The County Times 2009.02.12 (Low-Def)

THURSDAY

February 12, 2009

Land Near Leonartdtown Wharf May Be Condemned

Strong Arm Of The Law? Story Page 5

Story Page 6

County Wages Second Highest in State Story Page 10

Family Suspects Remains Found Are Of Mark Tippett Story Page 14

St. Mary’s Square May Lose Police Station Story Page 9

Photo by Frank Marquart

The County Times

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Thursday, February 12, 2009

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Thursday, February 12, 2009

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The County Times

Thursday, February 12, 2009

ews

Watermen See Hope In Asian Oyster, But Little Action

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer

The oysters Tucker Brown shucked at his processing house in Avenue were big, well grown and tasty. But, instead of being from the Chesapeake Bay and the surrounding tributaries, places he’s fished and dredged for decades as a waterman, they came up from the Gulf of Mexico.

He had just bought them that morning on a run to Virginia and was getting busy shucking, cleaning and sealing them in jars to take up for an oyster scald for local veterans.

He said making a living in his native waters is a real challenge anymore and the one thing that could make a real difference isn’t in the equation right now: the Asian oyster.

“It’s a fine oyster,” Tucker Brown said while he was putting on his apron and spraying off some fat oysters he’d just shucked.

“But if we don’t do something with it Maryland’s out of the oyster industry.

“It’s bad.”

In October of last year Maryland and Virginia released a study that was supposed to

find whether or not the Asian oyster was a good fit to replace the dwindling numbers of the once numerous oysters found in the Chesapeake Bay and surrounding rivers.

After five years of work, with contributions by some 90 scientists and about $15 million spent, the study came up with no definite recommendations on what to do to save the Maryland oyster industry.

The study did say the introduction of the Asian oyster was an option but it also said that a harvest moratorium on oysters was another possibility.

Tucker Brown said that the outlook for the Asian oyster was potentially a good one, especially since it appeared to be hardier than the native oyster when it came to fighting off diseases like MSX and dermo which have decimated the latter.

“The disease doesn’t bother it,” Tucker Brown said. “And it’s a fast growing oyster.”

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation and The Nature Conservancy all advocate the restoration of the native oyster, but Tucker Brown said that the native oyster just can’t seem to make it in sufficient numbers to survive much longer.

Bickering over the efficacy of the Asian oyster only wasted time, he said.

“The answer is an oyster is an oyster and it’s either going to live or it’s going to die,” Tucker Brown told The County Times. “They known the animal we’ve got is not going to live.”

Both environmentalists and watermen say that the oyster is the key to saving the bay, but over harvesting and the bay’s continued deterioration through pollution and sediment run off have harmed the oyster’s habitat as well as have diseases.

Oysters historically have kept the bay healthy by being natural filters.

Donna Sasscer, Agriculture and Seafood development manager for county government in the Department of Economic and Community Development, said that where once watermen were

in close contact with her, few seek her out now.

Gone also are fundraisers held by the local Watermen’s Association, she said, where they had to raise money to buy fledgling oyster, called spats, to seed local waters in hopes that some day they would grow to the legal size of three inches to harvest.

These fundraisers were popular, she said, for the hefty amounts of fresh seafood available.

“Because it’s been so gloomy… I don’t hear from watermen very much at all,” Sasscer said. “Their fundraisers just dried up.

“People still ask me if they’re going to do it again.”

Robert Brown, Tucker Brown’s brother and fellow waterman, has taken to producing ice as well as commercial fishing to make a living.

He is anxious to see some action on the Asian oyster, too. There are less than 100 full-time watermen in the county he said.

“Doing nothing like we’ve been doing you see where that’s gotten us,” Robert Brown said as he fried up tender oysters in hot oil in the upstairs kitchenette of his ice plant in Avenue. “Bring it [the Asian oyster] on… the other oyster’s just not doing it.”

Robert Brown said that to plant 1,000 bushels of spats at 1,000 spats per bushel could cost a waterman about $10,000.

If the waterman got 100 percent yield from his oyster planting, which almost never happened, then he might get between $25,000 to $28,000 in return which was eaten up in labor costs and other expenses.

But with the native oyster failing right now, watermen had no choice but plant themselves.

“You’ve got to plant it,” Robert Brown said. “Because with them you’ve got no natural recruitment.”

State officials with Department of National Resources did not return calls for comment.

Photo to Left: Tucker Brown shucks oysters at his processing plant in Avenue. Brown wants to see the Asian oyster introduced to the region in hopes of revitalizing the watermen’s trade.

Planning Commission To Hold Another Session On Digital Signs The county planning commission only briefly discussed the issue of digital signs to be used by businesses for advertising Monday night.

The commissioners agreed to hold a work session with staff from the Department of Land Use and Growth Management in the next several weeks to discuss the issue.

Some on the planning commission believe that digital signage would benefit business and help consolidate advertising space for businesses, while others are concerned that it could become a distraction to motorists.

Kate Johnson, CRNP Certified Family Practice Nurse Practitioner

Commissioners Table Agreement To Provide Paramedic Unit Funding

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer

Dr. James Boyd, Christine Rawlings, CRNP, and Dr. Dhimitri Gross are pleased to announce that Kate Johnson has joined St. Mary’s Medical Associates. Kate received her Bachelor of Nursing degree from the University of Alabama and continued her education receiving her Master of Science in Nursing and certification as a family Nurse Practitioner at the University of Alabama Birmingham in 2008. She is licensed to provide primary health care services including well child, physicals, women’s wellness, preventative care and disease management.

New Location:

St. Mary’s Medical Associations, LLC 41680 Miss Bessie Drive Leonardtown, MD 20650 (next to St. Mary’s Hospital)

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

“Caring for patient’s of all ages”

Currently digital signage is allowed for time and temperature readings but digital advertising space has still sprung up throughout the county.

“Advertising milk at $1 is what gets me,” said commission member Shelby Guazzo. “It’s right up there with the banners advertising at bars.”

Still commission Chair Steve Reeves wanted to make sure that the issue was thoroughly dealt with.

“I don’t want to say absolutely ‘no’ to digital signs,” Reeves said.

St. Mary’s County Commissioners will likely make a decision next week to provide funding for operations and administrative costs to the county’s Advanced Life Support unit operating out of Leonardtown.

Public Safety Director David Zylak and two volunteer representatives from the paramedic unit sought approval of a draft memorandum of understanding from commissioners Tuesday, but elected officials and ALS staff agreed to come back in a week’s time after small portions of the draft were revised.

Dennis Gordge, president and chairman of the ALS board of directors said that the demands on the paramedic unit put strains on membership that could be assuaged by some support from the county government.

The funding, in the range of $40,000 to $50,000, would go directly to ALS for items like equipment, supplies and also help with volunteers to pay for increased training that is required by the state.

“Times have changed for ALS since we started operations in 1982,” Gordge told com-

missioners Tuesday. “Our unit now answers about 4,200 calls a year.”

Gordge said that one of the main stumbling blocks for recruiting and retaining volunteers at the ALS unit was the stringent training that was required to become a paramedic.

Volunteers had to pay a significant portion of those costs themselves, Gordge said.

“It’s no longer a casual six-month course but a two-year program that’s college based,” Gordge said.

The support services that funds would go to would include legal and accounting services; the funding would also be put to ALS Educational Assistance Revolving Fund.

Part of the memorandum stated that the ALS unit would work to attain non-profit group status to more easily apply for emergency services grants; they would also submit to independent audits to ensure the proper use and accounting of public funds.

“We’re dealing with public funds here and accountability is important,” said Commissioner Daniel H. Raley (D-Great Mills), adding that when local fire and rescue began drawing public funds auditing and accountability had been a problem.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Fact un

The County Times

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If A Statue In The Park Of A Person On A Horse Has Both Front Legs In The Air, The Person Died In Battle; If The Horse Has One Front Leg In The Air, The Person Died As A Result Of Wounds Received In Battle; If The Horse Has All Four Legs On The Ground, The Person Died Of Natural Causes.

Today’s Newsmakers In Brief

Are pets a nuisance at the Leonardtown Do residents care whether deputies or Wharf and town square? state troopers answer calls for service?

We’ll start enforcing the ordinance if they don’t voluntarily clean up after their pets, Laschelle Miller, Leonardtown town administrator

I’m convinced that the citizens don’t care who shows up as long as the police respond.

Sheriff Timothy K. Cameron

Cameron Ties Into The Community To Fight Crime

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer

Sheriff Timothy K. Cameron can remember years ago when he was just a patrolman with the agency and he was called out to investigate a burglary of a trailer where a couple who were set to move were cleared out of their belongings.

With no leads he said he was headed back out on the road when his corporal arrived and told him they would canvas the neighborhood looking for clues.

Cameron said they knocked on doors and found someone who saw a suspicious van in the area.

After transmitting the vehicle description to police the van was stopped before crossing to Virginia and the items were recovered.

That lesson, Cameron said, has influenced how he has run the agency for two years focusing on knowing the community and aggressive police work.

“You were trained to take a report and get back into service,” Cameron said. “I learned a valuable lesson that night; I didn’t think there was any witness out there.

“But I found that witness and I remember how appreciative that couple was.”

That’s the kind of police work Cameron expects from his deputies since taking office.

Instead of just taking an incident report and hoping a lead comes up, deputies are expected to make contact with victims and canvass the neighborhood to look for any leads.

Patrol deputies often dust for fingerprints or analyze tool and tire marks in their investigations, Cameron said, activities usually the providence of detectives.

Technology helps, too.

“We instituted CompStat (crime mapping with computer statistics) last year and we know what a year of that looks like in reducing crime,” Cameron said.

“We know part one crimes (murder, rape, robbery and arson) are down.”

Citizens close to the sheriff’s office also say deputies are reaching out more.

“Since he’s taken office he’s been extremely successful at that,” said chair of the Citizens Advisory Board Merl Evans. “He doesn’t shy away from communities that have issues.”

When a rash of thefts and burglaries hit the Wildewood community last year residents came out in force to voice their worries, but Evans said, Cameron’s troops used community information to arrest and charge the suspects in the thefts.

“That’s a testimonial as to how the community outreach has worked,” Evans said.

But it hasn’t been easy with only 126 sworn deputies on the force.

“The human cost is a concern, you’re afraid you’ll burn your people out,” Cameron said.

A fugitive warrant squad could knock out the 800 to 900 warrants they have on backlog, Cameron said, with a subsequent effect on crime but he didn’t have enough troops.

The agency is very selective too, he said, with many not able to pass all requirements.

“We’re lucky if it’s one out of 100,” Cameron said of applicants accepted for training. “Any component can disqualify you.”

Is Cameron a leader who’s tough on his deputies?

“I think I am,” he said. “The public wants to know their police are accountable.”

The case of one deputy found guilty of assaulting a citizen last year was a prime example.

“I looked at that as an opportunity to prove to the public we’re held to a higher standard and we’re held accountable,” Cameron said.

But once a deputy is disciplined for an infraction, it’s back to business for them, he said.

“You discipline employees and you move on,” Cameron said. “You can’t hold something over their heads their whole career.”

Trish is the widow of a Marine Corp. pilot and is experienced in moves outside and in country.

Commissioners Approve Emergency Funds For Social Services

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer An increase in the number of county residents who can’t afford to make security deposits and other payments for rental housing means that the Department of Social Services (DSS) needs county government assistance in helping them, say Department of Human Services officials, since state money for those in need is dwindling.

The St. Mary’s Board of County Commissioners approved $50,000 in one-time only funds to the department Tuesday by unanimous vote.

Though the money comes from the commissioners’ reserve, County Administrator John Savich said, it was slated for non-county agencies.

Many of the people seeking assistance, according to DSS Director Ella May Russell, were single men and women.

“There are very few state resources to single people,” Russell told commissioners. “That’s the biggest increase we have seen.

“People are having to stay in shelters longer and they’re having to stay in hotels longer.”

Bennett Connelly, director of the Department of Human Services, said that the $50,000 would go

directly to social services clients seeking help and would not loose anything through administrative costs.

“We’d only use these funds where there were no other funds available,” Connelly said. “This is a safety net concept.”

A recent report from the human services department showed that the need for social service assistance county-wide was growing in response to poor economic conditions that many hoped might not affect St. Mary’s County because of the heavy dependence of the presence of the U.S. Navy to provide high paying jobs.

Others in the human services sector say that while high paying jobs are still flowing in, the concurrent rise in housing and living costs prices the working poor and others with lower incomes out of the economy, sometimes onto the streets.

Commissioner Lawrence D. Jarboe (R-Golden Beach) appealed to homeowners in the county with extra space to volunteer to help those in need.

“This is a call out to the community,” Jarboe said. “There may be an opportunity here to take on a boarder.

“Right now everybody’s hurting in some way.”

Cameron is well respected in law enforcement circles.

Lt. Mike Thompson, commander of the Maryland State Police Leonardtown Barrack, said he first met Cameron when the sheriff was a corporal and he a high school sophomore.

“He knows the organization from the ground up,” Thompson said of Cameron. “As we say in law enforcement he speaks a lot of languages.”

Cameron has been a patrolman, shift commander, chief jailer and tactical team member.

In a place where turf wars could erupt for responsibility arrests, Thompson said, Cameron prefers to work collaboratively.

“We take a more holistic approach to law enforcement,” Thompson said. “We put our heads together and bounce ideas off each other.”

Want a Realtor who identifies with military spouses and familiar with Pax River,

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Call Trish Brow at 301-481-8485.

Cell: 301-481-8485 Office: 301-863-2400 ext. 221 Fax: 301-863-7528 Email: trish.brow@obrienrealty.com

A

round

Town

The County Times

Developer Ready To Walk Away From Wharf Project

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer

Norris reiterated that the expansion of the park land, especially for increased parking and pedestrian and traffic flow was key.

The owner of two parcels of land at the Leonardtown The phrase “public benefit” is used several times in the Wharf that the town council is moving to condemn to push draft ordinance. for continued revitalization purposes says that he won’t conPhilip H. Dorsey III, attorney for the town, declined to test the council’s plans to take the land. comment on the consultations with the attorney general’s “That’s fine,” developer Ron Russo said from Key West, office.

Fla. “I don’t think they need my services.

“We had discussions with the attorney general’s office,” “I’ve got a lot of work in other jurisdictions that takes up Dorsey said Wednesday. “But I really can’t comment any a lot of my time.” further.

Russo said that he only expects the town to pay fair “We’re not in litigation but I do anticipate litigation.” market value for the propDorsey said that the erty he owns, though he did ordinance approving the not speculate on what that condemnation had not amount might be. even been voted on, and “I guess the courts will the action could not go decide that,” Russo told The forward without council County Times. approval.

Russo’s commercial deThe ordinance invelopment has stalled and his troduced to the town construction plans rescinded council Monday seeks recently by the town govto take Russo’s propernment, officials have said, erty because, it claims, because time had run out on the land has become “a the approval and numerous blight on the area and changes had been made. detracts from the rePhoto by Guy Leonard cently completed Leon“We have to ensure it Leonardtown Town Council is planning to condemn property owned by developer remains accessible as a pub- The ardtown Wharf project.”

Ron Russo at the town wharf after his project was recently rescinded. lic park,” Mayor J. Harry Russo had planned Norris said of the push for condemnation. “We’d also like to put in commercial buildings there, including restaurant commercial development that compliments the property and space, but concerns mounted over limited parking, trafthe old down town.” fic volume and the reduction of the view of Breton Bay for A letter sent to Norris back in December from the Office nearby residents. of Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler stated that the The condemnation can begin 20 days after the town town had the authority to condemn the property if there was votes to approve the ordinance, Dorsey said at the Feb. 9 recognized public benefit. council meeting.

Working To Make St.Mary’s County

A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE & WORK

DELEGATE

JOHN F. WOOD, JR. YOUR VOICE IN ANNAPOLIS

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Library Meeting Opens To Packed House

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer

The County Commissioners meeting room was full Tuesday night with some standing against the walls as residents piled in to hear about options for a new or renovated library in Leonardtown.

Several people spoke in favor of building a completely new facility, but some were concerned that the county might decide to build on a large ball field in Miedzinski Park at the governmental center.

They wanted the ball fields to remain as they are.

Other site options included the newly acquired Hayden Farm property on the outskirts of the town that cost the county more than $5 million, or a plot of land either behind or next to the building that houses the Department of Land Use and Growth Management.

Currently the county is looking for a firm to design the library either way, said George Erichsen, director of the Department of Public

Works and Transportation.

The cost of a new library would be about $15 million for 40,000 square feet while the renovation and expansion project would cost a little less at about $12.9 million.

If the county chooses to add about 5,000 square feet of space that could drive the overall cost to $21 million.

A plot of land directly behind the old library, housed in a 1954 National Guard armory, has been set aside in the county’s master plan as one option for a renovation project.

Kathleen Reif, director of the St. Mary’s County Public Library system, said that there was no debate about whether the Leonardtown library had outgrown it’s space.

“We are not talking about [whether] we need space at the Leonardtown library,” Reif said. “That’s accepted.”

