The County Times 2008-09-04 A Section

PRSTD STD US Postage Paid Permit No. 145 Waldorf, MD

Established 2006 • Volume 3 • Issue 34

Thursday, September 4, 2008 • St. Mary’s County P IN

EY POINT LIGHTH

SE OU

The Sweet Smell Of Success New Culinary Program Gives Inmates an Edge

Ryken Wins First Varsity Football Game

“I’m as proud as I can be of our kids.”

– Knights Head Coach

Bob Harmon

County Residents Warned Of Increased Deer Activity With the fall breeding season coming St. Mary’s County Government is warning residents to be watchful of an increase in movement of deer across county roads and highways.

While the number of deer that collided with vehicles in the county only increased by two, from 72 to 74, in 2006 and 2007 the increase in population in St. Mary’s only increases the danger, according to the government.

Residents should be most wary of deer on the highways and roads between dusk and dawn and should also look out for deer that commonly cross roads in wooded and rural areas.

County government officials advise that residents can minimize the risk of hitting a deer by simply following the posted speed limit on county roads. Reducing the driving speeds at night or in inclement weather such as rain, snow and fog can also reduce the risks of colliding with a dear.

Government officials warn that deer usually travel in groups; if motorists see one deer crossing the road they should slow down and remain watchful for others who may be following.

Deer that appear to be standing in a field can suddenly bolt and run into the road as well, rapidly posing a danger to drivers.

Drivers should slow down to avoid deer in the roadway, county government releases state, but should not swerve rapidly as this could cause the vehicle to spin out of control.

Photo by Andrea Shiell

Chef “RJ” Robert Johnson shows inmates at the St. Mary’s County Adult Detention Center how to prepare vegetables for their five-week culinary course.

Andrea Shiell Staff Writer Upon first walking into the kitchen at the St. Mary’s County Adult Detention Center in Leonardtown, one could smell progress.

More than ten individuals traversed the space, calling corners, carrying trays of food, cutting vegetables, measuring ingredients, and putting the finishing touches on their banana bread pudding, the

sweet, spicy smells permeating the air.

This was not the usual humdrum of jail activity. These students, who were wearing chef’s coats and adding the finishing touches to this large meal, were inmates.

Commander Mike Merican, warden at the St. Mary’s County Adult Detention Center welcomed members of the College of Southern Maryland and Commissioner President Jack Russell to his

School System Updates Two Killed In Minority Business Enterprise Procedures Callaway Wreck Andrea Shiell Staff Writer

Changes made to Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) procedures, and approved by the Interagency Committee on School Con-

struction (IAC) in June will now be adopted by the St. Mary’s County Board of Education, a move that will put more measures in place for the county to track, and possibly increase, projects done by minority owned businesses for the See Minority Business page A-

SAT Results Above State And National Averages

Senator Cardin To Visit Martirano Aiming St. Mary’s County for Increased Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) will be at St. Participation Mary’s College on Friday September 5 at St. Mary’s Hall from 10:50 am to 11:25 am to speak to students and community members about “National Issues Facing America at Home and Abroad. He will also host a roundtable discussion with the Board of County Commissioners later that day at the Chesapeake Building, 41770 Baldridge Street in Leonardtown, from 1 pm to 2:30 pm to discuss emerging infrastructure issues.

Inside Op.-Ed ...........Page A - 4 Obituaries.......Page A - 7 Sports...............Page B - 1 Police ...............Page B - 7 Classifieds.......Page B - 9 Thursday Sunny 92°

Friday Showers 78°

See Culinary page A-

Andrea Shiell Staff Writer St. Mary’s County Public Schools is reporting that this year’s averages for the SAT Reasoning Test (formerly the Scholastic Aptitude Test) ranked above both state and national averages, earning test takers an average combined score of 1532 out of 2400.

The time-honored test is a measure of critical thinking skills that students are expected to need for academic success in college, and it

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer Investigators with the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office are trying to find out what exactly caused the wreck that killed to men and injured four others on Route 5 near Chingville Road August 29, but preliminary police reports indicate that alcohol may have been a factor.

Kevin Dale Wiersma, who was driving one of the vehicles involved in the collision, and Gregory John Allen, the passenger in Wiersma’s vehicle, both died on the scene of the wreck, police reports stated.

Both were 21 years old and both were from Lexington Park.

Family members and coworkers mourned their sudden loss.

Wiersma had started work at the Southern Tire and Auto store in Lexington Park at the age of about 16, his manager and co-workers there said, and worked his way up through the ranks there.

“He started here hardly knowing what a wrench was,” said Bobby Wood, assistant manager at the See Wreck page A-

See SAT Scores page A-

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The County Times

Thursday, September 4, 2008

The Big Idea Man Faces Local Business Owner Showcased for Innovative Approach Charges Of Sexually Abusing Minor

Andrea Shiell Staff Writer

Darlene Altvatar sat in a comfortable chair at her Leonardtown spa as a CNBC camera crew set up shop in the back.

They were there to do a feature on her business, and as they set up the lights and the interview space for her and her employees, she smiled nervously, explaining that her inspiration for starting her own business was actually prompted by a personal tragedy.

“I lost my sister to cancer a year before I opened my business,” she said, explaining that she had worked with the post office, but that her ultimate goal had always been to connect with people.

At the age of 41, she said she realized that life was too short, and her loss gave her the chance to reflect on what she really wanted to do.

“I’m a people person and I wanted to find something that I would want to get up and do every day,” she said.

What Altvatar found, after searching in vain for a franchise to adopt, was a space in the old Mattingly building off of Point Lookout Road in Leonardtown, a quality fitness equipment manufacturer, and a great deal of support from her family.

“I wasn’t happy with what the franchises offered…so I decided to go out on my own.”

A 20-year veteran of Mechanicsville, Altvatar chose Leonardtown as the ideal place for her new fitness spa.

“I decided that since Leonardtown was the county seat, I’d plant myself there,” she said.

She opened her new fitness center

After a while, Altvatar’s space sion,” Altvatar said, adding that the in Leonardtown had become too biggest challenge so far with growing cramped, so Darlene switched loca- her business had been finding enough tions to a space twice the size of her people to hire to keep up with customoriginal shop, and in November 2007 er demand. And despite her high volshe opened her doors again, this time ume of business, she claims to not be boasting 3600 square feet of space, and interested in opening a second store. “I a devoted team of nail techs, hairstylists, and message therapists.

Complete with soothing beach murals on the walls and custom equipment, Altvatar’s place has drawn the attention not only of residents, but also news crews, who were there last Thursday to film a feature on her business for CNBC’s “Big Idea” segment.

Despite a slowing economy, Darlene says her clientele has continued to grow.

“The economy hasn’t affected my business at all,” she said.

“In the summer, when salons slow down, we’re steady, and in the winter, when salons again slow down, we’re busy,” she said, adding that her lower prices had drawn many clients who had previously been going to higher priced salons in the area.

Altvatar also prides Photo by Andrea Shiell herself in offering “one Darlene Altvater eases into CNBC’s interview chair at her salon and stop shopping” for sa- spa in Leonardtown.

Detectives Also Seeking Burglary Suspects

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer

Investigators with the St. Mary’s County Bureau of Criminal Investigations have served a Great Mills man with a criminal summons claiming that he sexually abused a 12year-old girl four years ago.

Joseph Norman Herbert, 56, was served with the summons August 28 but he was not incarcerated, BCI commander Lt. Rick Burris said Tuesday.

Burris said that after four years the alleged victim in the case came forward to accuse Herbert.

“The victim revealed what happened to a child counselor,” Burris told The County Times. “The counselor told Child Protective Services and they told us.

“That’s when our investigation began.”

According to an application for statement of charges against Herbert by Detective William E. Raddatz, the victim was staying at Herbert’s home temporarily when Herbert allegedly fondled the victim inappropriately while she was lying in a bed.

The application for statement of charges stated that Herbert had admitted to the

allegation against him.

The charge of sexual abuse of a minor carries a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison.

Investigators with BCI are also looking for two suspects in a burglary that occurred on Dent Road in Lexington Park Aug. 29.

According to police reports, the homeowner saw two people outside their home after the suspects had allegedly taken property.

One suspect, described as being a white male, 20-to25-years-old and standing sixfeet tall ran away when the homeowner confronted him.

The first suspect reportedly had a large tattoo on his right arm and was wearing a dark t-shirt and blue jeans.

The second suspect was described as a tall white male with short hair also about 20-to-25-years-old.

The second suspect was also reportedly wearing a dark t-shirt and blue jeans and fled the scene in a dark blue BMW passenger vehicle.

BCI detectives are asking that anyone with information on the burglary call them at 301-475-4200 ext.

1996 or Crime Solvers at 301-475-3333.

Did You Know?

