severn, MD, Laura P. Brown (Scott) of Pasadena, MD, and Heather P. Jones (Charles) of Lothian, MD, and by a son Thomas C. “Tommy” Perry, Jr. (Stacy) of Reston, VA. She is also survived by thirteen grandchildren, Trey, Oliver and Hudson Perry, Jay and Perry Clark, Savannah and Will Meginnis, Elizabeth and Morgan Brown, Addisen, Adelle, Charles
and Ada Jones. Also surviving are her sisters Betty Jane Moreland, Sue D. Hines both of Galesville, and Dotty Chaney of Lothian, and a brother Chuck Dixon also of Galesville along with numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Rausch Funeral Home, P.A., in Owings handled arrangements. Interment followed at Smithville United Methodist Church Cemetery, in Dunkirk. Memorial Contributions may be made in her honor to: MPT (Maryland Public Television), 11767 Owings Mills Blvd., Owings Mills, MD 21117.
John Powell, 78 John Robert Powell was born May 14, 1933 and passed away December 26, 2011. Visitation was held at Sewell Funeral Home's Chapel in Prince Frederick and at St. Edmond's United Methodist Church, 3000 Dalrymple Road, Chesapeake Beach where funeral services were also held. His final resting place is Ernestine Jones Cemetery in Chesapeake Beach. Sewell Funeral Home in Prince Frederick handled arrangements.
Cameron Rice, 46 Cameron Fitzgerald Rice was born June 7, 1965 and passed away December 19, 2011. Visitation and funeral services were held at Sewell Funeral Home's Chapel in Prince Frederick. His final resting place is Young's Cemetery, 4230 Hunting Creek Road, Huntingtown.
Peggy Sloan, 77 Peggy Jean Sloan, 77, of Zephyrhills, FL, went to be with her Lord and Savior on December 14, 2011.
She was born in Frostburg, MD on December 12, 1934 to Bernard Beplore and Wanona Kathryn (Witchell) Wade. She graduated from Beall High School, class of 1952. Peggy was a past member of Marsh Road Baptist Church, in Woodbridge, VA and was a member of Charity Baptist Church in Zephyrhills, FL, where she played the piano. Peggy was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Conrad Charles “Chuck” Sloan, Jr., and grandson SSG Christopher William Swanson. She is survived by her four children, daughters Karen McCarthy of Spotsylvania, VA, Kelly Swanson and her husband Gary of North Beach, a son Kevin Sloan and his wife Cindy of Strasburg, VA and daughter Kristi Mathis and her husband Danny of Spotsylvania, VA. Also surviving are twelve grandchildren and four great grandchildren. A memorial service and celebration of Peggy’s life was held at Marsh Road Baptist Church, in Woodbridge. Interment followed at Quantico National Cemetery in Triangle, VA. Rausch Funeral Home in Owings handled arrangements. Memorial contributions in Peggy's name may be made to Charity Baptist Church (Building Fund), 3825 Morris Bridge Road, Wesley Chapel, FL 33543 or Gideon’s International (Calvert County MD Camp), PO Box 1530, Prince Frederick, MD 20678.
brother of Judy Leach. also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, other family and friends. He was predeceased by his parents Gratten and Neila Snoddy and his sister Mary. Mr. Snoddy was very proud of being a Marine and serving his country. He was a self-employed truck driver most of his life and had retired from Safeway Food Stores. Lee Funeral Home in Owings handled arrangements.
Karon Yeatman, 47 Karon Sue Yeatman of Deale was born October 16, 1964 at Washington Hospital Center to the late Carolyn Sue Rye and the late Donald Calvert Rye. She passed away December 19, 2011. Karon was raised in Brandywine, MD where she graduated from Gwynn Park High School and was a member of the Pom Squad. Karon was married to Sonny Yeatman Jr. for 23 years. They had three daughters
and enjoyed two grandchildren. Amber Leigh Seibert, and son-in-law Daniel Seibert; Brittany Nicole Yeatman and Cortney Lynne Yeatman. Her two grandchildren are Elizabeth Kay Seibert, and Lucas Daniel Seibert. She was a resident of Deale for the past 17 years. Karon built her life around her family. She was actively involved in her children’s UYC and high school sports teams as the “Team Mom” and volunteering at the concession stands. Karon is survived by her husband and children, grand children and also her brothers, Michael Rye, sister-in-law Lori Rye, nephews Michael, Jordan, Cal, Conner Rye of Charlotte Hall; Donald Rye, sister-in-law Candi Rye, nephew Daniel, niece Lexi Rye of Waldorf. Family received friends at Lee Funeral Home Calvert in Owings, where a memorial service was also held. Karon was laid to rest at Trinity Memorial Gardens, Waldorf. In lieu of flowers the family is asking that friends and relatives make a donation in Karon’s name to Hospice of Chesapeake, 445 Defense Highway Annapolis, MD 21401.
