THURSDAY
January 15, 2009
Annapolis Power Brokers? Story Page 7
Photo by Frank Markquart
PAGE 25
Police Honor Their Own
A Lifetime of Service
Martinez Funeral Procession Draws More Than 60 Police Vehicles
Johnson Honored For 50 Years Of Service To Hollywood VFD.
PAGE 9
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The County Times
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Weekly Poll
RESULTS
With County, State, and Federal Governments all concerned about having enough money to fund programs, do you think government should curtail using tax dollars to purchase more land until the economy improves?
Yes
12%
No 33%
54%
Not Familiar Prices Effective January 16 - January 22 2009
Do you think businesses and other organizations should be permitted to use flashing electronic signs along roadways in St. Mary’s?
Yes 12%
Only Major Highways
29%
58%
No Do you think the Chesapeake Charter School should be given taxpayer dollars to expand from their current grades 1 through 5 to include grades 6, 7, and 8 next year?
Yes
No
16% 25%
58%
Not Familiar
Inside
The County Times
Thursday, January 15, 2009
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Games Recreation and Parks Basketball Hockey The Bleachers St. Mary’s College
St. Mary’s College P H of CMaryland THE
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ONORS
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at Historic St. Mary’s City St. Mary’s College of Maryland
You’re Invited to a Community Open Houseatand Exhibit St.WHEN: Historic Mary’s City On Options for Increased Safety at SMCM route 5 Wed., Jan. 21, 2009 You’re Invited to a Community Open House and Exhibit From 12-2WHEN: p.m. and 4-7 p.m. Pedestrian Crossing
On Options for Increased Safety at SMCM route 5 Wed., Jan. 21, 2009 From 12-2 p.m. and 4-7 p.m. Pedestrian Crossing WHERE: The Capital Design Advisory Committee (CDA)
Of St. Mary’s College of Maryland (SMCM) The Capital Design Advisory Committee (CDA) Of St. Mary’s College of Maryland (SMCM) And AndCity (HSMC) Historic St. Mary’s Online Historic St. Mary’s City (HSMC) Call Or Go Invites Concerned Community Members Invites Concerned Community Members
St. Mary’s College of Maryland’s Glendening Hall, Room 191
WHERE:
WHY:
St. Mary’s College of Maryland’s Glendening Hall, Room 191
WHY: interested community members to visit The CDA encourages Thealternatives CDA encourages interestedtocommunity members to visit an exhibit of in addition the proposed pedestrian an exhibit of alternatives in addition to the proposed pedestrian footbridge over Route 5 on the SMCM campus. footbridge over Route 5 on the SMCM campus. Talk directly with SMCM and HSMC staff staff members about Talk directly with SMCM and HSMC members about Take the opportunity to submit feedback via e-mail or response card. Feedback will be reviewed by Take the opportunity to submit feedback via e-mail or response card. Feedback will be reviewed by options under review in response to community concern over options under review in response to community concern overthe the the CDA and presented to the SMCM Board of Trustees Building and Grounds Committee. the CDA and presented to the SMCM Board of Trustees Building and Grounds Committee. 301-373-4125 original footbridge proposal. original footbridge proposal.
Today To Subscribe!
information on the CDA, visit http://smcm.edu/cda/ onFor themore CDA, visit http://smcm.edu/cda/ www.countytimes.netFor more information Or call 240-895-4412 Or call 240-895-4412
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The County Times
Thursday, January 15, 2009
ews New Mcdonald’s Planned For Laurel Glen Shopping Center The St. Mary’s County Planning Commission approved a concept site plan for a new McDonald’s fast food restaurant at their Jan. 12 meeting for the Laurel Glen shopping center. The restaurant would be built in a planned unit development on a little less than one acre of land. The restaurant itself encompasses 3,900 square feet of space. The approval of the conceptual plan passed with a 5-to-0 vote of planning commission members.
Marina, Boat Repair Shop Slated For Mechanicsville The St. Mary’s County Planning Commission proved a concept site plan Monday night for a marina a boat repair shop to be located on Holly Lane in Mechanicsville. The site is slated to be built on 37 acres and will be named the Cape St. Mary’s Marina. The approval for the site plan passed unanimously among commission members.
Businesses Must Wait For Decision On Digital Sign Ordinance By Guy Leonard Staff Writer The St. Mary’s County Planning Commission held off deciding on a change in zoning ordinance Monday night that would have allowed businesses to put up digital signs with standard signage along the roadways. The commissioners seemed to be of diverse opinions on the proposition that has slowly made its way through county government for several months now. “We’re clearly divided on the issue,” said commission member Shelby Guazzo after about half-an-hour of deliberation. “We’ve got some who say ‘no,’ others who say a mild ‘yes,’” and others who wanted to allow it outright. “It’s a work in progress and I can’t make a decision on it, not tonight.” At issue were possible safety concerns that a sudden increase in digital signs might distract motorists and cause accidents on county highways. Brandon Hayden, commission member, said however that the digital signage could be used to consolidate advertising used by shops along the highway — particularly liquor stores — like banners. Hayden said the advanced technology could help local businesses now that it had apparently become more affordable. He was the lone vote against tabling the ordinance change in favor of more study on the issue. “The technology is becoming more affordable to businesses and we need to find a way to make that available,” Hayden said. “It could clean up a lot of banner noise in town centers.” Commission chairman Steve Reeves proposed
Start the New Year off in Fabuless Fashions from
that the ordinance be rewritten to restrict the allocation of digital signs to smaller shopping centers at intersections with less traffic to see how safety concerns there panned out. But Reeves’ proposal failed in favor of simply tabling the motion. Reeves commented about a digital sign already in use in Mechanicsville at a well-known pharmacy that showed more than the time of day and temperature as allowed under current zoning law. Reeves’ comment revealed that businesses may be moving ahead with their advertising plans without first seeking permits. “I don’t think we can limit them,” said commission member Martin Seibert. “They’ll be here eventually.” Department of Land Use and Growth Management staff said that there were conflicting studies done around the nation showing digital signs had a negative impact on traffic safety in some cases, while having no negative impact in others. Both Guazzo and commission member Susan McNeil argued that digital signs, while allowed to flourish in many larger jurisdictions like Baltimore and Anne Arundel counties, were now being reined in by those same counties. “They’re alarmed at them and they’re in a retraction mode,” Guazzo said. “I’m not in a pioneer mood to disturb St. Mary’s County from the way it is.” The commission is expected to take up the digital sign ordinance issue again in a month’s time.
County Will Train Citizens For Disaster Response By Guy Leonard Staff Writer
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The county planning commission held off approval of a text amendment to zoning law that would have permitted businesses county-wide to use digital signs Monday. Photo By Guy Leonard
For the first time in St. Mary’s County, ordinary citizens will be able to get training to become part of a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) that will aid first responders in the event of a major natural disaster. The training is open to 15 county residents starting March 21 and ending the next day, said Jaclyn Shaw, program coordinator with the county’s Department of Public Safety. In the event of a disaster like Hurricane Katrina or the tornado that devastated La Plata several years ago, first responders from volunteer rescue squads and fire companies may be too taxed to respond to every area of a county, Shaw told The County Times. That means citizens need to be prepared to take care of themselves for up to three days until more help can arrive. While CERT members aren’t given the same level of training that first responders are, Shaw said, the skills they attain for themselves and can pass on to others are invaluable. “It’s a great way for people who still want to get involved,” Shaw said. “There may be times when first responders can’t get there for a while. “We’re teaching them to be self-sufficient.” The trainees will spend two days learning the skills they need, Shaw said, and all necessary materials and equipment will be
provided free of charge. Instructors will be 15 qualified CERT trainers who received their skills back in October, Shaw said. Trainees will receive a helmet, gloves, flashlight, goggles and a bright green identification vest to distinguish them during disaster relief efforts. Trainees will also learn how to stock provisions and water, disaster preparedness, basic first-aid and light search and rescue. “We won’t train them to go into burning buildings, but we will train them for situations like finding a lost child in the woods,” Shaw said. County Commissioner Thomas A. Mattingly (D-Leonardtown), who is also a volunteer firefighter, said CERT training would also help insure that the public will know what information emergency responders need to know and what problems can wait until later. “It gives people an idea of what they need to do, but also what not to do,” Mattingly said. “It helps the overall response.” For the first training session, Shaw said, the aim is to get volunteers trained in more densely populated neighborhoods and then as the program grows, get volunteers trained in more isolated areas of the county like St. Inigoes and Ridge. The more trainees in communities, Shaw said, the more people there were to spread their knowledge. “At the end of the program … there’s someone else in the community who has the same information and training,” Shaw said. “This is a great way to volunteer your time.”
Thursday, January 15, 2009
The County Times
ews Today’s Newsmakers In Brief Should The County Allow Digital Signs For Business? I’m not in a pioneer mode to disturb St. Mary’s County from the way it is now.
It caught my attention [a digital sign in Charlotte Hall] but it didn’t make a great impression on me.
-Planning Commission member Shelby Guazzo
-Planning Commission Chairman Steve Reeves
Off-Signs
Commissioners Pass Realty Sign Amendment To Planning Commission By Guy Leonard Staff Writer The St. Mary’s Board of County Commissioners approved a proposed text amendment that would allow home sellers and realtors to post for-sale signs on land other than what is for sale to increase the advertising power of the property. Local realtors and the commissioners agreed that the entire sign ordinance section of county code needs to be updated, especially in light of a planning commission decision to delay approval of a text amendment that would allow digital signs for businesses, but realtors said the extra advertising was needed to move nearly 1,000 homes near foreclosure to sale. “There are people out there who need help now… whose credit will be ruined,” said Paula
Martino, president of the Southern Maryland Association of Realtors. “We want an ordinance that’s equitable to the business community and the citizens of St. Mary’s County.” Commissioner President Francis Jack Russell (D-St. George’s Island) was the lone vote against moving the text amendment to the planning commission. He said that the county government along with stakeholders should come together for a comprehensive review of the entire sign ordinance chapter in county zoning law “to make sure we do it right.” “We ought to step back… and get everybody involved,” Russell said. Under current county law advertising for real estate must be placed on the property for sale, whereas the proposed amendment would allow up to three signs on another piece of
property, given permission by the owner, to advertise the for-sale property. Russell said with nearly 1,000 homes that needed to be sold, that could mean a proliferation of almost 3,000 signs throughout the county. Department of Land Use and Growth Management staff agreed with Russell and advised against passing the ordinance for the same reason. Alan Hewitt, a licensed realtor and association member, said time was of the essence in this tough housing market. “Anything we can do to help sell that home
is real and valuable to that homeowner,” Hewitt said. “This is real in our county; this is real in our community. “People are losing their homes [to foreclosure.]” Commissioner Lawrence Jarboe (R-Golden Beach) said that the county’s sign ordinance chapter was “flawed.” “It needs to be a package deal brought forward for our review,” Jarboe said. “Homes are for sale, and prices are reasonable. “There’s no better time to invest in a home.”
Some Question Meiser Appointment To MetCom Top Slot By Guy Leonard Staff Writer
By a unanimous decision of board members Jan. 8, Jacquelyn Meiser, currently the lead counsel for the St. Mary’s Metropolitan Commission, which provides water and sewer to the entire county, has been selected to take over the directorship of the organization after it’s current Director Steven L. King retires in late February. While Meiser’s appointment has been lauded by some, others are less sure and some have even criticized the move. Linda Vallandingham, a civic activist in California, said that Meiser would be open to questions of conflicts of interest since she will lead the organization, stay on as its legal counsel and maintain her own law firm, which has engaged her in planning and zoning cases. “How can you handle both jobs?” Vallandingham told The County Times. “That sends up a red flag for me. “I think people in the community should have concerns about it.” But a former MetCom board member and local realtor Tim Wood said that Meiser was highly knowledgeable and experienced. “She was very effective and very knowledgeable from legal and engineering and technical aspects,” Wood remembered of Meiser, who has served as counsel there since 2002. “She was very effective on technical matters.” Meiser said she has avoided representing client that “in doing so would’ve constituted a conflict of in-
terest with respect to representing MetCom.” “I’ve had to make sure I haven’t had a conflict of interest since 2002,” Meiser said. Meiser has a degree from the University of Maryland in finance and began work for the commission in 1991 Meiser, legal counas a grant admin- Jacquelyn sel for MetCom, has recently istrator. She later been appointed by the comobtained a law de- mission’s board to head the gree from the Uni- organization. versity of Baltimore School of Law in 1996, practiced environmental law and returned to St. Mary’s to work for another firm. She opened her own practice in 2001, according to information from MetCom. Joseph B. Bush, chairman of the St. Mary’s County Ethics Commission, said that Meiser had asked the commission to make an advisory position on whether her directorship would be a conflict of interest but the published opinion would not be available until perhaps the last week of January or early February. “We haven’t completed the opinion,” Bush told The County Times Wednesday. “We didn’t find anything that would deter her from accepting the position but we didn’t say there was no conflict of interest.”
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The County Times
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Geocache Trail Leads To Leonardtown
What do you get when you cross a scavenger hunt with a global positioning system (GPS), and “The Amazing Race” reality show? Why, it’s geocaching of course! The basic idea of geocaching is to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, outdoors and then share your experiences online. Geocaching is enjoyed by people from all age groups, with a strong sense of community and support for the environment. Maryland is the first state to launch a geocache trail, uniting 78 cities/towns across the state including Leonardtown. A “geocache trail” is a series of geocaches that are tied together by a common theme. The theme of the Maryland Municipal League Geocache Trail is “Celebrating Maryland’s Cities and Towns.” The launch comes at just the right time with Maryland, and especially St. Mary’s County, celebrating its 375th birthday in 2009! “MML is proud to be the first association of cities and towns in the country to establish a statewide municipal geocache trail. Maryland municipalities are the heart of local government and are worth the effort to visit,” said Scott Hancock, Executive Director, Maryland Municipal League. In order to participate in this relatively new, high-tech sport, you need a hand-held global positioning system (GPS), or you can add a GPS component to a Palm device. You will then need to go to www.geocaching.com and go to the MML account. Once here, you can download or manu-
ally enter the map coordinates for each cache on the Maryland Municipal Geo Trail. Once you have the coordinates entered into your GPS, you can use your GPS to find the cache. More often than not, “cachers” will need to use their problem solving skills as well as their directional abilities by solving puzzles that will lead them to the location of the cache. Once the cache is found, geocachers may take a trinket from the container, but geocaching etiquette requests that if you take something, then you leave something behind. The MML has added an incentive to seek caches listed on their trail. The first 500 geocachers to locate at least 2 caches from all 11 municipal districts in Maryland will receive a collectible geo coin. In order to verify that the caches have been found, participants must pick up a passport at any of the designated county visitor centers. They then must use the stamp in the cache on their passports and write the cache code word (also found in the container) through the stamp. After the 22 caches (2 from each of the 11
districts) have been found, passports can be re- mon, Events Coordinaturned to any county visitor center to be validated, tor, Commissioners of and receive their highly coveted collectible coin Leonardtown. (if one of the first 500 to be validated). The Maryland Municipal League Geocache Trail is just another wonderful reason to travel our great state looking for adventure. “The response has been great! The geocache project is doing exactly what it was designed to do—attract visitors to Maryland cities and towns! Many of them have reported seeing heavy geocacher traffic over New Year’s weekend,” affirmed Linda Burrell, Manager, Member Relations and Education, Maryland Municipal League. Geocaching is a great activity for all ages. With five caches right here in SouthLeonardtown Mayor J. Harry Norris presents a collectible MML Geocache ern Maryland, Trail coin to “ First To Find” Leonardtown’s cache couple, Donna and Eric and even one in Wilcox. Donna and Eric, cache codename “That 70’s Couple”, began L e o n a rdt ow n , caching in December and have already found 22 of the 78 cache’s on the it is an easy, fun MML Trail qualifying them for a coin but more importantly have enjoyed visiting and learning about Maryland towns. way to get started and learn something about our local heri- Picture to left: tage. So, grab your GPS, Local cacher, Terri Doughty, and her 3 year old granddaughter, Lilly, go online, and “cache away!” share the Leonardtown cache treasures with a group that “found” the Written by: Julie Lem- cache at Monday’s Kick Off of the Maryland Municipal Geocache Trail celebration.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
un Fact
The County Times
The fastest human swimmer can swim at 6 miles per hour. The fastest mammal - the dolphin - can swim up to 35 miles per hour.
JOHN L. BOHANAN, JR.
Democrat, District 29B, St. Mary’s County. First elected to the House of Delegates in 2002. Member of the House since 1999: appointed and sworn in December 16, 1999. Member, Appropriations Committee (Member, Capital Budget Subcommittee; Chair, Education and Economic Development Subcommittee; Member, Oversight Committee on Pensions, Oversight Committee on Personnel). House Chair, Spending Affordability Committee. Chair, St. Mary’s County Delegation. Born in Leonardtown, Maryland, September 12, 1958. Towson State University, B.S., Finance, 1981. Senior Advisor to Congressman Steny H. Hoyer, 1993–. Project Analyst and Operations Manager, SFA, Inc., 1991–93. Senior Staff, Tractor Applied Sciences, Inc., 1987–91. Legislative Assistant to Congressman Roy P. Dyson, 1981–87. Married, three children.
ANTHONY J. O’DONNELL
Republican, District 29C, Calvert and St. Mary’s Counties. First elected to the House of Delegates in 1994. Member of the House since 1995. Minority Leader. Member, Environmental Matters Committee (Environment Subcommittee; Local Government and Bi-County Agencies Subcommittee, Natural Resources Subcommittee). Rules and Executive Nominations Committee, Legislative Policy Committee (Management Subcommittee); Spending Affordability Committee. Born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, March 7, 1961. Middletown Area High School, 1979; State University of New York, B.S., 1985. Former Supervisor, BG&E Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant. U.S. Navy, 1979–87; Good Conduct and Sea Service Awards. Married; 3 children
JOHN F. WOOD, JR.
Democrat, District 29A, St. Mary’s and Charles Counties. First elected to the House of Delegates in 1986. Member of the House since 1987. Member, Appropriations Committee (Public Safety and Administration Subcommittee, Oversight Committee on Personnel). Born in Leonardtown, Maryland, January 13, 1936. Charlotte Hall Military Academy. Maryland National Guard, Sergeant, 1952-60. Businessman. Life and Health Insurance Agent. Married; 9 children.
Economy Marylanders Worried About Economy BALTIMORE (AP) _ More than half of Marylanders surveyed believe the economy is the most important issue facing the state, according to a poll released Tuesday. Gonzales Research and Marketing Strategies’ survey, conducted Jan. 5 through 9, showed that 61 percent of voters polled cited the economy as the state’s most important issue, nearly 20 points higher than a September poll. Politicians in Annapolis need not ``spend much time convincing voters of the budget difficulties they face,’’ the pollster said. Seventy-four percent of voters saw budget issues as a ``very big problem’’; only one percent view them as ``not a problem at all.’’ Maryland residents’ confidence in the economy rebounding is uncertain, with only nine percent ``very confident’’ that it will return to the level before the recession. Forty-seven percent are somewhat confi-
dent in a rebound. The survey showed 65 per cent of Democrats have some confidence in a recovery; 58 percent of Republicans are pessimistic about a rebound. On other issues, the poll showed that 49 percent of Maryland voters approve of the job Democratic Gov. Martin O’Malley is doing, which is an increase of four points. Thirty-seven percent disapprove of the job the governor is doing, up two points. Concerning the death penalty, 53 percent of those surveyed favored it in Maryland; 41 percent oppose it and six percent gave no response. Eighty percent of residents approve of the way President-elect Barack Obama is dealing with his transition. The survey interviewed 842 registered voters in Maryland by telephone. The polls has a margin of error of 3.5 percentage points.
O’Malley Unveils Smart Growth Proposals
ANNAPOLIS (AP) _ Gov. Martin O’Malley says his administration wants to strengthen Smart Growth initiatives begun under former governor Parris Glendening to curb sprawl and protect the Chesapeake Bay. He said Monday he would propose six bills during the upcoming legislative session designed to manage growth and preserve farmland. One bill would end the authority of lo-
cal governments to ignore their planning maps when approving developments. The administration, however, is not proposing restrictions on development. Under another bill, fishermen would be required to lease sites in the bay for oyster harvests. Harvesting would not be allowed in areas not available for lease. Other legislation would reauthorize a tax credit for rehabilitating historic properties.
