Thursday, April 3, 2008 • St. Mary’s County

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Thursday, April 3, 2008 • St. Mary’s County, Maryland

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“This was a big night for us.”

- Leonardtown Coach Matt Chew

METCOM To Host Public Forums The St. Mary’s County Metropolitan Commission has announced that it will begin holding community forums on a quarterly basis in an effort to enhance communication between its customers and the general public. Those interested in posing questions or comments about the operation of public water or sewer systems, customer service, fees and charges, or any other issues, are encouraged to attend. The first forum will be held on April 9th, with subsequent forums to be held on July 9th, October 8th, and January 7th, 2009. After these initial meetings, the forums will be held on the second Wednesday of each calendar quarter thereafter.

The first meeting will be from 6:30 pm and 8:30 pm at the Board of County Commissioners conference room 14 of the St. Mary’s County Governmental Center in Leonardtown. Locations of subsequent meetings will be announced at a later date.

State Highway Administration Issues Major Traffic Advisory The State Highway Administration has announced that on Friday night, April 4, as part of a $52 million interchange project along MD 5 at I-95/I-495 (Capital Beltway), SHA will begin setting structural steel for the southbound Capital Beltway flyover ramp to southbound MD 5 (Branch Avenue.) The steel placement will require a temporary closure of southbound I-95 for up to 14 hours and a temporary closure of northbound I-95 for up to ten hours, weather permitting. Curved steel beams will be erected and bolted together directly over the travel lanes of I-95. In addition, five massive cranes needed to lift the beams will be on the I-95 travel lanes, necessitating the total road closures. All lanes along both directions of I-95 and the southbound MD 5 ramp to northbound I-95 are expected to re-open to traffic by 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 5.

To avoid major delays, motorists are strongly encouraged to use alternate routes.

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Pax River NAS Celebrates Its 65 Birthday

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer Back in 1943 Patuxent River Naval Air Station was just getting started on its journey to being the local military and community fixture it has become today.

Construction was just beginning on hangars and other facilities for the testing of naval aircraft, but the head of the then Naval Aeronautics Bureau, Rear Adm. John S. McCain had high expectations for the sailors and pilots who would work there.

In his commissioning speech April 1 of that year he said that the base was the most needed facility for the U.S. Navy because of its mission in furthering naval aviation.

“You have a chance to make a great reputation,” McCain said to the sailors and pilots at the base’s official See NAS page A-

Photo by Guy Leonard

Sen. Roy Dyson (D-Dist.29) cuts the birthday cake along with Capt. Glen Ives, commander of Patuxent River Naval Air Station and members of the St. Mary’s County Board of County Commissioners for the 65th anniversary of the naval air station’s commissioning.

Veterans Secretary Pushing For More Resources In Southern Maryland

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer Veterans returning from the war in Iraq and Afghanistan have a tougher time in getting health services if they live in rural areas like St. Mary’s County and jurisdictions on the Eastern Shore, said James Adkins Secretary of the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs; but he hopes things are going to change soon.

Adkins met with the St. Mary’s County Board of County Commissioners Tuesday to explain what Gov. Martin O’Malley’s (D) administration is going to do to aid veterans in more remote locales, since its often difficult for them to get benefits, particularly regarding mental health, that are centered in places like Baltimore.

“We’re concerned that veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan may not have access to the mental health services they need,” Adkins told the commissioners.

Adkins said that in Maryland as a whole only 44 percent of veterans actually apply for the benefits they are entitled to, mostly because they cannot find an advocate in the bureaucracy who can help them through the process.

Adkins said that his proposed budget for his office would add four new advocates for claims assistance throughout the state; one of those he wants to put at Charlotte Hall Veterans Home to assist returning servicemen and women Another effort the O’Malley administration was pushing was for $3.5 million as part of a “safety net” for veterans health services in rural Maryland. The money would help set up inSee BOCC page A-

Text Messaging, Students’ Internet Activities Worries Law Enforcement

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer Some of the on-line images Deputy First Class Angela Muller flashed up on the screen at the Margaret Brent Middle School library included a young boy at the school who took a picture of himself goofing off in class.

Not exactly serious, Muller said, to the small group of parents there trying to learn more about local children’s Internet habits. But then the images of what local students were posting on-line became even more concerning.

One girl, who was just 12-years-old, Muller said, had posted a close-up shot of herself wearing dark sunglasses on the Internet focusing on her cleavage that suggested she was much older than she really was.

“Mom did not know about this picture,” Muller told the gathered parents. “Do you think she was happy?”

Another young man, just a 6th grader Muller said, had his own personal Web page posted identifying himself as a “playboy” with other descriptions laced with profanity.

He noted that he’s had trials and “fallen down like Niagara,” but “he still gets back up like Viagra.”

And then there was the text messaging that has become so poplar; all a student needs is a cell phone and another person’s phone number to send either a message or even a photograph.

The text messages have led to a phenomenon known as cyber-bullying, said Muller, who is the school resource officer at both Margaret Brent and Leonardtown middle schools.

Cyber-bullying is the repeated and willfully harmful See Cyber-Bullying page A-

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Southern Maryland Trails – Turnbuckle Hop Part 1 Just a block away is another gallery on Maryland Avenue, the Aurora Gallery. Here, owner Jean Opilla opens her doors to several local artists to display their original paintings, prints and other great works of art.

The “Sky, Land and Water” group exhibit is going on now through April 15. This show features Anne Bradshaw, Ann Crain, Dorate Muller, Gail Higginbotham, Jeanne Norton Hammett, Catherine Frisch and Myra Corpus. Call 410-263-9150 for more information.

A couple blocks to West Street and you’ll arrive at another gallery, the ARTFX Gallery. The honorary mayor of Annapolis, Onyx, a black lab, will meet and greet you at the door as you come in to this wonderfully fun shop. ARTFX features non-traditional works of art including beeswax candles, etched leaves and wood-turning, as well as more commonly known art mediums like photography, pottery and paintings. ARTFX is open year round Tuesday through Saturday. Call 410-990-4540 for more information.

Now you can rest your legs and drive to Maryland Sunrise Farm in Gambrillis. This organic farmland rests on the historic site of the United States Naval Academy farm. Here, you’ll find more than 800 acres of organic grains, dairy heifers and vegetables. Not only that, but there’s more history there, involving large stones where slaves were once bought and sold. The farm does not officially open until May, but even from the road, it’s a sight to see. Call 410-923-0726 for more information.

The Willow Oak Flower and Herb Farm located just a few miles down the road boasts 15 themed herb gardens and a natural pond filled with herbs and flowers. Willow Oak offers garden tours and even classes for those of you with a notso-green thumb! (The Vegetable Gardening class begins next Thursday!) On the first Saturday in May, the Fairy Garden Festival is held there, where you can sample rose petal punch and make potpourri, or just roam the garden for herbs. The farm is open year round seven days a week. For more information call 410-551-2237.

Next week, we will pick up the Turnbuckle Hop trail at the Y Worry Farm in Davidsonville, Md. For more information on this trail or other trails in Southern Maryland, visit www.somdtrails.com or pick up your own copy of the Southern Maryland Trails Guidebook at any community or government building.

Emily Finch Contributing Writer The weather is finally warming up. Soon students will be released from the burdens of schoolwork and parents will be looking for something the family can do together.

Just as the other trails I have highlighted from the Southern Maryland Trails Guidebook, today I bring you the Turnbuckle Hop trail, which runs from Annapolis through Brandywine and ends in Edgewater, Md. This trail features many gardens and art galleries, among several other special attractions.

The first five stops are in the heart of Annapolis, and make a wonderful walking tour. It is a great way to get your legs moving and your mind and body motivated for the fun-filled day ahead.

Chick and Ruth’s Delly and Scotlaur Inn B&B on Main Street in Annapolis is our first stop, or if you like, a “top-of-themornin-to-ya” beginning. Stay in one of the Scotlaur Inn’s 10 handsomely decorated rooms the night before beginning this trail with your family and head downstairs to the “Delly” to enjoy a hearty homemade breakfast after you wake up. The Delly is open 7 days a week for breakfast and lunch. Visit scotlaurinn.com or call 410-268-5665 for the B&B. No further than a block away, the Annapolis Pottery sits across from the state house on State Street. Bill and Genevieve McWilliams opened this gallery/studio in 1994 for customers to browse their beautiful creations, and maybe even buy one to take home. The gallery is open year round seven days a week.

Call 410-267-6153 for more information.

Our next stop, William Paca House & Garden, is about five blocks away on Prince Georges Street. This restored home and terraced garden of William Paca, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, is one of a kind in the area. The beautiful garden has been completely restored with flowers and shrubbery typical of the time Paca had lived there. The garden also features a fish-shaped ornamental pond near the gorgeous summerhouse.