William Snoddy, 64
William G. Snoddy, Sr. age 64 passed away December 24, 2011 at his home in Lothian. He was the loving father of Tina Sleeper, Brenda Galvin, Beverly Harrington and William Snoddy, Jr. His is also survived by his eight grandchildren, who knew him as "Pop-Pop no toes," Brandon, Collin and Blake Hosselrode, Alisha Sleeper, Megan and Justin Galvin, Jason, Jr. and Josh Harrington, Loving
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Thursday, January 5, 2012 19
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By William Poe Marshall and Luther Randall are local brothers who are the best of friends. Only three years apart, they have spent much of their lives together, whether working on cars or working in their professions. Not only have they been drywall mechanics together for over four decades, they have also been gravediggers for just as long. Growing up in Owings, the Randalls worked tobacco in the 1940's and 50's. But before he even reached the age of 20, Marshall’s career began to take a new path. "When I was 19, I dug my sister's grave. I figured if I got into doing it, I could make sure it was done right," says Marshall. "I wanted the proper size, the proper depth. I just want everything done right." The dimensions of graves have changed much over the years due to the materials used. Back in the early 1960's when his sister passed, "You dug that grave six foot deep because we had to put a pine box in it. That'll decay and rot away. Now you really only have to put 18 inches of dirt on a grave because of the concrete liner, and that has to be covered. But if it's a vault, you can leave that showing," Marshall says. Asked if both brothers dug their sister's grave, Luther says, "There's three years difference in our age. I was a little too young for that. I was only sixteen. I had a twin sister and she (the older sister who passed) always wanted to see us turn sixteen, cause she had a prolonged illness and on our birthday, January the first, she passed, when we turned 16 together." Not only did they help bury her but other family members, including their mother and father. Luther adds, "It’s only been in the recent years that we've been getting paid for it. We always did it for nothing, just to help people. But then it got to the point where there were too many people calling on us for it." "When we started out, there was only couple of churches. We go dig the grave for nothing and we had to deposit $35 until we move the dirt. And then dig it for nothing," Marshall adds. Digging graves has had an emotional impact on them. Luther says, "It's something that somebody got to do, but it gets you when you go out here, and it’s kids. An older person it's not too bad. They done lived
Marshall and Luther Randall.
their life. But here recently you got these two-year-old kids, ten, twelve-year-old kids, I mean, never had no life and here they're gone. Like, the way that a lot of them go, it's bad. You think about it, but life goes on." "Like on one day, we had a elevenyear-old girl we buried. Next day we had a 97-year-old woman, so you can see that it don't matter how old you are," says Marshall. Asked whether someone would be able to tell the difference of a grave dug by the Randalls or someone else, Marshall proudly says, "When the vault guys come, they can look at the grave and tell who dug it. They say 'The Randall's dug that grave.' Cause they know that's the best they say they ever seen anywhere." Luther adds, "It makes you feel good even though it's a terrible thing you have to be doing, but somebody got to do it, you know." I asked what might happen if one passes before the other, if the surviving brother will open and close his grave? "I often think about that. I say, maybe if I was the last to go, if I had to dig for him, I would do that, then I probably would just go ahead and open mine up. At least I know it'll be done right," Luther says with a laugh. "You know what I mean. That's the way I just think about it sometimes but that's got to come. It'll be a long ways yet, I hope." Marshall adds, "Since they can't find anybody to dig graves, I keep a feeling that I'm never gonna die, cause somebody got to dig graves. So I'll hang around and do it. I'm never gonna turn it down." About the Author: William “Billy” Poe is a home-improvement contractor who lives in Dunkirk and is a published author, poet, essayist, and documentary photographer. Among his credits is the book, “African-Americans of Calvert County.”
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Pets Meet Sparky! Sparky is a one-year-old staffy and he would love to meet you! Sparky loves everyone that he meets, from kids (including babies) to grownups to other dogs, he loves them all! Looking for a good dog park dog? Sparky is your boy! Sparky can often be seen playing with other dogs at the kennel. He plays with everyone from the little puppies (and he plays with them in an oh-so-gentle manner) to the big dogs. Sparky in amazing with them all! And did we mention how stunning he is? Well, his picture speaks for itself. Sparky is so laid back, he rides well in the car and he would do well in any home. Per the HSCC staff, Sparky is quite possibly the world’s greatest dog. Come see why we love him so much!