State
around the
County Delegation Leverages Power Despite Differences
By Guy Leonard Staff Writer
When you look at the three of them, they couldn’t be more different. The delegation that represents St. Mary’s County in the state legislature and a portion of Southern Maryland as a whole covers just about every portion of the political spectrum. Del. John F. Wood (Dist. 29A) is the elder statesman with 23 years in the legislature. A more conservative Democrat, an increasingly rare creature in Annapolis, he’s willing to compromise on issues but will hold firm on others, like opposing increases in taxes. Del. John L. Bohanan (Dist.29B) is a more liberal Democrat who believes that sometimes higher taxes are necessary to cover the increasing costs of services that government must deal with. And Del. Anthony O’Donnell (Dist.29C) is a conservative Republican who is often at odds with the Gov. Martin O’ Malley’s (D) administration, especially on fiscal issues. But the one thing that all three said they agreed upon was that they all had to come together when it came to bringing home the funding and resources needed in St. Mary’s and Southern Maryland. “If it involves the region there are no party lines,” Bohanan told The County Times. “We’re one of the fastest growing regions in the state and it’s crucial to make sure we get the kind of investments we need for infrastructure to keep up with growth.” Aside from bringing home funding for education, school construction and roads, Bohanan said, the county delegation also jealously looks out for the Patuxent River Naval Air Station and the Webster Field annex as key to the local economy. As far as the region goes, Bohanan said they also look after the interests of the facility at Indian Head. O’Donnell said that to get what St. Mary’s County wants, especially when economic times are getting tougher and much larger delegations from Prince George’s and Montgomery counties can dominate, the smaller group has to use its power wisely. “We’re well respected,” O’Donnell said, pointing to his own position as House Minority Leader as well as Wood’s and Bohanan’s key positions on the Appropriations Committee in Annapolis. As the leader of 36 house members, O’Donnell said, “there comes a certain amount of respect” and of his colleague Wood he said: “When he talks people listen.” But O’Donnell said that on state wide issues, like last year’s hike of the sales tax to try and eliminate more than $1 billion in budget shortfalls, the delegation had to split. Bohanan voted to increase the taxes, and took subsequent heat for it from the business community, while Wood and Bohanan voted against it. “We’re taxed out,” the Calvert County Republican said. “We need to reign in the rate of growth of government spending.” Wood said that it was a common misconception that businesses had the money to pay more in taxes. “I look at it this way, businesses have been hit so much… once you pay your bills there’s just a tiny piece left,” Wood said.
“What happens in most cases is that cost is passed on [to the consumer]. “It’s almost like a double taxation.” Taxes aren’t the only thing the county delegation has disagreed on. When a state funded transportation study was released last year detailing the Thomas Johnson Bridge, Waldorf bypass and an upgrade to Route 301 as top transit priorities, both Wood and O’Donnell said it was a waste of money to the tune of $200,000. The priorities had long been known by officials and the study more like it was designed to benefit the contractors and officials who completed and approved it, Wood had said. Bohanan disagreed, saying that the study “further refines and sharpens the argument of our need for resources.” Bohanan said that with projects like the Purple Line extension for Metro service on the horizon as well as the Inter County Connector from Prince George’s to Montgomery counties, funding could get very short for priority projects here. Wood said that aside from fighting for the county’s portion of the funding pie in Annapolis the delegation must still deal with partisan rivalries between the two parties, which, he said, have grown since he first got to the legislature in 1987. “Back then it didn’t make a difference if you were a Democrat or a Republican,” Wood said. “The whole legislature was more conservative than it is today.” Wood said that delegates who he considered as moderates were in short supply. “The ones that are in the middle of the road you can’t count on both hands,” Wood said. “There’s no sitting down and working out a compromise anymore. “That’s not good for the people or the state.” But the three delegates try to keep partisanship to a minimum when it comes to local issues, Wood said. Cooperation “has to be the watchword,” he said. Looking ahead to this year’s session, where money will be on everyone’s mind, O’Donnell said that he would oppose a possible move by the state to push responsibility for teacher pensions onto local jurisdictions. It’s a move that would be too costly for counties, O’Donnell said. “That will hurt local county commissioners,” O’Donnell said. “We have to make sure that doesn’t happen.” And O’Donnell is equally fearful that the state will try to centralize control over local land use authority, as are county elected officials here. “The one-size-fits-all approach is a bad idea and it jeopardizes private property rights,” O’Donnell said. Bohanan said that he favors solving the teacher pension issue through more budget cuts and adjustments without further raising taxes. Wood said that the budget will be the big issue this year in Annapolis as the state continues to reel under a faltering national economy. “The biggest thing looking us in the face right now is a $400 million deficit,” Wood said, adding that next year’s budget could point to a near $2 billion deficit.
The County Times
Thursday, January 15, 2009
To Our Readers,
As we enter our third year publishing The County Times, St. Mary’s County’s only independent and locally owned newspaper, we are proud to have become your reliable news source for local happenings. As St. Mary’s County continues to expand and diversify, we too are taking the next step in keeping pace with the changing times of our busy lifestyles. In our effort to provide readers with the most informative and aesthetically soothing newspaper possible, The County Times is enthusiastically unveiling our new design with this week’s issue. By focusing on the information that our readers want and enjoy, and on what’s missing in current publications in the marketplace, we have created a whole new concept, with new ideas, new topics, and a new look. What you will find here are things that can’t be found anywhere else. You will find the new County Times has more information, in smaller bites, organized in a clear and consistent manner throughout the newspaper. Our goal is to not only bring more information to our readers they can’t get elsewhere, but also we’ve designed a product that will address your busy lifestyles by giving more information and shorter stories, quicker reads. You will notice that news topics are more segmented, so you can quickly find the topics you’re interested in. And once you start reading a story, it will end on that page, so you won’t have to turn and hunt for another page to finish reading the story. We’ve categorized the paper so that readers can quickly identify their points
of interest, rather than having to f lip through pages and pages of newspaper to find what they are interested in. In addition we’ve also re-sized it, so if you’re sitting at the breakfast table or lunch table, where a lot of people enjoy reading, it’s a lot easier to handle this size of newspaper. It’s also easier to carry around with you, or roll up and whack the dog with. We’ve added more color, more topics, and we’re expanding our coverage with additional staff, all designed to enhance your enjoyment reading a local weekly community publication – and we hope this new design and layout will do just that. Our new sections and pages include: money page, state news page, town news page, lifestyle page, real estate, parks and recreation, history and more. We at The County Times hope that you find our new publication to be the same newspaper you’ve come to trust as a reliable news source, and we want to continue to earn that trust, in a way that enhances your enjoyment. We would appreciate your comments coming back to us about the new product, and how we can improve further. Drop us an email at info@countytimes.net. Therefore, we hope you will stay on board and grow with us, as we continue to be the independent, consistent and reliable news source you’ve come to know and trust. - The staff at The County Times info@countytimes.net 301 373-4125
Editorial
Md.’s Legislature Is Back In Session; At Risk, Your Money And Your Property Rights
It is only 90 days each year, but once it starts it seems to last 6 months. The Maryland General Assembly begun its 426th session on Wednesday, and some 2,000 new laws will be considered once again this year. Maryland’s Legislature has a record of being one of the most liberal state legislatures in the nation. Though it remains a noble deliberative body, with only a handful of public scandals going on at any one time, it is certainly fair to say that the majority of those serving believe government, their government, can take better care of people than they can for themselves. Each year several topics rise to the level of having greater impact on people’s lives than others, although often there are sleeping giants, proposed laws that get little attention however once passed have greater or different impacts than what was originally thought. This year there are many topics which concern us, with money and property rights rising to the top. It is inherently unfair for state and local elected officials to blame the economy for the fiscal problems they have today. While families have been managing their households for the past five years with just modest increases in income each year, about 3%, state and local governments have been enjoying revenue increases twice and three times that amount during this time. Additionally, families that have been managing with just 3% more each year have been using more of their income to pay for these double digit increases in government revenues. The minority voices have been constantly warning these elected leaders, yet few would listen. The long standing principle which these wise men and women ignored goes all the way back to 551 B.C. and a Chinese teacher and philosopher, Confucius who said: “When prosperity comes, do not use all of it”. Two years ago when Maryland’s economy was still expanding at an unprecedented rate, not only was Governor O’Malley and the legislature “using all of it”, O’Malley called a special legislative session, asked for and received the largest tax increase in the history of Maryland. And so the spending spree continued. Now, with the easy money from a hot economy dried up, these same leaders want you to believe
that your government is broke because of the economy. If you consider Maryland broke, you can’t blame the economy, but rather credit the economy for flushing out poor fiscal management. If these are not leaders we can count on in good times, what should we expect in weaker times? In the flurry of their own mismanagement, O’Malley and the spend, spend, spend legislature will propose a wide assortment of “fee increases”, most of which they hope you won’t see the immediate direct impact of. Additionally, they will propose to place more burden on local governments by reducing the amount of state tax dollars sent to county governments. Since county governments have actually been enjoying revenue increases over the past five years at twice the rate of increase as state government, this would certainly make some sense, but don’t mandate spending programs on county government without passing on the dollars. Of most concern to us is the larger fiscal influx the Governor and Legislature will seek. Since reelections are now less than two years away there is little political will to directly increase your taxes again, so these leaders are attempting to place the burden upon your children. The Governor and Legislature are asking U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski and Congressman Steny Hoyer to usher in a federal government “bailout” for Maryland. How appropriate, bail out everyone who has mismanaged their businesses, and now those who have mismanaged their states by taking the nation deeper and deeper into debt, a debt that will be shouldered by our children. In an interview with The County Times while campaigning for re-election last fall, Hoyer spoke extensively about his opposition to government not having a balanced budget, his belief that government should only spend within its means, and his support of Obama for President in hopes of once again balancing the federal budget. Hoyer spoke directly about his opposition to deficit spending and the negative impact it would have on our children. The point to always remember, it doesn’t matter which branch of government the money comes from, it all comes from you the taxpayer, and you the taxpayer, and your children are no better off in this economy than your government. You are living within your means, they should too. More about property rights later.
Perfect Time to Invest in Your Vehicle With gas prices at a four-year low, now is the perfect time to invest that savings into preventative maintenance and repairs to extend the life of your vehicle. According to recently released statistics from the Energy Information Administration, the average retail price for gasoline dropped to $1.684 a gallon, the lowest price since February 2004. Gas prices are down more than 55% from the $4.11 mid-July peak. Because most analysts are predicting oil and gas price increases in the spring, this is the opportune time to invest those short-term gas-pump savings into a long-term vehicle investment. Keeping your vehicle in safe working order makes financial sense,
adding years of reliable life and saving the cost of new car payments and higher insurance rates. In fact, over a four-year period, the cost difference between keeping a car and buying a new one is nearly $10,894, according to Runzheimer International. To help you drive smart and save money, check out our popular Car Care Guide at www.carcare. org. Sincerely, Rich White Executive Director Car Care Council Bethesda, MD
The County Times
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Quote Of The Day
“American is great not because it is perfect but because it can always be made better.’’ -Barack Obama
The Christmas Spirit…Giving of Ourselves
Girl Scout Cookies Go On Sale Today
My family and St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Aloysius Church extend a heartfelt thank you to the businesses, organizations, individuals, and families who made self-less contributions of their time and talents to the success of our 5th annual Christmas Dinner. Over 80 volunteers throughout the tri-county area devoted their time and talents to prepare, deliver, and serve over 340 dinners on Christmas Day as well as decorate before and clean up afterwards. This day brought together people from all walks of life and allowed those present to learn a bit more about our neighbors with whom we otherwise may never have had an opportunity to interact. Many special thanks go out to Old Town Pub (formerly Four-Star Pizza) in Leonardtown and its owners who have provided support to the Christmas Dinner efforts since we began some five years ago and to St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Leonardtown that made a huge donation of gifts for all ages, winter hats and gloves, as well as other items for those attending to enjoy and take with them. The Christmas season is not the joyous occa-
It’s that time of year in the Greater Washington area when girls go door to door to sell delicious Girl Scout Cookies. This year, Girl Scouts has a brand new cookie up its sleeve! Introducing Dulce de Leche — the NEW caramel cookie that is as much fun to say as it is to eat. The cookie is inspired by the classic confections of Latin America with rich milk caramel chips and stripes. “Girl Scouts has a proud tradition of including all girls in our programs. We are delighted that our newest cookie variety, Dulce de Leche, is a popular f lavor in all of Latin America,” said Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital Deputy Executive Director, Lidia Soto-Harmon. “Caramel is one of our nation’s favorite f lavors, so we think that Dulce de Leche will soon become one of our most popular cookies.” The newest Girl Scout Cookie, Dulce de Leche, joins the line-up of eight varieties offered by the Girl Scouts. Last year, Thin Mints were the most popular, accounting for 26 percent of sales, followed by Samoas (21%). Girl Scouts from the Greater Washington area sold slightly over 4.1 million boxes of Girl Scout Cookies—making the nation’s capital region the largest consumers of Girl Scout Cookies. All purchases and donations help local Girl Scouts make a difference in their community. The proceeds from Girl Scout Cookies stay in the community to support local troops and council activities. “Our troops retained $2.5 million last year, to support activities and this year’s theme ‘Imagine if.... we could change the world’ is encouraging girls to identify local service projects to support,” said Soto-Harmon. The Girl Scout Cookie Program is one of the best leadership and entrepreneurial experience for girls. Selling Girl Scout Cookies is a unique and valuable way for a girl to experience
sion that we see portrayed for everyone. For some, it is filled with loneliness, hurt, regret, and despair. This dinner is but one way for us to live out the true spirit of Christmas! Organizations and individuals who do things like this regularly, not just on Christmas; do so with the hopes of illustrating the love that Christ showed us when he made the ultimate sacrifice of Himself. We strive to reach out to our brothers and sisters and to give of ourselves for the benefit of our community. For those who contacted us for meal deliveries and those who stopped by to join us for a meal, we thank you for making our Christmas a bit more meaningful. This Christmas Dinner is an annual event held on Christmas Day at Father Andrew White School in Leonardtown. To obtain more information regarding the Christmas Dinner and to find out how you can get involved, please contact St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Aloysius Church at 301-481-2942. Regina Bowman-Goldring Event Coordinator
Editors Note: The family of The County Times founder, Jams M. McKay, Sr. requested that the following letter be published. The letter was written to Mr. McKay from one of his grandchildren who is serving in the United States Peace Corp in Madagascar, Africa. The letter was mailed before Mr. McKay’s death on December 9th, but did not arrive until after his death.
My Dear Pop Pop, Yesterday was Thanksgiving and I was so looking forward to talking with you and Mama. Unfortunately, during our Thanksgiving dinner here in Madagascar our little town was hit by a huge storm. The lightening struck so close to town it looked as if we were experiencing brief moments of daylight. We ate Malagasy sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, rice and turkey form South Africa by candle light in our training center; all the while sharing stories about our families and Thanksgiving traditions. It filled me with such pride to tell everyone about my grandfather, my Superman. I got to share my favorite stories how gracefully you handled shoplifters in
your store, how fearlessly you fought prejudice in a conservative town, how strong your work-ethic and generosity has been throughout your life and how much I respect, admire and love you. Some people harden with age but your eyes have only softened with every passing day and the kindness radiating from your heart is tangible even here, half way across the world. You have chosen to keep your mind open and continue to grow and change. You have taught me that you are never to wise or experienced to learn and experience life a new. I miss you so much and hope I will get another chance to talk to you and learn from you. Meghan Ryan Madagascar, Africa
the power of goal-setting, develop selfconfidence and learn early business skills. Plus, it helps girls make lifetime friends and memories along the way. The following varieties of Girl Scout Cookies go on sale January 2. They are listed in order of 2008 sales: • Thin Mints—Wafer cookie covered in chocolate made with natural peppermint (26.43%) • Samoas—Coconut, chocolate and caramel cookie (21.14%) • Tagalongs—Creamy peanut butter vanilla cookie covered in chocolate (12.50%) • Trefoils—Shortbread cookie (10.33%) • Do-Si-Do—Creamy peanut butter sandwiched between crisp oatmeal cookies (9.62%) • Lemon Chalets—Lemon cream cookie (7.83%) • Sugar Free Chocolate Chips—(4.88%) • Dulce de Leche—new in 2009, rich caramel chips and stripe cookie. About Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital (GSCNC) is a non-profit organization with over 82,000 members, including 58,000 girls in 4,500 troops throughout the District of Columbia, six counties in Maryland and five counties in Northern Virginia. With the help of dedicated volunteers, the generosity of corporations and foundations, and our popular Girl Scout cookie program, GSCNC helps girls from kindergarten to 12th grade become leaders through a wide range of fun and educational activities. GSCNC is headquartered in Washington DC, with satellite offices in Frederick and Waldorf, Maryland; and in Lorton, Leesburg and Manassas, Virginia. To get involved, visit our website at www. gscnc.org.
Sheriff’s Office Mourns Loss Of Deputy To Leukemia By Guy Leonard Staff Writer Cpl. Paulo R. Martinez, a retired sheriff’s deputy who served in county law enforcement for a quarter century years died Jan. 9 after a long battle with leukemia. He was 52, passing away on his birthday. Martinez began his career in law enforcement as a Department of Defense policeman at Patuxent River Naval Air Station in 1983 and the following year was hired on as a sheriff’s deputy as a patrolman. Martinez, who had served in the U.S. Navy for nine years prior to coming to the sheriff’s office, went on to serve as a detective in the Criminal Investigations Division in 1988. During his military term he served in both active duty and in the reserves. According to information from the sheriff’s office, Martinez investigated ma-
jor crimes including narcotics trafficking and dealing. Martinez was also one of the original detectives assigned to the Southern Maryland Narcotics Task Force. He was promoted to the rank of corporal in 1999 after serving in the sheriff’s office special operations division. Martinez retired in 2004 but prior to that he returned to the patrol division as a supervisor to mentor new deputies. After retiring Martinez went to work as a special deputy working court security. The funeral procession for Martinez started at Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home in Leonardtown and included 60 police vehicles. He was taken to St. John’s Catholic Church in Hollywood for viewing Jan. 14 and will be interred at Joy Chapel Cemetery following a Jan. 15 funeral service. “Cpl. Paulo Martinez was a valued member of our agency,” said Sheriff Tim-
othy K. Cameron. “He served the citizens of St. Mary’s County diligently for 25 years. “We have lost a great police officer, friend and member of our law enforcement family.” Martinez was also a field training officer and a member of the sheriff’s office dive team. Martinez, who enjoyed playing softball and darts in his off-duty time, was also a past president of the St. Mary’s County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7. Martinez was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1957 and had seven sisters and brothers. Martinez leaves behind six children, ranging in ages from 32 to 11 years old. Several live locally in Hollywood, while others live in Baltimore and Reading, Pa.
Paulo Martinez
for the love of
Money
The County Times
Thursday, January 15, 2009
10
Chevy Dealer Has Roots in SOMD
The Times Pick 10
Sean Rice Staff Writer
Brandywine, and Fort Washington. In about a month, the Winegardners will move the body shop from the Fort Washington location to Leonardtown. Bell Motors of Leonardtown was known as the second“There’s about 20 employees here now, and we’d like Symbol Company Close Close Change oldest continuous Chevy dealer remaining in the country. to grow it to 30 or 40 as quick as we could.” Chuck Win1/14/2009 12/31/2008 On Jan. 1, there was a seamless transition from Bell egardner said. “Especially in the body shop, we’ll have addiMotors to Winegardner tional employees right off Motor Company. The in there.” WMT WalMart $51.50 $56.06 -8.13% doors never closed and the Customers in LeonHOG Harley Davidson $13.37 $16.97 -21.21% Winegardner family hit the ardtown may notice longer BBY Best Buy $25.81 $28.11 -8.18% ground running. hours and increased prod“Well, it’s a different uct and service options. LMT Lockheed Martin $78.63 $84.08 -6.48% name now, but I guess it’s “We’re going to have BAESF BAE Systems $5.95 $5.41 9.98% still a continuous business,” classic cars, as well as cusCSC Computer Science Corp. $35.65 $35.14 1.45% said Chuck Winegardner, tom cars on display,” Kurt president of Winegardner Winegardner said. DCP Dyncorp International Inc. $15.42 $15.17 1.65% Auto Group. The family has not GD General Dynamics Corp. $54.50 $57.59 -5.37% “I’ve never did quite decided yet whether to MANT Mantech International Corp. $55.76 $54.19 2.90% understand what continuhave any grand opening NOC Northrop Grunman Corp. $46.75 $45.04 3.80% ous meant,” added Kurt festivities, but there is a Winegardner, Chuck’s special vehicle demoncousin and general manstration planned for the ager of the Leonardtown Leonardtown store on Saturday Jan. 17. General Motors Corp. Is Showing Off Plans To shop, during an interview Photo By Sean Rice with The County Times. Chevrolet represenTake Its Electric Cars Upscale. Winegardners show off one of their classic cars now on display at tatives will be on hand Continuous is a fit- The Leonardtown. Winegardner Auto Group President Chuck Winegardner By TOM KRISHER GM also announced plans to build ting adjective to describe is on the left with his daughter Jacki Winegardner, who can be seen with a hydrogen-powered AP Auto Writer a Chevrolet Spark subcompact that will the Winegardner’s business running between each of their locations. At right is General Manager of Chevy Equinox for demthe Leonardtown store, Kurt Winegardner. get 40 miles per gallon. It’s set to go on plans for Leonardtown. onstrations between 10 The automaker unveiled the Ca- sale in Europe next year and in the U.S. “People will be happy to see the business model run a.m. and 2 p.m. The auto maker hopes to launch a commerdillac Converj on Sunday at the North in 2011. much the same as the Bells,” Chuck said. cial hydrogen “fuel cell vehicle” by 2012. American International Auto Show. The “After 30 years, most of what we’ve seen is repeat and reThe Spark was called the Beat when “I drove it yesterday, it’s neat,” Chuck Winegardner concept car is based on the same plug-in GM unveiled it as a concept car in 2007. ferral type business, family-orientated and customer based,” said. “You can’t hear it or anything. The power in it is great. technology as the Chevrolet Volt. It can D The automaker also said the Chev- he added. “And the Bells operated in the same way.” It blows vapor mist out of the back, that’s the exhaust beo YOrlando go 40 miles on electric power alone, with rolet Chuck Winegardner said cars are “pretty much all I can cause it’s water powered. It’s wild.” seven-passenger crossover ou Fe elsaleCinr North America remember since I was 4 or 5,” about the time his father got a small gasoline engine to extend the vehicle will go on Chuck Winegardner sees a bright future for the Winabby range. into the auto business in 1963. in 2011. egardner Motor Company in Leonardtown, thanks in part to Whe “It was kind of a family dream the roots laid down by the Bell family. n You have our own business one day,” “I think they were doing a good job before, so I mean Give Get Yoto ur In said. we’re going to make sure we keep it up.” He said. “Since Us A Chuck ranWinegardner Call.Nowsuthe Auto taking over January 1, everything has moved along steadily, ce BiFrederick, Group has stores in Prince and we see nothing but growth for the near future.” ll i
You’lWhen Do You Feel Crabby l Be G n the You Get Your Insurance Mail lad Y ? o u Fitness Works it Out D Bill in the Mail? WSMAC! e sna i d . k on Andrea c Shiell members from Charlotte Hall Veterans Home, as Lizard Staff Writer he has partnered with the home to provide trains Give Us A Call. Every ing and rehabilitative services day
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Ryan Keller eased into his seat in the lobby of SMAC! in Mechanicsville and smiled warmly, waving to his friend and co-worker Joey Thompson across the room. Joey was relaxed, lightly kicking at his wheelchair and waving at customers as they walked past. Though Keller’s business is in a state of transition, none of the pressures of that seem to have touched the man’s demeanor, and he talks of his gym turning into a World Gym as though it were but a small step in the company’s evolution. Joey Thompson, Keller, who has had his Mechanicsville SM Ryan Keller, and AC! Fitness in Mec Jennifer Klesch at hanicsville. facility for five years, decided to partner with a friend of his who owns a World Gym in Fort Washington, and the two will be opening up a for their residents. 25,000 square foot World Gym in La Plata. As Keller talked about the veterans program In the meantime though, Keller has set his Thompson wheeled himself across the room. sites on changing his home-gym’s name as well, Hearing mention of the veterans seemed to spark though he says that the economy has not played a glimmer in his eye. Thompson, who has been a big role in his decision. “There’s a lot to be said a trainer for three years, was born with cerebral for name recognition,” he admitted, but he add- palsy and has been chair-bound for ten years. He ed that he still thought the hometown gym was said one of the highlights of his job was working alive and well, and he would be transitioning with veterans dealing with handicaps of their more for his customers’ benefit than his own. own. “It helps my members because then they “They’re great people…great personalities,” would be able to use any World Gym,” he said, he said. “That’s one of the reasons I became a adding that their Mechanicsville facility would trainer…being in a wheelchair, I can show others not be changing much, save for a few equipment how strong they can be,” he said. upgrades. The gym will still offer childcare and Keller’s transition to the World Gym franpersonal training services, and the prices will chise will create a network of seven World Gyms not change. in the tri-county area, and he says he couldn’t Keller said he hopes that the name change be happier, “but it’s still just a name change,” he will attract not only new customers, but more said, smiling.