Entrepreneurs are no doubt aware of the statistics concerning the failure of new businesses. However, budding business people or even corporate veterans might be able to hedge their bets by choosing an increasingly popular method of starting a business. According to the United States Chamber of Commerce, franchises have far better success rates than non-franchised businesses. Notable franchises include Domino’s Pizza, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Super Cuts(R), and Ace Hardware.

Within five years of opening, franchises have a 97 percent success rate, and 86 percent of franchises opened were still under the same initial ownership. Conversely, 62 percent of nonfranchised businesses closed within the first six years of their existence. While the established name a franchise provides is certainly a boost, many franchise business owners cite the willingness of other franchise owners to share advice and offer support as reasons for their own success.

From the left: Lucy Selvidge, Jackie Cross, Michelle Altvater, Mary Jordan, Darlene and David Altvater, and Erica Maddack.

in April 2005, with equipment furnished by Henley Manufacturing, a company based out of Houston, Texas, and enjoyed a great deal of success.

In June 2006, she surveyed the women in her gym and asked what they wanted to see added, and from there she gained her certification as a nail technician from Aaron’s beauty school in Waldorf, Md., in October 2006. By November of that year, she had hired her first hairstylist, as she began building the beautification portion of her spa.

lon and spa services, and she looks forward to adding new features.

“Every couple of months I add something new,” she said, mentioning that the salon will introduce cosmetic teeth-whitening services to their repertoire beginning in September. “No other salons and spas offer that in St. Mary’s County,” she said. “My motto is a place where customers can come and spend hours here, and some of them do…and it’ll feel like a vacation.”

“My husband David has been a big support for the growth and expan-

Photo by Andrea Shiell

don’t want a chain,” she said, “because you lose that personal touch with the customers.”

As the film crews came to fetch Altvatar for her interview, she nodded proudly to her husband, who was sitting near the entrance, and smiling proudly back.

“There’s a lot of times at night when the lights are down and you’re locking up, and you say ‘wow, I can’t believe that I’ve done this,’” she said.

“It’s very rewarding.”

The County Times

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Section A -

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The County Times

Section A -

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Editorial & Opinion Maryland Democrats React to McCain’s Surprise Vice Presidential Pick

By ASHLEY M. LEWIS, CHRISTOPHER WEAVER, AND DAVID HILL Capital News Service DENVER ? Less than 24 hours after Sen. Barack Obama accepted the Democratic presidential nomination at one of the most historic conventions in American history, presumed Republi-

can nominee Sen. John McCain returned to the political spotlight with a historic move of his own.

Friday morning, McCain announced his vice presidential candidate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, the first female candidate to be nominated on a Republican ticket.

Palin was considered a wild-card pick on McCain’s short list, and Maryland’s Democrats and Republicans alike were surprised that she was selected over more experienced politicians.

“John McCain can no longer question Barack Obama’s experience,” said

Dear Editor:

Dan Clements, director of Maryland for Obama. “He’s picked a running mate who has far less.”

Palin, 44, is a first-term governor who was elected in 2006 after defeating incumbent Gov. Frank Murkowski in that year’s Republican primary.

From 1996-2002 she was mayor of Wasilla, an Alaska city of fewer than 10,000, according to U.S. Census estimates for 2007. She served on the Wasilla city council from 1992-1996.

Many Democrats called the selection of a female running mate a clear attempt to attract angry Sen. Hillary Clinton supporters.

“It’s obvious that the choice was made to go after the Clinton women who are not happy with the Obama campaign because she was not chosen for VP,” said Dion Guthrie, a Harford County councilman and convention delegate who voted for Clinton over Obama in Wednesday’s roll call vote at the Democratic National Convention.

Guthrie thought McCain might get some Clinton Democrats in the fall. But not him, he is supporting Obama.

“There will be the crossovers,” said Guthrie. “That’s the number one issue in this campaign - he didn’t take Clinton and McCain took the

strong woman from Alaska.”

But other Clinton supporters argued that while they were excited by the historic opportunity to nominate a woman for the presidency, they supported her on substance as well as identity.

The issues that made Clinton popular across the party will not be compatible with the Alaska governor’s politics, particularly Palin’s anti-abortion position and National Rifle Association membership.

“I do not think that any true Hillary supporter is going to change their mind and vote for a McCain and Palin ticket when we don’t even know anything about her,”

said Marcia Massey, a Maryland delegate who also voted for Clinton Wednesday.

Justin Shuy, a Maryland alternate delegate for next week’s Republican convention, defended the Palin pick.

“She worked her way up from a business leader role to the city council to going to the state house,” said Shuy, an assistant coalitions chairman for the McCain campaign. “She has that executive experience.”

But Democratic delegates from Maryland see McCain’s choice as little more than a gimmick.

“I hope that a true Democrat is going to see through this, and certainly a true Hillary supporter is going to see through it,” Massey said. “It’s a gratuitous attempt to gain the woman vote and it’s an affront to Hillary voters, because they’re saying we won’t look at any qualifications.”

Keep Children First The Saint Mary’s County High Schools have a huge problem in that about one-fifth of the ninth graders don’t go on to tenth grade.

They usually have to go to summer school, repeat a semester or repeat a year. Why is this so important?

If a student fails one grade he or she has a 40% chance of dropping out, and if he fails two grades a 90% chance of dropping out. Dropouts earn a significant amount less than high school graduates.

In an effort to address the situation, Fairlead Academy recently opened. Sixty of the approximately 400 students with the problem will attend the school. What is this effort and what did it replace?

First, it replaced White Oak Secondary Center which was for students with emotional, social and academic problems. Board of education member Mary Washington noted in her many visits to White Oak that the students liked the classes of ten. It is important to recognize that due to the great efforts at White Oak, there were some success stories. However, it had a significant dropout rate and its absentee rate was also a concern. I would like to know what the absentee rate was for these students before White Oak. Also, what will happen when these students are returned to their home schools? Their tendency to disrupt will not help their home schools unless it is addressed. Supposedly there will be some over-

lap between White Oak and Fairlead which would mean that some White Oak students would end up at Fairlead. Since the teachers at White Oak had to reapply for their positions, what happened to those who applied and were not selected? Many Fairlead teachers have been selected from outside the system.

Fairlead will have small classes as did White Oak. The students will have ninety minute classes which might be a concern regarding focusing. Lecturing to these students will not work, however the plan is to have hands on activities, good extension activities, technology and teaming between the teachers.

All of these efforts could help focusing if they are indeed done as planned.

At the end of next year we need hard data on this new effort including absentee rate, dropout rate, and promotion rate. We also need to track these students through high school and bolster them where needed. Follow up has been promised.

In the future, the public needs to know why one program is leaving and another replacing it. We advertise that we have hard data, and it needs to be shared with the public. As always, we must keep all of the children first.

Marilyn Crosby Lexington Park, Md Marilyn Crosby is a candidate for the St. Mary’s County Board Of Education

Importance of Community Partnerships By: Bob Schaller If there’s one thing I’ve learned about economic and community development that sustains growth and development it is the value of partnerships. These partnerships come in all forms and arrangements. Most visible are the formal arrangements encoded in Memorandums of Understanding or Agreement.

We hold dozens of MOUs or MOAs with organizations to carry out important work that wouldn’t be possible or advisable on an individual basis.

A recent reminder is the joint encroachment mitigation and prevention meeting just held between the Board of County Commissioners and the Commanding Officer of NAS Patuxent River. Controlling development (encroachment) around the base is essential to the Navy’s mission and thus our economic well-being. To keep the base and the County working together we have an MOU in place. What keeps the MOU working is a requirement to meet twice yearly and review items of mutual interest and concern. We’ve now held three joint encroachment meetings. During one of these, the County reported passing zoning text amendments to restrict residential development within the Air Installation Compatible Use Zone (AICUZ), the flight path that extends beyond the runways where accident potential exists. Also during these meetings the Navy furnishes the County with up-to-date data on aviation programs that ultimately affect life immediately around and well beyond the base. The Navy has also made

adjustments to their work plans and schedules to better accommodate community needs in business, workforce, education, housing, and other areas. It’s a great relationship and a model that other military communities around the country are following.

There are other formal partnerships that reach into the business community, tourism sector, housing, agriculture, Lexington Park, the town of Leonardtown, etc.

There are also countless examples of informal partnerships and relationships that address current challenges and future opportunities. Just one example is workforce development where a wide range of partnerships exist or are being developed. One interesting initiative involves young professionals who are forming the basis of the new workforce, one that’s best described in Richard Florida’s “Creative Class.” According to Florida, a younger, more highly-educated worker tends to gravitate to stimulating creative environments that offer cultural and recreation opportunities and other amenities that fit their lifestyles. More importantly, these locations must have the basic ingredients for creativity such as diversity, openness, and a climate that fosters innovation.