A study finished in the past two years recommended that the Leonardtown branch be expanded to at least 40,000 square feet of space to meet the burgeoning demand there.

Businesses In Town Pushing First Fridays

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer

In tough economic times business owners are trying what they can to not only drum up business but to keep the business district in Leonardtown fresh in customers’ minds.

“I’m doing everything I can do to promote and support it,” Orlando told The County Times. “There are a lot of folks in St. Mary’s County who aren’t

In looking for ways to boost business and get the center of Leonardtown noticed, shop keepers have been looking to First Fridays to get more customers inside.

So far, they say, it’s been working.

“We always have tons of folks who come in,” said Joe Orlando, owner of the Fenwick Street Used Books and Music shop. “As long as the weather’s not bad.

“Even if it’s cold (like last Friday) it’s OK.” First Fridays are promoted every first week of the month by the Leonardtown Business Association and town government.

Participating businesses stay open several hours later and sometimes offer special events or Leonardtown programs. shopkeep s Photo by Guy bring in lo Leonard At the used book First Fridays to drum up er customer inte cal performers like “Catfis re h Joe” on st. shop Orlando had “Catfish Joe,” a local blues musician, on hand to attract customers, while at the aware of Quality Street and Catering shop just down the a downtown Leonardtown.” street the ladies working there have been holdBut things were a little slow to start last Friing cooking classes to get people interested. day when 5 p.m. rolled around, still shop ownWhile the classes have been popular, said ers stayed open, expecting customers to come Quality Street owner Joann McKeown, people in as they have for the past several months. sometimes just look through the glass when Business may still be too slow to make they’re in session because they feel like there’s First Friday hours more permanent. not enough room just for them to look around.

“There’s just not enough business for that,” “I want people to come in,” she said. “I’m Orlando said. “People just aren’t out.” planning on maybe having food instead on First Fridays.”

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Lawmaker Seeks To Close Drug Crime Loophole ANNAPOLIS, (AP) A Maryland lawmaker says the state is attracting drug dealers from around the region because of a loophole in state policy for people who launder money related to drug crimes.

Maryland law charges people with a felony who spend or transfer money or property worth more than $10,000 that they obtained through drug-related crimes.

There is no charge for people using drug-related money in transactions worth $10,000 or less.

Montgomery County Delegate Luiz Simmons will testify Tuesday in front of a state legislative panel about how to close that loophole.

Simmons wants to change Maryland’s money laundering laws to make it a misdemeanor to use the proceeds of a drug crime worth $10,000 or less.

Simmons says his bill would increase prosecutions for drug crimes and decrease the presence of gangs in Maryland.

The County Times

Many Unknowns Remain In State Budget Forecast

ANNAPOLIS, (AP) _ Gov. Martin O’Malley has put a lot of hope in the economic recovery plan in Congress, but many unknowns remain regarding how much money Maryland will receive and how the state will be able to use it.

The Senate’s version of the stimulus plan includes more money for tax cuts and credits, compared to the House version that sets more aside to help ailing state budgets.

O’Malley, a Democrat, already has built in $350 million in assumed federal help for the state’s budget. He also postponed $56 million in budget cuts for the current fiscal year in the hope that federal money will make them unnecessary.

He also has talked about his hopes that aid from Washington will mean he won’t have to lay off 700 state employees.

But there are key differences between the House and Senate bills approved in Congress for state aid, and the divide will have to be bridged in congressional negotiations. That raises questions about what the final total will be and how the money can be used. The Senate bill has $39 billion in education aid to the states; the House measure has $79 billion.

Sen. Ulysses Currie, who is the chairman of the Maryland Senate Budget and Taxation Committee, said the Senate’s version of the plan likely means ``the final product won’t be what we had expected.’’ ``It’s going to be significantly more difficult than we had anticipated _ the governor had hoped for,’’ Currie said. ``The governor, I believe, was very excited about the potential stimulus dollars that were coming down, and I don’t think they will be there to the extent that we had hoped.’’

Maryland Republicans on Tuesday called on state budget leaders to avoid using federal stimulus money to expand new spending programs in the state. ``They need to focus on long-term budget solutions, not on short-term fixes,’’ said Sen. Allan Kittleman, the Republican leader in the Senate.

Warren Deschenaux, a top Maryland state budget analyst, has been cautious in his assessment of the recovery plan in Congress, an aid package he described recently to Maryland lawmakers as ``that thing that’s supposed to save the world.’’

Deschenaux, who is the director of the state’s nonpartisan Office of Policy Analysis, points out there’s a lot of help that could stimulate the state’s economy. But he has been careful to underscore that much of the money won’t directly affect the state’s budget problems. ``The numbers look huge until you start looking at the numbers that specifically benefit Maryland and our budget problem, and then you’re dealing with a much smaller subset of the numbers on this page,’’ Deschenaux told lawmakers examining how the money may be allocated.

In addition to the $2 billion deficit Maryland is facing in fiscal year 2010, the state faces deficits of more than $700 million annually in coming years.

A potential $1 billion in aid for infrastructure that Maryland could receive doesn’t help the state’s immediate budget problem. ``That’s all good stuff and we could get some good stuff built, perhaps, out of it. But at the end of the day, none of that money goes into the

state budget and helps with our budget deficit,’’ Deschenaux told lawmakers during a fiscal briefing on Thursday.

The result of the recovery plan is just one key piece of the state’s complicated budget puzzle this year. The second major component includes another unknown: How much the economy’s continuing decline will erode state revenue estimates.

State officials will find out in March whether the state has received significantly less money in tax revenues than anticipated. Deschenaux told lawmakers that revenues could come down ``another couple hundred million dollars in the current fiscal year.’’ ``And that would drive them down another couple hundred million dollars next year, which means that by the end of fiscal 2010 we need to find a half a billion dollars,’’ he added.

As a result, Deschenaux has been cautioning lawmakers that they need to consider building up a greater fund balance than the $46 million O’Malley put in the budget. Deschenaux said $46 million ``isn’t a heck of a lot of balance in the world in which we’re operating.’’ ``So, we’re going to need all the fund balances and all the cuts and the federal funds just to get through the year,’’ he said.

Deschenaux has urged the General Assembly to create a fund balance of at least 10 times the amount O’Malley has put aside, and legislative leaders in Maryland’s House of Delegates have indicated they are going to push for a budget cushion that is at least five times as high as the one proposed by the governor.

Legislators Seek Alcohol Tax Increase ANNAPOLIS, (AP) Alcohol in Maryland would become a few cents more expensive under legislation proposed Monday by lawmakers who want to increase alcohol taxes to fund services for people with disabilities and addictions.

People buying alcohol in Maryland pay roughly two cents in state taxes per glass of wine or shot of liquor or one cent in taxes for a 12 ounce beer. Those taxes haven’t been raised in more than 30 years.

Sen. Richard Madaleno Jr. and Delegate Bill Bronrott say raising the alcohol tax to the equivalent of five cents a drink would generate $80 million in revenue. They would use the money to support drug and alcohol treatment programs, provide services to more people with disabilities, increase state payments for people who work with the disabled and bolster the general fund.

The County Times

Thursday, February 12, 2009

To The Editor:

“Cash for Clunkers” Program: A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing Dear Editor:

The Cash for Clunkers program being considered by Congress for inclusion in the economic stimulus package is really a wolf in sheep’s clothing. The program would earmark federal funds for car owners to trade-in their sport utility vehicles in exchange for vouchers to be used to obtain newer, more fuel efficient vehicles. On the surface the program may sound reasonable, but its consequences will create issues for those not fortunate enough to afford the cost of a new vehicle and would be a waste of taxpayer dollars.

Those seeking a ‘quick fix’ have failed to consider the impact of the program on lower and fixed income families as well as charities. By taking vehicles off the road that might be sold as used, the program will raise the price for all used vehicles, thus impacting those on limited income that cannot afford new vehicles. Further, since the parts on those vehicles that are scrapped could be sold as used or recondi-

tioned, the program will cause an increase in repair prices for consumers.

Congress and states have considered Cash for Clunkers proposals in the past and in many cases have decided against them.

Providing incentives for individuals to purchase fuel efficient vehicles or to have their current vehicle maintained is a better use of federal money. Cash for Clunkers programs might look good on paper, but in reality they are a bad idea and should be rejected by Congress. Interested parties can send an e-mail in opposition to the Cash for Clunkers program to the Speaker of the House, the Senate Majority Leader and their congressional representatives by visiting www.fightcashforclunkers.org and clicking on “Take Action.”

Sincerely, Aaron Lowe Vice President, Government Affairs Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association

Anerican Red Cross Is Here To Help Dear Editor

Let’s Tame the Flame

Seven out of first nine days of February the local Red Cross has responded to people needing services due to single family home fires in Southern Maryland.

We all want to help safeguard our homes against disasters. But most Americans are unaware that the most common disaster is also highly preventable. It doesn’t matter if you live on the coast or the prairie, the mountains or a flood plain, in the city or on a farm, a home fire can happen anywhere to anyone, and Southern Maryland Chapter American Red Cross would like to help you learn to how to tame the flame.

The toll of home fires on American families and communities is staggering. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, each year nearly 400,000 families are affected by home fires. A home fire is approximately reported every 80 seconds, and someone dies from a home fire every 204 minutes. Young children are the most at risk as fire is the leading cause of unintentional death for those under the age of five. Last year the Southern Maryland Chapter responded to more than 90 home fires in the Southern Maryland area.

While the American Red Cross will always be there to provide relief from a disaster, we are also in communities every day ready to help you prevent and prepare for fires in your own home. The Red Cross recommends you take these three initial steps to reduce your risk from home fires:

1. Install smoke alarms on every level of your home and maintain them as recommended 2. Create a family escape plan so that you and your family can get to safety in the event of a fire 3. Learn how to help prevent home fires in your home by visiting www.redcross.org/homefires.

Many people don’t realize that when the local fire department responds to a home fire, the Red Cross also answers the call. Our Red Cross heroes are on call 24-hours a day, seven days a week, often leaving behind family and friends to help meet the emergency needs of those affected by fire – shelter, food and medications. But our volunteers can’t answer the call without your support. You can help the Red Cross continue to be ready to respond and help fire victims by making a financial contribution to the Southern Maryland chapter today. The Chapter is always looking for a few more volunteers contact any of the offices in the Southern Maryland Area for more information.

The Red Cross is here to help you prevent and prepare for home fire, and with your continued support, we will be there to help when the tragedy of home fires touch our community.

With your help, we can tame the flame in Southern Maryland area.

Your investments of time and money stay in the Southern Maryland to help our neighbors unless the donor request otherwise!

Mike Zabko Director Southern Maryland Chapte

Editorial:

Culture Of Corruption Doesn’t Bother Dyson When Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich was caught on FBI tape trying to sell the U.S. Senate seat vacated by President Obama, many people began to question the process for filling such a coveted position of public trust.

While Blagojevich may have gone further than most state governors would have, it might just be that he got caught doing what borders on typical.

U.S. Senate seats are probably the biggest prizes in politics. There are only two per state, and their terms last for 6 years with salaries, perks, staffs, offices, transportation, and so on that would far exceed that of 95% of our nation’s CEOs. They travel the nation and the world on taxpayer’s dime; they stay in only the best accommodations, and dine with world leaders.

Once you become one of only two people in your entire state to have the privilege of having a U.S. Senate seat, you practically have that seat for life. It might be easier and less costly to build your own spaceship than it is to unseat a U.S. Senator in an election. They use taxpayer dollars to fund public relation campaigns their entire time in office. Because they are one of only 51 votes needed to pass legislation, they receive donations from special interest groups during their entire term in office, many amounting to several millions of dollars every 6 years.

Anyone appointed to such a lavish job would be indebted to his or her appointer forever. What’s more, anyone with the power to make such an appointment would by nature expect consideration in return. Think about what you expect from an elected official when you cast a vote for that person. Imagine if your vote was the only vote he or she needed, what would you expect from them in return then?

With the recent corruption and controversy surrounding appointments in Illinois, New York, and New Hampshire, voters are feeling the frustration. There has been some recent

talk that the U.S. Senator from Maryland, Barbara Mikulski may be on President Obama’s short list for Secretary of Health and Human Services.

With the prospect of more upcoming governor appointments, the Maryland Legislature is considering bills sponsored

by Delegate Ali of Gaithersburg and another sponsored by Delegate Frank of Lutherville that would take the power to appoint a U.S. Senator away from the governor and give that power where it rightly belongs, back to the voters. If such a vacancy were to occur, a special election would be held so that the voters could choose. Not only would this guarantee the citizens’ right to elect their own representatives, it would remove the element of corruption from the process.

Senator Roy Dyson, democrat from Great Mills, doesn’t think letting the voters decide is such a good idea.

Dyson is concerned that an election may not preserve the race or gender of the previous occupant of the seat. If a man vacates the seat, Dyson is concerned that the voters may elect a woman to fill the vacancy. Or if the seat is vacated by a white woman, Dyson is concerned the voters may elect an AfricanAmerican to fill the vacancy.

And with the free for all spending going on in Annapolis, deficit after deficit, spending after spending, now suddenly Dyson is concerned about your tax dollars. Dyson feels it would be a waste of your tax dollars to hold an election to allow you to vote for your U.S. Senator.

With trillions of dollars being thrown around Washington these days like play money, and with public trust eroding every day, Dyson should be on the side of the people, not the insiders. Given Dyson’s background, the Blagojevich scandal may not seem that important to him, but to the rest of the country, we have had enough. The power should be in the hands of the public.

Stimulus No Place for Discrimination Last Friday, President Barack Obama signed an executive order that encourages the federal government to enter into union-exclusive contracts called project labor agreements (PLAs) on all federal work contracts over $25 million.

In light of the almost $1 trillion dollar stimulus bill that he is urging Congress to urgently pass, this particular exercise of Obama’s executive power is highly troubling.

Given that the 2008 Department of Labor statistics found that only 15.6 percent of the United States private construction workforce belongs to a union, it is outrageous for the government to pick hard earned tax dollars out of the pockets of taxpayers and future generations and hand it off to organized labor via this discriminatory practice of awarding federal construction contracts.

By essentially hanging a “non-union need not apply” sign on the stimulus legislation’s plan to spend and build America out of a recession, Obama is sending a clear message that over 8 out of 10 construction workers in the USA cannot do business on projects that their tax money is paying for. Shouldn’t government attempt to stimulate 100 percent of the

American economy and not repay political favors?

What happened to inclusion and a diversion from politics as usual?

America has waited too long for this new era where a person is evaluated not on the color of their skin but on the integrity of their character; why would we turn back the clocks and discriminate against qualified workers based on their right to choose whether or not to belong to a union? America has nothing to lose and everything to gain when federal contracts are awarded based upon the merits of our construction workforce under the spirit of free and open competition.

In an era of change, accountability, transparency, and equal opportunity for all, President Obama needs a stark reminder to do what he set out to do.

Discrimination, in any form, is no longer acceptable. Let’s put ALL of America to work.

Faith R. Tennent President/CEO Associated Builders & Contractors-Chesapeake Chapter

The County Times

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Speaks

Quote Of The Day

Life is a comedy for those who think... and a tragedy for those who feel.

Legal Notice

-Horace Walpole

Sheriff Substation May Move From St. Mary’s Square

In The Matter Of Shobayo David Akapo For Change Of Name To David Echewaodo Iroanya In the Circuit Court for St. Mary’s County, Maryland Case No.: C-18-09-000100 NC

The above Petitioner has filed a Petition for Change of Name in which she seeks to change her name from Shobayo David Akapo to David Echewaodo Iroanya. The petitioner is seeking a name change because: To reflect my immediate family name as shown on my birth certificate. I do not wish to use all the names as shown on my birthd certificate, except for the one that I have requested to be granted.

Any person may file an objection to the Petition on or before the 6th day of March, 2009.

TRUSTEE’S SALE Case No. CA-08-1550

Of Valuable Improved Real Estate located in St. Mary’s County, Maryland, improved by premises located at 24271 McGlue Road Chaptico, Maryland 20621 Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in a Deed Of Trust from Mark R. Pittman and Karin Mitchell Pittman to Stanley L. Merson and S. Lynne Pulford, Trustees, dated the 28th day of March, 2006, and duly recorded among the Land Records of St. Mary’s County, Maryland, in Liber 2744, at Folio 021, docketed for foreclosure in Civil No. CA-08-1550, the holder of the indebtedness secured by the Deed Of Trust having appointed Martin L. Goozman and Jeffrey W. Bernstein as Substitute Trustees by instrument duly executed, acknowledged and recorded among the Land Records of the said County, default having occurred under the terms thereof and at the request of the holder of the Note secured thereby, the undersigned Substitute Trustees will offer for sale at public auction at the front entrance of the Circuit Court for St. Mary’s County, Maryland, Courthouse, 41605 Courthouse Drive, Leonardtown, Maryland 20650, on Wednesday, February 25, 2009 at 12:00 p.m. all that property described in the said Deed Of Trust as follows: Lot Numbered Seven (7), In Block S In The Subdivision Known And Called “Mill Point Shores” As Per Plat Of Said Subdivision Recorded In CBG No 1, Folio 35 One Of The Plat Records Of St. Mary’s County, Maryland.