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Thursday, January 15, 2009
The County Times
Defense & Military NAVY Commissions Aircraft Carrier
NORFOLK, Va. (AP) _ In a ceremony steeped in tradition, the USS George H.W. Bush has been commissioned as the Navy’s newest aircraft carrier. The 10th and final Nimitz-class carrier was commissioned Saturday at Naval Base Norfolk with the current president, George W. Bush, and the ship’s namesake in attendance. Jets flew overhead, the ship’s battery sounded and sailors in their dress blues manned the rails. The 41st and 43rd presidents and their spouses were delivered to the carrier’s flight deck by Marine One, the presidential helicopter. During his remarks, the presi-
dent said the aircraft carrier was a ``fitting tribute’’ to his father, a decorated aviator in World War II who flew 58 missions. The carrier was placed in commission shortly before noon as Capt. Kevin E. O’Flaherty took command.
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AP Photo/ Steve Helber The nuclear aircraft carrier George H.W. Bush, sits tied up at the pier Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Va., Friday, Jan 9, 2009. The ship will be commissioned Saturday.
Combat Aviation Future Takes Wing Sean Rice Staff Writer There’s no question that the future of warfare, and specifically of U.S. naval defense will heavily depend on unmanned combat vehicles. The first operational, full-scale model of the X-47B Navy Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS), built by Northrop Grumman, was unveiled and commissioned at a ceremony in December. On Wednesday, more than 150 members of the Southern Maryland defense community attended a meeting hosted by the Patuxent Partnership, aimed at demonstrating the effectiveness of this first generation of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV’s). Capt. Martin Deppe, program manager of the Navy Unmanned Combat Air System Program Office (PMA-268), provided a wealth of information on the capabilities of the new X-47B, and outlined the future of what needs to happen to integrate UAVs into the fleet of aircraft carriers. The X-47B is the first of two unmanned aircraft Northrop Grumman will produce for the Navy. It is intended to demonstrate unmanned combat aircraft operations from the deck of a carrier. “The program has worked extremely hard to get to this point,” Deppe said during the meeting at the Southern Maryland Higher Education Center. “So now what we are doing is showing the Navy is that we can take an airplane of relevant size and relevant shape and operate it safely onboard the ship,” Deppe told the crowd. “Air carrier suitability of something like this is our first step.” Deppe displayed performance specifications and diagrams highlighting the range of
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the X-47B, and how much additional time it can remain on patrol compared to human-piloted planes. “We’re taking about a 3000-mile range airplane, what that means is … you’ve got an airplane on the flight deck that’s got three times the range of what we have today,” Deppe said. The first flight tests on the X-47B will happen at Edward Air Force Base in November this year, Deppe said, and then the program will head over to Patuxent Naval Air Station about a year later. “So before you know it we’re going to be flying overhead at Pax River,” Deppe said. “That’s going to a pretty exciting time.” By November 2011, the first UAV is scheduled to join the carrier USS Harry Truman. “And that’s the day naval aviation will change forever,” Deppe said. Deppe stressed the need for framework to integrating this program into the fleet, which goes well beyond designing and flying the UAV. “What we’re often up against when real change is on the horizon, is great resistance to
that change,” Deppe said. “We need some real smart people to crack the nut on this,” Deppe said. “What we’ve got to really start taking a look at is, what are we going to see, and starting crafting that future, and influencing the future so that we are steering a course today to get us to a place were we can be real successful in the future.”
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The County Times
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Issued Marriage Applications December 1, 2008
Lamont Benjamin Harris 45 Prince Frederick, Md Mary Leslie Wills 38 Lexington Park, Md Michael Shamir Eberhardt 39 Leonardtown, Md Crystal Lee Robey 28 Leonardtown, Md Miguel Angel Vasquez 19 Great Mills, Md Gloria Dale Neuman 18 Great Mills, Md Kenneth Henson Bradford, Jr. 59 Mechanicsville, Md Pamela Lynn Brown 44 Mechanicsville, Md Carlos Rolando Morales Hernandez 29 Lexington Park, Md Damaris Bethezaida Escobar Aguilar 31 Lexington Park, Md December 2, 2008 Steven Anthony Moure, Sr. 28 Upper Marlboro, Md Margaret Sharpe Whitehead 29 Upper Marlboro, Md
December 4, 2008
David Paul Kyser 46 Lexington Park, Md Ana Paula Costa 29 Lexington Park, Md
Robert Alexander Hewitt 37 Colton Point, Md Heather Lynn Stauffer 29 Colton Point, Md
December 9, 2008
December 11, 2008
Brian Paul Kiernan 31 Lexington Park, Md Melissa Noel Lawrey 30 Callaway, Md
Roger Dale Ridgell 56 Hollywood, Md Mary Alma Branda 57 Hollywood, Md
Thomas Patrick Raley 23 Leonardtown, Md Julie Michelle Wathen 24 Leonardtown, Md
Michael Lee Spriggs, Jr. 25 Lexington Park, Md Ramona Nikia Greene 29 Lexington Park, Md
Joshua Lee Baskins 30 Leonardtown, Md Heather Marie Bates 29 Leonardtown, Md
James Eugene Simms, III 22 Lexington Park, Md Lauren Nichole Ridgell 19 Lexington Park, Md
December 8, 2008
December 10, 2008
December 12, 2008
Charles Stephen Parker 30 Hollywood, Md Jodi Lynn Redding 28 Hollywood, Md
Frank McKinley Smith Jr. 45 California, Md Margaret Ann Greenwell Smart 44 California, Md
Daniel Rollin Drake 31 Bradenton, Fl Christine Teresa Morency 30 Bradenton, Fl
Christopher Andrew Kastronis 22 Aquasco, Md Ashley Marie Bottorf 22 Oxon Hill, Md
James Howard Vallandingham 23 Leonardtown, MD Julia Marie Parsons 21 Leonardtown, Md
Jonathan Kenneth Redding 21 Hollywood, Md Olivia Anne Hughes 18 Hollywood, Md
December 15, 2008
Daniel Lee Powell 22 California, Md Brandy Nicole Birch 22 California, Md
Jeffery Glenn Thomas 39 Waldorf, Md Estrella Navarra Neuman 40 Great Mills, Md Brian Joseph Connelly 29 Bushwood, Md Jennifer Lynn Copsey 31 Bushwood, Md
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Jerma Antonio Cloude 29 Biloxi, Ms Raven Siobhan Denise Smith 27 Callaway, Md
Leslie Wilsdon Hewett, Jr. 64 California, Md Ruth Anna Hewett 63 Charleston, Sc
Philip Arthur Stame, Jr. 31 Hollywood, Md Michelle Renee Testerman 37 Hollywood, Md
John Michael McLaughlin 43 Lusby, Md Donna Ann Williams 44 Lusby, Md
December 16, 2008
Darris Lee George 33 Great Mills, Md Sherrell Williams 35 Great Mills, Md
Henry Craig Perry, II 20 Patuxent River, Md Deaven Marie Szymanski 19 Patuxent River, Md
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December 23, 2008
Mark Joseph Cherra 21 Lexington Park, Md Rosa Lyn Mesowski 20 Lexington Park, Md
Tobin Giles DeBurgh Hart 41 Piney Point, Md Rachael Stammers 40 Piney Point, Md
Derek Lee Riley 21 Ft. Lewis, Washington Brandy Nicole Goroum 19 Lusby, Md
John Waitman Walls 88 Abingdon, Md Claire Elaine Moorehead 71 Ormeau, Queensland Australia
John Samuel Logalbo, Jr. 34 Leonardtown, Md
Francis Palmer Guarente 54 Taylorsville, Ut
John Edward Dove, Jr. 32 St. Leonard Md Christina Lee Quiros 39 St. Leonard, Md Gesant Garcia 29 Lexington Park, Md Justine Diane Skibbe 24 Lexington Park, Md December 29, 2008 Aaron Mead Reichard 20 California, Md Melissa Ann Freeman 19 California, Md Romeo Pierre White 22 Lexington Park, Md Felecia Kirby 21 Lexington Park, Md Glen Elbert Bailey, Jr. 45 Leonardtown, Md Robin Lynn Thomas 41 Leonardtown, Md David Bret Kaplan 32 Mechanicsville, Md Christina Pearl Husk 32 Mechanicsville, Md December 30, 2008 Alfred Eugene Wood 69 Mechanicsville, Md Barbara Jean Schwartz 66 Mechanicsville, Md David Brandon Bryner 19 Great Mills, Md Colleen Denise Nagel 19 Lusby, Md Kyle Stephen Kessler 19 Lexington Park, Md Ashley Lanette Parks 20 Lafayette, In December 31, 2008 John Allen Bateman 41 Lexington Park, Md Helen Louann Porretti 42 Lexington Park, Md Kenneth Dean Melvin 48 Hughesville, Md Ana Leticia Seaman 57 Hughesville, Md Kevin John Steckowski 26 Lexington Park, Md Lacey Catherine Russell 18 Lexington Park, Md
The County Times
Thursday, January 15, 2009
un Fact
40 to 50 percent of body heat can be lost through the head (no hat) as a result of its extensive circulatory network.
BUDGET FORUM Board of Education Hosting Budget Forum The Board of Education for St. Mary’s County will host a Budget Forum Jan. 22 at 6 p.m. in the Board of Education Meeting Room of the Central Administration Building, located at 23160 Moakley Street in Leonardtown. The school board will seek public input for the development of the 2009-2010 operating budget for St. Mary’s County Public Schools. Family and community members, including staff and School Improvements Teams, are invited to attend. A sign-up sheet will be available at 5:30 p.m. with individual public comment limited to three minutes. Speakers are encouraged to provide comments in writing, even if presented at the forum, so that the Board can consider all input.
Know
In The
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Legislators Predict Cuts at Annual Breakfast Andrea Shiell Staff Writer “The year I get elected, we have no money,” exclaimed Board of Education member Marilyn Crosby, jokingly, at the Fifth Annual Legislative Breakfast hosted by the St. Mary’s and Calvert Education Associations.
“If we were to change [the Thornton plan] then we’d have to change the law,” Dyson said, adding that he would not approve a budget that showed cuts to the plan. Bohanan remarked that the state’s commitment to Thornton funding had contributed to the current shortfall, but offered his own words of reassurance, saying, “I don’t think you’re going to
Morales to Head CSM’s Office of Diversity The College of Southern Maryland announces the selection of Linda Morales as executive director of diversity and equal opportunity. Morales’ most recent position was as the founding director of the Multicultural Resource Center at State University of New York at Binghamton from 1999 to 2008. Prior to that, she served as its assistant director of campus activities, student multicultural programs advisor and as a part-time instructor. Linda Morales At Potsdam College of the State University of New York, Morales served as senior educational opportunity program academic advisor. Her career in higher education began at Fredonia College of the State University of New York in 1991, when she served as the interim associate director, academic advising and multicultural programs. “I am looking forward to providing a culturally diverse, welcoming and success-driven environment for employees and students. I am very pleased with the high quality of professionalism and friendliness of my new colleagues,” Morales said.
Photo by Andrea Shiell From right to left: Del John Wood, Del Anthony O’Donnell, Del John Bohanan, Sen Roy Dyson, and Del Sue Kullen.
Hers was a comment echoed by many at the Dougherty Center Jan. 10, as they gathered to address education legislation, culminating in a forum featuring Delegates John Bohanan (D29B), John Wood (D-29A), Anthony O’Donnell (R-29C), Sue Kullen (D-27B), and Sen. Roy Dyson (D-29). When asked by Carol Howard, President of the Calvert Education Association (CEA), if he would support B.O.A.S.T. legislation offering tuition subsidies through tax credits for private and parochial schools, Bohanan was the only member of the forum to say he would not support it this year. Others linked the issue to the threat of closure facing two of St. Mary’s County’s oldest Catholic schools, St. Michaels and Holy Angels Sacred Heart. “We’ve got to keep some of these schools operating,” said Dyson, who supported B.O.A.S.T. legislation last year and promises to support it this year. “Otherwise the impact on our public schools could be devastating.” “We’re talking about less than one-one-hundredth of a percent of what the state pays for public education,” said O’Donnell, who supports the bill. He added that parents should be given alternatives to the public education system, which he said in some areas “borders on criminal” with its lack of performance. Budget matters dominated not only idle talk during the meal, but discussions at the forum, as legislators discussed Thornton funding.
see a scale back in our commitment.” When asked about funding the Geographical Cost Index (GCI), which some counties are enforcing along with the Thornton plan to offer competitive wages for educators, Bohanan said he would not support GCI funding because “it isn’t mandated by the formula.” Legislators denied that teacher retirement funding might be transferred from the state to the counties. “I see no move, at least in the Senate, to try and shift that to the counties,” Dyson said. All the legislators present admitted that they were not familiar with the proposed labor dispute legislation expected to circulate the general assembly. The proposal would create a separate labor relations board to resolve school employee contract disputes. “If it comes to the floor, I’m not going to try to make a prediction,” Dyson said, adding that he might vote in favor of the bill if it required no state funding. Overall, legislators predicted harsh times ahead, and defended cuts as a matter of course in light of the looming budget shortfall. “Across the board cuts don’t make sense,” Kullen said, “but everybody in this room knows that the budget situation is dire.” “These are not frivolous times,” O’Donnell said when asked about overall budget predictions. “A lot of our state’s priorities are at risk right now.”
Chesapeake Public Charter School Set to Expand Andrea Shiell Staff Writer
The St. Mary’s County Board of Education voted unanimously to approve the expansion plans of Chesapeake Public Charter School on Wednesday, which involve renovations to the school site that will include the addition of five new classrooms, more offices, a multipurpose room and a gymnasium as the school revises their curriculum for incoming 6th, 7th, and 8th graders in the next two years. Education Director Angela Funya wrote in a memo to parents and community members that the school’s current enrollment is 214 students, but projec-
tions for the 2009-2010 school year place enrollment at 254 with the addition of 7th grade, and the school will push to continue offering two classes per grade level with 20 students per class. The proposed expansion will allow for an additional 100 students, as well as another 17,983 square feet of space. SMCPS Chief Operating Officer Brad Clements said that the current expansion plan will include ramps going into each classroom on the second floor, as well as a gymnasium and a multi-purpose room that may be converted into a cafeteria for middle school students. Clements said that the next step in the expansion process will be to submit the expansion plans to the state for review and comment while they work on con-
struction documents, “which will go back to the board for approval sometime in February.” Clements declined to quote a figure when asked how much the proposed renovations would cost, but he explained that the owner of the property would be developing it and leasing the building back to the school. “We don’t own the facility,” said Clements when talking to the board members, “but we have a responsibility to the state and to ourselves to have them review our planning documents at the state level…we have to be in compliance,” he said. The Board of Education will consider curriculum plans for incoming middle school students in upcoming months as the construction plans are reviewed.
Education
O’Brien Resigns Presidency of St. Mary’s College of Maryland
Jane Margaret “Maggie” O’Brien has announced that she will step down after 13 years as President of St. Mary’s College of Maryland (SMCM), effective June 30, 2010, or when a new president has taken office. Among O’Brien’s achievements at SMCM were her successful expansion of the studyabroad program, implementing new honors programs, a new core curriculum and a $112 million building campaign. She also spearheaded the Center for American Democracy, which was the recipient of a $500,000 grant from the We the People Program of the National Endowment for Humanities, providing lectures on contemporary and historical topics. O’Brien told The County Times the criteria to select a new president for the college would be determined in the next few months as she herself moves to England to pursue teaching and administrative opportunities at Oxford. She will still act as President of the College until the position has been filled. “Discussions will be underway to develop criteria,” she said. “There’s quite a long vetting for president…so there’s a very serious national search… but all of that is going to take place over the next couple of months.”
Maryland Tops Nation in Education The Maryland public school system has moved to the head of the class, according to an independent national report released last week. Education Week, the nation’s leading education newspaper, looked at data in six critical categories over the past two years, and found that Maryland’s state education system is at the very top of national rankings. Maryland placed at the top of the list in Education Week’s tally, just ahead of Massachusetts. Other high-scoring systems include New York and Virginia. Maryland’s ranking is based on student performance and State education policies that reflect more than a decade of work on a preK-12 curriculum; state accountability and standards; and work on school readiness, high school reform, and preparation for college and the workplace.
Crime&
Punishment
The County Times
Potts Found Guilty Of Murder
By Guy Leonard Staff Writer Circuit Court Judge C. Clarke Raley will now determine whether Nicholas T. Potts III was criminally responsible for the death of James Augustus Choporis two years ago at the Bay District firehouse after a jury of 12 county residents found Potts guilty of both first and second degree murder Tuesday. Potts’ trial lasted about a week and was scheduled to have a second portion of the jury trial to determine his mental capacity to be criminally responsible., but after the jury verdict, the defense requested that Judge Raley alone determine Potts’ level of responsibility in Choporis’ death. Witnesses for the defense in the first portion of the case portrayed Potts as a man who had radically changed from being a cheerful and highly competent firefighter to someone who was withdrawn, irritable and prone to uncharacteristic outbursts of anger. This behavior was triggered, defense witnesses suggested, including an expert medical doctor, by multiple concussions Potts sustained to his head in accidents before the June 11, 2006 killing. The defense argued that Choporis had a history of agitating Potts, whose mother Choporis was involved with at the time, and the evening of the killing at the old Bay District Volunteer Fire Department, Potts’ anger exploded. The defense also argued that Potts’ claims made in his statement were true, that Choporis had drawn a knife on Potts and that Potts defended himself. “He [Choporis] knew he was pulling a knife on a time bomb,” said Potts’ attorney Mitchell Nelson in closing arguments Monday. “My client was in a complete fight or flight mode… he didn’t have a grasp of what he’d done.” But the prosecution was successful in convincing the jury that Potts intended with premeditation to kill Choporis that evening due to the sheer brutality evidenced by Choporis’ wounds. Assistant State’s Attorney James Tanavage argued to the jury that Choporis had sustained 56 cutting wounds at Potts’ hands as well as blunt force trauma from a golf club before being stabbed and cut. “There’s no way these wounds could have been inflicted without intent,” Tanavage told the jury, later arguing that Potts had attacked Choporis from behind with the golf club while Choporis was sitting on the couch in the firehouse lounge watching television. The defense theory that Potts acted in self defense had no actual evidence to sustain it, he argued.