For more information, please visit www.HumaneSocietyOfCalvertCounty.or g or visit all the animals available in person at the Humane Society of Calvert County, 2210 Dalrymple Road in Sunderland. Phone: (410) 257-4908. Be sure to say you saw them in the Chesapeake Current!
Garfield If you are looking for an awesome cat, come visit Garfield! He is a give up, orange tiger-colored cat, around eight years old. He is friendly, loveable and playful. Please come in and adopt Garfield. He needs a great forever home, like yours! Priscilla Priscilla is a torti tiger and white domestic short-haired cat. She is around two years old. She seems friendly, happy and playful. Please come in and adopt Priscilla, she would love to have a forever home. For more information about these or any of the many other cuddly animals currently needing homes, contact Anne Arundel County Animal Control at (410) 222-8900. Be sure to say you saw them in the Chesapeake Current!
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Out&About
Friday, January 6
Pork Roast Dinner: This informal meal presented by the Auxiliary is from 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at the American Legion StallingsWilliams Post 206 on Route 260 in Chesapeake Beach. Cost is just $10 per person and includes a salad and a beverage. The public is welcome. Call Clarisse Choux for more info at (443) 964-5461.
Saturday, January 7 Open Sesame: CalvArt Gallery in Prince Frederick welcomes visiting artists Mary Ida Rolape and Rose Biestra. "Open Sesame" takes you into the magical world of art freed from the boundaries of realism. It explores fantasy and dreamscapes, and literally sparkles with light and pixie dust! Now through January 29. An opening reception with the artists is scheduled for Saturday, January 7 from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. CalvArt Gallery is located at 110 Solomons Island Road, Prince Frederick 20678.
quickly to enter the workforce. During the open house, prospective students can meet with a program coordinator and instructors from each career field, learn about financial assistance options and register for classes. Open house guests can enter a drawing for an instant scholarship for the Spring 2012 semester. Call (443) 550-6199, Ext. 7765 or visit them online at www.csmd.edu/CareerStarters.
Thursday, January 12 Calvert Conversations: An informal discussion of local history of interest to long-time Calvertonians and newbies. Relax in our living room as you share complimentary coffee and tea or learn something new! From 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. at the Twin Beaches Library Branch in Chesapeake Beach.
Thurs, Jan. 12 – Sat, Jan. 14 Friends of the Library Gently Used Book Sale: Thousands of used books for sale at bargain prices at the Calvert Library, Prince Frederick.
Springhill Bridal Show: from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. at Springhill Suites in Prince Frederick. The goal is to bring more business to local wedding vendors. Booths are $75 each. Proceeds will be donated to Fisher House, a local charity that houses families of wounded veterans who are in military hospitals. Call (443) 968-3000 for more info.
Members-Only Preview Sale (Psst! You can join at the door for $10) Thursday, January 12 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Celebrate the King’s Birthday: Yes, Elvis WILL be in the building at the American Legion in Chesapeake Beach for Elvis' 77th Birthday Party. Calvert County's own Jim "Rockin’ Elvis" Godbold will perform in honor of the King's birthday. Open to the public, 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. $15.00 per person includes draft beer/fountain sodas, light snacks, birthday cake, and maybe some of Elvis' favorite snacks! American Legion Stallings-Williams Post 206 in Chesapeake Beach on Route 260. (301) 855-6466. www.ALPost206.org.
Tuesday, January 17
Monday, January 9 Cardio Fit Classes: Registration opens for adults and teens interested in taking classes at Windy Hill Middle School in Owings. Bio Aerobics is also looking for instructors. Call (877) 262-5175 for more info.
Tuesday, January 10 Changing Landscapes in Southern Maryland, a book of local oral histories, provides inspiration for this presentation of Calvert County's rich history. Come view a newly produced DVD that will lead us on a tour of historic landscapes of our county. First 20 attendees will receive a free copy of the book! From 7:00 p.m. -8:30 p.m. at the Calvert Library Prince Frederick.
Open to the Public: Friday, January 13 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Saturday, January 14 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Tapas y Palabras: Planning a trip to Mexico? Want to make friends with that cute Spanish exchange student in your English Comp class? Join others who want to brush up their rusty Spanish skills in a casual intermediate conversation group. Led by Carrie Bonalewicz. 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. at the Calvert Library Prince Frederick.