Said property is improved by a single family residence.

The property will be sold in “AS-IS” condition, subject to all conditions, restrictions, easements, covenants, rights-of-way and agreements of record affecting the property, and subject to whatever an accurate survey or inspection of the property would disclose, without any express or implied warranty of any kind.

A deposit of $25,000.00 cash, certified or cashier’s check, payable to the undersigned Trustees, shall be required at the time and place of sale. The balance of the purchase price shall bear interest at the rate of 6.375% per annum from the date of sale to the date of delivery of payment to the Substitute Trustees. No deposit shall be required of the note-

The objection must be supported by an affidavit and served upon the Petitioner in accordance with Maryland Rule 1-321. Failure to file an objection or affidavit within the time allowed may result in a judgment by default or the granting of the relief sought.

A copy of this Notice shall be published one time in a newspaper of general circulation in the county at least fifteen (15) days before the deadline to file an objection.

JOAN W. WILLIAMS, Clerk of the Circuit Court for St. Mary’s County Maryland 02-12-09

holder where the noteholder bids on the property at sale and payment of the purchase price by the noteholder shall be made by crediting the purchase price against the foreclosure costs and expenses and the indebtedness secured by said Deed Of Trust. In the event that settlement is delayed for any reason, including, but not limited to, exceptions to the sale, bankruptcy filings by interested parties, court administration of the foreclosure sale or unknown title defects, there shall be no abatement of interest.

Adjustment of all taxes, public charges and special or regular assessments, annual front foot benefit charges and deferred connection fees, if any, shall be made as of the date of sale and thereafter assumed by the purchaser. Condominium fees and/or homeowner’s association fees, if any, shall be assumed by the purchaser from the date of sale. Title examination, conveyancing, transfer taxes, recordation tax and all other costs of conveyance and settlement shall be paid by the purchaser. Purchaser agrees to pay $295.00 at settlement to Seller’s attorney for review of the settlement documents.

The property is sold subject to the right of any persons in possession of all or any part of the property under recorded or unrecorded leases or rights of occupancy, if any. Purchaser shall be responsible for obtaining possession of the property.

Compliance with the terms of sale shall be made and the balance of the purchase price shall be paid within ten (10) days after final ratification of the sale by the Circuit Court for Frederick County, Maryland, unless said time is extended by the undersigned Trustees in their sole and absolute discretion for good cause shown, time being of the essence; otherwise the deposit shall be forfeited and the property will be resold at the risk and expense of the defaulting purchaser. In the event of resale, the defaulting purchaser shall not be entitled to any benefit, surplus proceeds or profits resulting from such resale.

The Trustees are not liable, individually or otherwise, for any reason. If title to the property is not or cannot be transferred consistent with the terms hereof for any reason, the Trustee’s liability is limited, at its sole discretion, to return any deposit, without interest, thereby rescinding the sale, and there is no other right or remedy against the Trustee at law or in equity.

Martin L. Goozman and Jeffrey W. Bernstein Substitute Trustees

02-12-2009

By Sean Rice Staff Writer

tics of, ‘well if that goes there where is everything else going to go?’”

The former Carver school is now home to part County officials are considering a request of the county’s Information Technology departfrom St. Mary’s County Sheriff Tim Cameron ment. The building is also used for storage space to relocate the sheriff’s office’s only substation for county archives and the Board of Elections. across Lexington Park, from St. Mary’s Square to “If all the moons align, I thought it would be the former Carver Elementary School building in great for us, great for the community, and it keeps Southampton. us right there in the midCameron recently dle of Lexington Park,” sent a memo to County Cameron said. “What I Administrator John Savhope to accomplish in ich requesting the change the future, is instead of to solve space concerns at our cops using our buildthe current outpost. ing in Leonardtown as a “I looked at the home base, we’d have Carver School because community stations …

I’m looking for space. The and that could be one.” sheriff’s office, we’re sitSavich said a legting on top of each other,” islative decision is not Cameron told The County needed. It can be hanPhotos by Sean Rice dled administratively, Times. “Quite honestly we’ve outgrown it [St. Officials are considering using part of the former Carv- and probably, it will er Elementary School as a Sheriff’s Office substation.

Mary’s Square].” happen if feasible.

Savich told The “The discussion County Times that the proposal “does look like has just started … and it could be that they start something that probably can be worked out. So it’s with something small and then over time are able just going to be a question of figuring out the logis- to make it bigger,” Savich said.

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Thursday, February 12, 2009

Money Isn’t Made Out Of Paper, It’s Made Out Of Cotton.

The Times Pick 10

WASHINGTON (AP) D.C.’s official tourism agency, Destination DC, says hotels in the Washington region collected nearly $95 million in room revenue from Jan. 17 through Jan. 20, the days leading up to and including President Barack Obama’s inauguration.

More than half of that revenue came from the 110 hotels within the District.

With hotel rooms in big demand, visitors paid an average $605 for a room on the night of

the inauguration. That’s more than three times the average room rate from January 2008.

Destination DC says the numbers come from Smith Travel Research, a Tennessee company that tracks hotel occupancy and revenue nationwide.

D.C.’s chief financial officer, Natwar Gandhi, sales a report on sales tax receipts for the inauguration weekend should be ready by Feb. 20.

You’re Invited to a Public Meeting on the Review of Options for Increased Safety at Pedestrian Crossings Along Route 5 in St. Mary’s City The Capital Design Advisory Committee (CDA) of St. Mary’s College of Maryland (SMCM) and Historic St. Mary’s City (HSMC) Invites Concerned Community Members

WHEN: February 17, 2009 At 7 p.m.

WHERE: HSMC Auditorium, adjacent to the HSMC Visitor’s Center, Rosecroft Rd.

AGENDA: • Review and analysis of completed survey results regarding techniques to increase safety on Route 5. Survey results are based on input from more than 300 students, faculty and community members.

• The College and City will review the safety-enhancing alternatives that will be recommended to the SMCM Board of Trustees and HSMC Commission.

For more information on the CDA, visit http://smcm.edu/cda/ Or call 240-895-4412

un Fact

Wages High, Unemployment Low, But Picture is Not All Rosy

By Sean Rice Staff Writer

D.C. Hotels Had $95 Million In Inauguration Room Revenue

10

The Bureau of Labor Statistics released numbers this week detailing average weekly salaries for the second quarter of 2008, and St. Mary’s County continues to rank among the highest in the state – coming in second from the top behind Montgomery County.

The new wage data comes on the heels of new county unemployment figures that show St. Mary’s County continuing to see jobless numbers at a consistently lower rate than the region, state and nation.

With 4.3 percent unemployment in December, St. Mary’s County comes in with the second lowest figure in the state, though that rate is up nearly 1.5 percent from this time a year ago. The December average for the nation was 7.2 percent.

On the wage scale, St. Mary’s County’s average weekly wage of $1,017 is secondhighest in Maryland, and is within the top 40 when considering all counties across the nation.

While both these economic indicators spell good news for St. Mary’s County, it’s

not the entire picture, reports Bob Schaller, director of Economic and Community Development for St. Mary’s County. Record numbers of people are also filing for social service assistance, in addition to spiking cases of foreclosures and homelessness.

“It’s kind of good news-bad news. The good news is, relative to everyone else we’re doing great. The bad news is we’re all not doing as well,” Schaller told The County Times.

“All these numbers say the same thing, that the steady employment of the base and the immediate contracting community has been our insurance.”

There has consistently been a gap in the unemployment figures when comparing St. Mary’s County to the state and nation. With the national average now nearly 3 percent higher than St. Mary’s County’s average, that gap appears to be getting wider.

“It’s just one more example of the story we’ve been telling,” Schaller said. “We didn’t get to be the fastest growing region and the one with the most steady employment … we didn’t get there overnight and we’re not going to leave there overnight.”

Lower Income Residents Can Get Free Tax Preparation

Low- and middle-income residents in Southern Maryland can take advantage of a special “Maryland Tax Day” being held at the Leonardtown Library Feb. 28, from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The day is part of a statewide campaign to raise awareness of the AARP Tax-Aide program, which offers free income tax assistance, including federal and state tax preparation, to low and middle-income Maryland taxpayers.

On “Maryland Tax Day” various locations throughout the state will be open to provide free tax preparation services with no appointments necessary.

“This unique partnership between the State and the AARP Foundation will help Maryland’s working families navigate the sometimes complex task of filing their tax-

es,” Governor Martin O’Malley said in a press release. “I want to thank the AARP Foundation and all stakeholders involved in this effort for providing this valuable service to the taxpayers of our State.”

Last year 700 volunteers in Maryland helped make the AARP Tax-Aide program a success. The program helped more than 49,000 taxpayers of all ages prepare their state and federal taxes free of charge.

“Our volunteers dedicate long hours to training so they can help taxpayers by preparing complete and accurate tax returns in a timely and professional manner. Those working at these free tax preparation sites ensure taxpayers receive all the deductions and credits they are due,” said Deborah L. Herman, Maryland Volunteer State Coordinator for the AARP Tax-Aide program.

Wal-Mart Cutting 700-800 Jobs At Headquarters BENTONVILLE, Arkansas (AP) _ Wal-Mart Stores Inc. says it is cutting 700 to 800 jobs at its northwestern Arkansas headquarters.

Spokesman David Tovar said Tuesday that the company was cutting those jobs at its headquarters and would be adding employees

at the company’s stores. He said the company would be adding thousands of jobs at WalMart and Sam’s Club stores this year.

Wal-Mart and Sam’s Clubs have about 30,000 employees in northwestern Arkansas, including about 14,000 at their Bentonville headquarters.

11

Thursday, February 12, 2009

The County Times

Defense & Military

Pax River Hires First Female Fire Chief

By Sean Rice Staff Writer The new leader of the Patuxent River Naval Air Station Fire Department happens to be the base’s first female fire chief, but regardless of the historical significance, it’s just another day on the job for this veteran firefighter of nearly 20 years.

Lea Hayes, a Defense Department civilian hire, started at her new post last Monday, in charge of the six fire companies that make up the Patuxent River Naval Air Station Fire Department.

The biggest issue currently on Hayes’ mind is getting acquainted with the base, the personnel and the area.

“I wasn’t even sure I was the first female, this is the first time it’s come up,” Hayes said in an interview with The County Times.

“I have to say the true indicator for me that

Hayes comes to Pax from her previous post as fire chief of the Letterkenny Army Depot, in Chambersburg, Pa. She started her career as an enlisted member of the U.S. Marine Drum Bugle Corps, where she served four years. After the Marines, Hayes got her start in the firefighting and emergency management business with a position as a city firefighter in Albany, Ga. After five and a half years in Albany, Ga., Hayes was hired on as a federal firefighter in Georgia for the Marine Corps, and shortly after found herself working as a firefighter for the Navy at Souda Bay, Crete, Greece.

“I’m looking forward to a long career here. I think we’re going to have a great relationship,” Hayes said. “I love the area.”

“Right now it’s getting to know the area, getting to know the people … getting to know the base,” Hayes said. “I’m looking to get out with the local volunteer agencies, to meet the

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New Patuxent River Naval Air Station Fire Chief Lea Hayes at her office on base.

you have arrived, at that place of equal opportunity, is that it’s not a big deal, and it hasn’t been since I’ve been here,” Hayes said.

Hayes replaces George Kennett, who retired a year ago. Battalion Chief Glen Yannayon headed up the Pax River Fire Department in the interim since Kennett’s retirement.

“Chief Yannayon, who’s done a great job of running the department for the last year, he’s been the face of the fire department,” Hayes said. “Now that face has changed, so I’ve got to get out there and have the people … put another face on the fire department.”

Photo by Sean Rice

chiefs, meets some of the responders in the area.”

Hayes said she has always signed up as a volunteer firefighter in the communities she has lived, but that goal may have to be put on hold for now.

“I’ve got a lot on my plate right now, I definitely need to get settled … and I have to make sure I’m doing the right thing by Pax.” The Pax River Fire Department provides fire protection, HAZMAT and EMS response to Patuxent NAS, Webster Field and Solomons Navy Recreation Center.

Navy Relieves Commander After Warship Runs Aground PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (AP) _ The U.S. Navy has relieved of duty the commanding officer of a $1 billion warship that ran aground off Honolulu last week.

The Navy said Monday that Capt.

John Carroll was relieved of his duties pending the results of an investigation into the grounding of the USS Port Royal. He had taken command of the guided missile cruiser in October.

The ship’s temporary commanding officer will be Capt. John T. Lauer III, who is currently assigned to the staff of Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific.

The Port Royal got stuck on the rock and sand shoal Thursday. The Navy moved equipment off the ship to lighten it over the weekend. Tugboats and a salvage ship pulled it free about 2 a.m. Monday.

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The County Times

Thursday, February 12, 2009

12

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un Fact

The County Times

No Word In The English Language Rhymes With Month, Orange, Silver, And Purple.

Asif Dowla Honored St. Mary’s College of Maryland (SMCM) Professor of Economics Asif Dowla, Ph.D., has been named holder of the Hilda C. Landers Endowed Chair in the Liberal Arts. Dowla has taught at SMCM for 17 years.

The Landers Chair honors a faculty member whose accomplishments in liberal arts have set him or her apart from academic peers.

Dowla is co-author of The Poor Always Pay Back: The Grameen II Story, a well-reviewed book about the Nobel Prize-winning Grameen Bank.

The Bank was the first in the world that issued micro-credit loans so that the poorest people in the world could have the opportunity to start their own businesses.

The book is in its second printing and has been translated into several languages. The Poor Always Pay Back: The Grameen II Story has been translated into Chinese, French and Bahasa Indonesian.

Co-author Dipal Barua and economist Muhammad Yunus are co-founders of the bank. The book is required reading for graduate and undergraduate courses at Harvard, Princeton and Duke universities, and at the Norwegian School of Management.

Know

In The

13

Board Approves Latest Draft of 2010 Budget

Martirano Says State and County Funding Still Not Definite Andrea Shiell Staff Writer The St. Mary’s County Board of Education voted to approve the latest draft budget for submittal to the county, though they did so with an understanding that numbers from the state and county were not set in stone.

“For the first time I’m presenting to you a budget that is less than what it was last year,” said Superintendent Michael Martirano at Wednesday’s Board of Education meeting, as he presented a budget set at $178,763,259, supporting current initiatives tied to the SMCPS Master Plan, the Safe Schools Task Force report, the Achievement Gap Task Force, and the Middle School Task Force recommendations.

Several things are still up in the air according to Martirano, who said that with a balanced budget, there is still a $1.8 million shortfall that has yet to be resolved.

Meanwhile Martirano said that several proposals at the state level would need to be considered before a final budget could be approved. Under a proposal in Gov. Martin O’Malley’s 2010 budget, counties would pay half of the cost of educating children with special needs in non-public facilities, when historically the state has shouldered 80 percent of that burden.

Delegate John Bohanan (D-Dist. 29B), who is

chair of the Education and Economic Development Subcommittee, said that shifting more of the burden of education to the counties is not a desirable choice. “At this point it’s not an option we want to take, but we’re going to leave it open as an option,” he said.

Maryland Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr. (D-Calvert) also announced last week his plans to introduce legislation requiring that counties pay for teacher pension costs for new hires, affecting hires and pay raises made after July 1 of this year, despite opposition from county leaders.

“There’s no money to absorb that,” said Martirano when discussing the proposal at Wednesday’s meeting. “It would decimate the officials at our local level, and it would decimate our schools,” he said.

Martirano projected that state funding would decrease by $2,464,878, though the state is still expected to weigh projected revenues from the latest economic stimulus plan, from which the school system is hoping to receive a boost of funding this year.

“In many cases we’re at a lull, a standstill,” said Martirano, “but I don’t want to create a psychological crisis in the midst of a financial crisis…we’re doing this with the information we have now…but this is not the final version of this.”

Redistricting Plans Approved Andrea Shiell Staff Writer

The Forrest Career and Technology Center in Leonardtown hosted area high schools on Tuesday night as they competed in the 3rd Annual “Top Dawg” Academic Challenge. This year’s winners were Kelsi Skeens, MacLain Christie, Ryan Fleming, and Daniel Burke from St. Mary’s Ryken High School, who took home a large trophy, as well as bragging rights for the next year.

Martirano Reappointed as Superintendent

The Board of Education of St. Mary’s County announced the reappointment of Dr. Michael J. Martirano to a new four-year term as superintendent of schools. Dr. Martirano’s current four-year contract expires on June 30, 2009.

“It’s hard to believe that it’s been four years,” said Martirano at Wednesday’s Board of Education meeting, where he spoke in front of a room full of supporters, “and I have never worked with a more engaging board.”

“I am honored and appreciative that the Board of Education has renewed my contract as superintendent” said Martirano. “To lead is to serve and I am

pleased to have the opportunity to continue to work with our employees to serve all children in St. Mary’s County Public Schools. Together, we have made major strides and accomplishments on behalf of our students. We are a high performing school system.