Prosecutors dropped attempted murder and first-degree assault charges against a Lexington Park man who had been accused of shooting an arrow into the back of a woman as she walked down Great Mills Road last year. Luis Roberto Fuentes-Diaz, 45, pleaded guilty Dec. 30 to reckless endangerment in the case and received just 45 days in jail but was given credit for time already served. Investigators said at the time of the incident, Jan. 19 of last year, that a heavy jacket victim Natahsa Kelly, 23, was wearing likely stopped the arrow from penetrating further into her back. Emergency medical personnel as well as police responding to the scene that morning found Kelly lying on the road with the arrow protruding from her back. Charging documents stated that the arrow was fired from somewhere on Great Mills Lane. Investigators went to Fuentes-Diaz’s residence to conduct a search for evidence, charging documents state, and were allowed into his residence by Fuentes-Diaz’s
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BRIEFS>>
Alleged false report leads to charges for woman
Nicholas T. Potts III “This killing was not instantaneous,” Tanavage said. “It took time. It was willful, it was deliberate and it was premeditated.” Throughout the trial, it was never determined exactly what provoked Potts to kill Choporis, though the defense argued that Choporis shoved Potts after Potts went to retrieve a soft drink for the victim. Potts’ statement from that night revealed that he felt he had been continually disrespected by Choporis and that he allowed his temper to take control of him, graduating to murderous rage. Potts did not testify in his trial. Detective Clayton Safford, the Bureau of Criminal Investigations officer who handled the case, said he was never able to ascertain exactly what caused Potts to respond in so violent a manor. Carol Allen, the medical examiner who performed Choporis’ autopsy, said the blunt force trauma Choporis received could have been fatal without the stab wounds that essentially drained the victim of his blood. Dr. Linda Rice, an expert witness for the defense, stated that tests performed on Potts found he had severe mental limitations that were the result of serious head trauma sustained before the Choporis murder. Potts also exhibited paranoid behavior, Rice testified. She described Potts as “barely functioning at any level” and said he “would have great difficulty functioning in society.”
Man In Arrow Shooting Case Pleads To Reckless Endangerment By Guy Leonard Staff Writer
Thursday, January 15, 2009
consent. Investigators had come by information that FuentesDiaz was in possession of a compound bow and found just such a weapon in his home, charging documents stated. The arrows were of the same color and brand as the one found in the victim and the bow was outside its case and easily accessible, charging documents read. Detectives learned that Fuentes-Diaz knew the victim and had called 911 several times in the past to report that Kelly had been fighting and arguing in the street. Kelly’s twin sister also apparently owed FuentesDiaz money in the amount of $100, charging documents stated. Investigators conducted more search warrants and gathered more unspecified evidence in the case, according to charging documents, and they also took statements from Fuentes-Diaz that contradicted those of the victim and two witnesses to the alleged attack. Investigators further found that the victim was within the range of a compound bow and that the wound on the victim was consistent with arrow being fired from Fuentes-Diaz’s yard, charging documents state.
On January 8, 2009 at approximately 1:15 a.m , deputies responded to St. Mary’s Hospital for a report of a missing two-year-old. Katrena Marie Shearer, 32, of Mechanicsville, advised hospital staff she brought her twoyear-old child with her to the hospital as Shearer was seeking treatment. Shearer stated her child was now missing. Hospital staff immediately called the sheriff’s office to report the child missing. When deputies interviewed Shearer she changed her story multiple times. Hospital staff had not observed Shearer enter the hospital with a child. The hospital video surveillance was reviewed which did not record the child entering the hospital. A missing person’s investigation was initiated and numerous police officers, fire, EMS and K-9 units conducted an extensive search of the surrounding area. Maryland State Police Helicopter Trooper 7 was dispatched and also checked the area surrounding the hospital for the missing child. In addition, deputies responded to and checked all known addresses, including requesting assistance from the Prince George’s County Police Department to check an address there, for Shearer and the child, all yielding negative results. A missing persons report was completed, lookout for the child was broadcast and assistance from Child Protective Services was requested. Shearer was re-interviewed. Shearer changed her story once again and stated she never told hospital staff she had her child with her when she came to the hospital. About two hours later, the child was located at a residence in Mechanicsville, the reported residence of Shearer’s boyfriend, and the residence where Shearer had left the child earlier. Shearer’s false report caused a missing persons investigation to be initiated which lasted for several hours and tied up 13 police officers, a Maryland State Police helicopter and a K-9 unit. Shearer was charged with false report to a police officer.
Domestic dispute leads to assault charges On January 5, 2009, deputies received a complaint for a domestic assault. The investigation revealed Shannon Johanna Dement, 27 of Lexington Park, and her husband Daniel Holley Dement, 41, of Lexington Park, engaged in a verbal argument which turned physical when Daniel Dement allegedly pointed a .22 caliber rifle at Shannon Dement. Shannon Dement was able to leave the room where the altercation took place. Shannon Dement went into the kitchen where she was followed by Daniel Dement. The argument began again and Daniel Dement threw food items onto the floor. Shannon Dement then struck Daniel Dement in the face and head with her hands and left the residence. A short time later Shannon Dement returned to the residence and the verbal dispute started again. Daniel Dement went to an outdoor shed to get away from Shannon Dement and to stop the dispute. Daniel Dement locked the shed from the inside and Shannon Dement kicked the door open and punched Daniel Dement in the eye. The .22 caliber rifle was recovered at the residence. Daniel Dement sustained visible signs of injury. Daniel Dement was arrested and charged with first degree assault. Shannon Dement was arrested and charged with second degree assault.
Second Degree Assault and Resisting Arrest On January 10, 2009 deputies responded to a domestic dispute in California, where investigation revealed Sherry Myong Hadden, 27, of California, and the victim were in a verbal dispute which turned physical when Hadden allegedly scratched the victim in the face. Corporal Handy attempted to speak with Hadden but she pushed Handy in the chest. Handy then attempted to place Hadden under arrest but she actively resisted Handy’s attempts to handcuff her. Heather Lee Oquendo, of Great Mills jumped on Handy’s back and attempted to prevent him from placing Hadden under arrest. Hadden was arrested and charged with two counts of second degree assault and resisting arrest. Oquendo was arrested for second degree assault and hindering a police officer in the performance of his duties.
Armed robbery suspect sought On January 5, 2009 at approximately 9 p.m., police responded to the Domino’s Pizza in Charlotte Hall for an armed robbery. The investigation revealed two black males in their 20’s, wearing dark clothing and masks, entered the establishment with a handgun and demanded money. They received an undisclosed amount of cash and then stole an employee’s vehicle, which was later located abandoned on Oaks Road in Charles County. Bureau of Criminal Investigations detectives are investigating the incident.
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The County Times
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Kevin J. McDevitt Attorney At Law
Former Former Baltimore Baltimore City City Assist. Assist. State’s State’s Attorney Attorney Former Former St. St. Mary’s Mary’s County County Assist. Assist. State’s State’s Attorney Attorney
CRIMINAL & DUI/DWI Office: 301-475-0093 Cell: 410-925-8992
Dorsey Professional Building 22835 Washington Street • P.O. Box 952, Leonardtown, MD 20650
www.kjmcdevittlaw.com
BEN BURROUGHS JR.
BAIL BONDS “WHEN YOU’RE IN & WANT OUT CALL BEN” 7 Days a Week - 24 Hours A Day
SERVING THE COMMUNITIES FOR OVER 33 YEARS LEONARDTOWN/ ST. MARY’S COUNTY
CALVERT COUNTY
301-475-2600
1-800-882-3106
ST. MARY’S COUNTY
CHARLES COUNTY
301-884-3106
301-934-1830
The County Times
Benjamin Raymond “Ben” Birch, 24 Benjamin Raymond “Ben” Birch, 24 of Piney Point died Jan. 7 in his residence. Born July 12, 1984 in Leonardtown, he was the son of Agnes Elizabeth Goddard Birch of Piney Point and the late Lewis Theodore Birch. He is also survived by his sisters Tammy Vincena of California, Md., Mary Ruth Birch and Katie Ann Birch, both of Piney Point. A lifelong resident of St. Mary’s County, Ben was a graduate of Leonardtown High School’s Class of 2002 and attended Towson University. He worked as a project engineer for Patuxent River/Saver Inc. for six months. He loved fishing, hunting, crabbing and spending time on the water. He also loved spending time with his family and friends. The family received friends Jan. 11 from 2 – 5 p.m. in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, where prayers were said at 3 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Jan. 12 at 10 a.m. in Holy Face Catholic Church, Great Mills, with Fr. Joseph Sileo officiating. Interment followed in the church cemetery. Pallbearers will be Jack Garner, Joe Dyson, Ryan Sauter, Joey Tapponnier, Charles Barto and Ebenezer Longe. Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A.
Virginia Johns Dillard, 83 Virginia Johns Dillard, 83 of California, Md. died peacefully with her husband at her bedside Dec. 24 in St. Mary’s Nursing Center, Leonardtown. Born July 27, 1925 in Sumter, S.C., she was the daughter of the late Ezra and Blanche Johns. She was the beloved wife of Winston Dillard, whom she married Dec. 23, 1955 in the chapel at the Naval Air Station, Patuxent River, Md. Virginia and her husband, a retired Navy veteran, have resided in California, Md. since 1967. In the course of their marriage, Virginia accompanied her husband to duty stations in Hawaii, Naples, Italy, and Keflevick, Iceland. During WWII, Virginia worked as an apprentice machinist and was recruited to move to Washington, D.C. where she, along with hundreds of other young women, was employed by the government to assist in the war effort. Virginia was an avid gardener and was especially proud of her houseplants. She was a volunteer for Meals on Wheels where she took the time to visit and cheer up those she saw on her routes. She and her husband traveled extensively in their RV and shared a wonderful
life together. In addition to her husband, she is survived by her sisters, Mary Sulkowski of Asheville, N.C., Harriett Ullrich of Loveland, Col., Barbara Parsons of Lugoff, S.C., and a brother, Howard Johns of Columbia, S.C. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a sister, Shirley. A Graveside Service will be held at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va. Jan. 21 at 11 a.m. Condolences to the family may be made at www.brinsfieldfuneral. com Arrangements provided by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown.
Joseph Carl “Bootsie” Hill, Sr., 65 Joseph Carl “Bootsie” Hill, Sr., 65, of Hollywood, Md. died Jan. 7 in St. Mary’s Hospital. Born Aug. 20, 1943 in Hollywood, Md. he was the son of the late Woodrow Thomas and Rosie Jeannette Hill, Sr. He was the loving husband of Mary Simone Hill, whom he married Oct. 28, 1995 in Hollywood, Md. He is also survived by his daughter Kimberly Ann Hill of Hollywood, Md., his step-children; Sandra Binkley of Tennessee, Laura Wathen of Clements, Jessica Winfrey of Hollywood, Md. and Jamie Spencer of Richmond, Va.; his brothers Woodrow T. Hill Jr., William Donald Hill and Charles Kenneth Hill, Sr., all of Hollywood, Md. as well as 14 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son Joseph Carl Hill, Jr. and his brother Francis Wayne Hill. A lifelong resident of St. Mary’s County, Bootsie was a graduate of Leonardtown High School’s Class of 1961. He worked for the Architect of the Capitol/U.S. House of Representatives as a HVAC Supervisor for 37 years, retiring in January 1999. He served in the U.S. Army from February 1966 to February 1968, for which he received the National Defense Service Medal and an Expert Badge Rifle M-14. The family received friends Jan. 12 from 5 – 8 p.m. in the MattingleyGardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, where prayers were said at 7 p.m. A funeral service was held Jan. 13 at 10 a.m. in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown. Interment followed in Joy Chapel Cemetery, Hollywood, Md. Pallbearers were Kenny Hill, Jr., Woody Hill, Willie Ridgell, Tony Hill, Rue Hill and James Abell. Honorary pallbearers were J.W. Hill, Brian Bowles, Ashley Hill, Robbie Bowles, Amber Hill, Angel Stalker and Judy Bowles. Contributions may be made to the Hollywood Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 79, Hollywood, MD 20636/ Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home,
P.A.
Francis Steele Holmes, 78 Francis Steele Holmes, 78, of Maddox, Md. died Jan. 9 in St. Mary’s Nursing Center in Leonardtown. Born Oct. 8, 1930 he was the son of the late Leonard Locke Holmes, Sr. and Dorothy Thomas Garner Pogue Holmes. He is survived by his sisters Laura Wason Holmes; Ramona Holmes Harper and her husband Rev. Harry T. Harper. He is also survived by his nephew Francis B. Johnson, Jr. and his wife Ranee; and his niece Cynthia M. Pratt and her husband Jack. Mr. Holmes was preceded in death by his brother Leonard Locke Holmes, Jr. and sisters Elizabeth Locke Holmes and Dorothy Garner Holmes. A lifelong resident of St. Mary’s County, Mr. Holmes graduated from Margaret Brent High School’s Class of 1948. Mr. Holmes was a farmer working in the fields of his home, Notley Hall for many years. He was a member of All Saints Episcopal Church where he served as a vestryman and head usher. Mr. Holmes loved his family, cherished his friends and neighbors and was devoted to his church. The family received friends Jan. 12 from 4 – 6 p.m. in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, where Prayers were said at 5 p.m. A Funeral Service was held Jan. 13 at 12:30 p.m. in All Saints Episcopal Church, Oakley, with Rev. Kathleen Price and Rev. Harry T. Harper officiating. Interment followed in the Church Cemetery. Pallbearers were Malcolm Goode, Jr., Wayne Pettit, James Herbert, Frank Hodges, Bradley Friess and Robert S. Pogue. Contributions may be made to All Saints Church, P.O. Box 307, Avenue, MD 20609. Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A.
Leonard Wayne Milgrim, 57 Leonard Wayne Milgrim, 57 of Frederick, Md., passed away in his daughter’s residence in Leonardtown. Born Oct. 19, 1951 in Trinidad, British West Indies, he was the son of the late Leonard and Frances Manuel Milgrim. Mr. Milgrim was a highly decorated Officer with the U.S. Air Force, retiring after 23 years of service having served tours of duty in England, Turkey, Maryland and North and South Carolina as well as temporary duties in Saudi Arabia and Honduras. Leonard is survived by his daughters Julie Anderson of Leonardtown and Angela Milgrim of Washington, D.C.; sister Linda Milgrim of Hollywood, Md.; grandchildren
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Alexis, Chase and Isabella Anderson, both of Leonardtown and his companion of seven years, Debbie Roberts of Frederick, Md. Family received friends for Leonard’s Life Celebration Dec. 29 in the Brinsfield Funeral Home, where a Funeral Service was held Dec. 30. Interment will be Feb. 25 at 11 a.m. in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va. Memorial contributions may be made to the Montgomery County ASPCA P.O. 367, Washington Grove, MD 20880 Condolences to the family may be made at www.brinsfieldfuneral. com. Arrangements provided by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown.
Brenda Ann Murphy, 66 Brenda Ann Murphy, 66, of Lexington Park died Jan. 4 in her residence. Born Feb. 6, 1942 in Knoxville, Tenn., she was the daughter of the late John Larkin and Retta Irene Hodge Essary. She was married Jan. 22, 1963 in Knoxville, Tenn. and was married for 25 years. She graduated from East High School in Knoxville, Tenn. in the Class of 1960 and attended the University of Tennessee for one year. Brenda moved to St. Mary’s County in 1997. She was an executive secretary for Camel Manufacturing in Knoxville, Tenn. Later, she married Pat Murphy of Knoxville, Tenn. and became a homemaker. She is survived by her daughter Lisa Murphy of Lexington Park and her son Matthew Craig Murphy of Warrenton, Va., as well as her grandchildren Dylan Murphy and Taylor Swann. She was preceded in death by her sibling Sam Essary. A memorial service will be held Jan. 15 at 6 p.m. in First Saint’s Community Church/St. Paul’s Leonardtown Campus, Leonardtown, with Pastor Matt Hall officiating. Interment will be private. Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A.
James C. “JC” Norris, Jr., 50 James C. “JC” Norris, Jr., 50, of Hollywood, died Jan. 6 in St. Mary’s, Hospital. Born March 6, 1958 in Leonardtown, he was the son of James C. Norris, Sr. of Hollywood, Md. and the late Shirley “Peggy” Norris. He was the loving husband of Marilyn Norris whom he married May 8, 1982 in St. John’s Church. He is also survived by his son James C “Jesse” Norris III, his broth-
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er Michael T. Norris and his sister Patty Sparks, all of Hollywood, Md. A lifelong resident of St. Mary’s County, JC graduated from Ryken High School’s Class of 1976 and was an auto mechanic for Ridgell Service Center. He enjoyed restoring Chevy Trucks. The family received friends Jan. 9 from 5 – 8 p.m. in the MattingleyGardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, where prayers were said at 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Jan. 10 at 10 a.m. in St. Aloysius Catholic Church, Leonardtown, with Fr. John Dakes officiating. Interment followed in Charles Memorial Gardens, Leonardtown. Pallbearers were Jamie Raley, Jim Hodges, Dale Lacey, Johnny Norris, Charlie Norris and Charlie Thompson. Honorary pallbearers were Robby Sparks, Billy Norris, George Bowles, Michael Norris and Bobby Raley. Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A.
Carey Jones Perkins, 97 Carey Jones Perkins, 97, of Leonardtown, died Jan. 9 in St. Mary’s Nursing Center, Leonardtown. Born March 20, 1911 in Fork Union, Va., he was the son of the late Ernest Winder Perkins and Lela (Bare) Perkins. He was raised on the family farm, Rose Hill in Fork Union, Va. and was a graduate of Fork Union High School in 1930. In 1932, Mr. Perkins built his own service station, which he eventually rented. He built a home in Dixie where he lived with his new bride, Helen Kemple Dunn Perkins. It was while living there they welcomed their first child John Carey Perkins. In 1942, Mr. Perkins brought his family to St. Mary’s County where he worked for a contactor as Patuxent River Naval Air Station was being established. There was no available housing for the workers and their families, so they rented a small apartment above a mortuary in Chaptico. The Navy brought in trailers near the base, and soon after that, the “flattops” were built to accommodate the growing population. While living in Lexington Park, the Perkins welcomed a daughter, Linda. In 1954, Mr. Perkins built a home on Route 5 where they resided until Mrs. Perkins became a patient at St. Mary’s Nursing Center and Mr. Perkins moved to Cedar Lane Apartments where he lived until his death. After the war ended, Mr. Perkins became a civil servant in the capacity of Shop Planner at the Patuxent River Naval Air Station in the Electrical Department until his retirement in 1973. Mr. Perkins was a charter member of the Lexington Park Baptist Church where he served for many years as a Deacon. He was also a charter member of Thomas J. Shryock Lodge, 223 in Hollywood, Md. In 1986, he received his 32nd de-
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Thursday, January 15, 2009
gree in the Scottish Rite of the Free Masons. In the spring of 2008, Mr. Perkins was recognized for his 60 year membership in his lodge. He had served as Associate Guardian of Bethel 42, International Order of Jobs Daughters. He is survived by his daughter, Linda P. Chakales of Leonardtown, and a son, John C. Perkins of Bowie, Md.; five grandchildren, Cheryl McGowan (Tom) of Alpharetta, Ga., Brian H. Perkins (Lori) of Davidsonville, Md., Christopher J. Perkins (Autumn) of Edgewater, Md., Meredith C. Taggart (Joseph) of New Castle, Del. and Stefanie C. Goings (Todd) of Lexington Park. He is also survived by ten-great grandchildren. Mr. Perkins was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Helen Dunn Perkins in 2006; his siblings, Ernest W. Perkins, James N. Perkins, Frank O. Perkins, Mary J. Moss; son-in-law, Dwight E. Chakales and daughter-in-law, Corinne Gerwig Perkins. The family received friends Jan. 13 from 10 – 11 a.m. in the Brinsfield Funeral Home, Leonardtown. A funeral service was held at 11 a.m. followed by Masonic Memorial Service by the Thomas J. Shryock, Lodge #223, Hollywood, Md. Interment followed in St. George’s Episcopal Cemetery, Valley Lee. Memorial contributions may be made to Leonardtown Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 299, Leonardtown, MD or the Second District Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 1, Valley Lee, MD 20692. Condolences to the family may be made at www.brinsfieldfuneral. com. Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown.