The Paca home can also be toured. It has been restored to its original luster as well, using many of the original Paca family accessories and furnishings. There is no charge for this guided tour through the home. This historic landmark is open seven days a week March through December. Call 410-267-7619 for more information or to schedule a wedding reception.

School Readiness On the Rise no, citing the implementation of universal full-day kindergarten across the state.

According to a recent The annual MSDE study report from the Maryland reflects portfolio assessment Department of Education information on kindergarten(MSDE), children entering ers’ readiness levels in social kindergarten in Maryland and personal areas, language are better prepared to begin and literacy, mathematical school than in years past. thinking, scientific thinking, “Children Entering School social studies, the arts, physiReady to Learn – School cal development, and health.

Readiness Information for Sheila Draper, the SuperviSchool Year 2007-2008,” a sor for Early Childhood and report by the MSDE’s DiviElementary Education for sion of Early Childhood DeSt. Mary’s County Public velopment, revealed modest, Schools, said that teachers steady progress in all demouse a number of assessments to measure a child’s readith ness to learn. “Indicators for instance would be listening Rt. Rev.’d David Bena and speaking,” she said, addHoly Communion ing that for young children, demonstrating active listenMarch 9th 2008 ing strategies would be part of their assessment.

This year, more than 2,000 kindergarten teachers evaluated and rated student performance between November 5th and November 21st, using the aforemenassessment protocol.

(Scripturally based worship)tioned The complete School Readiness Report will be available through the Maryland State (Scripturally based worship) Department of Education’s Sundays - 9:30 AM soon.

Southern MD Higher Ed Ctr (Rm, 108/109)Website “We have found that over just like the state, we 44219MD Airport MD time, Southern HigherRoad, Ed CtrCalifornia, (Rm, 108/109) have had a steady increase,” said Draper, “from 49 per44219 Airport Road, California, MD cent of children being fully ready, to now 69 percent since 301/475-9337 www.amosm.net 2002.” This shows a higher Andrea Shiell Staff Writer

graphic subgroups. Maryland students entering kindergarten fully prepared for learning increased by one percent from 2006 to 2007, up to 68 percent. That is up 19 percentage points since the baseline year of 2002.

St. Mary’s County School Superintendent Michael Martirano said that he felt the improvements were indicative of the increased focus on full-day kindergarten, and in effect, an increased focus on pre-kindergarten programs in the county. “It makes sense in many ways,” said Martira-

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increase than the state’s average, showing that school readiness levels for English Language Learners went up six percentage points between 2006 and 2007, from 49 percent to 55 percent. The MSDE study found that statewide improvement in school readiness for low-income children increased from 58 to 59 percent. The percent of special education students deemed fully ready for kindergarten remained flat at 43 percent, but that is 13 points higher than it was when the survey project began in 2002.

The study results show that children who spent time in early care settings started school better prepared for learning that those who remained at home or in the homes of relatives. 70 percent of children who had been enrolled in pre-K programs were fully ready for kindergarten, as well as 72 percent who had been in child care centers, and 83 percent who had been in non-public nursery schools.

“There’s been a concerted effort across the state and definitely in St. Mary’s County to work collectively with the school system, with child care centers, with head start…to ensure that there are activities to help prepare children for entering school ready to learn,” said Draper.

“That’s why we’re seeing a steady increase.”

Thursday, April 3, 2008

Jury Finds Man Guilty Of Possessing $13,000 In Crack Cocaine

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer A Lexington Park man with prior drug convictions could face more than 20 years in prison after a jury convicted him of possessing in excess of 130 grams of crack cocaine last week.

The estimated value of the narcotics had a street sale value of about $13,000, according to prosecutors.

The two-day trial saw Skylar A. Sanders, 25, convicted of possession of cocaine, intending to distribute cocaine, possession of more than 50 grams of cocaine and possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

At the end of the trail, State’s Attorney Richard Fritz said he would seek “enhanced penalties” for Sanders given his prior drug convictions for possession and intending to distribute narcotics.

One of the key witnesses in the case was Anita Plater, who lived in the trailer in Park Hall where a police raid turned up the drugs seized in the case.

Plater, who is the mother of Sanders’ son, was caught by police with 129 grams of crack cocaine stuffed into her bra.

Police had found drugs in the trailer during their Aug. 31 raid, but found the largest quantity when both Plater and Sanders drove up to the trailer to find that a search warrant was being executed, according to court testimony.

Plater was immunized

by Fritz from prosecution of anything springing from the drug case in exchange for her compelled testimony.

Fritz told the jury in his opening statement that the case would be an interesting one because he “didn’t know what she was going to say.”

On the stand Plater testified that the cocaine found in her bra last year was not Sanders’ but was hers.

She said she had “saved up” $6,000 to buy the narcotics from someone she said was named “Steve” who lived at an unknown address in Leonardtown.

Her testimony directly contradicted her statements to sheriff’s deputies the day of the search warrant.

According to Sgt. Steven Hall, who was on the search warrant service, Plater admitted that the cocaine actually belonged

to Sanders, supporting the prosecution’s theory that Plater was a drug “mule.”

“She said she got the cocaine put in her bra

by Skylar Sanders,” Hall testified.

Plater said she told officers what she believed they wanted to hear the day of the search warrant, claiming they had threatened to take away her three children if she didn’t cooperate.

“The story was a lie,” Plater said from the stand.

“I told him [Hall] what would let me stay home with my kids.

“I was frightened.”

Plater also testified that a gun found on the floor near some seized cocaine in her trailer’s bedroom was registered to her, not Sanders, and for the protection of her family.

Sanders’ defense attorney Patrick Devine argued that Plater’s testimony on the stand was credible and that her supposed fear of the police threatening to take her children was not refuted during the trial.

He also said that Sanders had no knowledge of the drugs found on Plater; the prosecution’s attempt to link him to actually living at the trailer with Plater where other cocaine was found didn’t hold, he said, because he left no evidence of residing there.

“There’s not a single shred of evidence to indicate he was ever in the residence,” Devine said. “Not a t-shirt, no belt, not even a tooth brush.”

A lease that police found in the trailer with Sanders name on it was later revealed to be that of his 2-year-old son, Devine said.

But the jury chose not to believe Plater’s testimony and instead came back with a guilty verdict on all four counts against Sanders in about half-an-hour of deliberation.

Circuit Court Judge C. Clarke Raley revoked all bonds on Sanders and remanded him to the custody of the sheriff.

Lt. Daniel Alioto, commander of the St. Mary’s County Bureau of Criminal Investigations Vice/Narcotics Unit, said Skylar’s conviction was a victory in combating the local drug trade.

“He had a significant amount of drugs connected to him,” Alioto said. “This isn’t a casual dealer; he’s not a low level person.”

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Thursday, April 3, 2008

Editorial & Opinion Education Progress Capital News Service Maryland school superintendents met with U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education Raymond Simon on Wednesday, asking him to consider changes to the No Child Left Behind law for disadvantaged students.

“Special education students, English language learners and our poverty students -- those are the issues most of us are grappling with,” said Kevin Maxwell, superintendent of Anne Arundel County Public Schools, at a roundtable discussion with 13 county superintendents, Maryland Schools Superintendent Nancy Grasmick and other state education officials.

Maryland schools placed in the top three states nationwide in an Education Week survey this year and showed an upward trend in several key performance measures since

2002. Yet Maryland still has a way to go before all children pass basic math and reading proficiency tests by 2014, the absence of which may trigger state takeovers of schools or reduced federal funding.

“I don’t think any of us don’t want standards,” said Maxwell at Annapolis Senior High School, a school that avoided a state takeover last month by implementing a threeyear restructuring plan. “This . . . is going to be a big struggle.”

In a state scorecard distributed at the panel, poor Maryland students lagged behind white, black, and Hispanic students. State data shows that among low-income students, 76 percent of fourth-graders and 50 percent of eighth-graders are proficient in reading, versus 93 and 82 percent of white students in the same respective grade levels. Math proficiency was at 76 percent and 35 percent in the fourth and eighth grades re-

spectively for poor students, versus 93 and 74 percent for white students in the same grades.

Carl Roberts, Cecil County superintendent, said a nurturing environment for little more than half their day is insufficient to help these disadvantaged students. Schools should get credit for helping these students graduate in five-to-seven years, rather than see their metrics reflect a drop in on-time high school graduation.

“We should credit our perseverance and the school’s perseverance,” said Roberts. “School systems need to be recognized for how many children get a diploma.”