Over the last four years, we have implemented numerous customized programs to meet the academic needs of all our students, and to keep our students and staff safe. Our work must continue with an urgent focus. I am eager to be able to build upon this work and maintain the focus in the best interest of all of our wonderful students.”

The Board of Education of St. Mary’s County voted to approve the recommended boundary realignment options for the 2009-2010 school year, which will see 720 students in the county moved to other schools to realign the student population in accordance with the opening of Evergreen Elementary school next fall.

As per the School Boundary Advisory Committee’s recommendations, 328 students will be redistricted out of the area from the intersection of Airport Road South to the intersection of St. Andrew’s Church Road, including auxiliary roads, drives, courts and lanes, and will be transferred from Hollywood to attend Evergreen, as well as 75 students from Green Holly, 54 students from Piney Point, and 90 students from Greenview Knolls. 134 students from Oakville Elementary and 39 students from Leonardtown will now be going to Hollywood Elementary.

The committee also is recommending grandfathering the realignment so that rising 5th, 8th, and 12th grade students can attend their same schools in 2009-2010, without transportation.

“To me it was a very smooth redistricting process,” said board member Mary Washington, reflecting that she had not heard complaints from community members concerning the redistricting plans.

Others agreed with Washington’s sentiment, though some parents at the board’s public hearings had expressed concern over daycare and other hardships associated with the realignment.

“We do have a waiver process in existence for anyone who wants to fill it out,” said board member Sal Raspa at Wednesday’s meeting, adding that parents wishing to exempt their students from the realignment needed only to fill out the waiver if they were concerned about daycare or other hardships. All waiver requests would be handled on a case-by-case basis.

Meanwhile, assignments for students affected by the new boundary plans are set to be distributed to parents in April.

“It has not been a contentious process,” said Martirano, adding that open lines of communication had made the process run much more smoothly in this as opposed to other counties.

“People are willing to move along with you as long as they are informed.”

Education

Ben Carson Story to be Performed

In honor of Black History Month and Lights On After School, St. Mary’s County Public Schools (SMCPS), the St. Mary’s County Library, and the Boys and Girls Club of Southern Maryland are sponsoring a free performance of The Ben Carson Story Feb. 23 at 7 p.m., in the auditorium of Great Mills High School.

The play is performed by the Columbia Center for Theatrical Arts, Inc., a professional acting company. This Lights On After School event will have a special focus on the future dreams of students who participate in after school programs, but is open to the general public.

At 6 p.m., community members are invited to see demonstrations of student activities from after-school programs in the county.

Also at 6 p.m., dinner from Bear Creek Barbeque will be available at no cost to the first 100 guests.

For more details, contact Mr. Mark Smith, SMCPS coordinator of special programs, at 301-4755511, ext. 137.

CSM Offering Free “Money Smart” Seminars The College of Southern Maryland is presenting three ‘Money Smart’ educational seminars at each of its campuses Feb. 18 through Feb. 28 to help provide retirees, new home buyers, existing homeowners facing foreclosure and individuals facing bankruptcy with the financial information they need.

“Financial literacy fosters stability not only for individuals and families, but for our entire community,” CSM President Dr. Brad Gottfried said. “CSM, partnering with a number of regional organizations, wants to help our community maintain its level of prosperity and security as we brace for tough economic times.”

Saving our homes and securing our retirements are among the urgent financial challenges that community partners first wish to address through these seminars, according to Gottfried.

The Money Smart program will feature seminars, including “Seizing the Opportunity to Purchase Your First Home,” “Act Now to Avoid Foreclosure and Bankruptcy” and “Taking Control of Your Retirement.”

Each seminar is free and will feature local financial experts who will give 10-minute lectures, followed by a questionand-answer session.

For information on the CSM Money Smart Seminars visit www.csmd.edu/MoneySmart.

Crime&

The County Times

Punishment Illegal Immigrant Pleads Guilty Juvenile Charged With Rape Of Toddler

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer

Detectives with the St. Mary’s County Bureau of Criminal Investigations have charged a 15-yearold male juvenile with second-degree rape for allegedly sexually assaulting a 3-year-old girl.

Despite the serious nature of the charges, police say that due to the accused person’s age, he cannot be tried as an adult.

Sgt. Jeffrey Jones, spokesman for BCI, said that the defendant had been moved to the youth facility in Cheltenham for detention.

On Feb. 5 deputies and state troopers both responded to a home on Castaway Circle in Lexington Park for the alleged rape of the toddler.

Detectives took over the case and charged the 15-year-old with second-degree rape. The Department of Juvenile Justice is also taking part in the case.

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer

In Negligent Homicide Case

Eddi Gabriel Barrentos-Ibanez, an illegal immigrant accused of causing the deaths of several passengers in a truck he was driving while drunk, pleaded guilty to two counts of negligent homicide while under the influence of alcohol last week.

He received a sentence of two years in state prison for each count against him, court records show.

Two other people riding in the truck were injured in the crash.

According to crash investigation information from the sheriff’s office, Ibanez was traveling down Bay Forest Road in Dameron at a high rate of speed June 28 of last year at about 7p.m. when he lost control of his 1998 Ford F-150 pickup truck.

Ibanez failed to make a left hand turn, according to sheriff’s reports, careened out of the west side of the roadway and slid sideways into a large tree.

The vehicle then struck another tree head on and came to rest in the roadway.

Christina Garcia Chavez, 22, of Lexington Park and Felipe Moya Martinez, 34, of

Waldorf died at the scene, police reports stated, while two other passengers Zaydia Garcia Chavel, 18 and Hose Esuin Leon Guerra, 28, both of Waldorf were flown to Prince George’s Hospital Center’s trauma unit in stable condition.

The two deceased passengers had no identification on them, charging documents state, but were identified by one Maria Delcarmin Trujillo, who claimed she was a friend.

According to applications for statements of charges against Ibanez, deputies claimed to smell a strong odor of alcohol on Ibanez’s breath following the accident and asked him if he had been drinking.

“My friend gave me something,” said Ibanez, according to court papers. Court papers went on to allege that he admitted to having “three beers,” then admitting later “I had like seven beers.”

Charging documents state that when he was later interviewed at the hospital, Ibanez stated he had left Elm Beach Park just two hours before the crash after having about six beers.

Ibanez claimed that the brakes “gave out” on his truck. A blood alcohol test showed Ibanez had a .172 blood alcohol level.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

14

Briefs Detectives investigate assault in Mechanicsville On February 10, 2009 at approximately 3:00 a.m. deputies responded to a disturbance call at a residence on Bishop Lane in Mechanicsville. Preliminary investigation reveals a 15year-old female reported being assaulted by a 47-year-old male suspect. While the 15-year-old was fleeing the residence the suspect allegedly fired several shots into the air outside of the residence. The suspect was located and taken to the hospital for un-related medical treatment. He remains hospitalized. The St. Mary’s County Bureau of Criminal Investigation responded and assumed the investigation. The suspect’s name is not being released at this time because he has not been formally charged.

Investigation is continuing and charges are pending.

Man arrested for trespassing at rescue squad On February 9, 2009 at 10:12 p.m. Deputy Scott Ruest responded to the Lexington Park Volunteer Rescue Squad for the report of a subject trespassing on the premises. Steven W. Carter, age 50, of no fixed address, was observed urinating on the side of the rescue squad building by a member of the rescue squad. Carter had been issued a notice not to trespass on the property in October of 2008. Carter was located on the property and placed under arrest, charged with trespassing, indecent exposure and incarcerated in the detention center pending an appearance before the District Court Commissioner.

Human Remains May Not Be Identified For Weeks

Sheriff Timothy K. Cameron said that the human remains found in the Cedar Cove neighborhood of Lexington Park could take weeks to identify and that as of Wednesday forensic specialists from the medical examiners office were working the site.

Detectives with the St. Mary’s County Bureau of Criminal Investigations working along side Maryland State Police search and rescue personnel and specialized canine units found the remains Tuesday in the search for Mark A. Tippett, the man who vanished back in 2006 from the same neighborhood and has not been heard from since.

Cameron said that DNA testing was one method that could be used to identify the remains but he said dental records would probably be effective in this case.

“We’re treating it as a homicide,” Cameron said of the investigation. “I’m sadly optimistic that we’ve located the remains of Mark Tippett.”

Mark Tippett’s sister Sherry Tippett was distraught to hear that the remains had been found; she firmly believed that they were of her missing brother.

“We all know it’s Mark,” Tippett said. “It’s a halfmile from his house; they’re going to confirm it as soon

as I get the dental records.”

She, like detectives, also suspects foul play in her brother’s disappearance and expressed confusion why her brother wasn’t found two years ago when police used search parties and dogs in an attempt to find him.

“It makes me think someone planted [the remains] there,” Tippett said, who believes her brother was murdered.

If the remains turned out to be her brother, Tippett said, she wanted to take custody soon.

“I’m bringing him home and I’m having his ashes sprinkled in Durango, Colo.,” Tippett said. “That’s where he wanted to live.”

Capt. Rick Burris, commander of the investigative section, revealed little about the remains found about 100 yards inside the woods just off Willis Wharf Court Tuesday.

Burris said that search crews had been out in the area since about 9:30 that morning looking for Tippett’s body.

“There’s no way for us to identify the body at this point,” Burris told The County Times on the scene of the investigation.

Burris said that the remains were found above ground and had “been back there quite a while.”

“We’ve still got a tremendous amount of work to do,” Photo by Guy Leonard Burris said. “We still have to find out who it is and what was Detectives and search teams with local law enforcement found human remains Tuesday in the cause of death.”

Cedar Cove while following up leads in the disappearance case of Mark Tippett from 2006.

South County Residents Still Concerned Over Gang Activity In Parks

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer St. Mary’s County Sheriff Timothy K. Cameron told residents of the southern portion of the county that his deputies will continue to monitor suspected gang activity at state parks in their area, particularly at Point Lookout State Park in Scotland.

Cameron talked about gang activity as well as other crime issues in south county with residents at the Ridge Volunteer Fire Department in Ridge Feb. 6.

Cameron responded to community concerns about gangs like MS-13, a predominantly Hispanic gang with its origins in El Salvador as a communist insurrection, but also said that gangs as a whole were on the rise in St. Mary’s County.

Information from the sheriff’s office in the past two years has shown that MS-13 had used Point Lookout State Park as a place to hold meetings in the hopes of avoiding heavy police

surveillance.

Cameron said that Ridge residents had been particularly effective in spotting gang activity in their community last year; he pointed to one incident where residents called in reports on what they believed were vehicles connected to MS-13 activity in the parking lot of the former Raley’s Town and Country that turned out to be authentic.

But MS-13 may not be the most pressing gang concern in the county, Cameron said.

“I see more inroads with the Bloods and the Crips than MS13,” Cameron told residents last week.

Both gangs had their start in the streets of Los Angeles and have a particularly violent reputation.

Cameron said that gang intelligence work, undertaken by the recently formed Southern Maryland Information Center and by officers inside the county jail, have turned up three separate “books of knowledge” issued to members of gangs.

This was evidence that gangs, though operating at a low level here, are here nonetheless, Cameron said.

“If they’re in our jails they’re in our streets,” Cameron said.

But for now, in the southern part of the county, crime continues to be lower than in the central portion.

According to police information a full 50 percent of the criminal activity in the county originates in the Lexington Park area.

The neighborhoods in the Hermanville Road area of south county had far more calls for service than did the Ridge area, police statistics showed.

For the two police patrol sectors of south county, known as J1 and J2, there were 3,003 calls for service in total from February of 2008 to January of this year. Of those, only 368 originated in Ridge.

Also there were no reported burglaries in Ridge for the same time period, police statistics showed.

15

Thursday, February 12, 2009

The County Times

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The County Times

Deborah “Dee” Louise Barnes, 35

Deborah “Dee” Louise Barnes, 35, of Bartlett, Tenn. and formerly of Lexington Park, died Jan. 31 in Memphis, Tenn.

Born June 4, 1973, she was the daughter of Mary D. Fenwick and her step-father Robert I. Fenwick, Sr. of Memphis, Tenn. She is also survived by her daughter Nia R. Bonds of Bartlett, Tenn. and her siblings Tony T. Barnes of N.J., Timothy and Tonya Hagens, both of Oxon Hill, and Robert I. Fenwick, Jr. of Laurel.

A graduate of Great Mills High School’s Class of 1992, Dee earned her associates degree from The College Southern Maryland, graduating in 2003. She was a counselor for Barlett Youth Villages in Memphis, Tenn. for three years. She enjoyed shopping, listening and dancing to music and helping with kids.

The family received friends Feb. 9 from 10 – 11 a.m. in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Lexington Park, where a Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 11 a.m. with Fr. Jack Kennealy officiating. Interment followed in the church cemetery.

Pallbearers were Wade Barnes, Nathan Gordon, Gregory Jones Sr., Francis Fenwick Sr., George E. Fenwick and Gregory Jones, Jr. Condolences to the family may be left at www.mgfh.com.

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

William Robert “Bob” Brandes, 88 William Robert “Bob” Brandes, 88, of California, Md., died Feb. 5 in St. Mary’s Hospital.

Born June 3, 1920 in Hoboken, N.J., he was the son of the late William Herman and Charlotte Kamena Brandes. He was the loving husband of Mary Edith “Boots” Hardie Brandes, whom he married Oct. 9, 1947 in St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Arlington, Va. Bob was faithful in saying “Happy Anniversary” on the 9th day of each month in observation of their marriage.

In addition to his wife of 61 years, he is survived by his daughter, Patricia Anne Yochim and her husband Thomas

W. of California, Md. as well his granddaughters, Nicole Marie and Alyssa Claire Yochim, both of California, Md. He was preceded in death by his sister Dorothy Anne Dermody of Carlisle, Pa. Bob graduated from Stevens Institute of Technology in June 1941 and received a degree in Mechanical Engineering and a commission as Ensign in the U.S. Navy. He was a veteran of WWII, having served on active duty in the U.S. Navy from July 1941 until March 1946, at which time he was released to inactive duty with the rank of Lt. Cmdr. He worked as a Stationary and Marine Diesel Engine Field Engineer for Fairbanks Morse and Co. from March 1946 until May 1951. He was employed by the Navy Department Bureau of Ships in May 1951, with the position of Marine Reciprocating Power Plant Development Engineer.

He worked for the Navy until his retirement in December 1976, at which time he was a Supervisory Mechanical Engineer and head of the Fleet Support Section in the Internal Combustion and Gas Turbine Engines Brach of the Navy Ship Engineering Center.

A memorial service was held Feb. 11 at 1:30 p.m. in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown.

Contributions may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, 46707 Shangri-La Drive, Lexington Park, MD 20653.

Condolences may be left to the family at www.mgfh.com.

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

Madeline E. “Toots” Brecar, 87 Madeline E. “Toots” Brecar, 87, of Mechanicsville, formerly of Alexandria, Va., died Feb. 3 in her residence.

Born Nov. 23, 1921 in Alexandria, Va., she was the daughter of the late Daniel M. and Audrey Madeline Beach Kelly. She was the wife of the late Ray J. Brecar, Sr., whom she married July 28, 1937 in Forestville, Md., and who preceded her in death April 26, 1994.

She is survived by her children, Barbara E. Young of Alexandria, Va., Sheila R. Canard of Lady Smith, Va., Audrey Sandra Roach of Fredericksburg, Va., Mary Angela Jordan of W.V., Ray “Sonny” J. Brecar, Jr. and Michael A. “Tony” Brecar both of Mechanicsville, Md., her sister Josephine Taylor of Hartwood, Va. as well as fifteen grand-

children, nineteen great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

Madeline graduated from St. Mary’s Academy’s Class of 1935 and enjoyed crocheting, painting and reading books.

The family received friends Feb. 5 from 5 – 8 p.m. in the MattingleyGardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, where prayers were said at 7 p.m. A funeral service was held Feb. 6 at 10:30 a.m. in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home. Interment followed in Trinity Memorial Gardens, Waldorf. Pallbearers were Ray Brecar, Jr., Tony Brecar, Troy Young, Kip Young, Jim Roach and Michael Fox. Contributions may be made to Hollywood Volunteer Rescue Squad.

P.O. Box 79, Hollywood, MD 20636.

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

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Abell, Jr., John Daras, Tim O’Brien and Larry Jagar. Honorary Pallbearer was Lewis Quade, Jr. Contributions may be made to Holy Angels Catholic Church, 21335 Coltons Point Road, Avenue, MD 20609.

Condolences to the family may be made through our website at www. mgfh.com.

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

16

husband Lorenza were foster parents to several children over the past few years.