Charles H. “Pappy” Wade, Jr., Col., U.S.A.F. (Ret.), 82 Charles H. “Pappy” Wade, Jr., Col., U.S.A.F. (Ret.), 82, of California, Md. died Jan. 6 in his residence. Born Jan. 15, 1926 in Germantown, Ohio he was the son of the late Charles H. Wade, Sr. and Ruth Gilbert Wade. Col. Charles “Pappy” Wade enlisted in the U. S. Army in 1943 and served at various installations until the end of World War II. In 1949, he was commissioned as an officer after being named as a distinguished military graduate from the first class of the Air Force ROTC. Following flight training, he served eight years in the Strategic Air Command as a Radar Navigator on B-36’s and B-52’s. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration Degree from the University of Cincinnati. After receiving his Master of Business Administration Degree from Michigan State University in 1960, he served as a
The County Times
Wade served as Deputy Chief of Staff and Comptroller for the 7th Air Force in Vietnam in 1971 and1972. He retired from Headquarters USAF in 1977 after 33 years of service. Colonel Wade was a Master Navigator with 5600 flying hours. His decorations include the Air Force Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters and the Legion of Merit with one Oak Leaf Cluster. From 1978 to 1982 he was a Senior Management Analyst for the Federal National Mortgage Corporation. From 1983 to 1986 he owned and operated a peach and apple orchard and operated a boat and car storage facility. In 1987 he became Director of Finance for St. Mary’s County and was in charge of finance, accounting, procurement, administration, personnel and MIS. His major accomplishments included the implementation of a comprehensive procurement manual and a personnel manual and system. He was responsible for the financing of the expansion of the St. Mary’s Nursing Center, the expansion of the St. Mary’s Hospital, the financing of the State Office Building in St. Mary’s County, the financing of the new Community College in St. Mary’s County as well as
William Joseph Sickle, 84 William Joseph Sickle, 84, of Solomons, and formerly of California, Md., died Jan 6 in Solomons Nursing Center. He was born Aug. 17, 1924 in Great Mills to the late William Clarence and Madeline Elizabeth Owens Sickle. He was the loving husband of Dorothy Rosa Sickle of Solomons, and formerly of California, Md. The family received friends Jan. 8 from 5 – 8 p.m. in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, where prayers were said at 7 p.m. and Knights of Columbus prayers were said at 7:15 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Jan. 9 at 10:30 a.m. in Holy Face Catholic Church, Great Mills, with Fr. Joseph Sileo officiating. Interment followed at the church cemetery. Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A. Staff Officer in the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing in Japan, the Air Force Logistics Command, the USAF Southern Command in Panama and Headquarters United States Air Force. Colonel
the financing an approximately $10 to $15 million annual capital budget. He retired in 1995. He is survived by his sons, David Wade of Willsville, Pa., Chris-
topher Wade of Richmond, Va. and three step-sons, Raymond Hermann of Reno, Nev., Michael Hermann of Merced, Calif., and Paul Hermann of Riverside, Calif., three grandchildren and two great grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Cozette Suzanne Kemerer Wade and a sister, Betty Hanshell. The family received friends for Pappy Wade’s Life Celebration Jan. 9 from 5 – 8 p.m. in the Brinsfield Funeral Home, Leonardtown. A Funeral Service was conducted Jan. 10 at 12 noon in the funeral home chapel. The Reverend Michael Jones, pastor of the Patuxent Presbyterian Church conducted the service. Interment followed in Charles Memorial Gardens, Leonardtown. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place,
Thelma Ann Barnes-Williams, 69 Thelma Ann Barnes-Williams, 69, of LaPlata, Md. died Jan. 6, after a lengthy illness at Southern Maryland Hospital Center in Clinton, Md. She was born in Pearson, Md. March 10, 1939 to the late Agnes Marnette Barnes and Chester Dyson. She was married to the late William “Willy” Williams. Thelma Ann was educated at Jarboesville Elementary and Cardinal Gibbons School in Pearson, Md. She retired from the Board of Education Dec. 18, 2002 as a Teacher’s Aide, where she taught at Banneker Elementary, Oakville Elementary and Park Hall Elementary. She also worked at the ARC of Southern Maryland and the Center for Life Enrichment in Holly wood, until she took ill. Thelma was a fashion star when it came to dressing to the nines; she loved partying and spending time with her family and friends. She was a big Washington Redskins fan. She is survived by her one daughter; Ursula A. Williams of Lexington Park; four sisters, Sheila Chase Musco, Ann Chase, Sandra Figeroux and
Margaret Kuykendall all of Lexington Park; eight brothers, Eugene Curtis of Florida, Michael Chase, Baltimore, Larry and Joseph Chase of Lexington Park, Tony and Chester Young of Lexington Park, William Young of Virginia, and William Lawrence of Lexington Park; three grandchildren, Shinique, Rach’e and La-Tiona Williams of Lexington Park; one goddaughter, Cynthia Barnes-Emanuel of Charlotte, N.C. and a host of nieces, nephews and friends. In addition to her parents and husband, Thelma was preceded in death by her grandparents Joseph Shappelle and Rozenia Egerston-Barnes, along with other beloved family members. Family will receive friends Jan. 15 from 10 – 11 a.m. in Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Lexington Park, where a Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Father Jack Kennealy will be the celebrant. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Condolences to the family may be made at www.brinsfieldfunerl.com. Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown.
Doris Margaret “Margie” Zienda, 81 Doris Margaret “Margie” Zienda, 81, of Leonardtown, formerly of Lexington Park, died Jan. 10 in St. Mary’s Nursing Center. Born Feb. 6, 1927 in Waldorf, she was the daughter of the late Raymond and Sally Pikeral. She was preceded in death by her husband Joseph Zienda Nov. 27, 1999 in Leonardtown. She is survived by her children Joseph W. Zienda and his wife Susan, and Brenda G. Lunn and her husband Karl all of Great Mills; Tony Zienda of Stafford, Va.; five grandchildren, Michelle Kramer, Melissa Boyce, Melissa Morris, Heather Lunn and Tiffany Lunn, and six great grandchildren, Stephanie Kramer, Eddie Kramer, Jaelyn Boyce, Skyler Boyce, Brandon Morris and Justin Boyce. Margie was a lifelong St. Mary’s County resident where she ran several restaurants in the 50’s and 60’s in Hollywood and Lexington Park. She also worked in sales at Belk’s Department Store. She loved to be with her family and friends and her favorite companion “Precious.” The family received friends Jan. 13 from 5 – 8 p.m. in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, where Prayers were said at 7 p.m. A Funeral Service was held Jan. 14 at 9:30 a.m. in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Chapel with Rev. Joe Dobson officiating. Interment was held in Trinity Memorial Gardens, Waldorf. Pallbearers were Roy Morris, Jason Boyce, David W. Hayden, Jr., James Bonds, Michael Bonds and Eddie Kramer. Honorary Pallbearers were Dale Coon, Jesus Alatorre and Jose Alatorre. Contributions may be made to Hospice of St. Mary’s County, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650. Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A.
The County Times
Down to Earth
By Ashton Carkhuff
The more I look around the more evident it becomes fads and trends have been making a larger impact on our lives. Whatever happened to common sense? We live in a time where we not only need to be concerned with saving dollars and cents but applying common sense. What matters most is our basic principles of preserving our environment and protecting our health that we as a people have strayed so far from. Here in Southern Maryland we are blessed with many opportunities that do not exist in other parts of the country. We have miles of shore line and many open areas for recreational activities that can be used year round. Being a waterfront community, we are already acutely aware of the sensitivity of the environment and the threats to the Chesapeake Bay. I was born and attended school in St Mary’s county. I have also had the opportunity to live in other parts of the country, travel abroad and I have returned to make my home in Southern Maryland. With all of these experiences I have come to the conclusion that I want to make a positive impact on my community not just a carbon foot print. With this weekly column I hope to achieve a dialogue with my readers that will affirm a healthier lifestyle while providing ways to reduce monthly living expenses that are beneficial to the environment. This year as residents of Southern Maryland we all need to set aside our political views be them red or blue and join together in community unity and live a little greener. Because of the New Year I am leaving you with nine easy tips to get your year started off a in a green way. 1. Bring your own reusable bags to the grocery store; leave them in the trunk of your car if you tend to forget them at the house 2. Get organized and run all errands in one trip- Save gas and time 3. Bring your own lunch to work- If you spend $9 a day that is a savings of over $2000 a year and a lot of unwanted calories 4. Reusable beverage containers- Save about $2 a day that is a savings of over $500 a year 5. Dust off that old exercise equipment or your gym membership card- you’ve already paid for them might as well use them 6. Unplug all small appliances when not in use- even if your appliances are off they still draining power from the wall outlet 7. Adjust the thermostat- lower the setting in the winter by only a few degrees and save 5-10% on your energy bill 8. Buy and eat fresh, local, seasonal produce- support the local economy 9. Donate all unwanted items- de-clutter your home and help someone in need
Thursday, January 15, 2009
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25th Annual Relay for Life Kicks Off for 2009 Andrea Shiell Staff Writer
Seamans said she had been busy preparing for this year’s event since the last one ended in June, and she expects this year’s numbers to surpass previous years. “We’ve been busy pretty much since the last one
aiming to raise $230,000, as well as registering 85 teams for the relay and recruiting as many as 1,400 participants. Team members gathered for the first ReEvent Co-Chair Kristy Anderson, who lay For Life meeting of the year on Jan 12, teaches at Spring Ridge Middle School said kicking off the year her first exposure to with a list of goals the cause had been for fundraising. This when a sixth grade year will also see St. student of hers was Mary’s County hostdiagnosed with colon ing the third phase cancer, and she asked of a Cancer Prevenher to sponsor a relay tion Study, for which team two years ago. they will be recruitThis year will be her ing volunteers this third time helping to year. organize the event, “It travels evand she is hopeful ery year,” said event not only that more Chair Abby Seamans money can be raised, when asked about but that more survithe research study. vors can be brought “Last year it was in into the fold. Calvert, this year “It’s really all it’s in St Mary’s.” about them,” she Eligible participants said, explaining that will be between the last year’s survivors ages of 30 and 65 dinner hosted 150 loand have had no cancal cancer survivors, cer diagnosis in their many of which had past. Participants run in the relay, and will fill out surveys many more who had Photo by Andrea Shiell on their habits and devoted their time to Advocate Georgette Gaskin held up a promotion mock-up at the Relay for Life kick-off meeting to educate team lifestyles to help members and captains about ACS advocacy programs in the area. fundraising. In St. determine trends Mary’s County there over a period of sevare an estimated eral years. This year’s Relay for Life in St. ended,” she said, adding that approximately 3,000 cancer survivors that relay volunteers Mary’s County will serve as an enrollment $219,000 was raised for the American Can- will be hoping to reach for this year’s event, site for the study. cer Society in 2008, and this year they are which is scheduled for June 6, 2009.
Avoiding the Winter Doldrums
When the winter months arrive, it’s no surprise many people adopt a more sedentary lifestyle. Colder temperatures keep many people indoors, and those daily trips to the gym are much less likely to occur if the winds are whirling and the snow is falling outside. However, living a healthy lifestyle is a year-round commitment, and such a lifestyle is far easier to maintain if it’s not abandoned once the colder temperatures arrive. In addition, staying disciplined throughout the winter is an effective means of warding off colds and other ailments that can come with the colder seasons. So as winter begins to bear down, consider the following tips for staying healthy and making it to spring feeling better than you ever have.
* Get your shut-eye. While it might seem like getting more sleep in the colder months is akin to a bear hibernating in the winter, that’s not entirely true. Don’t overdo it when it comes to sleeping, such as hitting the snooze bar and taking long naps on cold days when you’re stuck inside. However, be sure to get adequate sleep during the winter months. Getting too little sleep weakens the immune system, which can make you more susceptible to colds, flu and infections. * Beat viruses to the punch. An essential part of staying healthy in the winter months is prevention. The best way to treat a virus or disease is to prevent it from happening. Though it’s common to assume a flu shot is strictly for the elderly or children, that’s not the case. Flu shots are available to anyone looking to get one. It might not be easy to get a flu shot de-
and change and then be forced to go back outside in order to go the gym. If you must, work out during your lunch break when the skies are bright and the air a little warmer. Whatever your routine, choose it early in the season and stick to it. Once you’ve established the routine, it will be much easier to maintain. * Socialize. As technology advances, more and more workers have become telecommuters, forgoing the traditional office for the home office. While this can make life easier in a variety of ways, it can also leave you susceptible to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a type of depression that can affect people during the winter months when staying in is more common. For telecommuters, who may only leave their house for the office once a week (if at all), it’s important to maintain a social life during the winter months to avoid developing any feelings of isolation. Maintain a level of activity in your community, and be sure to get together with friends or family at least once per week.
Making exercise a part of your routine during the colder months is one way to avoid the winter doldrums.
pending on where you live, but doing whatever needs to be done to get one is well worth it. * Exercise. While it’s enticing to stay inside on a cold day rather than go to the gym, it’s also detrimental to your health. The best way to ensure you continue to exercise through the winter months is to develop a routine. If you exercise after work, bring your gym clothes to work with you so you won’t have to go home
* Continue to eat right. Just because you’ll be more bundled up thanks to cold weather doesn’t mean it’s safe to add a few extra pounds. While winter often increases cravings for heartier meals, a hearty meal can still be healthy. Rather than store-bought soups that are heavy in saturated fat, use fresh fruits and vegetables to make your own hearty soups, stews and meals at home. The vitamins from fresh fruits and vegetables can strengthen the immune system, and a healthy wintertime diet will have you ready and raring to go once the warm spring air and sun return.
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The County Times
Thursday, January 15, 2009
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A House is a Home
The County Times
Thursday, January 15, 2009
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“First Glance Enhancements” Sell Your Home “Curb appeal is not a myth”
Quick, name the three best features of your home’s exterior. If you’re like many people, you’ll stumble over the answer to this question. “Whether you’re positioning your home for a sale or trying to maintain your place in the neighborhood, you need a ‘wow factor’ that stops drive-by traffic in its tracks,” recommends Don Zeman, a former contractor and host of the nationally-syndicated radio show, Homefront with Don Zeman. According to the National Association of Realtors, 75 percent of people in the market to purchase a house begin their search on the Internet. A photo of your home’s exterior on a realtor Web site can instantly determine if buyers will visit your home. “Curb appeal is not a myth,” says Zeman. “If you’re selling your home and you’ve got peeling paint or a sloppy yard, you’ve lost the potential for a positive first impression. With so many houses for sale in today’s marketplace, it’s critical to invest in your home’s exterior to get potential buyers inside your house.” Zeman, an expert in remodeling and home improvement products, recommends homeowners make it a priority to have at least three “first glance enhancements” that make a lasting impression on anyone looking at your home. Enhancement #1 - Evaluate the condition of your siding. While vinyl and composite hardboard sidings are appealing because of their low maintenance requirements, brick still captures the highest audience appeal. “With today’s product advancements homeowners don’t have to invest in real brick to gain a terrific brick exterior,” says Zeman. “Panelized products made of recycled gypsum and high-density polymer materials, like Performance Brick panels, can transform the exterior of a home. And, these panels are for retrofit applications, so they can go over existing siding to transform a home.
“The non-porous nature of Performance Brick panels allows them to resist moisture, which prohibits the sustained growth of mildew, mold and algae. Installation is fast and efficient with the overlapping and interlocking panels that are connected with a Fast-Track system. Best of all, you get the look of Old World, handmade architectural brick for a fraction of the price.”
Add color and unity to your exterior.
Enhancement #2 - Add color and unity to your exterior. Make the front of the home welcoming by adding colorful shrubs, decorative flags and potted plants in key visual locations. Landscaping should receive special attention year-round. Trim bushes away from windows, add hanging flower baskets to front porch areas and spruce up the entryway with new brass hardware. Enhancement #3 - Transform a box-shaped house into an eye-appealing home by adding Bay or Bow windows. Along with providing homeowners with additional room on the interior of the home, Bay and Bow windows add character to the exterior. “Imagine a Christmas tree as a focal point in a Bay window during the holidays,” says Zeman. “These ‘bump-out windows’ add so much appeal to a home. When making a replacement choice, it’s best to go with a highly energy-efficient window that’s easy to maintain. In my house I put in Simonton vinyl windows. They ended up saving me hundreds of dollars each year on my energy bills and countless maintenance fees.”
Enhancement #4 - Even if you have a focal point Bay or Bow window, most homes have a majority of Double or Single Hung windows. Add urethane crossheads, mouldings and millwork around each window to “trim them out” and make the windows a stand-out feature on your home’s exterior. A simple crosshead and keystone can be added above a window in less than 10 minutes by any homeowner. Enhancement #5 - Replace rotted or aging wooden porch rails and posts with synthetic QuickRail and QuickPost systems. Made from a unique multi-layered PVC composite formula, Fypon’s QuickRail system will not decay, warp, fade, chip, splinter or rust. The QuickPosts are load-bearing Colonial-style posts that work with the railing system and are made of polyurethane reinforced with PVC. “PVC and urethane are two exceptionally low-maintenance products that resist all types of weather conditions, extreme temperatures and never need painting,” says Zeman. “Year-after-year, these synthetic pieces provide a home with curb appeal and hours of carefree relaxation.” For more ideas on curb appeal enhancements and product information, visit www.homefront.com. The addition of colorful flowers, low maintenance windows and weather-resistant rail systems add instant curb appeal to this home.
Outstanding Agents
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Serving Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s Counties
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The County Times
Thursday, January 15, 2009
There is a reason why our signs are everywhere!! CALL US
Brooks & Barbour www.brooksandbarbour.com 23063 Three Notch Rd. California, MD 20619 Office: 301-862-2169 Fax: 301-862-2179 Lucy Barbour lucybarbour@mris.com CELL: 301-904-9914
Karen Alford Brooks karenalfordbrooks@mris.com CELL: 301-481-0644
A House is a Home
The County Times
Transforming Concrete Around Your Home Is Easier Than You Imagine
Thursday, January 15, 2009
22
By Patrick Dugan Contributing Writer On July 30, 2008, President Bush signed H.R. 3221, the “Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008,” a huge $300 Billion rescue plan that may help struggling homeowners avoid foreclosure, and hopefully boost confidence in the sluggish housing market. The bill is 694 pages long and very complex, with help from the National Association of Realtors, Here are some of the highlights. This legislation contains a number of victories for American homeowners including GSE reform, FHA reform, permanent loan limit increases, and a $7500 homeowner tax credit. This bill will help a limited number of homeowners facing foreclosure find ways to refinance. The bill includes the following provisions:
• Homebuyer Tax Credit - a $7500 tax credit that would be available for any qualified purchase between April 8, 2008 and June 30, 2009. The credit is repayable Find over 15 years (making it, in effect, an interest free loan). If you buy your house before you file this year’s income tax, you can claim the credit for 2008! Rust-Oleum • FHA Reform – including permanent FHA loan limits for St. Mary’s County capped at $417,000; streamlined processing for FHA condos; reproducts at home forms to the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) program, and centers, discount and reforms to the FHA manufactured housing program. The downpayment requirement on FHA loans will go up to 3.5% (from 3%). hardware stores near • Government Sponsored Enterprises (GSE) Reform – For St. Mary’s this means that our GSE loan limits will stay at the higher rate you. For more that was established during the passing of the economic stimulus package earlier this year. information, visit • Homebuyer Tax Credit - a $7500 tax credit that would be available for www.rustoleum.com any qualified purchase between April 8, 2008 and June 30, 2009. The credit is repayable over 15 years (making it, in effect, an interest free loan). • FHA foreclosure rescue – development of a refinance program for homebuyAdd value to your home by updating and beautifying outdoor concrete surfaces. ers with problematic subprime loans. Lenders would write down qualified mortgages to 85% of the current appraised value and qualified borrowers would get a new FHA 30-year fixed mortgage at 90% of appraised value. Borrowers would have to share Curb appeal not only provides a first impres- are one of the most popular colors in today’s out50% of all future appreciation of their home if they sell with FHA. The loan limit for sion of your home but it also adds value. In the past, door decorating trends. this program is $550,440 nationwide. Program is effective on October 1, 2008. when it came to updating concrete and asphalt, Repair and restore concrete surfaces. Is • Seller-funded downpayment assistance programs – codifies existing FHA promost homeowners assumed that improvements cracked or chipped concrete making your home posal to prohibit the use of downpayment assistance programs funded by those who would require a jack hammer and a whole lot of look older or just less appealing? Hiring a contrachave a financial interest in the sale; does not prohibit other assistance programs prosweat equity. Thanks to innovations from Rust- tor to replace damaged patios, walkways and stairs vided by nonprofits funded by other sources, churches, employers, or family memOleum, it’s easy to restore and beautify concrete can cost thousands of dollars. But, with Rustbers. This prohibition does not go into effect until October 1, 2008. and asphalt surfaces without hiring a contractor. Oleum EPOXYShield Concrete Resurfacer, it’s • VA loan limits – temporarily increases the VA home loan guarantee loan limits to Here are a few tips from the experts at Rust-Oleum easier than ever to restore concrete surfaces and the same level as the Economic Stimulus limits through December 31, 2008. that are sure to add plenty of curb appeal to your give them a new and improved appearance. The • Risk-based pricing – puts a moratorium on FHA using risk-based pricing for one home. two-part cementitious microtopping combines year. This provision is effective from October 1, 2008 through September 30, 2009. Add style to patios and walkways. Decora- Portland cement with acrylic polymers to create • GSE Stabilization – includes language proposed by the Treasury Department to tive concrete has become a hot home improvement a stronger bond with existing concrete than a traauthorize Treasury to make loans to and buy stock from the GSEs to make sure that trend. Adding color and style to old gray concrete ditional concrete and water mixture. Even better, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae could not fail. This is potentially a huge mess that we surfaces is as easy as painting with new concrete Concrete Resurfacer adds an extra layer of proteccould be getting our children into, potentially 300 billion dollars! If managed properly stains like Rust-Oleum(R) Semi-Transparent Con- tion that withstands heavy foot and even vehicle it can work well. crete Stain. Water-based and easy to apply, it adds traffic. Plus, it’s easy -- just roll it on for a natural • National Affordable Housing Trust Fund – Develops a Trust Fund funded by durable color and dimension to concrete porches, concrete look. a percentage of profits from the GSEs. In its first years, the Trust Fund would cover patios, walkways, pool decks, and more. It’s availFor more inspiration and project ideas, visit costs of any defaulted loans in FHA foreclosure program. In out years, the Trust Fund able in seven pre-mixed colors and 34 custom col- www.paintideas.com. There are hundreds of easy, would be used for the development of affordable housing. ors to suit every style! Try Concrete Stain in Lime- inexpensive projects that can help you transform • CDBG Funding – Provides $4 billion in neighborhood revitalization funds for stone for a clean, fresh look. Or use Earth Brown any outdoor or indoor living space. communities to purchase foreclosed homes. This will help low income communities to give a dramatic, decorative look. In fact, browns with the problem of having so many run down foreclosed home sin any one area. • LIHTC – Modernizes the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program to make it more efficient. • Loan Originator Requirements – Strengthens the existing staterun nationwide mortgage originator licensing and registration system (and requires a parallel HUD system for states that fail to particDespite headline-grabbing figures and further resolve their debt. Inaccuracies in Colorado, for exipate). Federal bank regulators will establish a parallel registration forays by government officials into helping homeown- ample, where Realty Trac reported more than 54,000 system for FDIC-insured banks. The purpose is to prevent fraud and ers, foreclosure statistics are being widely criticized foreclosures in 2006, were criticized by the state’s require minimum licensing and education requirements. The bill as inaccurate. The criticism rests largely with Irvine, Division of Housing, which reported the actual numexempts those who only perform real estate brokerage activities and California-based Realty Trac, one of the major sup- ber of foreclosures to be less than 29,000. The crux are licensed or registered by a state, unless they are compensated by pliers of foreclosure statistics throughout the country. of the problem appears to be Realty Trac reporting a lender, mortgage broker, or other loan originator. Simply put, many across the country are questioning homes that have gone into the process of foreclosure the validity of the company’s figures, saying the num- as actual foreclosures, when in reality, many homAs with all tax questions, please consult your tax adviser on these bers are inflated because many of the foreclosures eowners that go into foreclosure eventually resolve ideas. For real estate advice, whether you want to sell, buy invest the company reports are halted when homeowners their debt and avoid losing their homes. or rent, contact me. PatrickDugan@mris.com
Did You Know?