Karen-Lee Brofee, Somerset County superintendent, said the 68 percent county poverty rate shows students should have greater access to career and technical programs, both of which have taken funding cuts.

and Community Development and other local agricultural agencies met with several grain producers to hear directly from them on their plans for the current planting season and for the next several years. Grain crops such as corn and soy beans are the largest commodity that cover the land mass of St. Mary’s County.

Grains have replaced tobacco which is now all but gone from the fields as a result of the tobacco buyout program. The 10-year program that started in 2000 will start to end in less than two years.

Local farmers shared many thoughts and ideas during the meeting. The lack of water was a major concern. The group decided to look further into the use of gray water among other suggestions for irrigation. The cost of transportation to haul grain was also discussed. This is compounded further by high fuel prices. The idea of barging grain out of the area was discussed. In addition to these ideas, a list of equipment which could be shared cooperatively was discussed. More information was also going to be gathered on ethanol. We realized that more work is required to better understand and address the needs of the local farming community.

We plan to meet again after corn is planted later this month. Then will come soy beans.

The season will be well underway by then.

While many of the variables are out of our control (such as the weather and short term input prices), there are things we can pursue that will help in this year’s season and beyond. For now, please remember the local farmers and all they do for us, not just in crop production but in helping maintain the rural character we all enjoy. Finally, please frequent the county’s farmers’ markets at the Charlotte Hall Public Library and open soon at the BAE Systems parking lot in California.

Farming in 2008 Bob Schaller It is spring and with it comes a new planting season. Local farmers are plowing, fertilizing, and preparing their fields for another year of optimism for a healthy and profitable crop. Hopefully, April showers will bring May crops. Agriculture is Maryland’s first and still largest single industry. Productivity in agriculture continues on the rise. Today, each U.S. farmer produces food and fiber to feed 143 people. This is double the number a single farmer’s output could feed in 1970 and more than seven times that rate in 1940. Progress in agriculture is truly amazing.

On the demand side, commodity prices are at the highest levels in years. Corn can be forward contracted at $5.49 per bushel, soybeans can be contracted at $11.84 per bushel and wheat is at an all time high of $10.75 per bushel. While on the surface these prices appear to be at very profitable levels, there are significant challenges facing St. Mary’s County farmers and grain producers in particular.

The most worrisome is of course the lingering effects of last year’s severe drought. The water tables are still very low. If you drive by any pond you can clearly see this. If you were hoping to get a perc test done this year you also know that percs have been limited because of the low water table. In addition to the drought, input costs of fuel and fertilizer are at record highs. We all feel the pain when we fill up our gas tanks for our cars. $4 per gallon diesel prices are an everyday reminder. Just imagine the amount of fuel it takes to operate farm equipment. The simple economics are that the input costs per acre can now easily exceed the revenue received in a normal yield, even at these record output prices.

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But Simon said these programs exhibit low performance standards and often teach less important skills than reading, writing and math fundamentals.

Special education students and those with limited proficiency are often poor, and experts say they may require greater accommodation.

Harford County Superintendent Jacqueline Haas said delays to the 2014 goal should be considered for special education students.

“Why don’t we fix the root of the problem versus being in a situation where there is misalignment of (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) and (No Child Left Behind)?”

A significant minority of special education students are subject to waivers, Simon said, and he is not willing to delay No Child Left Behind requirements past 2014.

Superintendent Sydney Cousin said students in Howard County come from 85 different countries and speak 70 languages. Often, he said, teachers cannot make students proficient within a year, the point at which

they must take the assessment.

“It’s just not realistic -- nor a fair standard -- to have teachers deal with our requirements,” he said.

Simon talked of opportunities for testing in another language, an option that took Cousin and other superintendents by surprise.

Down the line, Simon said, states could see administration support for flexibility in measuring teacher “effectiveness,” restoration of the considerable budget cuts to Reading First programs, and reworking the definition of violent high schools.

Grasmick concluded the panel by telling Simons that the state would apply for “differentiated accountability,” a pilot of up to 10 states to separate schools close to meeting their target from those requiring significant reform. The administration has called for this measure in the reauthorization of the expired No Child Left Behind law.

But Simon sounded a warning note. “It would be great if all states could get differentiated accountability. But they don’t all qualify.”

To The Editor: Solar Power vs. Nuclear Power Imagine hypothetically that solar power is cheaper than nuclear, and two important consequences for Calvert County. We would not have to produce more radioactive waste at Calvert Nuclear to be forced down the throats of our fellow citizens in another state, in keeping with the Golden Rule (Do onto others as ... ) or equally bad, to be stored here long, long term. We could avoid the surge in population projected to accompany construction of the third reactor, in keeping with slowing growth, a central theme of our county plan, hypothetically at least. Increases in population and secondary effects of economic activity are recognized as the reason why pollution of our air and waters continue, in spite of major investments to counter that. So why do our politicians unanimously support, without question or evident analysis, the case for the third reactor? Evidence abounds that solar is or will soon be more than competitive, as in the January issue of Scientific American, or the second chapter of Earth: The Sequel (2008). Could it be the $6 million recently “volunteered” by Calvert Nuclear, with more to come, if they keep silent? Could it be just ignorance and complacency? Economic advancement must be based on sound decisions, not like the current ethanol from corn boondogle, which has no net gain in oil consumption and has inflated food prices. We should be thankful that Dr. Pete Vogt and colleagues have promised to present to the Calvert County Commissioners “in the very near future”

an independent analysis of nuclear versus other alternatives, with recommendations as to whether the county should refuse licenses for preparation of the site at Calvert Nuclear, in advance of any final decision on that 3rd reactor, which has not yet happened. Moreover, an alternative site for the third reactor has been acknowledged (Nine mile Road on Long Island, NY), where the much cooler ocean waters would allow significantly higher operating efficiencies than the proposed cooling towers here. Speaking of the Golden Rule, when Senator Bernie Fowler was trying to find common ground with the many more upriver folks to improve the Patuxent River, he was always the polite gentleman from southern Maryland. Now the shoe is on the other foot, with regard to nuclear wastes, and we may indeed be able to continue abiding thereby. We have only to look and see. Yet the present rules and procedures, engineered by President Bush and his allies, allow irreparable harm at the proposed site, and even construction on the reactor itself, prior to the first evaluation of available alternatives in the final EIS (environmental impact statement) due in two years or more. So what good will it be then? Totally moot? Is there truly no public concern, or have our politicians failed big time to be the voice of the people?

Bill Johnston Huntingtown, MD

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The County Times

Thursday, April 3, 2008

Ramblings of a Country Girl

Things We Say Terri Bartz Bowles Every country in the world, each region in those countries, and different towns and cities in those regions have distinct dialects and colloquialisms. A dialect is a variety of a language that is distinguished from other varieties of the same language by features of phonology, grammar and

a county this small could have different dialects, but it does.

Remember, this region is isolated and surrounded on three sides by water. Back in the old days when transportation was not so easy, people did not travel far from home. The County was pretty self-sufficient and self-reliant and selfcontained. So, patterns of speech formed and endured.

vocabulary (from Webster’s New Universal Dictionary).

A colloquialism is a type of speech that is characteristic of or appropriate to ordinary or familiar conversation rather than formal speech, it is more informal (Webster’s again).

St. Mary’s County has different dialects and we County folks certainly have our colloquialisms. You may not think

In my opinion, the dialects of the County are changing. So much about the County is changing that some of the old things are just going away. If you’re not from around here, you may not realize that different parts of the County “sound” different from each other. For example, people from Ridge have a different way of vocalizing themselves than people from the 7th (District) – natives never say 7th District, we just say ‘the 7th’. Don’t try this at home, though, natives always know the natives and the nonnatives. No matter what you say or how you say it, Countyspeak cannot be duplicated by the outsider. Folks from the northern County are different than the folks from Chaptico.

It’s part of the charm and lore and heritage of St. Mary’s,but I’m afraid we’re losing it as both more people move in and natives move out.

Some of our colloquialisms are the same as colloquialisms in other parts of the state and the nation but that doesn’t make them any less ours. A few examples: Ain’t – a perfectly good word but not a proper word.

Section A - Truly, the perfect example of a colloquialism because it is informal and familiar. Use it at home but not at work or when meeting someone new, they’ll think you ignorant, not quaint.

Carry – The use of this word is why I include it here.

Everyone carries a load or carries a loaf of bread. In the County, we carry people as in “I’m going to carry Mama to Leonardtown”.

Reckon or reckon so – the original meaning of reckon is to count or calculate. The use of it in that sense has fallen away a bit. In the Southern U.S., it means to consider and that’s the use of it in the County. I think so, maybe so, I believe so – all these phrases can be replaced with ‘I reckon’.