Helen Spalding Mattingly, 76

Jane Theresa Harrell, 48

Agnes Opal Farrell, 76

Agnes Opal Farrell, 76, of Colton’s Point, formerly of Forestville, died Feb. 5 in Washington, D.C. Born Aug. 19, 1932 in Castlewood, Va., she was the daughter of the late Daniel R. and Verlie J. Dickenson, Sr. She was preceded in death by her husband Carroll Jenkins Farrell Jan. 23, 2002. They were married May 7, 1949 in Washington, D.C. She is survived by her children, Jane Farrell of Lexington Park, Darlene Quade and Ronnie Farrell both of Colton’s Point; brother Calvin Dickenson of Warrenton, Va.; 12 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.

She was also preceded in death by her son Thomas Farrell; siblings Daniel Dickenson, Jr., Louis Dickenson, Bruce Dickenson, Margaret Cooper, Odotha Dickenson, Bobby Dickenson and Lee Dickenson.

Opal moved to St. Mary’s County in 1973 from Forestville. She enjoyed playing slot machines, bingo and cards, dancing, and spending time with her family.

The family received friends Feb. 10 from 5 – 8 p.m. in the MattingleyGardiner Funeral Home, where Prayers were said at 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Feb. 11 at 10 a.m. in Holy Angels Catholic Church, Avenue, with Msgr. John Brady officiating.

Interment followed in Charles Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers were Joey Goldsborough, James Cage, Thomas

Jane Theresa (Berry) Harrell, daughter of the late Joseph and Elsie Berry, born on April 21, 1960 in Baltimore Maryland, departed this life suddenly on February 3, 2009. She is the youngest of nine children born to Joseph and Elise Berry.

Jane graduated from Great Mills High School in 1978 and obtained a Bachelor’s Degree from Bowie State College.

Jane married Lorenza Harrell on May 15, 1993 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Lexington, Maryland.

Jane joined Faith Christian Center in May, 1999. She completed the P.E.P. membership and graduated from the Layman’s Bible Study Program.

Jane was also a certified public notary.

Jane was a faithful member. She was a Touch Group Leader and Kidscope coordinator for the nursery. She belonged to the Visitation Ministry and Covenant Partners Council.

Jane was employed as the Senior Accountant at the Faith Christian Center in Jacksonville, Fl. Prior to that, Jane worked as the Budget Financial Officer with the American Red Cross in Jacksonville, Fl. Jane enjoyed spending time with family and friends during cookouts and vacations. She was also an organ donor and six lives were saved after she went home to be with the Lord.

Jane leaves to mourn their loss: her husband, Lorenza Harrell, brothers and sisters Herbert Lee Courtney (Agnes) of Leonardtown, Md., Joseph Edward Berry, Jr. (Pam) of La Plata, Md., Mary Frances Hudson (Sam), Agnes James (Steve), Dinnette Briscoe (Michael), Linda Berry, Michael Berry, and Wayne Berry (Lisa) all of Lexington Park, Md. Jane was Godmother to LaToya Sewell, Joelisha Barnes and Andrea J. West. Jane also leaves behind 23 nieces and nephews and numerous great nieces and nephews. Jane and her

Helen Spalding Mattingly, 76 of Leonardtown died Feb 3 in her residence surrounded by her loving family.

Born March 12, 1932 in Hollywood, she was the daughter of the late Francis Xavier and Elizabeth Thompson Spalding. She was the wife of the late James Moakley Mattingly, Jr., who preceded her in death Feb. 3, 1978.

Helen was a 1950 graduate of Great Mills High School and a 1953 graduate of Mercy Hospital School of Nursing. After graduation, she began her registered nursing career with Dr. Roy Guyther’s office in Mechanicsville, and later St. Mary’s Hospital, Leonardtown. She retired in 1992 from The St. Mary’s County Health Department.

Helen also was a volunteer for Meals on Wheels and Helping Hands.

She is survived by a daughter, Deborah M. Zylak (David) and a son, Michael J. Mattingly (Christine) of Leonardtown; four sisters, Katherine Spalding of California, Md., Betty Jo Abell of Dunkirk, Susan S. Miedzinski of Leonardtown, and Mary J. Cooper of California, Md.; two brothers, Samuel C. Spalding and George Spalding, both of Hollywood, Md.; five grandchildren, Chris Parsons (Veronica), Karen Parsons (Matt Waugaman), Michelle M. Kingsland (Jeff), Diane E. Mattingly and Travis M. Mattingly and one great granddaughter, Eva Parsons.

She was predeceased by two brothers, Francis and Joseph Spalding.

Family received friends Feb. 6 from 5 – 8 p.m. with prayers recited at 7 p.m. in St. John Francis Regis Catholic Church, Hollywood, Md. Mass of Christian burial was Feb. 7 at 10 a.m. Father Ray Schmidt, pastor of the church, was the celebrant. Interment followed in the Mattingly Family Cemetery, Leonardtown. Pallbearers for Mrs. Mattingly were Robert Miedzinski, Larry Miedzinski, David Mattingly, Alex Abell, Sam Spalding, Jr., Shane Mattingly, James Spalding and Joey Cooper.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Hospice House, c/o Hospice of St. Mary’s, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650 or Leonardtown Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 299, Leonardtown, MD 20650

17

The County Times

Thursday, February 12, 2009

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

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

Kyle William “Cowboy” Miller, 51 Kyle William “Cowboy” Miller, 51 of Leonardtown died Feb. 7 in St. Mary’s Hospital.

Born Aug. 3, 1957 in Dallas, Texas he was the son of D.C. Miller of Longview, Texas and the late Betty Miller. He was the loving husband of Sue Miller, whom he married Feb. 11, 1989 in Fredericksburg, Va. In addition to his wife, he is also survived by his step-children; Wendy Sutherland and her husband Joe of Lumberton, N.J. and Brent Howard of Paris, Tenn.; his sister Marlys Bowling of Centerville, Texas as was well as four grandchildren; Amber Howard, Zachary Sutherland, Madison Sutherland and Hayden Howard.

Kyle was known as “Cowboy” to his grandchildren. He served in the U.S. Navy for four years and moved to St. Mary’s County in 1996. He was a Generator Technician for Mona Electric.

A memorial service will be held Feb. 12 at 3:30 p.m. in Dahlgren United Methodist Church, Dahlgren, Va. with Rev. Edward H. Johnson officiating and Rev. Doyne Robertson co-officiating.

Condolences may be left for the family at www.mgfh.com.

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

Michael Wayne Sisco, 51, of Callaway died Jan. 30 in Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, D.C. Born Feb. 28, 1957 in Coffeyville, Kan., he was the son of Helen Wisely Sisco and the late James Sisco. Mike was employed with AB&H Construction Company in Callaway.

Mike is survived by his mother, Helen Sisco of Coffeyville, Kan., his wife, Sharon Sisco, children; Jeremy Sisco, and Zachary Sisco, of Callaway, Lacie Sisco of Tulsa, Okla., Mandy Jo Sisco of Coffeyville, Kan., four grandchildren, siblings; Ricky Sisco of Lenabah, Okla., Cindy Bryant of South Coffeyville, Okla., Janet Popplewell of Farmington, N.M. and James Sisco of Independence, Kan.

the U.S. Army for six years, from Sept.

26, 1969 to Jan. 22, 1975, where he received the following awards: The Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal -Vietnam War, M16 and M14 Marksman, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Good Conduct Medal and Vietnam Service Medal w/60 Device.

He enjoyed shooting pool and playing with his grandchildren.

The family received friends Feb. 9 from 5 – 8 p.m. in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, where a funeral service was held at 7 p.m. with Rev. Dale Skurla officiating. Interment took place Feb. 17 at 1 p.m. in Maryland Veteran’s Cemetery, Cheltenham.

Arrangements provided by the

“Caring is Our Business” FOR OVER 50 YEARS, THE COUNTY’S MOST TRUSTED SOURCE FOR QUALITY

Brendan Francis and Carol Sue Murphy, 78 Brendan Francis Murphy, 78 of Leonardtown died Feb. 7, and his wife Carol Sue Murphy, 70, of Leonardtown died Feb. 9 in their residence.

Mr. Murphy was born Feb. 23, 1930 in Wilmington, Del. He was the son of the late Cecil E. Murphy and Veronica Jennings Murphy.

Mrs. Murphy was born Dec. 18, 1938 in Terra Haute, Ind. She was the daughter of the late Albert and Vera Ogan.

For arrangements for Mr. and Mrs. Murphy, please call the Brinsfield Funeral Home at (301) 475-5588.

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

Michael Wayne Sisco, 51

Granite & Bronze Monuments & Engraving Pet Cemetery and Memorials

Charles Memorial Gardens, Inc. Perpetual Care Cemetery

26325 Point Lookout Road • Leonardtown, MD 20650

301-475-8060

charlesmemorialgardens.com Family received friends Feb. 7 from 2 – 3 p.m. in the Brinsfield Funeral Home, Leonardtown. A Memorial Service was held at 3 p.m. Interment was private.

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

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

Carlos Edwin “Eddy” Stump, 60 Carlos Edwin “Eddy” Stump, 60, of Leonardtown died Feb. 4 in Calvert Memorial Hospital.

Born Oct. 18, 1948 in Sullivan,

W.V., he was the son of the late Charles Edward and Mildred Ethelyn Parker Stump. He was the loving husband Chicchina Stump, whom he married July 5, 1980 in Charlotte Hall.

In addition to his wife, he is also survived by his children, Kathy Hardison of Leland, N.C.; Charles “Eddy” Stump and Douglas Stump, both of Leonardtown, as well as four grandchildren and his brothers, Charles “Nicky” Stump and Glenen “Wayne” Stump, both of Fredericksburg, Va. He was preceded in death by his siblings Gerry Sue Kennedy, Ross Stump and Randolf Stump.

A graduate of Stoco High School’s Class of 1964, Eddy was a machinist for CHS Mailing for 25 years. He served in

Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A.

Mary Agnes Root Zerby, 63 Mary Agnes Root Zerby, 63, of Lexington Park died peacefully in her home Feb. 8.

Mary was born Dec.28, 1945 to Edna M. Root of Monkton, Vt. and the late Edward Root. She has resided in many states as a Navy wife to retired, USN Master Chief Kermit R. Zerby. Mary has been a resident of Maryland for 34 years since 1974. She retired July 31, 2006 after 27 years of dedicated service to the US Navy.

During her career, which began

March 21, 1979, she accepted a temporary position as a Telephone Operator in the Communications Department at the Patuxent River Naval Air Station. On Nov. 4, 1979, she converted to a Career Conditional Appointment in the Communications Department where she received several promotions. On Nov. 19, 1989, she accepted a Management Analyst position and was again promoted in that position in 1990, 1991 and 1992.

She was realigned to Comptroller in 1994 and reassigned to the Customer Support Branch for TACAIR Programs in 1995. In May 1997, she was promoted to a GS-343-12, Management and Program Analyst and in January 2004, she was promoted to GS-343-13, Management and Program Analyst, in support of the Program Analyst and Support Branch.

She was a strong, positive and professional influence on her customers and team members.

Mary, the oldest of five girls, leaves behind her husband Kermit R. Zerby of 42 years and her sisters and their families; Valerie Cantwell and her husband John of Springhill, Fla. and nephew John Cantwell Jr. and his wife Mehl and their children Jessica and Jason; Niece, Kim Yana, her husband Kenny and their children Aaron and Adam; Niece Carrie, Tom and their daughter Miranda; Niece Angie and her son Mason; Sister Laura Yana of Burlington, Vt. and her son Jordan and daughter Rebekah; sister Bernice Mattison of Starksboro, Vt. and her daughter Daniele and son Gabriele; sister Cindy Root of Lexington Park, and Ann and their son Nicholas and daughter Morgan. Mary also leaves behind many beloved friends and family members, especially her twentyseven God children.

Mary was an active member of the Ladies of the Moose, Fleet Auxiliary, Holy Face Church and other charitable organizations. As a giving and talented woman, she will be missed.

The family will receive friends Feb. 12 from 5 – 8 p.m. in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, where prayers will be said at 7 p.m. A funeral service will be held Feb. 13 at 10 a.m. in the Mattingley- Gardiner Funeral Home with Fr. Joseph Sileo officiating. Interment will follow in Charles Memorial Gardens, Leonardtown.

Contributions may be made to the National Fibromyalgia Association, 2121 South Towne Center Plaza, Ste. 300, Anaheim, CA 92806.

Condolences may be left to the family at www.mgfh.com.

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

The County Times

Thursday, February 12, 2009

18

A Healthy Home Contributes To A Healthy Environment

Down to Earth

By Ashton Carkhuff lifestyles@countytimes.net

February is known as the month of love. Stores stock their shelves a month in advance with chocolates, stuffed teddy bears, flowers, and a multitude of other pink and red items that people will purchase in order to make their partners and friends feel loved. Now, I’m not saying that everyone should boycott Valentine’s Day this year; it is a great opportunity to spend time with your ‘special someone.’

However, in doing so consider some environmentally conscious ways to celebrate.

Also, on a side note nix the singing teddy bear, it is an item that will ultimately end up in the trash can. Be aware that more cards are bought on this holiday than any other holiday. For alternatives you can buy cards made from recycled paper products or get creative and make your own. Most people appreciate the extra personal touch.

This month while everyone is so in love, we should consider to give our hearts (and the rest of our organs.) Not only to our love ones, but to our school teachers, our plumbers, our neighbors, even to the people that we will never meet. We only have one body and one life and when we have lived our life to the fullest extent, we might be able to help someone else so that they will be able to reach their full potential. As of February 2009, there were over 100,000 organ donor waiting list candidates in the U.S. according to the government website for organ donation.

Signing up for organ donation is easy. The MVA website directions say to “Look for the statement on your license application or renewal that says: “Please check if, upon your death, you desire to help others by becoming an organ donor.” If you want to be a donor, check the “Yes” box. A record of intent will be registered with the MVA and a donor designation will be placed on your license.”

Your decision can be reversed at any time if you change your mind either way.

There is no evaluation of your health at time you volunteer and all applications above the age of eighteen (or sixteen with your written parental consent) are accepted. Donor health evaluation is done after death has been certified by a medical examiner. Donors can not be used if they are unhealthy; it is as simple as that.

Therefore all volunteers should try to be as healthy as possible to be a successful volunteer. First and foremost it benefits the donor; obesity is on the rise in the U.S. and a slew of other health problems following. A fulfilling and active lifestyle can only be lived by a healthy person and that should be incentive enough to desire and pursue health constantly throughout your life. Your heart must be in the donor volunteer program, because you are the one who has to pledge to yourself to keep healthy and not to abuse your body.

For those who decide to become donors and to those who already are remember that you may help give someone another chance at life, and that is a love that no stuffed teddy bear could ever compare to.

For more information on organ donation please visit organdonor.gov or mva. state.md.us/MVAProg/ORGAN/default

Good For The Planet, Good For The Skin

What touches our skin or goes into our bodies is of utmost concern for consumers these days. But not only are we interested in the safety of the products we regularly use, we are also interested in items that are beneficial to the planet.

Green cleaning products, sustainable building resources, and eco-friendly automobiles are just some of the green items that now are commonplace. But the trend is expanding beyond ethanol and organic arugula. Even cosmetics are going green.

You may not think of beauty products

designed packaging that ensure a guilt-free beauty routine, from the moment you wake up in the morning to when you go to bed at night. The line’s cardboard packaging is made from recycled sawdust waste and the line itself is manufactured in France, in one of Yves Rocher’s European manufacturing plants, which are all ISO 14001-certified for the environment. Moreover, the entire Culture Bio line is carbon-neutral. Yves Rocher compensates for the carbon emissions created in the manufacturing process of the line by funding the production of solar cookers

By J.C. Carroll Going “green” is not just a contribution to the rosy future of our planet. By leading an overall responsible lifestyle you stand to reap health benefits too - especially if it starts in the home.

If your house, for example, is built with the traditional and wasteful wood-framing method, mould growth is a risk due to the accumulation of natural moisture.

The alternative is concrete for walls, ceilings and floors. In fact, one of the more eco-conscious Canadian companies, Nudura Corporation, has developed an advanced system of interlocking concrete units to deliver countless economical and environmental benefits. The Lego-like concrete forms create an easy-to-assemble, energy efficient envelope providing double the insulation, as well as significant benefits to the occupants’ health.

Todd Blyth, a Nudura spokesperson says, “Research has shown that our concrete building system does not propagate mould growth even under laboratory conditions that are designed to generate the most problematic conditions.

Unlike stick built homes, our building method of stay in place forms filled with concrete, creates a reinforced monolithic concrete wall that does not use wood studding and virtually eliminates any gaps where mould could potentially develop.”

Less Impact, More Value

Green makeup is good for the planet and your skin.

when you envision natural or green items.

However, selecting natural items in cosmetics and other beauty products is a wise thing to do. Choosing green beauty products means being more environmentally conscious and creating less waste.

When Yves Rocher created its first plant-based treatment 50 years ago in the village of La Gacilly, in the Brittany region of France, the idea of turning to nature for beauty was quite revolutionary. Recently, the company has launched Culture Bio, a complete line of Ecocert certified-organic skin care products.

Culture Bio is an organic beauty line with 100 percent natural fragrances and eco-

in South America, an initiative that helps to fight global warming.