Ultimately these locations will be defined by this very group. But they must feel part of the community to make the necessary financial and emotional investment.

Continued growth at the base where more than 22,000 now work means the addition of hundreds of new employees each year for the com-

ing years. Half will be direct Navy hires, the other half will be contractors. Most will be recent college graduates. We know how challenging it is to recruit to a peninsula in Southern Maryland. We also know that the challenge is even tougher to retain young workers once they’re here. To assist in this area, a new initiative has emerged from the combined efforts of the Southern Maryland Young Professionals Event Social (SMYPES) and St. Mary’s County Chamber of Commerce to address their unique needs. If anyone is interested in getting more involved please contact our office.

Extending this workforce partnership, the Navy, local industry, Patuxent Partnership, local school system, higher education institutions, the Jobs Connections Program, a newly re-formed Southern Maryland Workforce Investment Area, and others are all working together at different levels toward the same end: a “grow your own” approach to local workforce development.

There is a real focus on local workforce creation as well as efforts aimed at workforce revitalization, the retraining and retooling of the existing workforce.

Combining recruitment and retention of new recruits along with creating and revitalizing opportunities for the local workforce involves several organizations and takes strong partnerships. Like encroachment mitigation and retention, workforce development takes many to bring about.

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The County Times

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Board of Education Voting Record Meeting Held Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2008 Consent Agenda Personnel/Teachers Personnel/Administrative and Supervisory FY 2009 Categorical Request - State Revenue and FTE Staffing Transfers/Revisions School Bus Contracts for the 2008-2009 School Year Motion: To approve the regular and executive session minutes of August 13, 2008, two personnel items: New Teacher Hires and an Administrative and Supervisory appointment, FY2009 Categorical Request-State Revenue and FTE Staffing Transfers/Revisions, and School Bus Contracts for the 2008-2009 School Year.

Motion By: Cathy Allen Second: Mary M. Washington Action: Unanimous Voting Record: William M Mattingly Yes Cathy Allen Yes Gary K Kessler Not Present Salvatore L Raspa Yes Mary M Washington Yes

Section A -

A Day Without Labor A Brief History of the Working Man’s Holiday Andrea Shiell Staff Writer In an article discussing the origins of Labor Day, author William Harris wrote, “if there are two pin-points to locate the summer season in the US, they are the Fourth of July, the origins of which we know since school days, and Labor Day about which we seem to know almost nothing.”

by the Central Labor Union, which had even appointed a committee to plan a demonstration and a picnic.

Governmental recognition came through municipal ordinances passed in 1885 and 1886, during which time the first state bill was introduced to the New York legislature, but the first law recognizing the holiday was passed in Oregon on February 21, 1887, after which Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jer-

A complete listing of personnel appointments, categorical requests, and this year’s bus breakdown can be found at https://www.boarddocs.com/mabe/smcps/Board.nsf/Public.

Action Items Minority Business Enterprise Procedures As a requirement of State procurement law and to qualify for State funded capital projects, new Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) procedures must be adopted by each Board of Education. The new procedures reflect revisions approved by the Interagency Committee on School Construction (IAC) on June 26, 2008.

The new procedures require school system staff to review and analyze each project for the potential for certified minority businesses to participate in the project. Individual project MBE goals and subgoals are to be established based on the analysis. Overall, each local Board of Education shall strive to meet a cumulative goal of 25% certified MBE participation and subgoals of 7% for certified African American-owned businesses and 10% for certified women-owned businesses participation.

Documentation for individual goals and the good faith effort of a contractor to achieve that goal must be submitted by the school system as part of the IAC’s review of a request for contract award.

Motion: That the Board of Education adopt the revised Minority Business Enterprise Procedures, dated June 26, 2008, for State and locally funded construction projects.

Motion By: Mary M Washington Second: Salvatore L Raspa Action: Unanimous Voting Record: William M Mattingly Yes Cathy Allen Yes Gary K Kessler Not Present Salvatore L Raspa Yes Mary M Washington Yes

Minority Business Continued from page A- school system.

In a presentation to the board on August 27 Chief Operating Officer Brad Clements stated that the state average for construction or design projects done by registered minority own businesses was around ten percent, “and we’re probably around three or four percent,” he said.

“Historically we’ve been lower than the state average,” said Larry Hartwick, Supervisor of Design and Construction for St. Mary’s County Public Schools. “So we need to do better.”

Though the state had set a goal that 15 percent of state funded projects be completed by minority owned businesses, and then increased it to 25 percent later, Clements said “it’s somewhat difficult to do,” explaining that location and the lack of registered businesses in the area could be contributing to the county falling behind on MBE participation.

MBE goals will still stay at seven percent participation by African-American owned businesses, and 10 percent participation by women-owned businesses, with an overall goal of 25 percent MBE participation, but new procedures will treat overall participating goals on a project-by-project basis. Local educational agencies will have to establish specific MBE participation goals for each project, taking into consideration the extent to which the work to be performed can be segmented to allow certified firms to participate, the number of firms that can perform the work, and the geographic location of the project with respect to these firms.

“The main change in the procedures…are special goals and sub-goals for minority participation,” explained Hartwick. In the past St. Mary’s County had applied for waivers due to shortages in the area, but the number of waivers will most likely go down once the school system adopts these new procedures. “The state has the expectation that the number of waivers will be reduced,” said Hartwick, adding that another change will be the amount of documentation that goes into the bidding process for each project, with the rationale for established MBE goals for each project being submitted to the Public School Construction Program for review before a contract is awarded. The school system will have to make a “good faith effort” to find MBE certified businesses to participate before receiving a waiver.

Hartwick said that the school system’s strategy for increasing MBE participation would include developing joint outreach programs and MBE subcontractors lists with other state and local agencies, utilizing contracting associations, and further segmenting work to allow for greater participation.

Clements explained that there was no definite timeline for bringing St. Mary’s County up to speed on meeting MBE goals. “It’s really ongoing,” he said, “minority procedures adopted in June, we’ll adopt them by September, so we’ll start seeing it on the next project.”

When asked if he thought the revisions were appropriate, Clements said he thought they were. “They’re putting more accountability on the local systems,” he said. “They’re saying you need to set a goal that’s achievable and do it. It’s a real challenge, but we’re used to setting goals.”

SAT Scores Continued from page A- assesses how well students analyze and solve problems.

The tests are typically taken by high school juniors and seniors, and are designed specifically for students who plan to attend four-year colleges after graduation. Test results are often used by colleges and universities to determine admission for individual students to their programs, and to assess the student’s potential for success in college.

Countywide estimates show that 50.2 percent of high school students took the test during the 2007-2008 school year, marking the third straight year that SMCPS administered a record number of

SAT assessments.

“Participation is key,” said Superintendent Michael Martirano when discussing the results. “I am very pleased with participation and I’m very pleased with our gains overall,” he said. “We rose 16 points from last year, and we’re ahead of the state average, and the national average,” said Martirano, adding that he wants to find more ways to encourage students to take the test in the next year.

What used to be a two-part test involving multiple-choice questions in verbal and mathematic concentrations was revised to include a third section in 2005, this

one focusing on grammar and writing. Each section can earn the test-taker up to 800 points. The average score for the writing section is 494, the average score for mathematics is 515, and the average score for critical reading (or verbal) is 502.

This year, students from Great Mills High School scored a 476 average in mathematics, combined with a 476 average on the critical reading portion and a 456 average writing score, giving Great Mills a 1408 composite average, with 50.8 percent of students taking the exam.

Over 64 percent of Leonardtown High School students took the SATs this year, posting a critical reading average of 524, a mathematics average of 531, and a writing average of 517, earning them a com-

Photo by Andrea Shiell

Construction workers at the Patuxent Inn in Lexington Park are back at work after their long holiday weekend.

Indeed it seems that most students and workers measure their summers by these two days, and Labor Day serves as a special marker for many districts that start the school year after the holiday, though in St. Mary’s County, this is not the case, as schools were reopened weeks ago.

Still, as thousands of workers took their long weekend to celebrate the holiday, events like church dinners and auctions in Southern Maryland highlighted their day off.

Some accounts credit Peter J. McGuire with the creation of the holiday. As the general secretary of Carpenters and Joiners and the cofounder of the American Federation of Labor, he has been credited as the first to suggest a day to honor people “who from rude nature have delved and carved all the grandeur we behold.”

Still others believe that a machinist named Matthew Maguire proposed the holiday in 1882 when he was serving as secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York.

Reports have never been able to credit one or the other with sole responsibility, but historical records show that the holiday was first celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City, and was planned

sey, and New York followed suit by creating the holiday by legislative enactment. By the 1890s 26 other states had done the same.