‘Bacca – a contraction of tobacco. We plant bacca, we cut bacca, we hang bacca, we strip bacca. Well, we used to; not so many people do any more.

Last weeks’ seizure of about 17 pounds of marijuana off county streets, with an estimated value of $50,000 by narcotics officers, signals a major shake up in the county’s market for illegal drugs, said the commander of the Bureau of Criminal Investigations Vice/Narcotics unit.

“It’s something that hasn’t happened in a long time,” said Lt. Daniel Alioto, of the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office. “It’s good.”

Investigators made an arrest March 27 of a person they have charged with transporting a large quantity of marijuana. Terrence Mason, 43, of Morganza is the suspect.

According to Alioto, Mason was not directly found in possession of the 17 pound cache of marijuana, but was alleged to be “connected” to it.

“He was arrested [for] his role in the distribution ring,” Alioto said.

Mason was apprehended in Hollywood, according to court papers listing the charges

NAS Continued from page A- opening.

Fast forward to 2008 and the base has reached its 65th year of operation and Capt.

Glen Ives, the naval air station’s commanding officer said that McCain’s expectations have been fulfilled and even surpassed.

“We thrive on change, accept it and we embrace it,” Ives told sailors and civilian employees of the base at its birthday ceremony Tuesday. “That’s what we’ve done is establish a great reputation.”

Looking at a photographic slide show of what the base looked like back in 1943, it looked more like an outpost than the sprawling facility it is today with about 22,000 employees.

Workers who were constructing the base had to live in Quonset-style huts with beds positioned in open space across from the other in

against him, but was later released on condition of paying 100 percent of a $20,000 bond.

Alioto said the investigation surrounding the $50,000 worth of marijuana is continuing and he said he expects more arrests to be made in connection to the investigation.

Perhaps just as important was the disruptive affect it would have on the local drug market, Alioto said.

“It’s a large amount of money that someone was expecting and they didn’t get it,” Alioto said. “It has a huge ripple affect on the local drug trade.”

According to charging documents, investigators received information that alleged Mason was involved in the transportation of narcotics, and, Alioto said, this was a major victory showing that his unit was getting vital information.

“We were fortunate enough to make the interception on this one,” Alioto said. “Our [intelligence] was good because we got the package.

“You don’t get these kinds of drugs by happenstance.”

barracks fashion, one photo revealed.

“So all my guys back there in the barracks, stop moaning,” Ives said to enlisted men at the ceremony.

Being on the cutting edge of naval aviation was a great mission, Ives said, and that’s one of the reasons the base had been so successful in its 65 years of operation.

But the people who worked on the base were the other critical piece of the puzzle.

“We do have the best people in the world… they know their jobs and they do them,” Ives said. “But we are also blessed to be in the greatest community in the country.”

Sen. Roy Dyson (D-Dist.29) presented proclamations from the House of Delegates, State Senate and Gov. Martin O’Malley celebrating the base’s 65th birthday and congratulated the people who work there for their efforts.

“After 65 years because of each and every one of you [Pax River NAS] still has a fantastic reputation.”

St. Mary’s St. Mary'sCity City DATE Fri. April 4 Sat. April 5 Sun. April 6 Mon. April 7 Tue. April 8 Wed. April 9 Thu. April 10

HIGH 12:52 a.m.

1:36 a.m.

2:21 a.m.

3:05 a.m.

3:52 a.m.

4:41 a.m.

5:34 a.m.

LOW 7:21 a.m.

8:15 a.m.

9:07 a.m.

9:58 a.m.

10:49 a.m.

11:42 p.m.

12:37 p.m.

HIGH 1:18 p.m.

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2:54 p.m.

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LOW "+29 min." "+45 min." "+24 min."

"-37 min."

"-8 min." "+63 min." "+7 min."

LOW 7:30 p.m.

8:16 p.m.

9:01 p.m.

9:48 p.m.

10:38 p.m.

11:32 p.m.

12:31 a.m.

Greens – another southern usage, it means any kind of green leafy vegetable to include kale, watercress, mustard, turnip tops.

Stuffing – we stuff our turkeys and we stuff our hams. We don’t do dressing in St. Mary’s County. Dressing is what you do to game after you kill it to get it ready to eat.

Once it’s ready to eat, if you’re going to put something into a cavity, you’re stuffing it. It’s already been dressed!

There are more examples, of course, but you get the idea.

Don’t make fun of it or try to change it, it’s part of what makes St. Mary’s County the unique place that it is. Just enjoy it. How boring would it be if we all sounded the same?

Trivia Answer – The Orphan’s Court You can email the Country Girl at countrygirlramblings@gmail.com

Fatback – you knew I had to fit this in somehow, didn’t you? In other places, it can be called salt pork, salt meat,

Police Seize $50,000 In Marijuana

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer

strip o’ lean, or back meat.

Here it’s fatback and you need it to cook greens.

The Vice/Narcotics Unit was separated from the main Bureau of Criminal Investigations last year with its own commander and given some autonomy to operate on its own.

Sheriff Timothy K. Cameron said at the time the separation also helped maintain the secrecy of information that was critical in building cases and making seizures against drug traffickers.

It was Cameron’s hope that the newly separated unit would be able to focus more on apprehending larger-scale drug dealers; Alioto said this latest seizure proved that was happening.

“Not only are we closing in [on larger drug dealers] but we’re taking some,” Alioto said.

“When you make a seizure like this you know you’ve done your job as an investigator.

“This was the icing on the cake.”

The marijuana seized by investigators was not intended for sale in other communities, Alioto said, but for distribution right here in the county.

“This was going to be divided up and sold in three different markets, north, middle and

south [of the county,]” Alioto told The County Times. “This was not just passing through; this was destined for the streets of St. Mary’s.”

The County Times

Section A -

Mary-Ellen’s Personal Home Care

Thursday, April 3, 2008

Accused Bank Robber Claims He’s Not Responsible

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer

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Antonio Warren Gantt, the St. Leonard man accused of robbing the same bank twice last year in Lexington Park has had his defense attorney file a motion claiming he is not criminally responsible for his alleged acts.

Public Defender John Getz said Circuit Court Judge C. Clarke Raley had ordered an evaluation of his client’s competency to stand trials after he made the motion earlier this month in court.

Getz said little regarding the basis for the motion except that it came out as a result of “conversations with my client.”

Gantt has three previous convictions for armed robbery on his record, according to State’s Attorney Richard Fritz, who has said he will prosecute the case.

Fritz has already filed for a sentence of life without parole for Gantt if the accused is convicted.

Fritz said if Gantt’s evaluation comes before the court and shows that he is competent to stand trial for the allegations against him, it would eliminate or reduce the chances of any successful post-conviction motions.

“The state feels confident that he will be found competent to stand trial,” Fritz said.

“The defense has to do what they have to do…

BOCC Continued from page A- formation systems that veterans could use to learn more quickly about the benefits afforded them.

And if they could leave rural areas to get needed healthcare from the Veterans Adminis-

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to safeguard the interests of their client.”

Gantt is accused of robbing the Maryland Bank and Trust, Inc. on North Shangri-La Drive back in September of last year by entering the bank wearing sunglasses and demanding money from tellers after claiming to have a gun.

After allegedly obtaining the money, Gantt is said by law enforcement officials to have fled the bank on foot across Great Mills Road.

Detectives with the St. Mary’s County Bureau of Criminal Investigations began their search for the suspect, who they later identified as Gantt, 40, but could not find him for over a month.

Investigators arrested Gantt the last day in October, after he allegedly entered the bank yet again to rob it.

According to prosecutors and law enforcement officials, Gantt leapt over the teller counter and sprayed gasoline on several employees from a sports drink bottle and demanded money.

Gantt is alleged to have fled the bank, this time hailing a taxi cab to make his escape, but he was stopped and apprehended on Route 4 headed towards the bridge to Solomons Island.

Gantt is currently being held in the county detention center. about 100,000 belong to such an organization, he said.

One of the main mental health concerns for returning veterans, post-traumatic stress disorder, often did not show its presence sometimes until years had passed.

Getting them in the system quickly would help them get services when they were needed most.

“Resources are much more lacking in

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tration they could get the care from local providers, Adkins said of the plan.

“The key is to get them the help they need,” Adkins said.

Many times veterans simply did not know what benefits were rightfully theirs, Adkins said, and therefore did not apply for them in time.

“In Maryland they try to do it without a technical advocate,” Adkins said. “Many times military people don’t ask for much.”

Organizations like the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars were very helpful in informing veterans, Adkins said, but of the 435,000 veterans in Maryland only

the rural areas,” said Commissioner Thomas Mattingly (D-Leonardtown) “A lot of times they come back and fail to recognize their problems.”