Additionally, the company will launch Couleurs Nature, a makeup line with 29 new products and over 200 new shades, all presented with an exclusive Botanical Color Chart. From the Moisturizing Cream Lipstick with organic sesame oil, to the eyeshadows with bamboo extract, Couleurs Nature is a multi-colored, eco-friendly tribute to nature.

Going green is a process anyone can embrace. It doesn’t require making drastic lifestyle changes, but a few gradual tweaks here and there. Why not try starting with some eco-friendly lipstick or face cream?

Raise A Green Pet

If you thought that being eco-friendly was reserved solely for the two-legged animals on the planet, then think again. One of the newer trends in the green movement is thinking green for pets as well.

Americans spend $36 billion on pampered pets each year, according to MSN Money. These days more and more dollars being are being diverted to products that are environmentally responsible. But what items can you buy for your pet that are green? Just a quick search will yield many.

Biodegradable pet waste bags: It’s the law in many communities to clean up after dogs when taking them out for potty breaks.

The standard is a plastic bag for retrieving waste. However, we know how good plastic is for the environment. Biodegradable bags feel like plastic but are actually made from corn. Look for BioBag for dogs if you’re interested in this item.

Green cat litter: Advances in cat litter have led to many new products. There are also cat litters that boast that they’re environmentally friendly. Elegant Cat(R), for example, is flushable and biodegradable. Made from all-natural materials, the litter does not produce errant dust, and waste clumps can

be safely flushed in a toilet. Additionally, the product contains natural chlorophyll to control odors.

Recycled pet toys: Manufacturers are turning recycled materials into products for pets. For example, recycled plastic is showing up in dog chew toys. One company, Bark for Peace, is recycling sweaters into dog pull toy ropes. You can also find cat scratching posts made from recycled materials.

Clean and green: There are pet grooming supplies that are purported to be ecofriendly, and as a bonus, safer for your pets.

Shampoos, toothpastes, deodorant sprays, and more are made from all-natural ingredients that are also safer for the environment.

Spot Organics, for example, focuses on organic aromatherapy to help combat canine ailments like fleas, anxiety and bad breath.

Organic foods: What pet owner doesn’t want to take the best care possible of his or her pet? What a dog, cat or other animal eats can go a long way to affecting the animal’s health. Foods untouched by pesticides, hormones and preservatives are very popular.

Considering organic food? Newman’s Own has developed products based on the latest information in pet nutrition.

During construction, the main objective is to build a home that is safe, attractive and comfortable. This priority list usually includes energy efficiency and on the increase now is environmental responsibility.

“Green choices are also top-of-mind for homeowners as they start to build,” Blyth explained. “People are asking about the use of sustainable materials and are very interested in building methods that deliver energy efficiency without impacting the environment. Concrete is the answer every time.”

And, pre-assembled units make houses easier and quicker to construct, says Blyth. Future maintenance costs will be lower due to the resulting durability and energy efficiency - and current research data shows that buildings with this concrete innovation are up to nine times stronger, provide far more fire protection, far more sound insulation and can produce energy savings of up to 70 percent.

Did You Know?

According to the Mayo Clinic, moderate doses of caffeine (between 200 to 300 milligrams, or roughly 2 to 3 cups of brewed coffee per day) are not harmful to most people. While some people might respond negatively to caffeine, studies have shown that there is no link between caffeine and higher cholesterol, irregular heartbeat or an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. However, when caffeine typically proves problematic is when moderate intake becomes heavy intake. When daily caffeine intake reaches or exceeds 500 to 600 milligrams per day, problems such as restlessness, muscle tremors, headaches, and difficulty falling asleep can arise. However, as the Mayo Clinic notes, much of a person’s reaction to caffeine depends on that person’s individual sensitivity. Sensitivity to caffeine can be inf luenced by body mass, psychological or physical stress and a person’s history of caffeine use.

Age, smoking habits and drug use can also inf luence an individual’s reaction tocaffeine.

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The County Times

Thursday, February 12, 2009

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A House is a Home

The County Times

Thursday, February 12, 2009

20

Wood Staining 101: Easy Refinishing Projects Few things add style and elegance to a room like the rich look of wood furniture. But, has the wood furniture in your home lost its luster?

What about the flea market find that doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t quite match the other wood pieces in your home? Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easy to give wood surfaces a new, long-lasting finish with stain and a protective finish. Just follow these simple steps from the wood finishing experts at Rust-Oleum: * Tip # 1: Preparation is the key to a beautiful staining project. Start your project by sanding. Sanding allows stain to adhere and penetrate the wood, providing a better looking, more even appearance. Then clean the wood surface thoroughly and wipe away any sanding residue with a damp sponge. Before applying stain to the entire project, test it out on an inconspicuous area of the project. For example, if you are staining a chair, turn it over and stain the bottom of the seat to test the color. * Tip #2: Bring out woodâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s natural beauty with a colored stain. Stains add a luxurious, warm finish thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll enhance its appearance and add classic style to any room. Try deeper stains like Cabernet and Dark Walnut for a rich, traditional feel. Or, use lighter colors like Golden Pecan or

Golden Oak for a more natural look.

Think stains are messy and hard to apply? Not anymore! Varathane Foam Stain -- Rust-Oleumâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s latest Varathane brand innovation -- eliminates the drips and dribbles of traditional stain. Unlike liquid stains, this foaming stain formula takes the mess out of stain application, and gives you ultimate control. Just foam on the stain, and rub it in with a lint-free rag -- itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s that easy! * Tip #3: The best way to make your stain look better and last longer is by protecting your project from spills, stains, scratches, and normal wear-and-tear with a clear finish. Try using a polyurethane like Varathane Diamond Polyurethane. The waterbased polyurethane goes on clear and stays crystal clear -- unlike most oil-based finishes, it wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t change the appearance of the stain. Plus, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s low odor and great for interior use! The durable topcoat is a great way to enhance the beauty of your wood staining project, and keep it looking great for years to come.

For more information on Varathane products visit www.rustoleum.com. Need ideas and tips for your wood finishing projects? Visit www.woodanswers.com.

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Thursday, February 12, 2009

The County Times

Front Porch Living with Style

A House is a Home

Quality Build Homes is proudly unveiling the newest product in their line of custom-built homes – available only at Leonard’s Grant subdivision in Leonardtown.

In addition to the 15 other homes styles available, Quality Built is spotlighting a new line of eight “neo-traditional” village homes, which provide that perfect downhome touch to the meticulously planned Leonard’s Grant.

Terri Haffer, sales manager at Leonard’s Grant and a realtor with O’Brien Realty, said the proximity to downtown Leonardtown and nearby amenities is one of many great things about Leonard’s Grant.

“You can just feel at home here in Leonardtown,” Haffer told The County Times. “You have the library up the street from you, the park, beautiful shopping and the whole historical

Photos by Sean Rice

Visitors to Leonard’s Grant subdivision are greeted with a magnolia tree-lined drive and spacious neo-traditional homes with big front porches.

town. You can easily ride your bike or walk to the new Leonardtown Wharf Public Waterfront Park.”

Driving through the main entrance off Hollywood Road in Leonardtown, visitors to Leonard’s Grant first encounter a magnolia tree-lined drive followed by picturesque, spacious homes with big front porches and garages tucked away in the back.

“We wanted it to have that old town feel, so we’re trying to get back to that old historical town look,” Haffer said. “When you drive through, your going to see nothing but the neo-traditional new houses, with big front porches, it’s just really

A drawing of the next phase of development at Leonard’s Grant shows the location of the planned community pool, and basketball and tennis courts.

cool looking.”

Houses are selling consistently at Leonard’s Grant, and other Quality Built Homes subdivisions, which Haffer says is testimony to the quality and reputation upheld by Quality Built.

The first phase of construction, which started in April 2008, is completely sold out at Leonard’s Grant, and 10 orders have already been received for the next phase of building.

“So that’s really inspiring,” Haffer said.

Also inspiring are the amenities and beautification projects being installed in Leonard’s Grant, Haffer said.

Included in this next phase of building are a community pool, tennis and basketball courts, and a “beautiful village green, surrounded by these neo-traditional homes.”

Haffer is available for further information about Leonard’s Grant, including the low homeowner association fees and other highlights and building options available. She can be reached at 301-690-2347.

“I like to call it build to suit, because we build the house to suit the family,” Haffer said.

A House is a Home

The County Times

Mom Moves On

By Patrick Dugan Contributing Writer I am not sure that this week’s article will have enough real estate information in it to satisfy the real estate pundits out there, but this is something I have to write, so get from it what you will…

Every week I speak to two or three people about listing their house for sale. Many times I tell them the same types of things. “You need to remove the clutter, you need to get rid of stuff, you need to take some of that old stuff and move on with your new life, you need to take that to a charity, and you need to take that

stuff to the dump!” Next I say, “Remember, the memories are in your heart or your head, not in the item’s themselves” Well, this past week things really hit home for me. My Mother, also the Mother of my 6 brothers and 1 sister, decided it was time to move. I have helped people move. I have helped people get on with the next phase of their lives.

I have moved myself. But I have not moved my Mother in 37 years! I do not even remember the move that brought our family to St. Mary’s county, it was that long ago.

Anyway, I found myself looking at wonderful items. Now, of course in reality they were things. If I was in somebody else’s home

Thursday, February 12, 2009

they would have been clutter, but since the item’s I saw all brought back memories for ME, they were wonderful items.

Over there, the china cabinet with the hole in the glass door?” Better toss that” some might say. But wait, that hole came from a B.B. gun fight my brother and I had in the house one day. The mere fact that nobody lost in eye means we should keep it.

What about the old side tables? They were so big that my younger brother and I could hide in them, we better keep those for the grand kids … And over there, the grandfather clock that hasn’t worked since I was 8?

Well, I still remember the sound it made when it did work. I will find a clock repairman so let’s keep it…

And so it went. I was no better at clearing things out of my own Mother’s house then the next person. So I went outside. Surely I couldn’t find anything there to keep? This is where I started to remember that memories are in your heart and mind and not in the stuff!

The new bus stop? That is there because somebody burnt down the old one. (I also cut off power to the whole neighborhood when the fire I started crawled up the telephone pole) The front yard? So many memories came back at the sight of it. Playing football with my older brothers on rainy cold days, during halftime of Redskin games. Watching as one brother ran into a car parked in the driveway and chipped a tooth. At least he caught the pass! Playing Wiffle ball, soccer and building snowmen. Building snow forts, and having the best snow ball battles ever waged in the his-

tory of young men.

That same yard is where we held “Carnivals” for the neighborhood kids. (All 6 of them) We were trying to raise money for something, probably a trip to Snellman’s, our local store. We would invite the other kids in the neighborhood over to try games and such to win prizes. We never raised much, but we all went to Snellman’s anyway!

That same yard would be where we tried to run each other down on the riding lawn mower, and where a little old lady got stuck in the middle of the night as she was driving around. Jimmy Dean had to come tow her out and get her on her merry way. I wonder what ever happened to her?

So, back inside.

I walk downstairs and remember all the times we had “football in the basement”, Dart gun fights and movies with the whole family?

I still remember watching ”Evil Roy Slade” and laughing the whole night away in the new basement. “Don’t call it a basement after I spent all that money fixing it up” Dad would say.

Around the corner is the room that one brother tried to convince my sister was haunted, that was a great weekend!

There is the garage where the deer Mom hit, was laid out for me to see. Until two years ago when I hit a deer she was still the only one of us to kill a deer since we have been here.

Dad kept those antlers around here somewhere, guess I better find them and keep them at my house…

Mom, I hope you love your new place!

Outstanding Agents

Outstanding Results.

Dennis Crecelius Realtor® / Salesperson

Serving Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s Counties

Buy or sell through me and I will donate a portion of my fee to Disabled American Veterans 301-855-8600 (Office) 301-717-1864 (Cell) • 301-812-2424 (Direct) 10425 Southern Md. Blvd • Dunkirk, MD. 20754 www.southernmdhomeinfo.com

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The County Times

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Wanderings of an Aimless

d

Min

Exploring the Trails

By Shelby Oppermann Contributing Writer We are being blessed with a short blast of Spring in the midst of Winter. Puxatawney Phil could be wrong couldn’t he? Spring might just be right around the corner. Where do weather groundhogs get there training any way?

Everyone has their own ways to enjoy a sudden warm day; maybe golfing, or boating.

Many people work on their yards. I love to try and fit in a walk in a park. We have twenty county parks in St. Mary’s County, with seven of these having hiking trails. I haven’t been to all of them yet. There are also Point Lookout,

St. Mary’s River, and Greenwell State Parks with paths or historic trails. Some are easier to walk than others.

I just read that Mr. John V. Baggett had passed away recently. He was the first county Parks and Recreation Director and is credited with adding parks all over St. Mary’s County. The park in Laurel Grove is named John Baggett Park. I never met Mr. Baggett, but I am so grateful to him for the parks that I have enjoyed all these years.

Many readers have been to Chancellor’s Run Regional Park, I’m sure, for softball or soccer games or to take their children to the playground. But have you walked down to the left of the Activity Center. There is a great

Creature Feature The Munchers: Creatures That Call Your Body Home

By Theresa Morr Contributing Writer Munch. Munch. Slurp.

Slurp .Guess what? Right now, lots of creepy crawlers are pigging out on you. You’re like a MacDonald’s, only better. For the tiny creatures that call your body home, it’s picnic time from the top of your heavenly head, down to your tasty toes, and all those scrumptious places in between. But don’t freak out.

It’s normal!

According to Iowa botanist Roger Knutson, there are four basic kinds of very small creatures that leap, cling, hop, and latch onto you just to have a meal. Knutson calls them Visitors, Neighbors, Residents, and the Way Too Small to See. Some familiar Visitors are ticks, mosquitoes, and chiggers. Ticks are sneaky little critters that like to latch onto your arm or leg for a daytime blood snack. But to a mosquito, you’re more delectable at night, especially when you’re in bed and easy to find. Chiggers, also called baby mites, snuggle in for a quick bite where your skin and clothes meet, like waistbands and socks.

You’ve probably heard your parents say, “Sleep tight

and don’t let the bedbugs bite.”

Well, Neighbors include common bedbugs, human fleas, and dust mites. Do you know why you hardly ever see these tiny rascals? These guys are pretty smart. Bedbugs and fleas wait until you turn out the light, then leap onto you for a tasty meal of blood as you snooze. And when not dining on you, bedbugs hide in your mattress, bed sheets and pillow cases, curtains, rugs, and elsewhere.

Dust mites are really good Neighbors. Like microscopic vacuum cleaners, they gobble up your dead skin cells and fallen hairs for their dining pleasure. However, the flea gang prefers to sip your blood, but will settle for a quick meal from cats, dogs, and other animals, if you’re not handy.

The Resident creepy crawlers really call your body home. Some set up housekeeping in warm hairy places, while others find your face and head a cool place to hang out. In fact, head lice adore squeaky-clean heads, not dirty ones as is often thought. For face and follicle mites, your follicles and facial pores are so yummy that these mites rarely come out to check to see what’s happening on your skin’s surface.

And when they do, look out!

These dudes may reproduce right there on your face.

Yuck! But there’s more: The next time you get a zit on your face, that eruption is probably an over-crowded pore --- too many Residents feasting on one meal.

The fungi and bacteria belong to the Way to Small to See bunch and have their home outdoors. If you’re in a warm, moist place, most likely they’ll find you because this hungry group thrives on dead skin and hair that falls on the ground from humans and animals.

Botanist Knutson says we humans are the perfect habitat for the tiny creatures that share our world. And since we can’t make them go away, we just have to learn to live with them.

Itching to know more about bedbugs? Check out http://ohioline.osu.edu/hygfact/2000/2105.html. Comments to kikusan2@verizon. net.

nature trail cut through the woods with a bubbling stream. The trees muffle the sound of the sports activities quite a bit. When the boys were younger we would take that trail after the soccer games for a little quiet time. I often wondered how many people even knew it existed.

Another trail that will surely leave you in a serene mood is at Dorsey Park in Hollywood on the Hollywood-Leonardtown Road. After you have had a cookout take a leisurely stroll though the winding trail starting behind the basketball courts. It is somewhat hilly, but easy enough for most people to tackle. There are bridges to sit on and muse about life, or get away from life. On the quietness scale, this is a really good trail.

Myrtle Point Park on N. Patuxent Beach Road in California off of Rt. 4, is one big trail.

There are so many paths that you could take a few months ( a whole Spring or Summer) to explore the entire park. There are two or three steep grades as I remember, but most of the trails through the center of the park are on level ground through an old farm. You can follow along old barbed wire fence and still see the house and outbuildings of the farm. Some turkey buzzards guard the old house and can give you quite a scare as they swoop down off the roof straight at you. You also have the added pleasure of the beach to walk at Myrtle Point.

St. Mary’s River State Park has a little more challenging trail, though you don’t have to walk the entire trail. The trail is about 8 miles around the lake. It varies because you can take little side trails at many different locations. If you start on the left you could go down to the marsh area where there is a wonderful little seating area.