The federal government became involved much later in the wake of the May Day riots of 1894, during which violent demonstrations broke out in Cleveland, Ohio as workers protested rising unemployment and a lack of support systems for workers. And Two months after the riots, the federal government passed legislation to recognize the holiday, making the first Monday in September of each year a legal holiday in the District of Columbia and all other territories.

Today, workers celebrate their day off by hosting parties, parades, and picnics, though some of these activities have been scaled back as compared with the holiday’s earliest demonstrations, which at times had caused traffic and noise ordinance problems.

All the same, the streets of St. Mary’s County were relatively quiet on Monday, as were the construction sites in the area, as laborers enjoyed their day without labor.

And by Tuesday, it was back to business as usual.

Work resumed on Chancellors Run Road after the long Labor Day weekend.

posite average of 1572.

Chopticon High School boasted the highest mathematics and writing scores, averaging 524 in critical reading, 547 in mathematics, and 527 in writing, leading to a 1598 composite average.

Martirano explained that the school system has adopt-

ed the Official SAT Online Course through the College Board to help students study for the exam. Eight official SAT exams will be available to help students practice and refine critical reading, math, and writing scores as needed.

That in combination with the school system’s mandatory

Photo by Andrea Shiell

participation in PSAT testing is what Martirano says will increase participation the most. “We give the PSAT to every child,” Martirano said, explaining that the school system absorbs the costs for testing each year. “We’re providing them with a lot of resources to help them.”

The County Times

Section A -

Ramblings of a Country Girl

Fare Thee Well Terri Bartz Bowles All good things must come to an end. Everything changes. Nothing lasts forever. Lots of clichés that bring us to one thing – this will be my last Rambling. I hate to go. I’ve had so much fun writing this column. I’ve received

emails and comments from so many people. I’m happy I was able to make you smile, or remember a pleasant memory or think about something in a different way. It has been extremely gratifying hearing from those of you who were kind enough to drop a line or stop me somewhere and say “I

Culinary Continued from page A- facility Saturday night for the meal. This was more than just a meal; it was also a final exam for his prisoners, who for the last five weeks had learned everything about the culinary world, from cleaning to measuring to marinating.

“We started this program last month. It’s a five-week program,” explained Merican, noting that the course had been added in a partnership with the College of Southern Maryland.

There were ten students in the class, who had learned to make dishes like sweet and sour pork, baked flounder, apple raisin muffins, and Cornish hens, in addition to learning about kitchen cleanliness and health codes for different foods.

“It’s a lot more than just hamburgers and hot dogs,” Meri-

love your column”. I cherish that because each column was a piece of me. So thank you for your indulgence; for allowing me to indulge in my memories and thoughts and occasional rants. You took an interest in St. Mary’s County and terrapins and holidays and other thoughts and experiences that I

Thursday, September 4, 2008

shared with you. It’s been my pleasure to share these things with you and generous of you to share your thoughts with me.

Alas, I have decided to go on hiatus. Nobody knows what the future holds, but my near future involves going back to college. I’ve never finished my degree and am determined to do so before I hit the half century mark. So, I’m buckling down to reach my goal and fear I won’t have the time to devote to a weekly column. The degree is something I’ve worked on sporadically for too long without going all the way. This unfinished business of mine is going to get finished. That’s my path and my task for the foreseeable future and I must spend my time and energy on that. Why didn’t I go to school full-time when I was younger?

A million reasons and all that matters now is I’m one of millions of adults who work fulltime and go to school, too. Am I nuts? Well, of course I am.

But I’ll be a nut with a degree.

Besides, better my degree by 50 than no degree at all. In many ways, I feel like my life is

can said.

Chef “RJ” Robert Johnson smiled as his students finished their preparations.

“This was a good class,” he exclaimed. “I came in thinking I was going to get hardened criminals, but they’re really great, they were very well behaved.”

Chef Johnson said the most challenging part of teaching the class was “conforming to jailhouse procedures,” like counting and re-counting knives, or “sharps,” in the kitchen, or locking doors behind him. He adapted the curriculum so that the space provided would be sufficient for his students, but he said not much change was needed for these surroundings.

“The COs have been very helpful…anything we needed they got for us” he said.

Each of the inmates received a certificate in culinary arts from the College of Southern Maryland, a piece of paper that Merican said would help them re-enter society with a better

Photo by Andrea Shiell

Ten students received their certification in culinary arts from CSM for their participation in the new culinary program offered at the St. Mary’s County Adult Detention Center.

James C. Boyd, MD Board Certified Internal Medicine Christine Rawlings, CRNP Certified Family Practice Nurse Practitioner

Dhimitri Gross, MD Board Certified Family Practice

St. Mary’s Medical Associates is a primary care medical group serving patients of Southern Maryland since 1995.

Our approach to delivering health care is that of being in a partnership with our patients. Together, the provider and patient make health care decisions, set goals and institute therapy. We offer services for well baby/child, well women issues, school physicals, routine physicals, DOT Pre-employment physicals, chain of custody drug collections, drug testing, medical review officer services, disease management and preventative care. The office is open from 8am until 5 pm Monday through Thursday and from 8am until 3pm on Friday. We look forward to meeting you in our new offices located adjacent to St. Mary’s Hospital in Leonardtown.

Most Insurance Accepted Welcoming New Patients New Location: St. Mary’s Medical Associations, LLC 41680 Miss Bessie Drive Leonardtown, MD 20650

For Appointments Call: 301-997-0055 or 301-997-0114 Fax 301-997-0066

(next to St. Mary’s Hospital)

“Caring for patient’s of all ages”

chance of finding gainful employment.

“The idea of just housing people and then telling them to get a job when they leave hasn’t been working,” Merican said, explaining that “one in 100 persons is behind bars today…it’s important that we try to do something to get them back on track.”

The St. Mary’s County Detention Center houses more than 300 inmates, and Merican said that many of them come in without high school diplomas, and GED classes and adult literacy classes are among the most popular programs offered. The detention center also offers HIV and STD education programs, substance abuse and life skills classes, anger management, English as a second language, and computer literacy classes offered through a partnership with the Board of Education.

But Merican said he wants to do more.

“Over the next two years, we want to add vocational training,” he said, explaining that he hopes to see carpentry, masonry, landscaping, HVAC, and housekeeping classes added to the jail’s repertoire.

“What we have to do is develop a plan,” Merican said.

“Ninety-Five percent of all inmates return home, not everybody gets locked up and the key thrown away…but if you keep them in here and don’t do anything with them, how do you expect them to be productive members of society?”

The culinary class and others like it are being paid for using an inmate welfare fund, money from commissary and phone commissions, but the jail will apply for grants to fund other classes as they are added.

“We probably have about 15 programs,” said Deputy D.L. Deidrich, rattling off the aforementioned list. “Our hope is if we do these programs inside…we won’t see them again and they’ll have a good life.”

All ten students received their certificates before the meal began, boasting a varied menu including prime rib, steak stirfry, baked flounder, and bread pudding. Many of the inmates declined to comment, but all nodded in agreement when Anthony Tyrone Adams exclaimed, “they need more programs like this, maybe another level to this program, or [vocational technology], or mechanics.”

“They did a great job,” Chef RJ said, smiling. “Hopefully at least one of them will go into the culinary field and become a success…I’d hope for all of them to, but if just one goes, then this program will be a great success.”

better than it has ever been. It’s a fallacy to think we are adults when the magic age of 21 is reached. We grow and experience and learn all our lives, hopefully, but some do and some don’t. I feel like I didn’t even start to become an adult and have a world-view and understanding until I was in my thirties. And now I’m in my mid-forties and finally feel that I know myself, really and truly.

I know who I am and what I’m about and what I’m capable of and enjoy my own company and that of others to a degree I never did before. I’m more able to let things go and see other points of view and be sympathetic to them, whether I agree with them or not. Because life is a roller coaster ride, a crap shoot, a spin the ring and see what comes up kind of deal.

So go do something you’ve always wanted to do. Or don’t do something. Take stock and if there’s something you’ve been doing because you think you should or you’re supposed to or something, just stop. You don’t know what’s around the bend, enjoy at least some small part of each day.

A couple of years ago, someone sent me an email about life. You have probably seen it, too. I won’t plagiarize or plunder, but here’s my interpretative little gist of it: life is not something to be trod through carefully, trying not to get dirty or to upset the apple cart. Life is a ride where you hang on tight, push your boundaries and squeeze as much out of it as you can. You might not squeeze as hard as someone else but that’s okay, it’s your orange to squeeze and you’re the one who has to be satisfied with the amount of juice you extract. The ideal is not to arrive at the Pearly Gates sedately and in a freshly ironed gown but to slide in like it’s homeplate – worn out, exhausted, sweaty; maybe with a Manhattan in one hand and a good piece of chocolate in the other, exclaiming “what a ride”.

Thanks for being part of my ride and allowing me to be part of yours.