Thursday, January 19 Winter Interludes: Local country artist Courtlyn Carr comes back home to play for her hometown friends and fans. She has moved to Nashville, TN where she has been playing hotspots like the famous Blue Bird Café and sharing the stage with hit songwriters and artists like Lorrie Morgan, Ty Herndon and Linda Davis. She has made a visit home to open for Martina McBride at the Calvert Marine Museum. Now hear her at Calvert Library Prince Frederick from 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Courtlyn Carr
Wednesday, January 11 CSM Career Starters Open House: 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Prince Frederick Campus, Room 119, 115 J.W. Williams Road, Prince Frederick. The College of Southern Maryland is hosting a Career Starters program open house to introduce its slate of non-credit training courses for people who want to kick-start a new career in business, construction, early childhood, healthcare, hospitality, information technology, transportation or veterinary medicine in 10 to 16 weeks. Career Starter programs offer training and classes in short sequences for students to gain skills
22 Thursday, January 5, 2012 Chesapeake Current
Want to see your non-profit group’s event in the Chesapeake Current? Email complete details along with contact information at least three weeks in advance to editor@ChesapeakeCurrent.com.
Out&About Warm Thoughts at Artworks @ 7th Artworks @ 7th in North Beach presents Warm Thoughts: Inspired quilts to beautify your life. The show runs through January 30, with an Opening Reception with refreshments on Saturday, January 7 from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. A quilt is like a well-lived life. Every day, whatever-is-at-hand is used to create something of beauty to warm, cheer, and protect those who travel the way with you. Lauren Kingsland reinterprets this daily contemplative practice in fabric and mother-of-pearl, although the Indian originals are drawn on the ground with white chalk or flour. These enchanting designs combined with the American quilting tradition are an intriguing East meets West experience. Her goal is to make a quilt that’s interesting when seen over and over, not just the first time, but the tenth time. The intricate symmetry of line in these colorful and meditative wall quilts is based on a women's folk drawing tradition of Tamil Nadu, South India called kolam. Lauren Kingsland has been making quilts professionally since 1988. Visitors to her studio in the historic Gaithersburg Arts Barn can learn first-hand how quilts are made today by watching Lauren and her staff create commission pieces for clients. Her work is in public and private collections in the USA and internationally. Her popular book, The Extraordinary T-shirt Quilt - A Scrapbook You Can Sleep
Under, is a clear, practical guide to creating this contemporary style of memory quilt. Lauren is also an artist with the Arts and Humanities program of Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, D.C. The quilt projects with groups of hospital staff and patients foster community and relieve stress and provide outlets for creative expression. On quilts and healing, she says putting the pieces together is a way of understanding how things are and how they can be, whether when making a quilt or in other aspects of life. Quilts can be part of healing - a therapy, to make or to give or to receive.
Singers Wanted The Chesapeake Community Chorus is a volunteer group of over thirty active singers starting its 9th season giving concerts for the benefit of charities in mostly Calvert County. Our concerts have raised over $50,000 for local charities. They are always interested in adding new singers to the chorus. There are no auditions required, just the love and enjoyment of singing 4-part (or more) music. The chorus meets about every two weeks, holidays excluded, to learn the music for our concerts, and our concerts usually are scheduled to replace a practice time. Practices move from location to location in Calvert County, as there are members in all parts of this long county. Practice time is on Sunday afternoons. Members are from various church choirs but we have a large number of singers from various communities, even a number from outside Calvert County. They do all types of music, but since they are are usually invited to churches to raise money for a charity of their choice, they do a lot of sacred music. If you are interested in
singing with them, consider going to a practice. Chesapeake Community Chorus Schedule: Sunday, January 8, practice, 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., Saint Paul United Methodist Church, HG Trueman Road and Cove Point Sunday, January 15, practice, 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. practice, North Beach Union Church, 8912 Chesapeake Avenue, North Beach. Sunday, January 22, 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. practice, Northeast Community Center, 4075 Gordon Stinnett Avenue, Chesapeake Beach. The group is always interested in adding new opportunities to serve charities in Calvert County or nearby. All the proceeds from our concerts go directly to the charity. The sponsoring organizations provide the concert venue and volunteers to help with the logistics of the program. It you are interested in scheduling a concert, please contact Larry W. Brown, Director, (301) 855-7477 or email lbrown9601@verizon.net.
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