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Thursday, January 15, 2009
The County Times
The County Times
Newsmakers Johnson Celebrates 50 Years with Ladies Auxiliary Andrea Shiell Staff Writer Hundreds of well-dressed guests cheered as the Baltimore/Tennessee game drew to a close at the Hollywood VFW Social Hall on
Photo By Andrea Shiell
Juanita Johnson at the Annual Installation of Officers
Saturday night. As the televisions went blank, all paused to take in the new array of officials at their 52nd Annual Installation of Officers. Among those sworn in that evening were the station’s new Ladies Auxiliary President, Cynthia A. Wood, the station’s new president, William C. Mattingly, and the new Fire Chief, W. Robert Albert. The gem of the evening, however, was Juanita R. Johnson, to whom the entire evening was dedicated in honor of her 50 years of service to the HVFD Ladies Auxiliary, having first joined in September 1958. “They were really sneaky about it,” she said later, explaining that Auxiliary members had managed to coordinate their comings and goings so as to set up the social hall and the programs without Juanita figuring out that the evening was in her honor. “I did not know a thing until I saw the program,” she said, “and I had realized in September that I had 50 years…but I didn’t give it a second thought!” Johnson cheerfully explained later that one of her reasons for first joining was to be able to spend more time with her husband, Albert. “It was the only way I could spend time with my husband,” she said on Saturday evening, explaining later that, “he’s a charter member of the fire department…so if he had to go up there to work, then I’d go up there with him and work, too,” she said.
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Thursday, January 15, 2009
Her dedication paid off, too. “She has been a bartender, a janitor, a mediator and a friend,” said Leone Gatton at Saturday’s presentation, during which Juanita was honored with numerous commendations from Senators Cardin and Mikulski, Senator Roy Dyson, the Board of County Commissioners, Representative Steny Hoyer, and Governor Martin O’Malley, as well as the Maryland State Fireman’s Association. As the second Vice President of the Ladies Auxiliary catering department, Juanita said she has probably gained enough catering experience to start her own independent company, but she still regularly refers to a chart showing how much food and supplies need to be ordered for parties of 50, which she has kept from her days in junior high school. As she tallied up the 53 events scheduled at the firehouse in the next year, she said it is very rare for her to spend a weekend without catering one of them. Juanita is still a very busy woman. In addition to keeping up with her husband and her nine children, she said her service with the Ladies Auxiliary has offered her a chance to help her family of firemen, something she plans to keep doing. “I expect to continue doing exactly what I’m doing to support the firemen,” she said. “Even though it’s been 50 years, it doesn’t seem like it, and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it,” she said.
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Question Interview Interviewing: Brenda Tominack
Brenda Tominack, 47, from Oakville is a lifelong resident of St. Mary’s County. She works as a computer programmer and IT specialist at Patuxent River Naval Air Station, and in her free time she is an active committee member for St. Mary’s County Relay for Life, helping to raise money for the American Cancer Society. CT: What is the most challenging aspect of your job? BT: I guess keeping up with all the latest rules and regulations…they’re always coming up with new rules and IT security that you have to follow. CT: What is the most rewarding aspect for you? BT: I love the people I work with, and I get to help the fleet. That’s what I live for. CT: What do you find unique about St. Mary’s County? BT: I’ve seen it change over the years from a rural community to being more developed…it’s kind of a trade off, but a good one I think.
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Thursday, January 15, 2009
The County Times
Community
Energy Forum Highlights Conservation, Community Action By Andrea Shiell Staff Writer “We just thought it was a fabulous idea,” said League of Women Voters President Janice Hummel while she helped set up for the league’s forum on energy and the environment at Lexington Park Public Library on Saturday. “We’re hoping to gain some insight on what is happening and what direction we are going in,” she said. Insight may have been the word of the day, too, as the public forum featured representatives from St. Mary’s County Public Schools, SMECO, St. Mary’s College of Maryland (SMCM), the Board of County Commissioners, and Patuxant River NAS. Other groups, including the Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN), offered pamphlets on energy conservation and legislative action. “30 years ago I was driving a ’61 Ford Falcon…and fuel prices were killing me,” said
Commissioner Larry Jarboe in his opening remarks, “so I started doing research…and I found out that fuel every few years changes, and there’s a reason they’re doing that, and it’s not to get better fuel efficiency,” he said, adding that corporations “are programming inefficiency into our fuels,” for their own profit. Other panel members agreed with Jarboe’s statements, including Larry Hartwick, Supervisor of Design and Construction for SMCPS, SMCM co-chair Chip Jackson, LaSandra Nelson, public works specialist for Pax River NAS, and Jeff Shaw, Environmental and Energy Conservation Manager for SMECO, but Saturday’s event centered most on proposed alternative energy solutions, which panel members discussed at length as they were asked questions by audience members. “We want you to reduce your usage,” said Shaw, explaining that SMECO is set
Father Andrew White Eighth Grade Collect Cans for Cookies
Photo By Andrea Shiell
Commissioner Larry Jarboe at Saturday’s forum on energy and the environment, hosted by the League of Women Voters.
to launch several new public education campaigns in the next few months, including the state-sponsored “Change a Light, Change the World” program, which offers free energy efficient light bulbs to residents. When asked what energy sources they envisioned for the future, Shaw said that the government is offering tax credits to residents who install wind turbines, while others, including Nelson and Hartwick, said that solar panels would be their main areas of focus, particularly for new commercial buildings.
When asked if property tax credits would be made more available for St. Mary’s residents installing wind or solar power systems, Jarboe said county subsidies would depend on community involvement. “Unfortunately the public forum over the last couple of years has been taken away from government, “ said Jarboe, reflecting that the political climate of the times might not allow for its reestablishment without public outcry. “We need to get the public forum back so we can bring these ideas forward and get the other commissioners onboard,” he said.
Blake Autry, 8th gr. and Niamh Storch, Kindergarten.
Eighth grade students at Father Andrew White School collected canned goods from the students in school during their lunchtime. When the students brought up a canned good or other nonperishable food item, then they were allowed to choose a cookie or other baked good from the selection that the eighth grade and their families had baked. All of the collected canned goods, about 700, pieces, were donated to Helping Hands in Hollywood, MD.
LIBRARY ANNOUNCEMENTS Gates Grant Computers Installed
Nine computers purchased with the Gates Foundation Grant have been installed at Lexington Park library. The library continues to accept donations to the Technology Fund, Phase 2 of the Gates Foundation Grant, which will be used to sustain these new computers. The raffle of the Blackistone Lighthouse print raised $650 for the Technology Fund. Shannon Demehri was the lucky winner of the raffle.
Paying for college
Tim Wolfe, Director of Financial Aid at St. Mary’s College, along with the local high school career counselors, will discuss the options available to pay college expenses. The FAFSA form will be discussed. Lexington Park will host the free program on Jan. 21 and Charlotte Hall on Feb. 4. Both begin at 7 p.m. No registration is required. SoMd CAN (College Access Network) will assist high school seniors and their parents in completing the FAFSA application on College Goal Sunday, Jan. 18, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Lexington Park library. Registration is highly recommended. Contact somdcan@ comcast.net to register a time slot. Participants are asked to bring their estimated 2008 tax forms.
TAGs sponsoring free teen movie matinees
Leonardtown library’s TAG (Teen Advisory Group) is sponsoring a movie matinee for teens tonight, Jan. 15, at 5:30 p.m.
at Leonardtown. A PG-13 movie will be shown. Charlotte Hall’s TAG will sponsor a matinee Jan. 24 at 2 p.m. at Charlotte Hall. There is no charge for either matinee and popcorn is provided. Teens can check the library’s website or contact the library for the titles. No registration is required.
Science workshop focuses on magnetism
Children ages 6 and older will explore magnetism and perform experiments with magnets and electromagnets at a free workshop scheduled at each branch on Jan. 20. Lexington Park’s will be at 10 a.m., Leonardtown’s at 10:30 a.m. and Charlotte Hall’s at 1 p.m.
Story times have resumed
The libraries have resumed story times at all three branches. Baby Steps story times are for ages 2-12 months, toddler story times are for ages 1-2 1/2years and pre-school story times are for all ages but are geared for ages 3-5. Wiggle-Giggle is for those little listeners with extra energy. Patrons can check the library’s website or call the library for a schedule.
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Basic computers available
Free basic computer classes are being offered at Lexington Park and Leonardtown this month. Charlotte Hall and Lexington Park will offer the classes in February. Introductory classes to computers, Windows, Internet, and email are available to adults. Please register.
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The County Times
On The Menu
Today in St. Mary’s County we have many wonderful options for dining out. Each week we will feature a local restaurant and give our readers an overview of what they can enjoy on the menu at each location. Bon Appétit!
Sea Breeze Restaurant and Crab House 27130 South Sandgates Road, Mechanicsville, MD 301-373-5217
Recipe Start to finish: 30 minutes Servings: 4
Located on the banks of the Patuxent River, this long time local favorite offers traditional Southern Maryland crab house dining in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. Owners Jeff and Betty Ann Quade offer a wide range of menu items from hard and soft crabs, a wide variety of seafood to steak and soups and sandwiches galore. Menu prices for sandwiches range from $3-$9, entrees from $9-$27 and a large appetizer menu from $3-$11. A full bar is available on site. Sea Breeze is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week. Hours of operation are from 11:00 a.m.9:00 p.m, Sunday through Thursday and 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Of course, hard crabs are always in season at Seabreeze.
ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH SALAD WITH WARM CIDER VINAIGRETTE
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Thursday, January 15, 2009
Healthy Bites Tips for Dining Out
Dining out can be a challenge when you are trying to eat healthy. Try these few simple tips and enjoy the night out of the kitchen and still eat healthy! • Swap the sides. Substitute tomato slices, a green salad or fresh fruit for the side of fries. • Ask for dressing and sauces on the side so that you can control how much you eat. • Ask for a doggy bag. Just eat what you want and take the rest home for tomorrow. • Share dessert with others at the table or skip it altogether. • Choose menu items that are grilled, baked or sautéed and avoid fried foods
On The Vine
Looking for the right wine at the right price doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Each week we will preview fine, quality wines for any occasion that are easy on the wallet.
Robertson South African Wines
VINTAGE
The run-up to the 2008 vintage was one with a lot of challenges for viticulturists and growers alike. Much more than the average rainfall during spring and early part of summer contributed to vineyards growing more vigorously. We were able to overcome these challenges by applying stricter and more frequent canopy management actions. A new very accurate 14 day weather and disease forecasting model also enabled us to manage growth by adjusting irrigation applications downward in advance when rain was forecasted. Mother Nature brought us a season which was cooler from the later part of spring right through to harvest. This cooler growing conditions, especially the cooler night time temperatures did influence the 2008 grape and wine quality very positively. One would think that the more vigorous growing conditions would have impacted us negatively, but with the correct management in the vineyard, the correct optimum ripeness decisions and leading winemaking practices we are proud to say that the overall red and white wine quality for 2008 is up there with the best!
VINEYARDS
VINTAGE
The 2007 vintage will be remembered as one of the best till date. The
The fruit was sourced from 35 specially selected grape growing families in run-up to this harvest was almost perfect, starting with a cold, wet winte the Robertson Valley. Vines are grown in deep cool alluvial soil that is rich (firstFruit onewas in many years) moderate spring, with no significant winds in lime and receives an annual rainfall of only 280 mm per year. hampering harvested very early in the morning from the last week of February to the growth. The weather during harvest was also perfect with middle of March. Our Chenin Blanc vines are planted on the riverbanks with no rain. The only little blemish in this year’s growing seaso more or less a row direction from northwest to southeast to utilize the prevailing seaheat wave during the end of January. Although high temperature was the breeze. The sea breeze cools down the fruit, extends the ripening period were recorded, the intensity of this heat wave was less severe in and builds up concentrated flavours in the grapes. The average annual rainfall is supplemented by controlled drip irrigation from the Robertson Breede River.than in other South African wine growing areas. The availabili
WINEMAKING
of irrigation also helped to buffer the vineyards against the heat and th net result was that the vineyards coped with the conditions better tha
expected. The abovementioned condition was condusive to goo Grapes were harvested between 21˚ - 22˚B from a selectionwas of vineyards. effective canopies and a little bigger crop of excellent quality Gentle pressing followed by using a Pneumatic bag pressgrowth, to capture the delicate fruit component. The wine was made reductively prevent crop is due to new vineyards coming into bearing, older Thetobigger any oxidation and to ensure that natural flavours of the grapes could becropping a bit more and especially because no crop losses vineyards retained. Fermentation happened slowly in temperature controlled occurred due to disease or rot. With a season like this one, we can loo stainless steel tanks for 18 days at 13˚C. forward to excellent 2007 wines - both red and white.
WINEMAKER’S COMMENT
An appealing light straw colour. Full-bodied wine with powerful varietal flavours of pineapple, granadilla, melon and green apple. Good structure with lovely balancing acidity. Enjoy now with seafood, smoked salmon, The fruit is sourced from 35 specially selected grape growing families roast chicken and pork.
VINEYARDS
Established in 1941, winemaking at Robertson is a natural process, where great care is taken to capture and preserve nature’s bountiful harvest. The Winery Range demonstrates this commitment to nature, resulting in wines reflecting the unique Robertson Valley characteristics of each varietal. These fine varieties are all provided under $10.
in the Robertson Valley. The Pinotage vineyards are grown in the lim
VINTAGE REGION WINEMAKER YIELD (ton/ha) ALCOHOL pH TOTAL ACIDITY RESIDUAL SUGAR OAK MATURATION FERMENTATION TEMP CELLARING POTENTIAL SERVING TEMPERATURE ALLERGENS ACCREDITATIONS: ISO 22000 British Retail Consortium
rich karoo soils with fairly high clay content. This soil enables grower 2008 ROBERTSON to use regulated deficit irrigation to control vine vigour and berry size FRANCOIS WEICH Pinotage quality benefits a lot if quite severe water deficit are induced 14 TONS between berry set and veraison. After a strict vineyard selection the 12,7% 3,39 selected fruit was harvested from middle February to first week in March 5,99 6,8 NIL 13° - 14°C 2008 - 2009 Grapes were harvested at full ripeness between 23, 5° - 26,5°B from 8° - 10°C a selection of vineyards. Malolactic fermentation took place in temperature CONTAINS SULPHITES
WINEMAKING
controlled stainless steel tanks. Wine was matured on wood for 3 month to add weight and complexity before stabilization and bottling.
VINTAGE
2007 vintage will be W I N E M A K E R ’ S C The OM N T wa run-up toM thisEharvest
A deep purple tint on the rim with delicious flavours of ripe strawberry
(first one in many years)
banana, juicy plums and rich, red cherry. Produced in an early drinkin 1 Constitution Road PO Box 37 Robertson 6705 Tel +27 (0) 23 626 8817 Tel +27 (0) 23 626 3059 Fax +27 (0) 23 626 2926 www.robertsonwinery.co.za hampering growth. The w
Ingredients: 1 1/2-pounds butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cut into 3/4inch pieces 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons extravirgin olive oil, divided 1 tablespoon maple syrup 2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided 1 teaspoon ground black pepper, divided 3 tablespoons dried cranberries 3/4 cup apple cider or apple juice 2 tablespoons cider vinegar 2 tablespoons minced shallots 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard 4 ounces baby arugula 1/2 cup toasted walnut halves 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese Heat the oven to 400 F.
In a large bowl, combine the squash, 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, the maple syrup, 1 teaspoon of the salt and 1/2 teaspoon of the pepper. Toss well, then spread the squash evenly over a baking sheet. Roast the squash until tender, turning once, about 15 to 20 minutes. Add the cranberries to the pan for the last 5 minutes. While the squash is roasting, in a small saucepan combine the apple cider, vinegar and shallots. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then cook for 6 to 8 minutes, or until the liquid is reduced to about 1/4 cup. Remove the saucepan from the heat and whisk in the mustard, the remaining 1/2 cup of olive oil, and the remaining 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Place the arugula in a large serving bowl. Add the roasted squash mixture, the walnuts and the Parmesan. Spoon just enough vinaigrette over the salad to moisten, then toss well. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and serve immediately. (Recipe from Ina Garten’s ``Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics,’’ Clarkson Potter, 2008)
style with well-integrated wood and a soft, smooth finish. Enjoy now lesspizza no rain. The with roast beef, guinea fowl, roast chicken, more stews,or lamb, and pasta VINTAGE REGION WINEMAKER YIELD (TON/HA) ALCOHOL PH TOTAL ACIDITY RESIDUAL SUGAR OAK MATURATION FERMENTATION TEMP CELLARING POTENTIAL ALLERGENS ACCREDITATIONS: ISO 22000 British Retail Consortium
VINEYARD
Shiraz is by nature a vig used to manage the can Shale soils that are rich harvested per hectare du specially selected grape ensures a health 1 Constitution Road PO Box 37 Robertson 6705 Tel +27 (0) 23 626 8817 Tel +27 (0) 23 626 3059 Fax +27 (0) 23 626content 2926 www.robertsonwinery.co. 120 grams per bunch to
Pinotage - A deep purple tint on the rim with delicious flavors of ripe strawberry, banana, juicy plums and rich, red cherry. Produced in an early drinking style with well-integrated wood and a soft, smooth finish. Enjoy with roast beef, poultry, stews, lamb, pizza and pasta. Chenin Blanc - An appealing light straw color, full-bodied wine with powerful varietal flavors of pineapple, passion flower, melon and green apple. Good structure with lovely balancing acidity. Enjoy with seafood, smoked salmon, roast chicken and pork.
WINEMAK
Grapes were harvested selection of vineyards w years. The wine was ferm tanks at 28°C for 9 days body and weight. Eighty and twenty percent on A
WINEMAK
This full-bodied wine sho hints of cinnamon and cl fruit, rich mulberry and w roast beef, stews, lamb, VINTAGE REGION WINEMAKER YIELD (ton/ha) ALCOHOL pH TOTAL ACIDITY RESIDUAL SUGAR OAK MATURATION
FERMENTATION TEMP CELLARING POTENTIAL SERVING TEMPERATUR ALLERGENS ACCREDITATIONS: ISO 22000 British Retail Consortium
1 Constitution Road PO Box 37 Robertson 6705 Tel +27 (0) 23 626 8817 Tel +27 (0) 23 626 3059
Shiraz - This full-bodied wine shows freshly crushed black pepper aromas with hints of cinnamon and cloves on the nose with lots of brambly red berry fruit, rich mulberry and well integrated vanilla tones. Enjoy with roast beef, stews, lamb, pasta and steak.
Featuring: Robertson South Africa Wines
was the heat wave during were recorded, the inten
2007 Robertson than in other S ROBERTSON of irrigation also helped t LOLLY LOUWRENS net result was that the vi 10 - 14 TONS was expected. The abov 13,30% growth, effective canopie 3,56 The bigger crop is due to 5,64 3,0vineyards cropping a bit 3 MONTHS occurred due to disease 28°C forward to excellent 200 2 - 3 YEARS CONTAINS SULPHITES
Friday, January 16th & Michelob Craft Beers 5 pm - 8 pm Come Join Us at the Leonardtown McKay’s Fine Wine & Spirits for our Wine Tasting Ceremony!
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The County Times
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Wanderings of an Aimless
d
Min
“Hidden Treasures” By Shelby Oppermann Contributing Writer Many of you have written in with requests for future article ideas, and one reader, who is also a friend, has asked about little known historical places. I will write about a few throughout the year. And I know there are readers out there who like to wander around country roads aimlessly like I do. It’s not just my mind that has that habit. We have such a wealth of beautiful old roads with neat little shops, monuments, old cemeteries, and the like. These are the hidden treasures, maybe ones you drive by everyday, wonder about, but don’t get to stop.