You can email the Country Girl at countrygirlramblings@ gmail.com

Wreck

being investigated as a suspected factor in the crash on Wiersma’s part.

According to police reports Wiersma was traveling north on Route 5 near Chingville Road when Wiersma’s 2002 Hyundai Accent crossed the centerline into the southbound lane and struck a

Continued from page A-

store. “Then he took some welding classes and became a certified welder.

“I always told him I was real proud of him.”

Wood said that Wiersma’s father had worked at the store previously and brought his son in to see if he could find a entry level job there.

Wiersma started doing odd jobs there and then worked his way up to changing tires and other automotive work.

“He was really improving himself,” Wood Photo Courtesy of Mattingley Gardiner Funeral Home said. “He started Keven Dale Wiersma to take charge of jobs … around 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 van driven by Jose Wilfredo Castillo Molina, 47, of Arlington, Va. Castillo Molina and three other passengers in his van suffered serious injuries and were transported to local hospitals for treatment, according to police reports.

The same reports said their injuries were not life-threatening.

Allen’s grandfather, Donald Hathaway, tearPhoto Courtesy of Mattingley Gardiner Funeral Home fully remembered his son as an avid outdoorGregory John Allen sman. Allen had lived with Hathaway for the the shop.” past five years, his grandfaWiersma had come back ther said. to work at the store after fin“He was my best friend,” ishing his welding training Hathaway said. “We were for part-time employment close. while looking for a welding “He loved to shoot, he job, co-workers said. loved to fish. He loved to take Lloyd Brothers, a me- his nieces and nephews out to chanic at the shop, said he St. Mary’s Lake to fish.” had known Wiersma through Aside from shooting and family relations since Wiers- fishing, Allen also loved to ma was 12 years old; he said ride motorcycles competihe took the younger man un- tively, Hathaway said. der his wing after he came on “He had oodles of trothe job. phies and stuff,” Hathaway “He was a hard worker,” said. “He was just always Brothers remembered. “He’d smiling, he had the biggest stay and work five or six jobs smile you’ve ever seen.” [at the shop] in the evening.

Allen was formerly em“I was definitely hurt [by ployed by a local contractWiersma’s death]; we were ing business, Hathaway said, close.” and his grandson did carpenWiersma loved to work try work, construction and on cars, Brothers said, and painting. was “just starting to get his Allen would be sorely life together.” missed by his family, HathaAccording to on-line way said, even by Allen’s pet court records Wiersma also dog Zoe. had trouble with the law when “She’s lost without him,” it came to operating vehicles. Hathaway said. “They know Court records showed when something’s not right.” that at the time of the acciAllen’s funeral is scheddent Wiersma was driving uled for 11a.m., Thursday at on a suspended license and Immaculate Heart of Mary was facing three active traf- Catholic Church in Lexingfic cases in District Court for ton Park. Interment will folspinning his wheels, failure low in the church cemetery. to produce his drivers license Wiersma’s funeral is set on demand and driving with for Friday at 11a.m., also at an expired license.

Immaculate Heart of Mary Deputy Cindy Allen, Church. Interment will folspokesperson for the sheriff’s low in the church cemetery. office, said that alcohol was

Thursday, August 21, 2008 September 4, 2008

The County Times

Section A -

Obituaries Alice Mildred Brown, 99 Gregory John “G. Dizzle” Allen, 21

Gregory John “G. Dizzle” Allen, 21, of Lexington Park died Aug. 29 in Leonardtown. Born Sept. 16, 1986 in Leonardtown, he was the son of Alice Mildred Brown, 99 Anthony Marshall Wilkes of Leonardtown Aug. 16 of Conn. anddied Beverley Ann in her Allen home. Bean and her husband Bean Born George Nov. 9,Leo 1908 in of Tall Timbers.

Baltimore, Md., sheGregory was the is survived sister daughter of theby latehis James and Jolie Margaret his Lilly Mae JacksonAllen, Rebham. nephews Robert Lee McShe was a member of St. Downey NathonChurch, J. AlGeorge’s and Episcopal len and his niece ShyAnne Valley Lee, and Order of the M. Allen, well 107, as his Eastern Star,as Chapter Jugrandfather Donald lia Halla, Hollywood. HathawayMrs. andBrown his grandmother is survived Margaret Hathaway, all of by two sons, Lloyd E. (Jerry) St. Mary’s County.

Brown, Jr. of Leonardtown He was a lifelong resiand Willard Bruce Brown dent of St. Mary’s County, of Terrahe Alta, W. Va. Great She is where attended also survived by six grandMills High School. He was Julie and Brown-Rund, achildren, carpenter painter Jeff Brown, Nancy Deal, who enjoyed BMX RacWendy Jarda, Judy Graybill ing, target shooting, car and Pheobe Brown,song and eight racing, writing lyrgreat-grandchildren ics, and fishing. Clay and WillThe Rund,family Kristenwill and Josh reBrown, friends Shawn and Bruce ceive Sept.

4 from – 11and a.m.Samantha in ImDeal, 10 Audrey maculate Heart of Mary Jarda.

Catholic LexingShe Church, was predeceased ton where a Mass by aPark, daughter Betty Ruth of Christian Burial will Brown and a brother John B. be celebrated at 11 a.m.

Fenwick. withRelatives Fr. Jack and Kennealy friends atofficiating.

Interment tended Mrs. Brown’s Life will follow ininthe theBrinsfield church Celebration cemetery.

Pallbearers will Funeral Home, Leonardtown be Joe Lemanski, John Wednesday, Aug. 20 from 5 – Lore, Tim Dysch, Josh 8 p.m. with prayers recited at Barnes, Latavius Maddox 7 p.m.

A funeral will and Ryan Aud. service Honorary be held Thursday, Aug. 21 at pallbearers will be Steven 11 a.m. in St. George’s EpisDoughty, Don Hathaway, copalBean Church, Lee. Leo and Valley John Lore, Reverend Greg Syler, pastor Sr. of the church, will may officiate.

Contributions be Interment will follow in the made to Immaculate Heart church cemetery. of Mary Church, 22375 Memorial Three Notch Contributions Road, Lexmay bePark, madeMD to The Misington 20653. sionsArrangements Endowment Fund or provided

by Mattingley-GardinCemetery and Grounds Fund, er Home, Episcopal P.A. c/oFuneral St. George’s Church, P.O. Box 30, Valley Lee, MD 20692.

Bessie Irene Collier, Condolences 97 to the family may be made at www. brinsfieldfuneral.com.

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

Francis Joseph Brown, Sr., 66 Francis Joseph Brown, Sr., 66, passed away in his home in Indian Trail, N.C. Aug. 12.

Mr. Brown was born July 1, 1942 in Leonardtown, son of the late Mary Edna Brown Norris.

Bessie Irene Collier, Brown is survived 97, Mr. of Leonardtown died by his 30 wifeinJacqueline MerAug. St. Mary’s cer Brown;Leonardtown. a son Francis J. Hospital, Brown, Jr. June and his15, wife Shelia Born 1911 in Weehawken, N.J.,a she was of Stanfield, N.C.; daughter the daughter of the late Jennifer Lynn Brown of IndiRichard Francis and Floran Trail, N.C. and two grandence E. Mooney Collier. daughters Christianna Page Miss Collier attended and Allyson Grace Brown. normal Jersey The school family in received City, N.J. and in 1938 she friends Sunday, Aug. 17 from was appointed to teach as 2 – 5 p.m. in the Mattingan elementary third grade ley-Gardiner Funeral Home, teacher.

In 1948, where Prayers wereshe saidreat ceived her Bachelors of 3 p.m. A Mass of Christian Science Degree and in Burial was celebrated Mon1957 her Master’s Degree. day, Aug. 18 for at 9:30 in She taught 39 a.m. years St. Francis Xavier Catholic and enjoyed every day of Church with Fr. Matit.

She could findJohn no fault tingly officiating.

Interment in anyone; was friendly followed Charlesquickly.

Memoand madeinfriends rial Miss Gardens.

Collier is surArrangements provided vived by her sister, Florby the ence M.Mattingley-Gardiner Collier of LeonarFuneral two Home, P.A. Corinne dtown; nieces

Luis Antonia Castillo, 70

Cram and her husband Roger Crested Butte, Luisof Antonia Castillo, 70, Colo., Lorraine Stevens of of Leonardtown died Aug. 16 Guernsey, Iowa and one in St. Mary’s Nursing Center, nephew, Thomas Collier Leonardtown. and Born his wife Sept. Marilyn 20, 1937 of in Leonardtown.

She also Puerto Rico, he was theisson of survived five and grand the late Luisby Antonia Elsa nieces and nephews and Monserrate Morales Castillo. fourLuis great-grand nieces is survived by three and nephews. sisters, M. Elaine Ohler of FamilyDel., Evelyn received Millsboro, Casfriends Sept.