Capt. Rebecca McCormick-Boyle, head of the health clinic at Pax River Naval Air Station, said the number of veterans suffering from the condition was not overwhelming yet, but finding people to assist them in the military was difficult.

“Mental health professionals are scare in the private sector, they’re scarce in the military, too,” McCormick-Boyle said. “Our issue is to be vigilant and be accessible to people when they need help.”

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James A. Adkins, right, secretary for the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs met with local officials like County Commissioner Daniel H. Raley (D-Great Mills) and Nicholas A. Graziano, director of the Charlotte Hall Veterans Home to discuss helping veterans in rural communities get the services they need upon returning from combat.

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The County Times

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Section A -

Cyber-Bullying Continued from page A- transmissions of messages electronically.

But it doesn’t stop there.

She’s seen how rampant text messaging and the exposure young children give themselves on the Internet can set them up as targets for those who want to take advantage of them.

“This is what predators are using,” Muller said of information and images children post on-line on Web sites like MySpace.com. “It’s not only people in our county who are accessing these pages.”

She called the trend “alarming.”

Muller rated the problem of cyber-bullying over text messaging in the county schools as high on a scale of one to 10.

“I’d say it’s about an eight,” Muller said of the problem.

Students have become so adept at text messaging, which can simply cause disturbances in class, they can key in messages without looking at the keypad on their phones.

Another alarming trend is students sending what amounts to images of child pornography to each other via their cell phones as part of the dating scene.

Schools Superintendent Michael J. Martirano said that school administrators have been instructed to be watchful of Web pages that expose children in county schools inappropriately.

“If they learn that it’s questionable they actively get involved and inform parents,” Martirano told The County Times.

“We’re taking an aggressive stance on this [cyber-bullying and questionable content.]

Martirano called some of the activities students engage in on the Internet and over cell phones “rather scary… I’m very disturbed by it.”

That disturbing trend moves to relations between male and female students.

Muller said that once where boys expected girls to perhaps give them a kiss after a date, the now expect, in some cases,

Thursday, April 3, 2008

the girl to take a picture of their bare chest and send it to their boyfriend.

“They want to see skin,” Muller said during her presentation, noting that the girl was humiliated after she and her boyfriend broke up and he sent the image to his friends as a measure of revenge. “She sent this to him… and now 30 people have this image on their cell phones.”

And this isn’t something she’s encountered in high school but in middle school, Muller said. Up to this point she said she’s seen about a dozen cases just like it.

“If I’m experiencing it here, I know it’s happening throughout the county,” Muller told The County Times. “It’s crashed down on us hard.

“They need to know that that’s not OK [sending pictures of child nudity]… they need to know it’s a crime.”

Children often don’t understand what they’ve sent is causing them to commit a federal offense, Muller said, though she said that the sheriff’s office does not want to lock any of the students up, nor does the state’s attorney’s office want to prosecute such young offenders.

But Muller warned parents that criminal penalties for sending such content could still fall on their children.

“If your child takes a picture of one of more body parts and sends it on their cell phone… they’ve just distributed child pornography,” Muller said. “They can be charged with that.”

Muller said that many times parents are completely unaware that their children are engaging in or suffering as victims of cyber-bullying or transmitting inappropriate images of themselves to each other or over the Internet.

Yet it lies with the parents to become more involved with their child’s Internet activities to help stop this alarming trend, she said.

“The parents are completely stunned that their child is doing this,” Muller said. “But the photo says it all.

“We don’t know how to solve this except that the parents get [more] involved. I hope they are shocked and appalled; that’s what it’s going to take for them to realize what’s going on.”

Choosing the Right Career Ask a child what they want to be when they grow up and chances are the answer will come rolling off his or her tongue in a matter of seconds. While the answer might be obvious to kids, to adults knowing what to do once college has ended and adulthood awaits is a far more difficult riddle to solve.

For college students or even adults looking to change careers, career assessment has helped many professionals determine which is the right career for them. Those who take the time to assess a potential career can save themselves lots of time down the road, when many people realize the position they’ve chosen is more a “job” and not really a career. To begin your own career assessment, consider the following approach. * Realize who you are.

Everyone has strengths and weaknesses, and assessing what yours are ahead of time increases the likelihood that you’ll find the right career. For example,

if you have always been good with words, perhaps a writing-based career, be it in law, journalism or another field that emphasizes writing, could be for you.

It’s also good to avoid a career where your weaknesses will hinder how far you can go. For instance, someone who isn’t physically fit likely shouldn’t pursue a career as a personal trainer. Knowing what your strengths and weaknesses are is the first step toward determining a career you can both excel at and enjoy.

To learn more about careers, check out “The Occupational Outlook Handbook and the Dictionary of Occupational Titles.” To take an online career test to pinpoint your skills, type “career test” in your search engine browser and take your pick from a number of options. * List your interests.

People who are happy with their careers often suggest finding something you love to do and doing it for a living. Before deciding on a

career or career change, list your interests and hobbies and determine if you can build a career out of them.

In addition, compare those interests to your strengths and weaknesses. For some, it’s entirely possible for a hobby to turn into an enjoyable career. * Decide what matters most to you. Some careers are demanding, and for some people, a demanding career can isn’t worth the sacrifices that need to be made to excel. For example, a career in finance might be lucrative, but it can also be very demanding of your time. For those who want a family, perhaps those demands aren’t worth the price of sacrificing family time. For others, money is the driving force behind choosing a career, so lower-paying fields should be avoided. Many people find that a lucrative career isn’t worth the sacrifices, while many others find that lowpaying rewarding work also is not worth the sacrifices.

Neither position is wrong, but both illustrate the im-

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Odd News Vegan Strip Club?

Entrepreneur Johnny Diablo may have failed to get diners in the door at his year-old vegan restaurant in Portland, Oregon, but that did not stop him from expanding his offerings to woo customers. He turned the space into Casa Diablo’s Gentleman’s Club, which is being touted as the world’s only vegan strip club.

Diablo has no rule against carnivorous dancers, but he has prohibited dancers from wearing leather, silk, fur, or wool onstage.

He said there will be no “murder victims” in the club.

Love Technology The South Korean cell phone company KTF has announced a new feature for its customers, a voice analysis program that measures the callers’ sincerity when calling a lover. The caller can point the phone’s camera at himself or herself and see a meter on the screen measuring his or her passion, and receive a text message cataloguing vocal expressions from the person who received the call.

Un-stigmatic Padre Pio, a controversial Catholic figure who died in 1968 and was nominated for sainthood by Pope John Paul II in 1999, may have been fanatically adored by parishioners, but he was viewed skeptically by Vatican officials who doubted his wild claims of bleeding crucifixion sores on his hands and feet, and his stories of getting in an eye-gouging wrestling match with the devil. Pope Benedict XVI ordered Pio’s body to be exhumed in March to be placed on public display for several months, but a couple of problems have clouded what may have otherwise been an affirmation of sainthood. First, the top part of Pio’s skull is exposed, presenting an unsettling image, and there are clearly no crucifixion holes in his hands or feet.

Cultures Different From Ours

portance of determining what you value most before choosing a career or switching from your current career.

Once you’ve begun to look for a job, it’s also helpful to treat your next interview not only as an opportunity for a prospective employer to get to know you, but for you to get to know them as well. Part of assessing if a certain career is what you want is actively seeking information about that career. Job interviews can be a great way to learn about a position, and human resources personnel are often most impressed by people who ask thoughtful questions and appear genuinely interested in learning about the position.

Whether you’re a grizzled veteran of the workplace or a student just starting out, assessing that next career move is the best way to ensure that your next situation will be the one for you.

According to a Star newspaper report, ethnic Chinese in Malaysia have been buying huge quantities of mock bras and panties, some with fashionable animal prints, to burn as offerings during their annual Qing Ming festival. Custom dictates that participants burn fake money, clothing, and appliances, which people believe their ancestors will receive and use in the afterlife. Though clothing and cosmetics have been popular offerings in recent years, vendors say that the lingerie fad is somewhat new, and that all cardboard underwear items have already sold out.

Man Turns Into Robber When Check Bounces Authorities say a man in Spartanburg, South Carolina robbed a bank after a $173 check he was trying to cash bounced.

Police say that the man had attempted to cash a personal check, but the teller could not complete the transaction because he did not have enough money in his account. The man said that he had to have the money or that someone was going to kill him.

At that point, he wrote a not saying he was robbing the bank.

Police say that the teller gave him the money and he ran away.

No arrests have been made.