I drove my sons all over this county, and Calvert and Charles, searching out unusual places, or parks, so they could see the beauty in simple things or just in nature. Sometimes, as any parent knows, it was that last ditch effort to get them to nap for an hour or so. Oh, but the things I have found. The last-minute cookouts at parks in sudden downpours or windstorms. I always had charcoal in the car; all we needed was a store nearby to get some hot dogs or hamburger. I thought my sons didn’t care about this too much, but my son Robert, surprised me one year, asking if I’d like to have a cookout at the park like we used to. The trails that you think might take an hour, but end up
Creature Feature By Theresa Morr Contributing Writer
This little guy with the pig-like snout and big ears is known as the Mickey Mouse of the desert among scientists. The cute and unusual looking creature is not a mouse, but is a rodent called a jerboa. What makes this comical-looking fellow unique is that it lives in the deserts of Mongolia and China (see if you can find Mongolia and China on a map). When we think of desert animals, camels come to mind, not small animals like the jerboa. Jerboas are nocturnal and difficult to observe because they spend much of their lives in underground tunnels beneath the sand to avoid the desert heat. But Dr. Jonathan Baillie, a scientist with the London Zoological Society, recently filmed jerboas close-up in the Gobi desert and found them to hop on their feet like a kangaroo. “…Little hairs on their feet, almost like snow shoes, allow them to jump along the sand…in terms of mammals, they have one of the biggest ear-to-body ratios out there.” (Those huge ears are about 35% longer than its head.) You may wonder what these tiny desert creatures eat. Well, Dr. Baillie’s film revealed that jerboas forage for insects in their underground tunnels during daylight hours. In fact, those big ears help the animal to pinpoint and catch insects in the dark tunnels. There is still much to learn about this endangered rodent and other unique species that scientists fear are on the verge of extinction due to habitat disturbance. For more pictures, check out http://news.mongabay. com/2007/1210-hance_jerboa.html.
Wow! Scope out this weird looking dude: Big orange eyes. Slender black hands and skinny fingers. Sensitive spoon-like ears that rotate like radar dishes. Long bushy tail. Say “hi” to the aye-aye. At first glance, these little brownish-black rascals don’t look like primates, but they are. And you know what that means: You’re related to the aye-aye, along with apes and chimps! These mammals are rare and found only on the island of Madagascar (see if you can find that island on a map.).
These little rain forest dwellers live high up in the fork of trees where they make themselves a nest-ball home of leaves, twigs, and branches, away from predators on the forest floor. They are nocturnal and spend most of the day curled up in their nests. When hungry, they just tap their long middle finger on a tree branch and listen for wood-boring insect larvae moving under the bark --- then use that same finger to scoop out a nice fresh dinner. That middle finger also comes in handy for snagging fruit and scooping out flesh from coconuts. Very clever dudes! The aye-aye is about 15 inches long; its tail around 24 inches long; and weighs about four pounds. Many Madagascar natives consider the strange looking creature magical and an omen of bad luck. If an aye-aye appears in a village, it is usually killed on sight. Such behavior, along with deforestation to make room for coconut and sugar cane plantations, have put the aye-aye on the critically endangered species list. Aye-ayes in captivity live about 20 years. Comments to kikusan2@verizon.net.
being four hours. I think that’s why my friend Bethany moved to Florida. It really pays to look at the park information signs first, but to also be prepared with water, cheese and crackers, and cell phones. My youngest son Ryan seems to have an affinity for old cemeteries like I do. I believe we have been to most of the public cemeteries and a few of the not so public ones. On my Mondays off, when my oldest son Robert was in school, we would visit different churches and cemeteries, and walk past each grave one by one, and wonder what the person was like. In the 17th through 19th centuries it was common for parents to not only lose one child, but sometimes four or more. We would say something nice to the souls that might be at rest there. I always felt that there were graves that no family visited because later generations had moved away, so we were there to pay our respects. My friend Jenny, found out about a great little shop that has become a favorite of mine called Martin’s Supply. It is located on Dove Point Road in Loveville. You can get there by taking a right on Maypole Road in Leonardtown (just driving down Maypole Road is a visual delight), down to a left on Parsons Mill Road, and then a right on Dove Point Lane which is maybe a mile and a half past, maybe two miles after the stop sign. Do not take any car that you are worried about getting dirty down the lane. Go all the way to the end and you will find the neatest Amish General Store. It’s a good-sized building with hardware, groceries, sewing supplies & fabrics, spices, and bulk baking goods like you’ve never seen. Two big dogs will greet you most days. It’s not a good idea to take your own dog I have found out. Trying to get out of the door with Tidbit
barking and whining, and two dogs trying to get in the door and get her was quite a challenge. Other than that it is a very soothing place to be. There are supplies for every need. Four-foot wind chimes are gently creating beautiful harmonies outside the door. They are for sale along side carefully tended plants. The spices are what will truly mesmerize you, both in quantity and in aroma. If it is spring, summer, or fall, then stop by Green Acres Plant Nursery, which is right before Dove Point Lane. It is one of our many full-service nurseries I enjoy in the county. This just happens to be on my personal list of hidden treasures. I love walking around there on a spring morning, gazing wistfully at all that I would love to plant in my yard. Just being there and walking through the greenhouses and smelling the damp Earth and plants will brighten any mood. Don’t forget to pick up one of their calendars – leave one for me though! January and February are my favorite times to travel the back roads. Of course there are amazing sites all year, but when the trees are bare, there is so much more that comes into view. How many times have you said, “I never noticed that old house before.” There are houses in our lovely tree-filled neighborhood that I have never noticed until winter. That’s probably the way the homeowners like it too. Every so often, I’d like for you to explore with me each of these areas of the county I’ve touched on; the parks, cemeteries, out of the way shops, and historical spots No it’s not a test. I’d fail. Take a Saturday or Sunday afternoon and just wander… aimlessly. To each new day’s, or weekend’s, adventure, Shelby Please send your comments or ideas to: shelbys.wanderings@yahoo.com
St. Mary’s
The County Times
Show Time AMC Loews Lexington Park 6 Bedtime Stories Rated PG, 1 hr 35 min Bride Wars Rated PG, 1 hr 30 min Bedtime Stories
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Rated PG-13, 2 hr 48 min
Marley & Me
Thursday, January 15, 2009
28
Newtowne Players Have Fun with
“The Foreigner”
Hotel for Dogs Starts on Friday, Jan. 16 Marley & Me Rated PG, 2 hr 0 min Bride Wars
Paul Blart: Mall Cop Starts on Friday, Jan. 16
The Unborn
The Unborn Rated PG-13, 1 hr 28 min Yes Man Rated PG-13, 1 hr 44 min Curious Case
Shows and Rating Provided By Yahoo Entertainment. Check Local Listings For Show Times.
Yes Man Photo By Andrea Shiell
Thursday, January 15 Pulled Pork Dinner VFW in California, MD 5:30 p.m. Hosted by Ladies Auxiliary. $6 per dinner.
Texas Hold’Em Donovan’s Irish Pub – 7 p.m. Cash Games, no reservations needed, but seats fill up quickly. Call 443-9751591 for more information.
Friday, January 16 Fish and Steak Night American Legion Post 221, Avenue, MD – 5 p.m. Call 301-884-4071 for more information. Newtowne Players “The Foreigner” Three Notch Theater, Lexington Park Thursday – Saturday at 8
Saturday, January 17 Fair Association Flea Market/Yard Sale St. Mary’s County Fairgrounds – 8 a.m. Space may be rented for $15. Call 301-475-9543. Split Decision, DJ Rob & Car 54 Hotel Charles (Hughesville) – 9 p.m. Cover Charge. Call 301-274-4612 for more information.
p.m., and 3:30 p.m. on Sunday. Call 301-737-5447 for No Limit Hold’Em Tournament reservations. Bennett Building, 24930 Old Three Notch Road - 3 p.m. Texas Hold’Em Buy-in is $70. Side games available. VFW Post (2632 Three Doors open at 2 p.m., sign-up b/ 2:15 p.m. Notch Road) – 7 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. Call 301-383-6104 for more $50 buy-in, sign up be- information. gins 6:20 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. Call 240-925-4000 to pre-register.
Sunday, January 18
Political Memorabilia Exhibit Piney Point Lighthouse Museum – 12 noon $3 per adult, $1.50 per child 6 to 18, and kids 5 and under free. Call 301-994-1471 for more information.
Monday, January 19 MLK Prayer Breakfast St. Mary’s College of Maryland – 7 a.m. Breakfast starts at 7 a.m., with program following from 8:30 – 10:30 a.m. Admission $7. Call 240-895-4191 for more information. No Limit Texas Hold’Em St. Mary’s County Elk’s Lodge – 7 p.m. $20 buy-in, side games available. Call 240925-5697 for more information.
DJ Lavery, Dawn Weber and John Giusti play Ellard, Betty, and Charlie in “The Foreigner,” showing at Three Notch Theater through February 1.
By Andrea Shiell Staff Writer Larry Shue’s hit play, The Foreigner is not politically correct, but therein rests its charm. This very quality may have soured the critics who gave it a lukewarm reception when it first opened in New York in 1984, but it subsequently delighted audiences through nearly 700 performances after it opened. The play’s popularity was sufficient to earn it two Obie Awards and two Outer Critics Circle awards. The magic of this production lies with its characters: Betty, a dotingly hospitable and sheltered elderly southern woman who talks like Paula Dean, conscientiously trying to take care of those staying at her Georgia fishing lodge, including Catherine and her villainous fiancé the Reverend David Marshall Lee, Catherine’s younger brother, a lovable dim-wit named Ellard (who happens to be smarter than he looks), a crude and racist local clansman named Owen Musser, and a goodnatured Englishman, Staff Sergeant “Froggy” LeSueur, who happens to be a close friend of Betty’s who brings her exotic spoons from “the Aborigines of Canada.” All of the characters walk and talk like southern caricatures (except of course, Froggy, who speaks with a cockney British accent), but the interplay between them is the stuff of raw comedy when a “foreigner” is suddenly in their midst. Never mind the fact that the play’s main character, visitor Charlie Baker (just in from London with his friend
Froggy), is by no means a foreigner, but acting like one to avoid social interaction with his hosts. In an attempt to help his friend relax and vacation from his philandering, terminally ill wife, (who has a habit of calling him “shatteringly, profoundly boring,”) Froggy tells Betty and her guests that Charlie does not speak or understand English. Rather than keeping him insulated, however, Charlie’s deception instead seems to encourage all in the house to talk to him (and around him) more rather than less, divulging personal information revealing a sinister plot between David and Owen to usurp Betty’s property and turn it into a meeting place for the Ku Klux Klan. It is hard not to laugh as Charlie becomes unwillingly privy to the plots unfolding around him, while comically repeating one of the only words he’s meant to know, “thank you!” and using his incognito status to help Betty, Catherine, and Ellard fight back. When asked which character he identified with most, Director Kerry Robinson said, “in a sense I identify with Betty, because she’s just trying to make everyone comfortable, make everyone get along…as a director you have that responsibility, to make sure everyone’s comfortable and happy…so the director becomes the host,” he said. “The Foreigner” will play at Three Notch Theater Thursdays through Sundays from Jan. 16 – Feb. 1. To reserve tickets, visit www.newtowneplayers. org, or call 301-737-5447.
The County Times
Going On
Flea Market/ Yard Sale St. Mary’s County Fair Association is having a Flea Market / Yard Sale at the Fairgrounds on Saturday, January 17, 2009 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Crafters are welcome. Smartco will be selling refurbished Pentium 4 computer systems with LCD monitors for $199.00. An 8 X 10 space may be rented for $15.00. For information or to reserve a space call 301-475-9543.
MLK Prayer Breakfast The fifth annual Southern Maryland Martin Luther King, Jr. Prayer Breakfast will be held on Monday, Jan. 19. As a start to the 375th anniversary year of the founding of Historic St. Mary’s City, the breakfast will highlight the life of America’s first black legislator. On the eve of the inauguration of America’s first African-American president, breakfast attendees will hear about Mathias de Sousa, who in 1641 became a member of the colony’s General Assembly, becoming the first African of mixed descent to hold public office in America. Breakfast service begins at 7 a.m. at St. Mary’s College of Maryland (SMCM), with the program scheduled from 8:30 -10:30 a.m. The service will feature guest speakers Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), SMCM Professor Garrey Dennie, and Dr. Janice Talbert Walthour. The breakfast is in the college’s Great Room, located on the second floor of the Campus Center. Admission is $7 and includes a full breakfast. The event is sponsored by SMCM and the St. Mary’s County Human Relations Commission. Early arrival is recommended as space is limited, but advanced registration is not required. For more information, contact Judy Carr at (240) 895-4191.
Nature Time Returns to Greenwell After a brief hiatus, Nature Time ˆ Greenwell’s outdoor nature program for young children and their families/caregivers ˆ returns to Greenwell State Park. Join us on Tuesday, Jan.
20 at 10am for games, crafts, stories, movement, and exploration. Recreation, education, and conservation all play a part in the weekly activities. Nature Time meets weekly on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. and lasts until approximately 11:30 a.m. Participants are welcome to pack their own picnic lunch and explore the park on their own after the program. Cost: $5 for adult and one child ($3 each additional child participating, not including babies). The program fee includes admission to the park on the day of participation. Please visit www.greenwellfoundation. org or call 301-373-9775 for more information.
Appraiser’s Fair What are your precious heirlooms worth? The St. Mary’s County Museum Division will present an Appraiser’s Fair at the St. Clement’s Island Museum on Saturday, January 24, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Experts will be on hand to evaluate coins, jewelry, furniture, glassware, pottery, artwork, music boxes, and antique dolls. Dolls, coins and jewelry will be $5 for the first two items and $10 per additional item. Fine arts items are $5 per item with a two-item limit. Only bring items that can be hand-carried. Space is limited and items will be viewed on a first come, first served basis. There will be a free soup-tasting sponsored by the Chincoteague Seafood Company. For more information, call the St. Clement’s Island Museum at 301-769-2222 or log onto the County’s Museum Division website at www. stmarysmd.com/recreate/museums.
All U Can Eat Breakfast Father Andrew White School’s Home and School Association is sponsoring a community all-you-can-eat breakfast. Sunday February 1, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The Menu is: Eggs, Bacon, Sausage, Biscuits, Sausage Gravy, Pancakes, Fried Potatoes, Danish, Coffee, Tea, Cocoa, Juice, Milk Cost is: Ages 13 - up: $7 Ages 8 -12: $5 Ages 5 - 7: $3 Ages under 5: FREE fatherandrewwhite.org
St. Valentine’s Dinner Party Come celebrate St. Valentine’s Day with us February 14, 2009, 6-10 pm at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Lexington Park. Tony Esser is catering and his food is great! Just ask people from Jesus, the Divine Word parish! We’ll have appetizers: shrimp cocktail, fruit, cheeses, anti pasto! Our main course will include your choice of salmon or lemon caper chicken, saffron rice, asparagus, steamed carrots, lemonade, ice tea, sodas, coffee, tea and dessert. Plus, hear the marriage testimony of Ed & KC Schnitker: from the false promises and illusions of the Hollywood culture to true happiness & peace in the life & teachings of the Catholic Church.
I personally can’t wait to hear them talk. I’m sure it will be very moving, informative and entertaining! Tickets are only $15 per person! Go online at www.breadoflifecenter.org to purchase tickets. (Website is not ready yet, but hopefully later this week!) Or make checks payable to: Bread of Life Center for Peace and mail to: Cookie Pontzer 21623 Harrison St, Great Mills, MD 20634. Or, purchase tickets at Heavenly Presents Gift Shop in Leonardtown (301-475-9770). Contact Cookie Pontzer for more information at 301-737-1796 or pontzer@md.metrocast.net. Get your tickets by February 9!
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The County Times
Thursday, January 15, 2009
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31
The County Times
Thursday, January 15, 2009
ner
e i d d Ki Kor
CLUES ACROSS
1. Dog sound 5. Intelligent 10. Canadian flyers 14. Fe 15. S.A. burrowing rodents 16. Rule, Britannia! composer 17. Network of nerves 18. Idiom with smart 19. ____ fide (Latin) 20. Speed competitions 22. A section of a circle 23. Chick pea plant 24. Winter slider 27. Tell on 30. ___ Lilly, drug company 31. Food grain 32. Where passengers ride 35. In a way, loved 37. Namesake son (alt. abbr.) 38. Alpha Lyra 39. Storybook elephant 40. Foot (Latin) 41. Breakfast meat 42. Caricatured 43. Athletic floor pad 44. Tempo 45. Teletype (abbr.) 46. Non-commercial TV 47. Not cooked 48. Side sheltered from the wind
49. Often served with spaghetti 52. Re-equip a factory 55. Away from 56. Cavalry sword 60. ____ Ladd, actor 61. Ridge on Doric column 63. Necktie cord 64. Texas armadillo 65. High alcohol lagers 66. Lazily 67. Frame that holds the window panes 68. Works diligently at a trade 69. Cape or headland
CLUES DOWN
1. Ethiopian monetary unit 2. Length X width 3. College army 4. Leg joints 5. Health resort 6. African country 7. Sour or bitter in taste 8. Masked mammals 9. Expression of disapproval 10. Excessive devotion to a cause 11. Crocodile 12. ____ Frankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s diary 13. Feel anxious &
apprehensive 21. Distasteful expression 23. Cathode-ray tube 25. Not new 26. Swiss river 27. Capital of Morocco 28. Accommodate 29. SpiderMan Maguire 32. Filmmaker de Mille 33. Past (archaic) 34. Ambit or scope 36. Radioactivity unit 37. Coal-black 38. Short for summer trip 40. Bucolic 41. Cries 43. License for Wall Street 44. Chum 46. Cribbage marker 47. Flightless bird such as ostrich 49. Tropical Asian starlings 50. Strong and heavily built 51. Oral polio vaccine 52. Knocks 53. Philosopher Zeno of ____ 54. Stabs 57. World Cup skier Miller 58. Right angle building wings 59. Beams of light 61. Current unit 62. Used to be U___
Last Weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Puzzle Solutions
The County Times
Thursday, January 15, 2009
32
A Journey Through Time The
Chronicle
Please join us in compassing what welcoming our new columnist, is now Maryland, Linda Reno who is a historian and Delaware and the southern part genealogist specializing in Southern of PennsylvaMaryland history. Mrs. Reno is a member nia up to about of the St. Mary’s County Historical present day Philadelphia. Society, St. Mary’s County Genealogical Cecil CalSociety, Charles County Genealogical vert, his eldest son, then beSociety, Maryland Historical Society, and came the secthe Maryland Genealogical Society. She ond Lord Baltihas authored many books and articles on more. He designated his younger local history. We hope you will enjoy brother, Leonard these articles and welcome your as Governor of the colony and sent him, comments and suggestions with “very near 20 gentlefor future subjects. man of very good fashion
By Linda Reno Contributing Writer
When offered the opportunity to write articles about our history in this newspaper, I thought long and hard about where to begin. This year Maryland will be celebrating its 375th anniversary and it all started here in St. Mary’s County. That’s a lot of history! This week, though, we’ll begin at the beginning. In 1632, George Calvert, the first Lord Baltimore, was posthumously granted about 7,000,000 acres of Virginia territory en-
and 300 laboring men” and two Catholic fathers, Andrew White and John Altham to begin the Maryland colonization. This was to be a Catholic colony, but those of all faiths were welcomed. To avoid conflict among the colonists, however, Catholics were admonished to be “silent upon all occasions of discourse concerning matters of religion, at land as well as sea.” Plans were carefully crafted to ensure the success of the Maryland colony. Skilled workers such as coopers, carpenters, etc., were specifically recruited, but others who were willing
301-373-4125 www.countytimes.net
Restituta Tew She lived in Old St. Mary’s on the wide Potomac shore, In the pleasant happy province of His Lordship Baltimore. She was young and gay and merry and polite to all she knew, And her name if you’d believe it was Restituta Tew.
to work hard were also sent. Many jumped at the There were Margarets, there were Carolyns and Janes opportunity. In England, There were Sarahs and Louisas who walked through the township lanes. land was in short supply There were Eleanors and Lucys, there were Charlottes quite a few. but in Maryland they But the girl who’s best remembered was Restituta Tew. would have a chance to acquire farms of their She dwelt within a cottage that was called St. Peter’s Key own. But no Tew ever set a lock on hospitality. Indentured servants The door had but a wooden lock with string upon its frame To give a silent welcome to anyone who came. made up the majority of the population in early She worked, did Restituta at spinning wheel and loom. Maryland. In return for She carded wool, spun harness twine and, once, she made a broom. paying for their voyage, She washed the windows of the house she polished silver plates. people would agree to She kept the cows from coming through the little garden gates. serve between 5 and 7 years. During their term She helped make candles in the spring and soft soap in the fall. of indenture, they could She planted ivy where it grew upon the garden wall. expect to work six days Her days passed, oh, too swiftly, the hours were all too few. each week, 10-14 hours For all the happy tasks which came To Restituta Tew. per day. Upon completion of their service, Is this why she’s remembered? For butter, cakes and pies? For weaving and for patchworks, for knitting and for dyes? they would receive one For deeds that all the other girls of Maryland could do? good cloth suit of jersey Oh, no! She’s known because her name was Restituta Tew! or broadcloth, a shift of white linen, one pair of stockings and shoes, two Maryland would be the home of several hoes, one axe, three barrels of corn, and 50 major historic firsts in America. The Act of acres of land (at least five of those acres had to Religion passed by the Maryland legislature on be plantable). June 21, 1649 established the first two of theseAlthough very few in number, there were -freedom of religion and separation of church African American immigrants. One of these and state. was Matthias de Sousa who, as a landowner, Through Mistress Margaret Brent who not only voted but served as a member of Mary- immigrated in 1638, St. Mary’s County would land’s General Assembly. Several hundred also be the site for America’s first woman lawyears later, he would be portrayed by Denzel yer, first woman landowner, first woman taxWashington in a play while he was a student at payer, and the first American woman to ask for Fordham University. the privilege of voting. There were also slaves here as early as One of Maryland’s earliest adventurers 1658, but they would not be the only immi- was a young maiden named Restituta Tew who grants to arrive in bondage. After the Siege was transported to Maryland in 1636. Sevof Preston in 1715 and the Jacobite rebellion in eral years ago, Michael Harris of Tallahassee, 1745, Scotland shipped thousands of prisoners Florida asked if I knew the author of the above to Maryland and Virginia for sale as inden- poem that he and his classmates were required tured servants. The difference, of course, was to memorize while in high school in Wichita, that the Jacobite prisoners would be freed af- Kansas about 1953. A little bit of our history ter a stipulated time of service while the slaves had made its way to Kansas, Florida, and back would not. to St. Mary’s.