2 5 tillo of Chestertown, from Md. and –Elsie 8 p.m. in the Brinsfield Collins of Las Vegas, Funeral LeonardNev. He isHome, also survived by town, with prayers recited several nieces and nephews. at 7Family p.m. Mass of Chrisreceived friends tian Burial was Wednesday, Aug. 20 offered from 11 Sept. at 10 a.m. in St. a.m. – 3noon in the Brinsfield John Francis Regis CathoFuneral Home, Leonardtown, lic Hollywood, with Church, prayers recited at noon.

Md. Father Ray Schmidt, Deacon George L’Heureux pastor of Graveside the church was officiated. service the celebrant.

Interment followed at 2 p.m. at Cedar will be Sept. 5 in Calvary Hill Cemetery, Suitland, Md. Cemetery, Long Island Memorial Contributions City, may beNew madeYork. to the St. Mary’s Memorial ContribuNursing Center Foundation, tions may be made to the Inc., National Federation of 21585 Peabody Street, the Blind,1800 Johnson Leonardtown, MD 20650.

Street, Baltimore, MD Condolences to the fam21230-4998. ily may be made at www.

Condolences to the brinsfieldfuneral.com. family may be made at Arrangements by the w w w.br i nsf ieldf u neral.

Brinsfield Funeral Home, com.

P.A., Leonardtown.

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

Lloyd Raymond Harris, 97 James Rudolph Ellis, 89

Lloyd Raymond Harris, James 97, diedRudolph peacefullyEllis, Aug. 12 inofthePiney St. Mary’s Nursing 89, Point, forCenter.of Forestville, Md., merly Harris wasSt. a longtime diedMr. Aug. 27 in Mary’s resident of St. Mary’s County.

Hospital, Leonardtown.

He was born in Gallatin, Born Feb. 14, 1919Mo. in June 13, 1911 toDC, the late Washington, he Howwas ard May Harris the son of the and late Frankie James Lee Jackson.

He married Henry and Bertha Agnes his beloved wife of 59 years, Heatter Ellis.

Mary Catherine “Sis” Nelson Mr. Ellis retired from at the Washington Cathedral the U.S. Postal Service in in Washington D.C. Sept.

2, 1979 after 33 years of ser1939.

She preceded him in vice. His hobbies included death in 1998. was also gardening andHeattending preceded in death in by Baysox baseball 1998 games, his which belovedhesister to wasMargaret season Harris.holder. ticket Mr. is Harris servedby in his the He survived United States Army as an Asson Daniel J. Ellis and sistant Chaplain.

Following his wife Cindy of Piney his army service he emPoint and a cousinwas Mary ployed in Washington, D.C. Ann Eagan and family of by the Federal Government Bethesda, Md. Mr. Ellis is for many yearsbybefore retirpredeceased his wife ing.

He then worked in the Doris Winter Ellis who tax department for the State died in 1986. of Maryland in Family and retired received 1971.

During his retirement, friends Friday, Aug. 29 he and 5his–wife enjoyed from 8 p.m. in travthe eling throughout the United Brinsfield Funeral Home, States.

Leonardtown with prayers He enjoyed cards, recited at 7 playing p.m. Father dancing and buying new Ray Schmidt, pastor ofcars.

St. Ray loved lifeRegis and most of John Francis Cathoall he enjoyed helping others lic Church, Hollywood, while expecting nothingserin officiated.

Graveside return.

He was devoted in the vices with military honors care ofheld his wife and sister unwere Saturday, Aug. til their death.

30 at 11 a.m. in Cedar Hill The family Cemetery, Suitland,received Md. friends in the MattingleyCondolences to the Gardinermay Funeral family beHome, madeP.A., at Leonardtown, Friday, 15 w w w.br i nsf ieldf uAug. neral. from 9 – 10 a.m. with a funercom. al service that followed 10 Arrangements by atthe a.m. officiated by Rev. Keith Brinsfield Funeral Home, Schukraft.

Interment followed P.A., Leonardtown. at Charles Memorial Gardens in Leonardtown. Pallbearers Patricia were Frank Mary Nelson,“Pat” Donnie Lowe, 78 Harry Bowles, Fred Nelson, Nelson, Jr., Michael Russell Mary “Pat” and Patricia Roy Copsey.

Lowe, 78, of ContributionsCalifornia, may be formerly Leonardtown, made to ofAmerican Heart died Aug. 29415 in St. Association, N. Mary’s Charles Hospital.

Street, Baltimore, MD Born July 20, 1930 in 21201-4101.

NewArrangements York, N.Y., she was provided the daughter of the late by the Mattingley-Gardiner James Vincent and CathFuneral Home, P.A.

Valorie Anne Henry, 48

erine Mary Cunniffe Nolan. She was the loving wife of the late Gerard R. “Jerry” Lowe whom she married May 2, 1953 in New York, N.Y. and who preceded her death Aug. 21, 1989.

She survived by ValorieisAnne Henry, 48, her children; Ann Marie of Mechanicsville, formerly Doory and Mo., her died husband of Grandview, Aug. Robert of Baltimore, 17, in Lexington Park. Md., Christopher J. Lowe of Born Oct. 31, 1959 in Lexington Park, CathLincoln, she and was her the erine M.Neb. Lowe daughter of James Ray Dickhusband Jason Duden of inson of Mouldrow, Okla.

Edgewater, Md., Robert and Hortense Anne Campbell G. Lowe of California, Crawford of Grandview, Mary Patricia Farkas Mo. and She was the loving wife of of her husband Kevin Earl Allan Henry, whom she Frederick, Md. and James married July 16, M. Lowe and1986 hisin Warwife rensburg, Mo. Jane of Hollywood, Md. is survived by her She She is also survived by son Earl Ian Henry. her brother James V. Nolan Mrs. of Yonkers, and Henry N.Y. graduseven grandchildren. ated from Grandview High Pat grew up 1977. in New School’s Class of She York where sheCounty gradmovedCity to St. Mary’s uated from1988 high from school in in October Wal1948 and moved to Baldorf, Md. timore, 1958.

She The Md. familyin will receive was a homemaker and friends Saturday, Aug. 23a mother from 10 –of11 six a.m. children. in PatuxAfter raising her children, ent River Assembly of God she provided Church, California,childcare where a services for several famiFuneral will be held lies in Service the Leonardtown at 11 a.m. with Pastor Lanny area and helped raise her Clark officiating.

Interment granddaughter Kelly Lynn will be held Wednesday, Aug. Lowe.

27 at 10 a.m. in Maryland Mrs. Lowe was a Veteran’s Cemetery, Cheltenmember and officer of the ham, Md. Daughters. She Catholic Contributions be loved her family may and her made to Hospice if St. Mary’s, church. She enjoyed Irish P.O. Box music and625, wasLeonardtown, a Redskins MD 20650. fan.

The family received Arrangements provided friends Tuesday, Sept. 2 by the Mattingley-Gardiner from 5 –Home, 8 p.m.P.A. in the MatFuneral tingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, where Prayers were saidKaren at 7 p.m.

A. A Mass of Christian Burial was McEntyre, 51 celebrated Wednesday, Sept. 3 at 12:30 p.m. in St. Karen A. McEntyre, 51 of John’s Catholic Church, Lexington Park, formerly of Hollywood, Md., with Fr. Plano, Texas, died Aug. 13 in Raymond Schmidt and Washington Hospital Center.

Fr. Francis Kelly officiBorn Feb. 24, followed 1957 in ating.

Interment Sweetwater, Texas she was in Queen of Peace Cemthe daughter Carold and etery, Helen.of Pallbearers Mary Dakota Aleese Benson Plawere Lowe, of Brian no, Texas.Donald Bell, Jon Doory, SheKevin is also Nolan survivedand by Lore, Thomas Kelly. her children Jeremy Porter Contributions may be of Snyder, Texas, Jonathan made toPlano, the Alzheimer’s Porter of Texas, Angie Association, P.O.and Box Porter, Sheila Horton Ma1889, La Plata, 20646 rissa Horton, all ofMD Lexington and/or ACTS (A brother ComPark as well as her munity That Shares), P.O. Victor Benson of Plano, Texas Box 54, Bushwood, and three grandchildren. MD 20618 and/or St. John Karen was employed as a Regis Catholic Church, registered nurse.

43950 St. John’s Road, All services are private.

Hollywood, MD 20636.

Arrangements provided Arrangements providby the Mattingley-Gardiner ed by the Mattingley-GarFuneral Home, diner Funeral P.A. Home, P.A.

Timothy Brian Paul McGrath, Maddox 50 Pilkerton, 71

Timothy Brian McGrath, 50, of Lexington Park died Aug. 11 in St. Mary’s Hospital, Leonardtown.