Starting to the right of the restrooms will take you to the dam. Easy, quicker walks.

If you remember I mentioned about my

friend Bethany in the ”Hidden Treasures” article moving to Florida. We decided after a breakfast at IHOP when it was 30 degrees, that we should go for a “little hike” around the lake. I did have the forethought at least to pack a daypack full of snacks, and water. And we did bring our cell phones. I thought we would be done by early afternoon. Bethany had to call her husband and daycare to rearrange schedules. There is a fallen tree to cross over a stream at one point - one of us did get wet.

Two of some of the non-park trails you might take are Sotterley’s Rolling Road behind the mansion, or one of my favorites for a quick nature re-charge: the path at the College of Southern Maryland (CSM), Leonardtown Campus. In a corner of the field behind the buildings there is a nature trail where all the species of trees are labeled. This trail, I believe, was a scout project and is beautifully done. It has several bridges, a deep cut stream, and benches throughout. You wouldn’t think you could get away in the heart of Leonardtown, but you have this quiet little trail and the revitalized Leonardtown Wharf now to walk and enjoy. My husband and I walked the CSM trail last Monday to enjoy the unexpected warmth. It gave us just enough of a work-out on the day after Super Bowl, with it’s small hills and roots to maneuver.

Take a hike, as they say, and find yourself in hushed surroundings. Listen as the creatures scurry away or a solitary crow or heron calls out to you. Your mind will be better for it, your soul will be better for it, and you will be ready for the week ahead.

To each new day’s adventure, Shelby.

Please send your comments or ideas to: shelbys.wanderings@yahoo.com

The County Times

ner

KiddKioer

CLUES ACROSS 1. Curtsies 5. Big man on campus 9. Wooden stick 12. Bundle of hay 13. Queen of Sparta 14. German organist 15. ____berry: bog fruit 16. Military trainee 17. Swiss river 18. _____gue: a tirade 20. Japanese banjo 22. ____y: late 23. Parking area 24. Finland 26. Iranian language 28. Woven pattern 31. Talk 34. Any three initials 35. ___on Burr: Killed Hamilton 36. Woman’s undergarment 37. 2 of the same 38. A check pattern 43. Blender processed 45. C C C 46. Possessed 47. Item usually strung 48. Vitamin H

Thursday, February 12, 2009

51. Not fully matured 54. Lacking hair 55. Island near Zanzibar 57. Card group 59. Away from wind 60. 7th Hebrew month 61. Up to the time of 62. Wood duck genus 63. 17th c. Dutch painter Sir Peter 64. A short stake

CLUES DOWN

1. London radio station 2. Paddle 3. Dull and uninteresting 4. State or national legislator 5. Flavorless 6. ___ student, learns healing 7. Lyric poems 8. Romance language of E. Spain 9. Blats 10. 4840 square yards 11. At a specific prior time 14. Fish lures 16. ‘95 LPGA rookie Koch

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19. Project Runway designer Kashou 21. Greater number 24. Apparatus 25. C_____s George 26. One of the Big 3 27. Ibo tribesmen 28. Once possessed 29. Gewgaw 30. Prohibition 32. The products of human creativity 33. Humbug 38. Hotness 39. A complex 40. Italian opera set 41. Lacrimal drip 42. Jocasta’s son 44. _____ Island, US State 47. Grandmother (Yiddish) 48. Indonesian island 49. Hollies 50. Point one point E of NE 52. A short labored breath 53. Endo opposite 54. The cry made by sheep 56. Metric capacity unit 58. An orange-brown African antelope

Last Week’s Puzzle Solutions

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The County Times

Thursday, February 12, 2009

un There are more insects in ten square feet of a rain Fact forest than there are people in Manhattan.

Community

Third Annual Southern Maryland Tri-County Youth Services Brain Bee Bureau Tri-County Youth Services Bureau’s First Annual Youth Power 5K Challenge Set for May 30, 2009 Encourage and empower youth in Southern Maryland: Take the Youth Power 5K Challenge! Tri-County Youth Services Bureau and the Hughesville Running Club’s first annual Youth Power 5K Challenge will take place on Saturday, May 30, 2009. Youth (ages 13 and up), adults, and teams are challenged to run or walk for youth in this daring 5k through Old Leonardtown Road in historic Hughesville. Registration begins at 7:45 a.m. and the race/walk kicks off at 8:30 a.m. The entry fee for registration prior to May 29 is $20 per person and $15 per person for teams of three or more people. For registration at the event, the fee is $25 per person and $20 per person for teams.

Register online at http://youthpower5kchallenge. eventbrite.com or download a registration form at www.tcysb.org. For more information, please call Janet DeHaven at 301-843-2960 or email jdehaven@tcysb.org.

The Third Annual Southern Maryland Brain Bee will be held on Saturday, Feb. 21, at 1 p.m. in the Auerbach Auditorium of St. Mary’s Hall at St. Mary’s College of Maryland (SMCM). This is a one-day academic competition for local high school students.

The Brain Bee is free and open to the public.

For more information, contact Anne Marie Brady at 240-895-4258 or ambrady@smcm. edu.

“The International Brain Bee motivates our youth to learn more about the brain,” said International Brain Bee founder Dr. Norbert Myslinski of the University of Maryland.

“We need their energy and their passion to help find cures for Autism, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury and other brain disorders.” Myslinski explains that the Brain Bee is an attempt to motivate students to learn about the brain, to capture their imaginations, and to inspire them to pursue careers in biomedical brain research.

The local Brain Bee is planned, coordinated, and executed by volunteer SMCM students in the Neuroscience cross-disciplinary minor program and in the Women in Science House (WiSH) LLC. This year’s sponsors include the SMCM neuroscience program, admissions office, and department of psychology. Brain Bee volunteers have also raised money from fundraising activities and t-shirt sales at “SMCM Neuroscience Day” in November.

Students can enter the Brain Bee as individuals, as part of a three-person team, or both. No prior knowledge or classroom experience in neuroscience is necessary, and there is no entrance fee to participate. The students are provided with study materials (a 74-page book with illustrations, also available as a CD or for free download) about the brain and nervous system in advance.

They compete in several rounds of question-and-answer, neuro-anatomy identification, and mock patient Photo courtesy of Tina Mattingly, anatomy and physiology teacher at diagnoses. This year there Dr. James A Forrest Career and Technology Center are 66 students registered to compete, with 19 groups Kristen Haverkamp, Cassondra Wilson, and Allie Mora, from Dr. and 17 individuals plan- James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center, form one of 11 ning to participate. The 66 groups that competed in last year’s local Brain Bee at St. Mary’s students are from five high College of Maryland. schools: Leonardtown High Bee is invited to attend a National Brain Bee School, Great Mills High School, St. Mary’s competition in his or her own country, and Ryken High School, Forrest Career and Tech- the winner of each National Bee is invited nology Center (all in St. Mary’s County), and to compete in the International Brain Bee Patuxent High School (in Calvert County). Championship. The U.S. National champion This doubles the number of participants in receives $1,500, a paid summer neuroscience last year’s Brain Bee, which had 33 students research internship, and a trip to the Internafrom three high schools. tional Brain Bee Championship in Montreal.

There are nearly 70 local Brain Bee coor- More information can be found at http://www. dinators worldwide that conduct competitions internationalbrainbee.com/ntl_bee.html/unitannually. The winner of each local Brain ed_states.html.

LIBRARY ANNOUNCEMENTS Libraries will be closed

All three libraries will be closed on Monday, Feb. 16 for Presidents’ Day. Library users can use the Internet branch, www.stmalib.org, to renew and reserve items, download books and movies, and use the online databases.

The Play, Ben Carson, M.D. , to be performed

Ben Carson, M.D., the inspiring play about the life of Dr. Ben Carson, will be performed Feb. 23 in the auditorium at Great Mills High School by The Columbia Center for Theatrical Arts, Inc. Dr. Carson was raised in inner city Detroit by a single mom with only a third grade education. He overcame hurdles to become a world-renowned pediatric neurosurgeon at Johns Hopkins Hospital.

The play is free and will begin at 7 p.m. The public is invited to the Lights On After School Celebration from 6 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. Students will present performances and demonstrations of the activities offered in the after school programs.

The Library, St. Mary’s County Public Schools and The Boys and Girls Club of Southern Maryland are sponsoring this event.

Teens invited to TAG (Teen Advisory Group) activities

Leonardtown TAG will meet tomorrow night, Feb. 12, at 5:30 p.m. for their monthly meeting. Lexington Park’s TAG is sponsoring an afternoon of gaming fun on Feb. 25 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Please register. Leonardtown’s TAG is sponsoring a teen movie matinee at Feb. 25 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. for teens 13 years old and older. The movie is free and snacks will be provided.

Call Our Leasing Office For Details 301-737-0737 Apartments of Wildewood

301-862-5307

Bring This Ad In To Recieve Free Cable for One Year!

WildeRidge Apartments

Calendars available at libraries

Calendars containing winning artwork created by students from Chapticon, Leonardtown and Great Mills high schools are available at the libraries. These 2009 calendars are being distributed by the Alliance for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and were funded

by Honorable Richard D. Fritz, State’s Attorney for St. Mary’s County.

Libraries offer book discussions

Each library offers a book discussion, which is open to the public. The following books will be discussed: Baroness Emmuska Orczy’s book, “The Scarlet Pimpernel” on Feb. 19, 7 p.m. at Leonardtown, Ann Patchett’s book, “Bel Canto” on Mar. 2, 7 p.m. at Charlotte Hall, and Cokie Roberts’ book, “Ladies of Liberty” on Mar. 9, 6 p.m. at Lexington Park.

23314 Surrey Way • California, Maryland 20619 Fax: 301-737-0853 • leasing@apartmentsofwildewood.com

The County Times

Creative

Cuisine

On The Menu

Thursday, February 12, 2009

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!

Chef’s American Bistro 22576 MacArthur Blvd., San Souci Plaza, California, MD www.chefsamericanbistro.com 301-862-0380 At Chef’s American Bistro you can reserve a seat at the “Chef’s Table” for an out of the ordinary dining experience or enjoy extraordinary table service and order from an extensive menu. Chef Ahmed Koroma has realized his lifelong dream of opening a casual fine dining restaurant to the delight of many regular patrons. The varied menu offerings include a large appetizer menu, soups, salads, pastas, brick oven Neapolitan pizzas, steak, a large selection of seafood and a wide choice of Chef Ahmed’s own creations. The regular menu entrees range in price from $9.95 - $19.95. Daily specials are also offered.

The dining room is cozy and lends itself to enjoyable conversation with neighboring tables who are delighted to share their advice on their favorite menu items or suggest that you save room for dessert! Dessert choices include a decadent tiramisu or a flaming Bananas Foster prepared tableside. An extensive wine selection and full bar is available. Live jazz can be enjoyed in the lounge-dining/bar on Friday and Saturday nights from 8:30 p.m.- 12:00 a.m. Lunch is served at Chefs American Bistro, MondaySaturday from 11:00 a.m.- 2:30 p.m. Sunday brunch is also offered from 11:30 a.m.- 2:30 p.m. Dinner is served Sunday -Thursday from 4:30- 9:30 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 4:30 p.m.- 10:30 p.m. You are sure to find something to please your palate with this diverse and creative menu.

On The Vine

26

BETTER TOGETHER: What to drink with chocolate

By VICTORIA BRETT For The Associated Press On Valentine’s Day, true love tends to speak in chocolate. But what works well when time to toast to that love? ``A good rule of thumb when pairing chocolate with a beverage is to look for one that is very low in tannins as well as acidity,’’ says Thierry Muret, executive chef for Godiva Chocolatier.

Sweet white wines, such as a sauternes or a banyuls, are very popular.

Prefer red? Muret suggests a 2004 Hess cabernet sauvignon. As for sparkling? ``Pairing Champagne with a chocolate covered strawberry or a strawberry truffle is a delicious way to indulge,’’ he says.

Brandy and cognac also are great matches for dark chocolate because the alcohol content is not as high as in other spirits. And aged rum works well with caramel chocolates. ``Since rum’s base is sugar cane and it has a lot of brown notes, it’s a perfect complement to milk chocolate pieces with caramel fillings,’’ he says. For nutty chocolates, such as pralines, go for a single blend scotch whiskey.

And while coffee seems like a natural with chocolate, be careful: Muret says it is one of the more difficult pairings. ``When selecting a coffee, note the origin, the roast level and way that it’s brewed. ``Some coffee can be acidic and bitter, so in general, it’s best paired with milk chocolate pieces. I find coffee that is Guatemalan in origin an interesting match for chocolate,’’ he says.

When it comes to tea, it gets the same rule as wine. Stick to teas that are low in tannins, such as white teas or flower teas, such as verbena or French mint.

Healthy Bites

L ATE: P Y H E ALT A Healthy Ice Cream Sandwich THE H

NOW OPEN!

MEXICAN CARRY OUT HOURS Monday - Saturday 11:00 am to 9:00 pm Closed Sundays

28255 Three Notch Road Mechanicsville, MD 20659

301-884-9730 301-884-9731 Locally owned & operated

Bienvenidos Amigos ( Welcome Friends)

CHOCOLATE-WALNUT LACE COOKIE ICE CREAM SANDWICHES

Start to finish: 45 minutes (30 minutes active) Servings: 4 1/4 cup granulated sugar 1 1/2 tablespoons butter 1/4 cup quick-cooking rolled oats 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 large egg white 1 pint low-fat strawberry or chocolate ice cream Heat the oven to 325 F. Line a large baking sheet with foil and coat it with cooking spray or brush it with oil.

In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the sugar and butter. Cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture is melted and bubbling, about 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer the mixture to a medium bowl.

Add the oats, walnuts, cocoa, baking powder and vanilla, then stir to combine. Set aside.

In a small bowl, use a fork to beat the egg white until it is slightly frothy. Measure out 1 tablespoon of the beaten white and stir it into the cookie batter; discard the remaining

egg white A chocolate or reserve in V a lentine’s D dulgence for for anothay is a mu that doesn s er use. ’t have to t, but D r o p m ean excessive fa half tablet and calories. spoonfuls of the batter about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet to make 12 cookies.

Bake for 8 to 12 minutes, or until the cookies look dry and are just beginning to color on top.

Slide the sheet of foil and cookies off the baking sheet and onto a flat surface. Let the cookies cool completely. Peel the cookies off the foil.

To assemble the sandwiches, set a cookie in the center of a dessert plate. Top with 1/4 cup of the ice cream. Set a second cookie on top of the ice cream, then top that with another 1/4 cup of ice cream. Set a third cookie on top.

As you assemble the sandwiches, place them in the freezer until ready to serve.

Nutrition information per serving (values are rounded to the nearest whole number): 232 calories; 82 calories from fat; 9 g fat (4 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 16 mg cholesterol; 33 g carbohydrate; 5 g protein; 2 g fiber; 150 mg sodium.

27

Thursday, February 12, 2009

The County Times

Business Directory

Deadlines for Classifieds are Tuesday at 12 pm.

To Place a Classified Ad, please email your ad to: classifieds@countytimes.net or Call: 301-373-4125 or Fax: 301-373-4128 for a price quote. Office hours are: Monday thru Friday 8am - 4pm. The County Times is published each Thursday.

Classifieds Real Estate

Don’t spend what you don’t have! www.ProfessorMoneyWise.com

(301) 997-8271

Beautiful home on level 1 acre lot. Tree lined paved driveway. 10 minutes to Prince Frederick and 30 minutes to Pax River Naval Air Station. Home can be bought for $299,000 or rented for $1500 per month. IF interested, please call 443-975-3190.

Real Estate Rentals 3 Bedroom home in Waldorf, rancher, 2 baths with large family room, modern kitchen, garage and fenced backyard. Price: $1600. Call 410-703-9220 for more information.

Apartment Rentals

Spring Valley Apartments 46533 Valley Court 301-863-2239 (p) 301-863-6905 (f) springvalley@hrehllc.com

Two bedrooms available 805-1103 Sq. ft. $938-$992 One 1 BR Available One 3 BR Available

Call For Current Specials!

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Wednesday: Spaghetti Night

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$

Wildewood Shop. Ctr., California, MD www.petruzzis.com 301-866-0777

Prime Rib • Seafood • Sunday Brunch Banquet & Meeting Facilities 23418 Three Notch Road • California, MD 20619 www.lennys.net

Help Wanted Winegardner Motor Company in search for body shop mechanics. If interested, please call Tommy Cooksey at 301-292-6500. Also NOW HIRING Qualified Sales Consultant, contact Sales Manager.

VSE Corporation, a professional services company, is looking for candidates to fill multiple Aircraft Mechanic and Aircraft Worker positions to support the Contract Field Team Program at NAS Patuxent River, MD. VSE Corporation offers competitive salaries and comprehensive employee benefits package. Please send a copy of your resume to ANNE BRUCE at acbruce@vsecorp.com.

PLEASE ALSO GO TO OUR VSE/CFT JOBS WEBSITE AND APPLY AT http://cft.vsecorp. com. We will be conducting interviews at NAS Patuxent River shortly.