Most Popular Girl Gone Wild Collides With Animal Kingdom

Shoppers at newsstands across the world may be wondering: What is Paris Hilton doing on the cover of National Geographic? Undergraduate workers at Harvard Lampoon persuaded employees of one of the nation’s most respected magazines to help them pull off one of their April Fools Day parody issues, which have become a yearly staple in the industry. This year’s offering features a satire on Mongolia’s wildest waterparks, and “Native Girls Gone Wild,” among other satires. The undergraduate group noted that employees at National Geographic had responded very quickly when contacted by the students last

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Section A -

Thursday, April 3, 2008

The County Times

The County Times

Section A -

Obituaries Rebuilding After Your Basement Floo James J. Agresta, 52

LaHood was the celebrant.

Interment followed in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, Jim’s family is graciously accepting gifts on behalf of his children, Cal and Abby.

They may be sent in care of Anne Christian, 3 Ambler Drive, Norwalk, CT 06851.

Condolences to the family may be made at www. brinsfieldfuneral.com.

Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown.

Aloysius Francis “Allie” Fenwick IV, 68 James J. Agresta, 52, of Leonardtown died March 28, 2008 in Washington Hospital Center, Washington, D.C. Born March 5, 1956 in Amsterdam, N.Y. he was the son of the late Madeline Ryan Agresta and Daniel Agresta, Sr. He was a 1974 graduate of Wilbur Lynch High School where he excelled in football and wrestling.

At the time of his death, he was employed as a Systems Design Engineering Specialist with AT&T Government Solutions, supporting the EP-3E Special Projects Program Office at the Naval Air Systems Command.

He retired from the U.S. Navy in February 2000 after 20 years of dedicated service to his country. He participated in “Operation Deny Flight” in Bosnia and in Operation Desert Storm in the Persian Gulf and distinguished himself in combat missions, earning numerous campaign medals and the Air Medal for Meritorious Achievement in Flight.

Jim is survived by his wife, Paula Padgett Agresta whom he married Oct. 7, 1988, a son, Calland Agresta (age 10), and a daughter, Abigail Agresta (age 8), four sisters; Anne Christian, Susan Tatar, Mary Agresta and Peggy Castor, two brothers; Richard Agresta and Philip Agresta. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Daniel Agresta, Jr. The family received friends Monday, March 31 from 5 – 8 p.m. in the Brinsfield Funeral Home Chapel, Leonardtown.

Prayers were recited at 7:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Tuesday, April 1 at 10 a.m. in Our Lady’s Church at Medley’s Neck in Leonardtown. Reverend Thomas

Consider yourself lucky if your basement had only • Address dampness isminorat moisture sues as the first step in held 7 p.m. ledpenetration

by Msgr. Hilda Weeks of Salem, Va.,a after the recent heavy rains. basementgrandchildren, project so that one fuKarl Chimiak.

A Mass of sixteen Even so, itBurial could be thecelex- step ture flooding, moldtwo or musty Christian was grandchild, great cuse you Tuesday, need to embark smells won’t ruinand yourher investebrated April on 1 grandchildren fia total basement makeover. ment. Get qualified profesat 10 a.m. in St. Aloysius ancée anda loving companWhether you choose to ion sionaloftotwenty identifyfour the source Catholic Church, Leonardyears call inwith a professional of any “Freddie” water problems - such town Fr. FranciscontracBurch John Spalding. tor who specializes in flood as aaddition cracked to foundation, inofficiating.

Interment fol- In her parents, restoration or decide to tack- she adequate waterproofing or lowed in Charles Memorial was preceded in death le the project yourself, make by exterior slopes Gardens, Leonardtown. her grading daughterthat Mildred sure that thewere project toward theCarter house March - and prePallbearers Dr.checkJohn “Millie” 19, list includes these steps that 2008. scribe a fix. Install one or Fenwick, William Schultz, are frequently overlooked, sumpfamily pumps, received with one Andrew L. Mattingly III, moreThe but areMiller, essential to protectpoweredThursday, by a battery or genBrian Buddy Long friends March 27 ing your investment. erator9in case of in a power failand William Fenwick. from – 11 a.m. the BrinsContributions may be field Funeral Home Chapel, made to ACTS of St. Mary’s Leonardtown. A funeral County, www.acts-smc.org, service was conducted by P.O. Box 54, Bushwood, Pastor John Smith, Jr. at 11 MD 20618 and/or Hospice a.m. Interment followed in of St. Mary’s, Box Continued fromP.O. page A- 625, Charles Memorial Gardens, Leonardtown, MD 20650 Leonardtown. and/or Leonardtown VolServing as pallbearers ers farther inland.” unteer Rescue Squad, P.O. were her sons Walter JohnSeveral county government departments helped Erichsen Box 299,theLeonardtown, son, in Emory Johnson, Andy coordinate procedures utilized emergency planning.

MD 20650.

Healy, However, Erichsen was the sole Johnson, author. TheMichael Debris Manageprovided anda host her ofgrandsons mentArrangements Operational Plan delves into emergencyJason planning that St. Mary’s has utilized Peterson several times history. by the Mattingley-Gardiner andthrough John Edward The plan Home, is a one-stop-shop for logistical Funeral P.A. Johnson.solutions to clearing roads, sending out emergency messages, and minimizing Condolences may the be made to the family at www.

Doris Faye Healy, 70 brinsfieldfuneral.com.

Arrangements by the tions there. But ownership of Brinsfield Funeral Home, the was returned P.A.,lighthouse Leonardtown. to the state last year and the PLLPS has been working on Continued from page A- Julian I. “Buddy” restoration since then.

Johnson, Sr., 85 them, claiming that the South This past weekend was would in fact rise again. the first time the lighthouse More skittish visitors had been open to the pubeven screamed when they lic since 2001 as part of the saw a mock up of a werewolf, ghost walk-style tours at the dressed in slacks and a flannel park, one of the most popular shirt, illuminated by spooky seasonal events in St. Mary’s strobe lights in one of the County. rooms.

Hall, along with Laura This is all to preserve Berg, the last person to take and restore the aging build- up residence in the lighthouse, ing, which some believe is have also spent significant as haunted as the state park, amounts of time investigating once the home to an infamous the claims of paranormal ocprison camp ConfederDoris Fayefor Healy, 70, of currences at the lighthouse. ate soldiers where The old building has been Leonardtown diedthousands March perished.

21 in Georgetown Univer- home to several keepers over has a thing the centuries and several of sity “Everybody Hospital, Washington, and this is my thing,” said them have died there, Berg D.C. Robert Hall of St. Leonard, Born July 29, 1937 she said, as well as several shippresident of the PLLPS. “Tohaving occurred off was the daughter of the late wrecks Julian I. “Buddy” Johnnight we’re the spirits of the shore there where sailors met Birtie Lee and Robert Fran- son, Sr., 85, of Helen, forlighthouse.” their ends. cis Meador. merly of Ripley, Md., died Hall’s was formed “Therewerealwaysthings Doris group was employed

by March 24, 2008 in Georgejust last year to makeMarysure happening there I couldn’t exthe ARC of Southern town University Hospital. that the interior of the house, plain,” Berg said. land until the time of her Born May 22, 1922 in deteriorated and sometimes Hearing footsteps clompdeath.

She was a loving and Washington, D.C. he was a victim of vandalism, was ing along inside and voices as supportive had well the son of the from late vacant Franrestored to mother its 1927who condias laughter ation good sense of humor and cis Julian and Ida Maddox and appearance through portions of the residential shared many with space Johnson.

Helighthouse was the were befundraising and laughs volunteerism of the many people.

She loved to loved husband of the late efforts. fairly common, she said. playThe scrabble, go was dancing, lighthouse under Patricia Beavers ThoughAlene most of the things and control being with helping the of theand U.S. Navy she noticed happened during Johnson who preceded him people. from about 1980, when the the daytime, said, the in death Jan. Berg 8, 2008. is survived by isolated stateDoris relinquished control for of her home in He nature is survived by his her military children, Walter operaJohn- 1979 the to conduct and the storms that came children Warren Johnson son (Cindy) of Panama and his wife Carolyn, JuCity, Fla., Emory Johnson lie Alpert and her husband (Debbie) of Bushwood, Rick all of La Plata, Md., Martha Lamb (Doug) of Joan Hock and her husband Mechanicsville, Robert Ryland of Bryans Road, “Andy” Johnson (Flor) of Md. and Julian Johnson, Golden Beach, Mary Gail Jr. of Hollywood, Md.; sibPeterson (Rob) of Califor- lings: Frances Tilch of Ft. one of the more popular parts new poll shows nia, AJohn Healy of support White Washington, Md., Dorothy of Gov.and Martin for legalizing slot machines Plains, Md., Michael Healy Gilroy JohnO’Malley’s Johnson plan toofbridge predicted $1.7 in Mechanicsville, a sister both of Fla. aand Carmen Maryland is at its highest billion shortfall.