Born June 14, 1958 in Freeport, Ill., he was the son of Patricia (Chambers) McGrath of Mesa, Ariz. and the late Charles McGrath.

Timothy attended Lasalle-Peru High School in Lasalle, Ill. where he graduated in 1976. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1976 until 1999.

After his service in the Navy, Timothy was employed by a Government Contractor and worked at the Patuxent River Paul MaddoxHe PilkerNaval Air Station. was an ton, 71, of Leonardtown, Elks Lodge member and a formerly of ofLusby, MD. past member the Lexingpassed away Aug. 28 in ton Park Volunteer Rescue

Squad. the In Charlotte Veteraddition toHall his mother, an’s Home.

Timothy is survived by his He was born Tueswife Kay2,(Houtz) day, Debra March 1937Mcin Grath, his son, Sean Mechanicsville. He Patrick was McGrath the son of of Lexington the late Park, John his sister, Karen McGrath of I. and Florence Owens Mesa, Ariz. and his brother, Pilkerton.

Michael of Ill. in He McGrath is preceded A memorial service will death by his loving wife be held Saturday, Aug. 23 at Faye Elizabeth Toute Pilk10 a.m. at the Bay District erton, who he married in Volunteer Fire Department, La Plata, Md., his son the Lexington Park. late Richard Pilkerton as as his siblings John wellCondolences to the famS., may Catherine, Elmer, Teily be made at www. resa May, James Roy and brinsfieldfuneral.com.

Rebecca Pilkerton. by the Arrangements He is Funeral survived by Brinsfield Home, his Leonardtown. sister Regina GatP.A., ton of Leonardtown, and his daughters Elizabeth Pilkerton of Waterbury, Patrick Connor Miller 2 Conn., Barbara Reiche of Sevierville, Tenn., Rebecca Ellis of California, Md., Laura Morgan of Leonardtown, Paula Dibble of Lusby, Md., and Rhonda Palmer of Clarksville, Tenn., as well as his twelve grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

He was very devoted to his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Paul served in the U.S. Army and upon his retirement, he worked as a Union Pile Driver for Local 2311, retiring in 1976.

He was a member of the Patrick Connor Moose MillMechanicsville er 2, of Avenue died Aug. Lodge and Comar Manor 12 in St. Mary’s Hospital, American Legion. He Leonardtown. enjoyed playing cards, Connor crabbing, was born Oct.and 11, fishing, 2005 in Anne Arundel Medirepairing engines of all cal Center, Md., sizes, fromAnnapolis, lawn mowers the son of James L. Miller to cars. He adored spendand Krystal Kaldenbach of ing time with “his girls”, Avenue. his grandkids, friends and Heones. is survived by two sisloved ters,The Lillianfamily and Kayla Miller, received afriends brotherSept.

Kyle Miller, his 2 from 10pa-– ternal grandparents James L. 11 a.m. in the Mattingleyand Darlene Oliver Miller of Gardiner Funeral Home, Chaptico, maternal grandparLeonardtown, followed ents, of by a Eugene funeral Kaldenbach service at 11 Harrimon, Tenn., and Debra a.m., with Fr. John MatAdams of Wintingley Kaldenbach officiating. There chester, Ky.; great-grandparwas a wake following ents Francis andafter Audrey immediately at OliSt. ver of Chaptico and Francis Xavier Cathoe a t- g r a n dHall, m o t h e rofs lic G rChurch Mary Lou Adams of Waldorf, Compton. Interment will Md. and Shirley Miller of be a private event.

Newburg, Md. Contributions may be The made family to the received Amerifriends for Connor’s Life can Heart Association, Celebration Sunday, Aug. 17 Southern Maryland Divifrom 3 – 4 p.m. in the Brinssion/Eastern Region, P.O. field Home, LeonardBox Funeral 1508, Solomons, MD town, with a funeral servicethe at 20688-1508 and/or 4American p.m. Interment was private.

Cancer Society, to the Unit, famSt. Condolences Mary’s County ily may be made at www.

P.O. Box 1032, Lexington brinsfieldfuneral.com.

Park, MD 20653-1032.

Arrangements the Arrangements by providBrinsfield Funeral Home, ed by the Mattingley-GarP.A., dinerLeonardtown.

Funeral Home, P.A.

Betty Eleanor HenMary Aleathea derson Seufert, 87 Redmond, 84

Betty Eleanor Henderson Seufert, 87, of California, formerly of Interlaken, N.Y., died Sept.

1 inMary St. Aleathea Mary’s Redmond, Nursing Center, Leonardtown.

84, of Leonardtown died Aug. Sept.Hospital.

26, 1920 16 inBorn St. Mary’s in Oneida, N.Y., Born April 18, and 1924was in the daughter she of the Mechanicsville was late the Charles ofWesley daughter ClarenceHenderLeo Evson and andGertrude Reba M. Elizabeth ans (PilkerBach Henderson. ton) Evans.

Betty graduated Aleathea graduated from from RomulusBrent Central High Margaret High School School.

Although in 1941. She worked Betty from worked in asvarious posi1961 to 1971 a secretary/retions as for a postal clerk, ceptionist St. Mary’s Col-a bookkeeper, and cooking, a dry lege.

She enjoyed cleaning business croqueting, playing owner, cards, she most and liked being gardening, sewing; oftena homemaker. wasanda making clothingShe for her gifted piano player and her daughter. enjoyed family in gatherShe is preceded death ings, crossword puzzles by husband James Franklin

Redmond, whom she marand March biographies. ried 4, 1945 at the ImBetty is survived by maculate Conception Catholic her sister Shirley Gurtler Church in Mechanicville. She ofsurvived California; grandchilis by her beloved children, Craig Gustin dren Gayle A. Hancock and and Melissa Gustin Federline her husband William of Fairand Va., her and husband fax, James Edward “Frank” and great grandchildren Redmond and his wife Wanda Eddie (Erin), Va.Krystal of Fredericksburg, She is (Brian) and Kyle well also survived by threeasgrandas many nieces, nephews children, Jeffery A. Hancock and his cousins. and wife Jennifer of FairBetty was D. preceded in fax, Va., Mark Redmond death by her husband of and his wife Tanya of Fred48 years, Va., Frank ericksburg, JasonHerman P. RedSeufert, her only child mond of Fredericksburg; and Betsy Seufert Gustin, and four great-grandchildren. her She sisters Beverly in Covert was preceded death and Gloria Yaw. by her sister Agnes Rice.

There will be afriends MeFamily received morial Service at the CalWednesday, Aug. 20 from 9:30 Congregation of –laway 10:30 a.m. in the Brinsfield Jehovah’s Witness, 20770 Funeral Home, P.A., LeonarSeth A Court, dtown.

Mass ofCallaway, Christian Sept.

5 at 10 a.m. 11 a.m., Burial was celebrated Memorial Wednesday, Aug. contribu20 at St. tions may be made to Aloysius Catholic Church, St. Mary’s Nursing CenLeonardtown, with Rev. John ter, Inc.; 21585 Interment Peabody Dakes officiating.

Street, Leonardtown, MD followed in Charles Memorial 20650; www.stmarysnursGardens, Leonardtown. ingcenter.com.

Serving, as pallbearers to Jason the wereCondolences Mark Redmond, family may be made at Redmond, Jeffery Hancock, w w w.br i nsf ieldf u neral.

Bill Hancock, Lawrence Pilkcom. and Arthur Pilkerton. erton, Arrangements

by Earl the Honorary pallbearer was Brinsfield Funeral Home, Dean.

P.A., Leonardtown.

Memorial contribution can be made to the Ridge Charles L. “Pete” Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 456, Ridge, MD 80 20680.

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

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

Louis Marshall “Junior” Thompson, Jr., 84

Charles L. “Pete” Trossbach, 80, of Dameron died Aug. 28 in his home surrounded by his loving family.

Born Feb. 21, 1928 in Dameron, he was the son of the late Louis T. and Caroline (Norris) Trossbach. He was predeceased by his wife MarLouis Marshall and “Junior” garet A. Delozier two Thompson, brothers, Jr., 84, of Avenue died Joseph Aug. 4 inTrossbach his residence. and He was born July and 20, 1924 David Trossbach his in Dynard toEstelle the lateHyde.

Louis companion Marshall and Catherine He was in the Eleaconnor Harris Thompson Sr. of struction business most He was loving hushis life, and the he enjoyed beband of Rose Thompson ing with his Lee family, playwhom he married July 26, ing bingo and going to 1942 in Sacred Heart Church, dances.

He was a member Bushwood.