Date:
MIDDAY
Pick 3
01/06/09 015
01/07/09 227
Pick 4
EVENING Pick 3
Pick 4
3835
395
6922
9748
BONUS MATCH 5
373
3362
03.07.10.13.30 15 19.29.32.33.38 25
01/08/09 499
8054
218
1220
16.30.33.34.36 38
01/09/09 548
4325
237
5930
03.15.17.26.30 32
01/10/09 932
6346
284
9773
03.05.15.26.29 06
01/11/09 790
6136
983
6545
01.12.30.33.36 34
01/12/09 813
4694
884
4657
02.05.06.07.35 08
01/13/09 736
5157
684
4785
06.11.16.30.34 14
33
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Great Mills Swimming Pool New Weekend/ Weekday Passes
The St. Mary’s County Department of Recreation and Parks is excited to announce a great offer for purchasing a Household Pass for use at the Great Mills Swimming Pool. Beginning January 12, 2009 citizens may purchase a weekend or weekday only Household Pass at a very affordable rate. Significant savings can be obtained through this offer for family passes. The fees are listed below for the passes that allow unlimited family member swimming from January 12 through August 31, 2009. · Household Annual (7 days a week) $275 · Household Weekend Only (Sat & Sun) $150 · Household Weekday Pass (Mon –Fri) $150 For additional information on the Great Mills Swimming Pool, please contact the pool at (301) 866-6560 or visit the pool at 21100 Great Mills Road (next to Great Mills High School in Great Mills).
&
Recreation Parks The County Times
The Cure for Cabin Fever By Sean Rice Staff Writer
It might be due to the economy, but more and more residents are taking advantage of “Open Skate Night” at Leonard Hall in Leonardtown. A soccer team in the St. Mary’s Parks and Recreation league relocated its home court from Leonard Hall to St. Mary’s College, freeing up more time for roller skating Saturday nights this winter. “This season we have had an increase in attendance at open skate night,” reports Arthur Shepherd, recreation division manager for the county. “Leonard Hall is a thriving facility.” Last summer air conditioning was installed in Leonard Hall, which called for an additional skate night to be added, bringing it up to two times a week. Shepherd said his staff was surprised to see the facility filled up during the new winter skate nights. Now for a little over $5 bucks the St. Mary’s County recreation department has the cure for the ‘there’s nothing to do around here’ blues. Shepherd said a new feature is being offered this year. Residents now have the option of renting a room for a private party while open skate night is going on, which is more fun than renting the facility empty. Open Skate Night at Leonard Hall Recreation Center is held on Saturdays from 5:30-8:30 p.m., through March 28. The cost is $3 per person and skate rentals are $2.50, or bring your own. For more information on renting the facility, or Photo By Sean Rice having a party during skate night, contact the office of Residents take advantage of the Open Skate Night at Leonard recreation and parks at (301) 475-4200 x1800. Hall Recreation Center on Saturday night, Jan. 10.
Community Focus Group Meeting In Lexington Park
The Recreation and Parks Department of St. Mary’s County is inviting all residents of Lexington Park to attend and participate in a meeting that will discuss recreation programs in the community, Thursday January 22nd from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Carver Recreation Center. All are welcome to share their ideas and speak with the Recreation Division Manager of Recreation and Parks. For more information, contact program coordinator Kyle Kebaugh at 301-4754200, ext. 1803 or kyle.kebaugh@co.saint-marys.md.us.
Sp rts High School Basketball The County Times
Thursday, January 15, 2009
34
Armstrong’s 23 Points Lifts Chopticon
By Chris Stevens Staff Writer
Derrell Armstrong continued his highscoring pace with 23 points as the Braves defeated Leonardtown 46-35 Friday night.
Photo By Chris Stevens
MORGANZA – Two nights after losing their first game in stunning fashion, the Chopticon boys’ basketball team got back to basics and outlasted Leonardtown 46-35 Friday night in another hotly-contested county rivalry game. “Leonardtown is one of the best defensive teams in the conference,” said senior guard Derrell Armstrong, who led all scorers with 23 points on the evening. “We definitely had to work hard to execute a little better.” T h e Braves’ win over a county rival came on the heels of a buzze r- b e a t i n g loss courtesy of Thomas Stone Wednesday night that
ended their 8-0 start to the season, and they wanted to return to the basic elements of their game against the Raiders. “We know those kids over at Leonardtown pride themselves on their defense,” said head coach Terry Mumau of a Raider team that allows an average of just 49.3 points per game, and held the Braves three points below that total. “I think defensively our kids played very well also, we were coming off that tough loss where we didn’t look like ourselves.” After a first quarter that saw Chopticon (9-1 overall, 4-1 in Southern Maryland Athletic Conference games) and the Raiders (7-3 overall, 3-1 SMAC) combine for just 14 points, Chopticon used a masterful second quarter performance by Armstrong to take a six-point lead at halftime. With time running down in the second period, senior guard Devon Yates forced up a three-point shot that rimmed in and out, but right into the waiting hands of Armstrong, who laid the ball in the basket as time expired for a 19-13 edge going into the locker room. “Derrell is going to get his points, that’s why in my opinion, he’s the best player in the conference,” said Leonardtown coach Jake Heibel. “He also did a good job on the offensive boards.” Leonardtown got as close as five points when swingman Toddrick Daniel knocked down a three-pointer just 49 seconds into the fourth quarter to slice the Chopticon lead to 28-23. The Braves outscored LHS 18-9 the rest of the way, the crushing blow coming on a Yates three-point shot from the left wing with about six minutes to go in the game. The Raiders struggled offensively, with senior guard Moe Stone’s 11 points being the lead total, but Heibel was
Photo By Chris Stevens
Leonardtown’s Ryan Vanderwest follows through on a shot during Friday night’s game at Chopticon.
encouraged by the continued defensive intensity of his team. “It was going to take a whale of an effort to upset a team like Chopticon, but I like what we’re doing right now,” he said. “We just have to keep doing what we’re doing.”
Balanced O’Connell Tops Ryken in Knight Battle By Chris Stevens Staff Writer LEONARDTOWN – Games are rarely won in the first quarter, but sometimes they can be lost as the St. Mary’s Ryken boys’ basketball team found out Monday night. Bishop O’Connell, the top team in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference, jumped out a 214 first quarter lead and then held off a
Photo By Chris Stevens
Ryken’s Traveon Graham looks to make a move.
late Ryken charge for a 76-60 victory at Ryken Gymnasium. “In this league you have to show up to play every night, and tonight we didn’t do that,” said Knights head coach Dave Tallman. “O’Connell is well coached, they make good decisions and they have a true point guard that runs the show for them.” That
point guard is North Carolina-bound Kendall Marshall, who didn’t so much hurt the Knights (4-10 overall, 1-4 in WCAC play) with his scoring, it was his playmaking ability that dissected Ryken’s defense. Marshall was one point and rebound shy of a triple double as he handed out 10 assists on the evening. O’Connell (115 overall, 5-0 in WCAC action) had four players in double figure scoring, led by forward Larry Savage’s 18 points. Maurice Williams was next with 17, with Jordan Burgess and David Elsmeier adding 12 and 11 points respectively. O’Connell Knights coach Joe Wootten was pleased with the play of his team, coming off of a two-hour drive from Arlington, Va. to play this game. “I thought we defended and passed the ball really well, it says a lot for the focus and maturity of these kids to play that way,” Wootten said. O’Connell claimed the first quarter in dominating fashion, leading from the outset and forcing Tallman to use three first-half time-outs to calm his team down. “Whenever we play a team, I look at the talent they have and what they can do,” Wootten said of facing a Ryken team that has struggled so far this season. “They’ve been in every game they’ve played so far, that’s the beauty of this league. [The WCAC] is
Photo By Chris Stevens
Gorkem Sonmez prepares to shoot a free throw.
like the ACC of high school basketball. It’s a war every night, and we knew this was going to be a battle.” The complimentary words were of little consolation to Tallman, who realizes that Ryken has to get it together if they are to make a run at
the conference title this season. “We have a small window to get these ids to play together and find chemistry with one another,” he says. “I tell them all the time that we are a good team. We just have to act like it, show up and play hard every night.”
35
The County Times
Thursday, January 15, 2009
By Chris Stevens Staff Writer
“Says We Want to Deal”
High School Hockey
Ryken Edges Leonardtown In Hockey Duel
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FORT WASHINGTON – In a game between two teams of equal talent and desire, it was fitting that Tuesday night’s MSHL Southern Division match between Leonardtown and St. Mary’s Ryken came down to the final seconds. Senior forward Sam Vogt’s re-direction with 5.8 seconds left proved to be the difference as Ryken won its first division game, slipping by the Raiders 6-5 at the Tucker Road Ice Rink. “Very exciting win for us, the guys have been needing this all season long,” Knights head coach Jan DeRegt said enthusiastically afterwards. “It was nice for us to get a win,” said Vogt, who scored two goals on the evening. “They’ve got some good players and their school is close to ours, so it’s a real big rivalry.” In his only comment, Leonardtown coach Rob Barthelmes praised the Knights, saying that “Ryken played hard and they definitely deserved to win.” Vogt’s two goals and TJ Munns’ breakaway in the second period proved to be supporting acting with junior defenseman Photo By Chris Stevens Matt Scott taking on the starring role for the evening. Scott, who’s main job is to T.J. Munns of St. Mary’s shut down the opposing team’s top scorer, Ryken eyes the net. showed his own offensive moves with a hat trick, including an endto-end rush that concluded with a wrist shot that zoomed past Raider goalie Brett Kibler with three minutes and 56 seconds remaining in regulation to knot the game at 5. “That is huge for us just to know we have a key player like Matt who can get us a goal when we need it,” Vogt said. “Matt has improved his timing a lot since his freshman year,” says DeRegt. “It’s great for the guys to have a teammate who can make the right plays at the right time.” Scott hopes that his and Vogt’s performances can rub off on their teammates as the season winds down. “The younger players can learn from the experienced players and imitate what we do so they can become better,” Scott says. The Raiders were buoyed by a four-goal, one assist performance by sophomore forward Charlie Yates, who took a face off from the right circle and slid a shot over the glove of freshman goaltender Greg Myers for Leonardtown’s final lead (5-4) with 4:14 to go. Scott answered just 18 seconds later by picking a loose puck in the Knights’ zone, weaved his way down ice and flicked a shot past Kibler for the tie. The final four minutes proved to be one of mettle and determination and the game looked to be headed for overtime before Vogt’s stick caught an errant shot and beat Kibler stick side for the winner. “I knew we only had a Photo By Chris Stevens limited amount of time, so I got it, shot it and it found the Leonardtown’s Charlie Yates scored four goals in a losing effort net,” he said. Tuesday night.
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The County Times
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A View From The
Bleachers The Frivolous Quest For Greener Grass
By Ronald N. Guy Jr. Contributing Writer It’s human nature to consider, if not openly woo, that which we perceive to be more attractive - the better job, the more attractive girlfriend or boyfriend, the fancier car. We’re all guilty at some level of forsaking what we have for what might be. What we have too often falls victim to familiarity and routine. We view the known through overly critical eyes: accentuating every fault and dismissing strengths. What we have is comfortable, what we might have is exciting. On the grand
list of emotions, comfort is almost always trumped by excitement. So instead of developing an appreciation for what we have, we too often are too quick to change the channel and move on to the next best thing. And what is true in life is often true in sport, and vice versa. In fact, let’s cue the on-going NFL playoffs for examples of teams that mistakenly lured or longed for the perceived next best thing. This past summer the New York Jets, intent on being relevant following a poor season, shook up their roster with several big free agent splashes and the acquisition,
via a trade with the Green Bay Packers, of quarterback Brett Favre. To make room in the garage for the sports car, the Jets showed long-time quarterback and team leader Chad Pennington the door. For all his success in New York, Jets-nation became obsessivecompulsive with its critique of Pennington’s primary flaw: arm strength. While he certainly lacks Favre’s legendary rocket arm and gunslinger mentality, Pennington is a gritty team-leader with a lot of wins on his resume. Yet it wasn’t enough to stick…not once the legendary Favre even the 39-yr-old version of
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him - became available. As a free agent, Pennington was quickly snapped up by the division-rival Dolphins where he started all year. In fact, in the final week of the season, Pennington’s Dolphins went to New York and beat Bennie…errrr….Favre and the Jets to win AFC East. At the end of the day, it was Pennington and the Dolphins moving on to the playoffs while the Jets were once again left wondering what could have been. From New York we travel south on I-95 to the city of brotherly love for exhibits 2 and 2a of the fruitless quest for greener pastures. While the Jets erred in their longing for the flashy QB from Wisconsin, circumstance may have saved the Eagles from themselves. After a decade together, Eagles Coach Andy Reid and quarterback Donovan McNabb recently fell on hard times. After a bad tie against the hapless Cincinnati Bengals and an awkward benching of the star quarterback against the Ravens, the Reid-McNabb era, which has included consistent success and a Superbowl appearance, seemed all but over in fickle Philadelphia. Eagles nation had soured on McNabb and longed for young upstart back-up quarterback Kevin Kolb (pronounced cob…”as in corn on the..” for us So. Marylanders). If Reid was axed as well, so be it and all the better. But the Coach and his QB had one last trick in the bag. The Eagles got hot, caught a couple breaks, made the playoffs and are one win away from another Superbowl appearance (they play the Cardinals in the NFC Championship Game this Sunday). Suddenly they’re the toast of Philly once again. Pennington. Reid. McNabb. In sport and in life, we’d be wise to remember that next best thing should be viewed with the same skepticism as a lush green lawn in the midst of a Southern MD summer. Upon closer inspection, it’s probably just crab grass. Afterthoughts musings…
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Thursday, January 15, 2009
and
APB on home field advantage in the NFL playoffs! Coming to an unemployment office near you: Pacman Jones. Has anyone seen the nationally relevant Maryland Basketball program? In case you didn’t notice, we have one of the best hockey teams (and maybe the best player) in the NHL…enjoy them. Send your comments to rguyjoon@yahoo.com
un Fact
High School Sports Schedule 01/15/09-01/21/09 Thursday Jan. 15 Wrestling McDonough at Great Mills, 7 p.m.
Friday Jan. 16 Boys’ Basketball Chopticon at Westlake, 7:30 p.m. Lackey at Leonardtown, 7:30 p.m. Great Mills at Huntingtown, 7:30 p.m. St. John’s at St. Mary’s Ryken, 7:30 p.m. Girls’ Basketball Westlake at Chopticon, 6:30 p.m. Huntingtown at Great Mills, 6:30 p.m. Leonardtown at Lackey, 6:30 p.m. St. Mary’s Ryken at St. John’s, 7:30 p.m. Ice Hockey St. Mary’s Ryken vs. Huntingtown at Capital Clubhouse (Waldorf), 5 p.m. Leonardtown vs. La Plata at Capital Clubhouse (Waldorf), 6:45 p.m. Swimming Chopticon/Leonardtown/North Point/Lackey at Lackey, 5 p.m.
Saturday Jan. 17 Wrestling St. Mary’s Ryken at St. John’s Duals
Tuesday Jan. 20 Wrestling Leonardtown at Chopticon, 5 p.m. Thomas Stone at Great Mills, 5 p.m.
Wednesday Jan. 21 Boys’ Basketball La Plata at Chopticon, 7:30 p.m. Great Mills at Thomas Stone, 7:30 p.m. St. Mary’s Ryken at Good Counsel, 7:30 p.m. Girls’ Basketball Chopticon at La Plata, 6:30 p.m. Thomas Stone at Great Mills, 6:30 p.m. Patuxent at Leonardtown, 6:30 p.m. Good Counsel at St. Mary’s Ryken, 7:30 p.m. Ice Hockey Leonardtown vs. Huntingtown at Capital Clubhouse (Waldorf), 5 p.m. Swimming Huntingtown vs. Leonardtown at Great Mills Pool, 5 p.m.
SPECIAL NOTE:
All high school, recreational and youth league coaches, if you would like the scores, statistics and standings from your respective games and leagues to be published, contact Chris Stevens at 301-373-4125 or at chrisstevens @countytimes.net
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Thursday, January 15, 2009
The County Times
Sp rts
The County Times
Thursday, January 15, 2009
St. Mary’s College
Shorthanded SMC Women Struggle
Photo By Chris Stevens
St. Mary’s College’s Kiely Murphy looks to pass while Salisbury’s Katharine Curran defends.
By Chris Stevens Staff Writer ST. MARY’S CITY – No one will ever hear the St. Mary’s College women’s basketball team making excuses about their injuries or lack of depth. However, for head coach Barb Bausch, that doesn’t temper her frustration. “If we had the players, if we didn’t have injuries, I
know it would have been a different game,” Bausch said after Salisbury University snapped an 11-game losing streak by beating the Seahawks 67-60 last Wednesday night at the Athletics and Recreation Center Arena. “The effort was there tonight, we just didn’t execute on a couple of possessions and Salisbury did.” The Hawks were down to just six players, as sopho-
more guard Megan Seeman and senior forward Tori Whitlow sat on the bench in street clothes with various injuries, leaving freshman guard Octavia Davis as the lone reserve. “You have to play smart and not get in foul trouble,” Senior forward Allie Scott, who scored 12 points said of the short roster. “We have a lot of people playing with injuries and who are fatigued right now.” SMC’s weariness was evident early on as Salisbury hopped out to a 28-16 lead before a 10-3 run by SMC closed the gap to five at halftime. In the second half, Scott, sophomore guard Jamie Roberts and forward Tiara Hurte began hitting shots from all over the court, and the Hawks (2-7 overall, 1-2 in Capital Athletic Conference action) rallied to take several leads, their final advantage coming on a jump shot by center Alex Wenger with 7:50 left in the game. However, Salisbury guards Katharine Curran and Meghan Dunn were hot
down the stretch, as the two freshmen connected on 13 of their 25 shots and scored 35 of the Sea Gulls’ 67 points. “We told them that #15 (Curran) and #3 (Dunn) were their top shooters,” Bausch said of the warnings given her players about the sharpshooters. “We knew that it would come down to a twopossession game, if not the last possession, but [Curran and Dunn] ended up scoring
their points.” Roberts led the Seahawks with a career-high 19 points while Hurte added 14 and 11 rebounds and Scott contributed 12 and six rebounds in the losing effort. “We just have to get our bodies healthy and recuperate,” Scott said of moving forward from this point. “We just have to forget about this game like it never happened.”
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SMC’s Franz Earns Player Of the Week Honor St. Mary’s (Md.) sophomore guard Alex Franz (Catonsville, Md./Cardinal Gibbons) averaged 16.0 points in a 2-0 week for the Seahawks and has now been recognized as the PrestoSports/Provident Pride Player of the Week. Franz started the week with a game-high 20 points on 7-of-11 shooting, six rebounds, and two steals in a 63-52 win over Salisbury. He followed that up with 12 points, a season-high seven assists, and six boards as St. Mary’s posted a 92-72 victory at Hood.
Photo By Chris Stevens
Tiara Hurte scored 14 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in the Seahawks’ 67-60 loss to Salisbury University last week.
Franz finished the week with a .545 FG%, an .857 FT%, and a 6.0 rebounding average.
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Thursday, January 15, 2009
The County Times
Sp rts
St. Mary’s College Griffin, Franz Help Seahawks Grind Out Victory
Photo By Chris Stevens
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Alex Franz kept SMC unbeaten at home with 20 points and six rebounds in a 63-52 win over Salisbury.
By Chris Stevens Staff Writer ST. MARY’S CITY – In spite of their reputation as a run-and-gun, push-the-tempo type of team, the St. Mary’s College men’s basketball team proved they can win with patience on offense, stifling Salisbury 63-52 last Wednesday night. “One thing we’ve tried to do as far as recruiting and putting a team on the floor is having balance,” head coach Chris Harney said after a game in which the Seahawks were held 16 points below their season average but still managed to come away with a win. “We’re the kind of team that takes what we’re given, and I think our guys did a good job of that tonight.” Sophomore guard Alex Franz led the Hawks (10-2 overall, 3-0 in Capital Ath-
letic Conference action) with 20 points and six rebounds and junior Camontae Griffin added 17 points. But it was Griffin’s defensive effort on the CAC’s top three point shooter, Devin Jones, that most impressed Harney. “Tae gave Devin fits tonight, he was the top guy shooting threes in the league coming into the game,” Harney said. “Tae held him to 2for-11 and Mikey Fitzpatrick did an excellent job on Greg Palmer, who has been player of the week two times.” Palmer managed to shoot just 4-of-13 from the field and the Sea Gulls’ 52 points were a low for any SMC opponent this season. “Their record may not reflect it, but they remind me of us because of their size and their guard play,” Harney said in complimenting Salisbury’s effort. “By the end of the sea-
Photo By Chris Stevens
The Seahawks’ James Davenport keeps a close eye on Salisbury’s Greg Palmer.
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