The General Assembly point in years, but some observers say passage of a slots will convene next week to that plan, which also bill at the upcoming special considerdetail.cfm?EVENT_ is increases in Cost the sales session is far from a foregone includesID=1485847 $20 per individual and corporate tax and income conclusion. untilfor12most p.m.people. on April The poll from Gonzales tax breaks 7th. one On-site “No likes toregispay Research and Marketing said tration said willMark alsoPlotbe 59 percent of Marylanders fa- more taxes,” available the mornOnline registration available vor slots, the highestisin the five kin, a political commentator of the race“That’s for $25. by visiting the event at ing years Gonzales haswebsite tracked at WTOP radio. why Check-in will begin at 8 a.m. http://www.active.com/event_ the issue. That makes slots slots are so popular -- because

Emergency Plan

Ghosts

Aloysius Francis “Allie” Fenwick IV, 68, of Helen died March 29 in St. Mary’s Hospital.

Born June 11, 1939 in Leonardtown he was the son of the late Aloysius Francis and Anabel Barto Fenwick III. He was the loving husband of Clara Mattingly Fenwick whom he married June 25, 1960 in St. Johns Church, Hollywood.

He is survived by his children A.F. Fenwick, V, of Havre De Grace, Md., Lisa Cheek and her husband Tom of Ladysmith, Va. and Rick Fenwick and his wife Susan of Mechanicsville, as well as three grandchildren.

He is also survived by his siblings; Evelyn Kuffler of Cosa Mesa, Calif., Edward Fenwick of Kea’Au, Hawaii and Louise Allen of York, Pa. A lifelong resident of St. Mary’s County, he was a graduate of Ryken High School “Class of 1957.” He was a computer programmer for the U.S. Postal Service for 34 years, retiring in 1993. Mr. Fenwick was a member of St. Charles Sportsmen’s Club and the St. Mary’s County Amateur Radio Association.

The family received friends Monday, March 31 from 5 – 8 p.m. in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home Chapel, Leonardtown, where prayers were

nd

Naval Air Station Command Press Release that help with long-term needs such as specialized equipment and handicap home and car modifications. This effort greatly improves the quality of life for those wounded in the line of duty, who return home and face endless challenges while putting their lives back together.

The inaugural race was the idea of Marines from the Marine Aviation Detachment assigned to Pax River who had experienced what the IMSFF was capable of first hand.

“The IMSFF has provided assistance to several of the Marines of MAD when they were wounded during their tours in Iraq” said Litty.

Anotherlocalorganizationfirmly behind the cause is PMA-276.

Last year more than $5,000 was raised through bake sales, raffles, and the sale of t-shirts, as well as participation by many of their employees in the race, according to Katie Powell, a budget analyst with the program.

eere.e and t ments

• tilatio preven air fr corner Perrym cating cold-a walls ment a level, likely

“ sen sa ten… proba S prove sen’s be up FEM sen ag Once will b ment,

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knew her. Virginia will be remembered for her many kind deeds and will truly be missed.

Virginia is survived by five John William Rawley, stepchildren and a very dear 80, of Spotswood, N.J., for- cousin, Howard Calvin Price of merly of Lusby, Md., died Owings Mills, Md. In addition March 27, in Robert Wood to her parents, she was preceded Johnson University Hospi- in death by her husband, Frantal, Spotswood, N.J. cis Joseph Sweeney, Sr. March Born June 21, 1927 in 30, 2000, and five siblings; WilBrooklyn, N.Y. he was the liam F. Kelley, Joshua T. Kelley, son of the late James and Alma Norris, Dorcas Antonelli, Agnes O’Kane Rawley. and Robert L. Kelley.

He was preceded in The family received friends death by his wife Eileen Tuesday, April 1 from 2 – 4 p.m.

Marie Rawley June 19, 1995 and 5 – 8 p.m. in the Brinsfield in Lusby. He is survived by Funeral Home Chapel, Leonarhis children: Judith Rebele dtown. Prayers were recited at 7 and her husband Thomas p.m. by Reverend William Gurof Spotswood, N.J., John nee. A Graveside Service was Visitors to the Point Lookout Lighthouse spirits tour, held in conjunction with the Spiri Rawley and his wife Gradead Confederate soldiers rumored toconducted haunt the grounds the site of the Civi at 1 p.m.around Wednesday, ciella of Puerto Rico and April 2, at Moreland Memorial Patrick Rawley of Jackson- Park; Baltimore, Md. Deacon ville, Fla.; sister Julia Zein- Daniel Kopczyk conducted the budge T er of Bridgeport, Conn. and service. regist two grandchildren.

Condolences to the fam- found A Mass of Christian ily may be made at www. portin Burial was celebrated brinsfieldfuneral.com. reven Wednesday, April 2 at 10 Arrangements by the bling a.m. in Our Lady Star of Brinsfield Ehrlich’s administration.

They states it’s a matter of free will.

If you Funeral Home, the Sea Catholic Church, also note that Republicans are 62 pe lose, you deserve to lose.”

P.A., Leonardtown.

50 Alexander Lane, strongSolo- refusing to vote for slots in the Even in anti-slots R mons, MD 20688 with Fr. special session. holds like Montgomery Counof pol Aaron Meisner, chairman Unive ty, voters have figured out that “one slots dollar is in lieu of of Stop Slots Maryland, said public on at thesaid Cedar Point effort. he does All not participants know if theremust are is ava onerace taxday dollar,” Gazette Officers’ Club.

Participants have a valid military ID,“in DoD votes ei- defici newspapers columnist Blair currently enough sticker base “I’m pass states will Lee. then follow a course Installation ther house to pass or a bill.” thebeen station. that includes scenic remain views to But opponents notgain sureaccess that’s to ever the tered information of the Patuxent and For casemore before,” Meisnercontact said. earlie confident headingRiver into next Chesapeake Baypointing coastline. at 301-342-1101/1103. reside Support in the latest survey week’s session, out Litty Each registrant will also rethat slots have been debated in topped a Gonzales poll from found ceive a uniquesince eventthesouvethe legislature early August 2003, when 57 percent slots, nir to commemorate their favored slots during another to 37 days of former Gov. Robert were of the “ have gamb Meisn a way conce a very near t

John William Rawley, 80

Poll: Tax Threats Make Public Slots Fans, But Opponents Say Numbers Misleading

2 Annual Leatherneck 5K The 2nd Annual Leatherneck 5k benefiting the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund is scheduled for April 12 at 9:30 a.m. at the O’Club here. Last year’sraceraisedalmost$16,000 for the fund and according to Capt. Christopher Litty, the race director, hope runs high that this year’s event will bring even greater participation as word about the event spreads.

Established in 2004, the Semper Fi Fund provides financial support to Marines, Sailors, or any service member attached to a Marine unit at the time they are injured.

According to the nonprofit organization’s website at www. semperfifund.org, it provides everything from emergency money to help family members travel to the injured service members’ bedside, to funds that help cover unexpected expenses the family incurs as a result of the injury.

The fund also provides grants

ure. Use a dehumidifier and sheetrock installed,” says Ed install proper ventilation for Perryman, president of Peradequate air ConStinnett of exchange.

Ripley, Md.; ryman Dignan Consulting officiating.& InterServices Barrie, four grandchildren and two struction ment followed in in Queen of the walls to de- Ontario. great• Check grandchildren.

Peace Cemetery, Helen. termine the also extent of water He was preceded in Arrangements provided penetration hasVan occurred If the entire interior pedeath by histhat son John- by the Mattingley-Gardiner if your basement is already system son; siblings: Lucille Bond, rimeter Funeralwall Home, P.A.- includfinished. Johnson If dampness has ing studs and sheetrock - has Douglas and Earl wicked up your finished to be replaced,Denmead you need to Virginia Johnson. walls, high attended potential considerSweeney, a new insulation 91 Mr.there’s Johnson for Plata mold High to grow unseen.

La School.

He system that controls the flow “It is essential the wet of air and water vapor. For worked as an that electrician sheetrock and saturated in- more information on this for the Naval Ordinance sulation be removed, theMd. af- topic, consult this Web site Station, Indian Head, fected areabecame thoroughly dried sponsored by the U.S. Deand then a custom out and new insulation home builder.

He servedand in partment of Energy: www. the U.S. Army from Oct. 15, 1942 – Dec. 8, 1945. He was Northern socialstationed disruptioninand economic impact of a natural disaster.