He is also surof St. Michael Catholic vived

by Ridge, his children, MarChurch, Knights of garet Taylor and husband Columbus and her American George Hollywood, LegionofPost 0297, Buddy BaltiThompson more, Md.and his wife Debbie ofMr. Avenue, Benny ThompTrossbach is surson andbyhissix wifedaughters, Mary of vived Linda M. Biscoe, Joan Dominiak of Dameron, Peggy Owens of Hollywood, Md., Carol Delozier of Ridge, Kathy Wheeler of Lexington Park and Janet Marshall of California; three sons: Mike Trossbach of Dameron, Paul Trossbach of Callaway and Jim Trossbach of Caldwell, Idaho; three sisters: Carolyn A. Wood of Dameron, Mary L. Raley of Park Hall and Patricia Buckner of Australia; one brother: John E. Trossbach of Browns Mills, N.J. He also survived by 20 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

Family received friends Sept. 1 from 4 – 8 p.m. in the Brinsfield Funeral Home, Leonardtown, with prayers recited at 7 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial was offered Sept. 2 at 11 a.m. in St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Ridge.

Monsignor Maurice O’Connell, pastor of the church, was the celebrant.

Interment followed in the church cemetery. Serving

Morganza, Donnie Thompson as pallbearers were his and his wife Debbie of Megrandsons, Dan and Tim chanicsville and Rose Mary Biscoe,andMichael, Bruce, George her husband John Andy, Charles, Peter of Avenue; 16 grandchildren, Trossbach, Leroy Owens, 44 great-grandchildren, two Jay and Chris step-grandchildren Wheeler. and his Gift bearers wereLacey grandsisters Mary Ozella of daughters Jennifer Abell, Gertrude Osborne Olof sen, Stacey King George, Owens, Va. and Jamie Susan Lachkovic, Jessica WheelVallandingham of Bushwood. er and Becky Lacey.

AlHe was preceded in death tar server was Samantha by one great-grandchild and Marshall. his sisters Catherine Hall and Memorial ContribuLouise Bryant. tions may be made to A lifelong resident of St. the Ridge Volunteer ResMary’s County, Junior was Squad, P.O. waterman.

Box 456, acueself-employed Ridge, MD 20680 While enlisted in the U.S. Condolences Army from Oct. 19, to 1944the to family may be made at Nov. 19, 1945, he served as w w w.br i nsf ieldf u neral. a rifleman, a light machine com. and a cook. gunner Arrangements by the the He belonged to Brinsfield Funeral Home, Knights of Columbus and enP.A., playing Leonardtown. joyed cards and being with his family and his two Agnes “Lucille” special buddies Maynard and Ringo. Wood, 80 The family received friends in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home Thursday, Aug. 7 from 5 – 8 p.m. with prayers being said at 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Friday, Aug. 8 at 9:30 a.m. in Holy Angels Catholic Church, Avenue, with Fr. William Gurnee officiating.

Interment followed in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Bushwood.

Pallbearers were Johnny George, Jereme George, Tina Fay Ferguson, Dave Hodges, Matthew Thompson and Donnie Thompson. Honorary pallbearers grandAgnes were his “Lucille” children, nieces nephews.

Wood, 80, ofand MechanicContributions mayin St. be sville died Aug. 28 made to Hospital.

Holy Angels Sacred Mary’s HeartBorn School, 2133516, Colton’s April 1928 Point Road, Avenue, in Loveville, she wasMD the 20609, Seventh District daughter of the late VolJounteer Rescue Squad, P.O. seph Gervase and Mary Box 7, Avenue, 20609 Agnes NelsonMDThompand/or Hospice St. Mary’s, son. She wasof the loving P.O. Leonardtown, wifeBox of 625, the late William MD 20650. Sr. who preS. Wood, Arrangements ceded her in deathprovided Oct. 1, by the inMattingley-Gardiner 1998 Mechanicsville.

Funeral P.A. by her She isHome, survived sons William S. Wood, Jr. and Richard C. Wood both of Evelyn Mechanicsville Tillotson and Gerald Woods, L. Wood86of Atlanta, Ga.; siblings: Leonard Thompson of Loveville Evelyn Tillotson Woods, and Dolly Latham Chap86, of California diedofAug. 14 tico; seven grandchildren in St. Mary’s Nursing Center, and one great grandchild.

Leonardtown.

SheBorn wasDec. also18,preceded 1921 in in death by LeMoyne, Pa., her she siblings: was the Albert Thompson, Marie daughter of the late George C. Thompson, Mary Alice Tillotson and Eva (DowhowThompson, Rose Thomper) Tillotson. Evelyn was an son, Joseph G. Thompson, avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan.

Jr. and JuneisThompson.

Evelyn survived by was a Christine lifelong her Lucille daughters, St. Mary’s County resiW. Moore of Chesapeake dent where she graduatBeach, Md. and Deborah from Margaret Brent J.ed Standish of California, High School’s Class of four grandchildren, and four 1945.

She was a printing great-grandchildren. specialist for are theprivate. federal All services government at Naval Air Condolences to the famStation Patuxent River for ily may be made at www.

36 years until her retirebrinsfieldfuneral.com. ment in 1982. Thebyfamily Arrangements the received Brinsfield friends Funeral Sept.

Home,2 fromLeonardtown.

5 – 8 p.m. in the MatP.A., tingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, where Prayers were said at 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Sept. 3 at 10 a.m. in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Mechanicsville, with Fr. Peter Alliata officiating. Interment followed in Queen of Peace Cemetery, Helen. Pallbearers were Lenny Thompson, David Thompson, Jimmy Latham, Wayne Wood, Lenny Wood and Dale Wood. Honorary Pallbearers were Brittany Wood, Kayla Wood and Lindsay Wood.

Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A.

To Place a Memorial Ad Please Call The County Times at To Place a 301-373-4125 Memorial Call 301373-4125

The County Times

Section A -

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Thinking Pink Local Salon to Host Charity Cut-A-Thon Andrea Shiell Staff Writer When Jackie Buckler sat down at the back of her shop, the Hair Company in Leonardtown, the whir of hairdryers could be heard around her, the smell of scalp treatments permeated the air, and the warm glow of the stylists’ lamps softened the atmosphere of the salon where rich reds and golds adorned the walls.

The same warmth came through in Buckler’s smile. But beauty was not the topic of conversation; instead, the topic was breast cancer.

Worldwide, breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer (lung cancer is still ranked at the top), and it is the most common type of cancer found in women.

In the United States, 2007 statistics show that nearly 42,000 women died from breast cancer, accounting for 7 percent of cancer deaths, and 2 percent of overall deaths that year. The World Health Organization estimates that over 1.2 mil-

lion women worldwide will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, and statistics also show that breast cancer is the “most feared” disease among women, even more so than heart disease, the number one killer in the United States.

As Buckler explained her plans for this year’s second annual “Think Pink” Cut-A-Thon & Silent Auction to benefit breast cancer research, she also explained that she and her staff had been looking for a cause that would be relevant to their own clients. She said her business had been in town for 10 years, enjoying its current location on Washington Street for four years, and in that time she had met hundreds, if not thousands, of clients and employees whose lives had been affected by breast cancer.

“We wanted to find a cause that affects more of us, because most of our clients are women,” Buckler said. “It’s always someone who’s either had breast cancer or had relatives with it; so it affects our clientele.”

The disease has also affected BuckPhoto by Jackie Bukler

Stylist Natasha Viernes at last year’s Cut-A-Thon.

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ler’s employees.

“I have two aunts that had it, so that was my stem for the cause,” said Amber Shumaker, one of the stylists in the salon.

This year, Oct. 19, when the salon would normally be closed, The Hair Company will host a cut-a-thon to raise money for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Services will include haircuts, bare minerals makeovers, mini facial peels, mini manicures and pedicures, facial waxing, deep treatments, and face painting for the children.

Buckler said she and her staff had also been working with other local businesses to arrange for items for this year’s silent auction, and they will also offer door prizes at the event. Buckler’s staff will work for free that day, and even donate their tips to the foundation as well.

“We won’t be making any profit,” Buckler explained, adding that the absence of services like updos and hair coloring was due to time constraints. “No coloring, it’s too involved. We want to get as many people in as possible,” she said.

Those that cannot get an appointment, or make it to the salon for a walk-in service can still donate money to the cause.

“We are going to set it up to where people can make online donations,” Buckler said.

Last year’s cut-a-thon raised $3,500, but Buckler hopes to do more this year.

“We’d like to double last year if we could,” she said, “but getting five or six thousand would be huge.”

Buckler and her staff members said last year’s event was such a great success that they wanted to host the event every year and see it grow. They said much of that day has already been booked, but they will accept walk-ins and there are many slots still open. The shop will open its doors at 10 am, and close at 4 pm. They expect close to 99 percent of their staff, which consists of 17 stylists and one nail tech, among others, to be in attendance that day for the event.

“They’ll definitely be well taken care of,” stylist Brittany Powell said.

“We’re just trying to build each year,” Shumaker said.

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