France, Ardennes, RhineThe document also serves as a reference guide – outlining orland and Central ganizational roles andEurope. responsibilities, phone numbers, contact Mr. Johnsonandreceived sev- planning for emergency maninformation phase-to-phase eral awards such as the agement teams.

World War II victory ribHowever, Erichsen said he was unable to keep the plan bon, good medal, specific to St.conduct Mary’s in its entirety because storms are largely American Rib- vary. So he lifted parts of the unpredictable,Theater and their impacts bon and5 “Alert European African Annex / Initial Emergency Phase” section from other Middle Ribbon.

He data. In the “Rainfall and Floodplans thatEastern had general scientific ing” section, instance, entire also enjoyedfor gardening and sections were found to be taken directly from several Web planting, traveling and sites go- that used similar and sometimes exactonverbiage.

Erichsen did not cite those Web sites. ing family outings.

Virginia Denmead SweeThe family received ney, 91, of Leonardtown died friends Friday, March 28 March 28 in St. Mary’s Nursing from 5 – 8 p.m. in the Mat- Center, Leonardtown. up often combined with the has much of its space taken tingley-Gardiner Funeral Born Oct. 6, 1916 in Cockby recordings of allegedly strange occurrences to make Home, where Prayers were up eysville, Md., was the voicesshe(Electronic for abode. saida spooky at 7 p.m.

A Funeral ghostly daughter of the late William F. “At was timesheld it Saturday, could be Voice Phenomenon) taken Service Kelley and Alma L. Gemmill inside the home that are frightening,” said.in“You March 29 atBerg 10 a.m. the from Kelley. to the naked hucould feel something behind Mattingley-Gardiner Fu- not audible Virginia was a former resiyou, watching you… it could man ear. neral Home Chapel, with dent of Piney Point. There she make the hair stand up officion the Some appear to be benign, Rev. Sheldon Reese enjoyed living the waterback of your neck.” even Othersonappear to be ating. Interment followed front sad. and catching and picking The PLLPS Web site, openly hostile, yelling “GET in Charles Memorial Gar- hard crabs. She loved nature dedicated to the history and OUT!” when an investigator dens, Leonardtown. Pall- and would often nurture wild restoration of the lighthouse, speaks on the recording. bearers were Dennis Tap- creatures back to health. She ponnier, Jamie Jackson, was fun loving and enjoyed life, James Thomas, Ryan Hock, especially feeding the many Rick Alpert and Mike Guy. ducks, squirrels, rabbits, and Arrangements provided birds that found refuge in her by the Mattingley-Gardiner yard. She was a good neighbor Funeral Home, P.A. and a friend to anyone who

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The County Times

Section A - 10

Thursday, April 3, 2008

John’s Freehold was relatively undisturbed after the state’s capital moved to Annapolis in 1695, it is one of the best-preserved 17th century archeological sites in Maryland. Mitchell explained that the length of time it was occupied lent its ing to Mitchell, who said as a result of punishment remains to paint interesting that Lewger had wanted to received from Overzee. pictures of how the place build a house befitting his The case went to court but was used during its tenure stature. The home’s brick he was acquitted because as a home, a meeting place, fireplaces, plastered walls, technically, he had not bro- a hotel, and an office. plank floors, glass win- ken the law.

Preemptive excavations dows, and masonry cellar In 1659, Overzee housed at the site were conducted (the largest of its kind for the ambassador from New in the 1970s, but the curthe time period), marked it Amsterdam, Augustine rent restoration has been as an affluent home for its Hermann, who created one six years in the making. period. As the residence of the first detailed maps of The museum evokes the of Lewger as secretary and the Chesapeake Bay. form of a house that would one of the largest enclosed During the 1660s, St. be familiar to its 17th centuspaces in the early years of John’s was the official ry inhabitants. Smaller atthe state of Maryland, the governor’s residence for tached structures represent provincial court, assembly, Charles Calvert, who be- a quarter and a kitchen, and council met there be- came the third Lord Balti- and a modern exhibit galfore government buildings more, and the site became lery, which Mitchell refers were constructed. the place where Calvert to as “the disco room” will St. John’s continued negotiated a peace accord overlook the original 1,400 to play an important role with Susquehannock war square foot structure. in the history of Maryland chiefs.

“This will be exciting after it was vacated by the After Calvert moved when it opens,” said Suprovincial secretary. Dutch out, innkeepers leased the san Wilkinson of historic merchant Simon Overzee house, but it still served St. Mary’s City, explainlived there with his family as the meeting place for ing that construction will in the middle of the cen- the Governor’s Council as be finished soon, and the tury. “The only reason we well as Governor Calvert museum will open its doors know anything about Over- and his guests. In the early in September. “And it will zee is because he was a 1680s the site was used as coincide with the city’s trouble maker,” said Mitch- Maryland’s probate office 375th anniversary.” ell, explaining the paper until other government trail of court cases bearing buildings were constructed his name on public record. and the structure was once In one incident, an African again turned into a house. slave named Antonio died Because the land of St.

If These Walls Could Talk St. John’s Site To House New Museum Andrea Shiell Staff Writer For decades, a homely corrugated fiberglass A-frame sheltered one of Maryland’s most important historic sites, St. John’s Freehold. Today, the temporary shelter is gone and contractors are finishing a major new exhibit that will better reflect the significance of the site. As one approaches the construction site, landscapers are planting, excavation teams are digging and sorting,

and the new wood-framed structure seems to breathe new life into one of the state’s oldest structures, years after the original building came down.

It will be easy to appreciate all the dizzying history having unfolded there when the museum is completed. “We didn’t want to do an authentic reconstruction,” explained to Special Projects Archeologist Ruth Mitchell as she highlighted which areas would serve as exhibit showcases, and

which would be finished to resemble parts of the home that once stood there. “We wanted to showcase the history of St. John’s.”

And there is plenty of history to showcase.

St. John’s Freehold was a plantation carved out of the wilderness by the first provincial secretary of the colony, John Lewger. The two-room farmhouse built in 1638, four years after the founding of Maryland, was more in the style of a “British gentleman’s country home,” accord-

Photo by Andrea Shiell

Archeologist Ruth Mitchell explains the history of St. John’s Freehold in historic St. Mary’s City.

Horsepower Secrets From Professional Engine Builders: Get More Out Of Your Car For Less Than $100 Want more horsepower without paying much to get it? Here are three ways today’s top engine builders get more power from their racing engines and their personal cars, without spending a lot of money to do it.

Upgrade your lubricants - Friction and heat from engine components and the drive train rob horsepower and performance. Minimizing this power loss can be as easy as upgrading to one of the newer high performance lubricants that are available. For instance, in a recent test by Horsepower TV, upgrading to high performance motor oil freed up 8 horsepower in a V8 engine. Video of the test and more information on upgrading lubricants can be found at www.royalpurple.com.

Replace and/or upgrade your air filter - During the life of your engine, thousands of cubic feet of air will pass through the engine cylinders. Dust and other material in the engine can cause excessive wear and operating problems. It’s imperative that you keep air filters clean by regularly replacing them. To further enhance performance, upgrade

St. Mary’s County Republican Central Committee’s Annual Lincoln/ Reagan Dinner Principal Speaker

Governor Bob Ehrlich Thursday, 10 April 2008 Crystal Room, 21030 Pt. Lookout Rd, Callaway, MD

Cocktails 6:00 p.m.

(Cash Bar), Dinner 7:00 p.m.

By Authority: Vernon R. Osburn, Treasurer

Elite engine builders competing in the Engine Master Challenge use simple techniques like upgrading oil to increase horsepower.

to a performance air filter, which can free up an additional 2 to 3 horsepower. While not a tremendous power gain, the relatively low cost of a filter and ease of installation (about 5 minutes) more than make up for it.

Use higher octane gas or an octane booster - Go for the good stuff the next time you’re at the pump. Depending on your vehicle, high octane gasoline can provide an increase in horsepower. Even a marginal gain in switching from the lowest octane gasoline to the highest octane may be worth a few extra pennies at the pump to you.

For those who want to see a more measurable increase in power, a racing blend of gasoline will work well or one of the numerous brands of octane booster commonly available at auto parts stores.

Upgrading your gas, lubricants and air filter are a cheap and easy way to increase horsepower. These simple steps will also extend the life of your engine and help prevent expensive repairs.

Tickets $50 each, purchase at www.smcrcc.org, or call 301-904-5651 or 301-481-5284 for reservations

REVOLUTION

A Tribute to the Beatles

“These Guys are Great”

- Tom Hanks

April 12 - 8:00p.m.

Great Mills High School Tickets - $25 ($15 for students) Reservations - 301-475-3225 Grants for this program have been received from the St. Mary’s Arts Council and the Maryland State Arts Council