VSE CORPORATION 2550 Huntington Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22303 Phone: 703-329-4666 Fax: 703-329-5965 EOE, M/F/V/D Visit our homepage http://www.vsecorp.com

Room The The TeaTeaRoom Open Daily Open Daily

- 4:00 p.m.

11:0011:00 a.m.a.m.

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First Fridays Dinner Special 5pm - 8pm leonardtowntearoom@gmail.com

26005 Point Lookout Road (Rt 5) Leonardtown MD, 20650

Finishline Concrete ete Need Concr Work?rk o Quality W ates R Affordable

Specializing In: All Types Of Flat Work as well as

Decorative Concrete Stamping Call: 301-399-4686

Vehicles CORVETTES WANTED! Any year, any condition. Cash buyer. 1-800-369-6148.

Important The County Times will not be held responsible for any ads omitted for any reason. The County Times reserves the right to edit or reject any classified ad not meeting the standards of The County Times. It is your responsiblity to check the ad on its first publication and call us if a mistake is found. We will correct your ad only if notified after the first day of the first publication ran.

The County Times

Thursday, February 12, 2009

28

Cooper Stars in Go-Diva Songstress Jennifer Anne Cooper is coming to the Three Notch Theatre to celebrate the month of love, the magic of song, and The Newtowne Players’ 5th anniversary in the musically delicious, autobiographical cabaret:, “Go-DIVA! ~ of song, silence, and the abuse of chocolate.” Pianist Michael Santana will play for Cooper in this multi-media event created for Cooper by the award-winning playwright and director L. B. Hamilton. Performances will be at the Three Notch Theatre on Feb. 13, 14, and 15, 2009. Performances are at 8 pm on Friday and Saturday and at 3:30 pm on Sunday.

“We are deeply honored that the Newtowne Players invited us to be part of their anniversary celebration,” says Hamilton, “Anyone who has seen Jennifer perform in any musical genre she has graced will agree that there could be no better way to celebrate Cupid’s month of love than by her unforgettable voice and story.”

Cooper, a native of Maryland, was blessed at birth with an amazing vocal instrument, a strong work ethic, a deep sense of destiny, and a Type-A personality. She spent her childhood as a rising star, pleasing audiences, impressing coaches and directors, and, “…was shamelessly thrilled to do so.”

By her twenties, the opera world had found her; its audiences adored her; and critics praised her. Cooper was standing on the threshold of international Diva-dom, preparing for a world tour where she would sing twelve lead roles with major (“A” House) opera companies.

Then - in the wink of Fate’s eye, the party was over.

Years later, Cooper met Hamilton through a series of coincidences. Hamilton, always on

the prowl for a good story, “pried” the very private Cooper’s personal story out of her and dared the reluctant ex-Diva to get back on the stage. Since then, “Go-DIVA!” (and its pared-down version “Musically Me”) has been making audiences happy. Because of Go-DIVA’s success, Hamilton and Cooper have been commissioned to create other musical theatre and cabaret entertainments throughout the region.

According to Hamilton, Cooper is a chanteuse who “switches from rock-a-bye-baby to rockabilly without blinking an eye.” “GO-DIVA!” touted as a poignant musical tale of hubris and humor, tells of “Little Coop” sparkling, albeit imaginary, star-studded rock and roll tours in her parents’ basement; the horror of losing the gift which always seemed divinely ordained; and her rocky, sometimes comical launch of a second act in life and theatre.

As part of the 5-year anniversary celebration, The Newtowne Players will hold raffle drawings and post-show artist and audience discussions on Friday night and Sunday afternoon. Following the performance on Saturday, February 14th audience members can join the Go-DIVA! artistic team for a special “Sweet & Sinful” chocolate and champagne reception with a silent auction for an additional $5 at the door the night of the show.

ry’s a M

St.

Show T ime Get Ou t&

Have Fu n Right Here in St. Mar y’s Coun ty!

Now Playing AMC Loews Lexington Park 6 (301) 862-5010

Shows and Rating Provided By Yahoo Entertainment.

Check Local Listings For Show Times.

He’s Just Not That Into You Rated PG-13, 2 hr 9 min

Confessions of a Shopaholic Starts on Friday, Feb. 13

Hotel for Dogs Rated PG, 1 hr 40 min

Friday the 13th (2009) Starts on Friday, Feb. 13

Paul Blart: Mall Cop Rated PG, 1 hr 27 min

The Pink Panther 2 Rated PG, 1 hr 32 min

Taken Rated PG-13, 1 hr 33 min

The Uninvited Rated PG-13, 1 hr 27 min

29

The County Times

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Thursday, February 12 $100 + $20 Deep Stack Hold’Em

Donovan’s Irish Pub – 7:30 p.m.

Call 443-975-1591 for more information.

The Vagina Monologues

CSM, La-Plata (Room BI-113) – 7 p.m.

Eve Ensler’s award winning play. Proceeds will go to the Center for Abused Persons in Waldorf and the V-Day organization. $5 general admission, $3 with student ID. Call 301-934-7656.

Maryland, My Maryland Exhibit

North End Gallery (Leonardtown) – 11 a.m.

Showcasing artwork from St. Mary’s County artists. Call 301-475-3130 for more information.

Ladies Night

Country Store Bar (Leonardtown) – 7 p.m.

Half price drinks for ladies from 7-9 p.m.

Friday, February 13 Special Olympics No Limit Hold’Em

Center for Life Enrichment (Hollywood) – 7 p.m.

All proceeds benefiting St. Mary’s Special Olympics and the Center for Life Enrichment. Call Tiffany at 301-373-8100 to pre-register.

Fair Warning Irish Club Band Donovan’s Irish Pub – 5-7 p.m.

Go DIVA! Of Song, Silence, and the Abuse of Chocolate

Three Notch Theater – 8 p.m.

Songstress Jennifer Anne Cooper shares her autobiographical cabaret show as part of The Newtowne Players’ fifth anniversary. To reserve tickets, call the box office at 301-737-5447 or visit www.newtowneplayers.org.

Funny in Farsi

Auerbach Auditorium (SMCM) – 8 p.m.

Author and humorist Firoozeh Dumas will deliver this year’s Mark Twain Lecture on American Humor and Culture.

The talk is free and open to the public.

For more information, contact Ben Click at baclick@smcm.edu or 240-895-4253

Saturday, February 14 Bent Nickel

OCI Pub (Piney Point) – 8:30 p.m.

Jeff Miller Band

Country Store Bar (Leonardtown) – 8 p.m.

HY Jinx & DJ Rob

Hotel Charles (Hughesville) – 9 p.m.

HY Jinx w/DJ Rob playing during intermissions in the Party Room. Cover Charge. Call 301-274-4612 for more information.

Monday, February 16 Blood Drive

The American Red Cross will be holding a blood drive at the 2nd District VFD and Rescue Squad in Valley Lee on Monday, February 16th form 2 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Donors may call 301—994-1543 to schedule an appointment or for information. Walk-ins are welcome.

Sight & Sound Bus Trip

St, Valentine’s Day Dance

St. John’s Parish Hall (Hollywood) – 8 p.m.

DJ music by “A Blast from the Past” country & soft rock. 21 & older. Beer & wine bar. $8 singles; $15 couples. For information, call 301 373 8545. Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus.

Valentine’s Day Dinner

The Hollywood Volunteer Rescue Squad Auxiliary is sponsoring a Roast Beef Dinner on Saturday, February 14, 2009, from 4:30 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Rescue Squad building. The menu will be: Roast Beef, Potatoes, Carrots, Green Beans, Beets, biscuits, coffee and tea.

The cost will be adults (eat in or carryout): $13; children 5-12, $6; and children under 5, free.

Round Midnight Reunion

A Valentine’s dinner/dance featuring the St. Mary’s -based band Round Midnight will be held Saturday, February 14th at the Southern Maryland Sailing Association clubhouse in Solomons. The building is on Solomons Island Road opposite the boardwalk gazebo. This will be the band’s first performance in about three years. Dinner includes fried chicken (the old Bowen’s Inn recipe), vegetable and desert. Cash bar opens at 5:30 p.m.; dinner is at 6:30 p.m.; the band starts at 8:30 p.m. Dress is casual. Tickets are $25 per person and are available at Kim’s Key Lime Pie in Solomons, or call 410610-1333 The Round Midnight Reunion is sponsored by the Southern Maryland Sailing Association.

Sunday, February 15

Lancaster, Pennsylvania Behold the Lamb When: April 11, 2009 Departing Time: 8 a.m.

From: McKay’s in Wildewood Shopping Center 2nd location from Mattawoman Beantown Road, Park & Ride.

Cost: $100 includes: show, dinner, and bus ride Non-Refundable deposit of $60 due by February 16, 2009 Final Payment of $40 due by March 16, 2009 Sponsored by: Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, St. Inigoes, MD Pastor Rev. Alfred Statesman Contact: Charlene @ 240-434-1371 Nancy @ 301-535-7238

Singing Valentine’s Shy romantics who want to send a Valentine message to someone can enlist the help of barbershop harmony quartet on the big day, February 14.

Because Valentine’s Day falls on a Saturday, the singing messages also will be available on Friday, the 13th Matt Menard, Vice President of the Tri County Chapter, Barbershop Harmony Society, said.

“Recipients of singing valentines have peen mostly women during the past dozen years,” Mr. Menard said. “But, we also have sung romantic ballads to some men, including a hard-nosed Marine Corps gunnery sergeant, two construction workers and a top level corporate business executive.”

The musical messages have been delivered by costumed quartet singers in schools, restaurants, a hospitals and at private homes, Mr. Menard said.

The service includes two romantic ballads sung in four-part harmony for a fee of $40. Singing Valentines are also delivered by telephone anywhere outside the Southern Maryland area for a $20 fee. Funds raised by the notfor-profit organization are used to purchase music and costumes.

To order a visit by a quartet, call John Lachkovic at 301-862-1160.

Seabreeze RESTAURANT

Valentine’s Specials

For more information ll or reservations ca 17 52 301-373-

February 13 – 16, 2009 Alaskan Turf

$

2495

$

1295

Grilled 12 oz NY Strip topped with ½ pound steamed crab legs and your choice of 2 sides and a garden salad

$

1695

All You Can Eat Breakfast

Shrimp & Scallop Parmesan Sautéed shrimp and scallops tossed in a creamy parmesan sauce and served over linguine and your choice of 1 side and a a garden salad

Grilled or Pan Fried Pork Chops

Sunday, February 15, 2009 8 a.m. To 11 a.m. Valley Lee Fire House Valley Lee, MD

n O g n i Go

What’s

$8.00 Adults, $4.00 Children Ages 5-12, Children Under 5 - Free Sponsored (and prepared) by the 2nd District Fire Dept. & Rescue Squad Auxiliary For more information contact: Darlene Johnson at 240-434-1095.

2 hand cut boneless chops served with your choice of 2 sides and a garden salad

$

$

4595

3900

Valentine Steamer for 2 2 pounds of crab legs, 1 pound of steamed shrimp, 2 dozen oysters, French fries, and 2 coleslaws

Crabs (as available) 1 dozen steamed hard crabs

Sides:

mashed potatoes, baked potato, fries, onion rings, green beans, corn, applesauce, coleslaw, steamed vegetables

Turn on South or North Sangates Rd. We Are Located on the Beautiful Patuxent River

The County Times

Thursday, February 12, 2009

30

The Merchants of Great Mills Rd

Wish to thank their loyal customers for their continued support!

A

FRIDAY SWEETHEART SPECIAL

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$25.99

301-862-3600 Email: countyliquors@yahoo.com 21600 Great Mills Rd.

Di

Reserve Your Keg

Located in Old Downtown Lexington Park, outside Gate 2 PAX NAS

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C Midas auto & truck center

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MIDAS Dealer for 25 Years

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Imperial Shrimp or Strip Steak Stuffed Pork Chop Baked Potato, Baked Potato, Veggie, Super Veggie, Super Salad Salad $9.99 Coffee or Tea

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Additional Locations: Prince Frederick

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Bring in This Ad to Receive

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Located just minutes outside Gate 2 of PAX NAS, Great Mills Rd offers a multitude of businesses to serve you. Why not spend your dollars locally with businesses that have invested in the future of “Old Lexington Park”?

E

B Tulagi Place

31

The County Times

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Newsmakers

Rotarians Call for 2009 Competitive Grant Applications

By Andrea Shiell Staff Writer

Jon Grimm chuckled slightly as he discussed the Leonardtown Rotary Club’s 2009 grant program, for which they are once again be accepting applications. As the club’s community services chair, he has been collecting requests from various groups in St. Mary’s County for funding.

This year’s funding pool, which is $4,000, will be divided among organizations and distributed in amounts ranging from $500 to $1,000, depending on the need expressed in the application.

When commenting on the variety of groups receiving funds from the Leonardtown Rotary Club, Grimm said, “we try to make sure we’re touching a variety of organizations that encompass the breadth of our county.”

One could say this idea keys into the club’s motto of “service above self.”

“It’s either paying it forward or giving it

back,” said Grimm when asked about his own views on the club’s service principle, “we all reap the benefits of living in this county…so to me it means giving back as much as we can.”

“The grant program has been ongoing for over 20 years with a conservative estimate of over $80,000 granted throughout the program,” said Grimm.

To be eligible for the 2009 award, applications must be received by March 7, 2009. Applications have already been sent to organizations which have requested or been awarded grants in the past.

Applicants are encouraged this year to begin with the “Name and address of the Agency,” and include attachments that provide information on the work of their programs.

The deadline for the award period is March 7, 2009 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009. Awards will be announced in April or May. For more information on the grant program, or to apply for funds, visit the club’s website at www.leonardtownrotary.org.

Local Woman Celebrating 100th Birthday

Mrs. Mary Helen Saunders, born in Milestown, will have her 100th birthday on February 24. She and her late husband, Joseph Alfred Saunders, were the proprietors of the old North End General Store in Leonardtown, a place well loved by many county residents and a special favorite of the children of St. Mary’s Academy.

Her son, Joseph Alfred “Al” Saunders, Jr., her daughter-in-law, Mary Saunders, and her grandchildren, Anne, Teresa, and Joe Saunders will hold a private family party for Mrs. Saunders on Sunday, February 22.

Interviewing: Fuad Suleiman Fuad Suleiman came to the United States in 1954 from Palestine, where he lived until the age of 19. He has done international consulting for educational systems and development in 45 countries. He ran the United States educational assistance program in Iraq from 2004 to 2005, and has lived in Southern Maryland for five years, teaching political science at St. Mary’s College of Maryland.

CT: What was the most surprising thing you saw during your last visit to Iraq?

FS: A lack of planning on the part of the Americans…we had, politically, no plan to replace Saddam’s government, we dissolved the Iraqi army and had no plan to keep the peace… and we had no plan to manage the country… I found it really shocking.

CT: What are you teaching this semester and what has been most challenging about

3

Question Interview

the subject?

FS: This semester I am teaching just one course, which is Introduction to Political Science… but I’ve been surprised at how severely limited the knowledge of our students has become over the last generation.

I spend a lot of time compensating for the failure of the elementary and secondary school systems with language and history, which they should already know, but don’t.

CT: Having spent so much time there, what do you think the United States should do in the Middle East?

FS: We should follow that old adage for doctors; do no harm…our policies have done a lot of damage. A big problem, though, is their governments, which need to be changed… we have a lot of influence, so we should use that influence instead of using our muscle.

The County Times

Thursday, February 12, 2009

32

A Journey Through Time The

By Linda Reno Contributing Writer Point Lookout was one of the most beautiful places on God’s green earth until 1863 when the Union Army commandeered this property and turned it into hell.

The entire area in and around Point Lookout was almost leveled. The hotel that had stood there before the war barely remained open and the lovely little cottages that had once dotted the landscape were now dilapidated. The only steamboat pier was half washed away and was unsafe for use. Gone were the buildings the government had constructed. The Army had them dismantled and removed. In 1866 they returned again, this time to remove the remains of the Union soldiers who died here to Arlington National Cemetery.

And, just as some unthinking, uncaring visitors to Point Lookout today leave behind their trash and debris—the things they don’t care about, so did the Union Army. It was now left to the local citizens to clean up the mess.

Left behind were the remains of over 4,000 Southern prisoners of war, soldiers and civilians, who too often died of disease and neglect.

Rather than burying the Confederate dead in a place where their remains would not be disturbed, they were interred near the shore of the Chesapeake Bay. Some were buried in single graves, while other graves contained bodies stacked on top of each other or

Columnist Linda Reno is a historian and genealogist specializing in Southern Maryland history. Mrs. Reno is a member of the St. Mary’s County Historical Society, St. Mary’s County Genealogical Society, jousting tournaments, Charles County Genealogical Society, and other forms of entertainment.

Maryland Historical Society, and the On March 12, 1870 Maryland Genealogical Society. She the General Assembly has authored many books and appropriated $3,000 “to purchase a lot of ground in articles on local history. We hope which to inter the remains you will enjoy these articles and of the Confederate soldiers welcome your comments and who died at Point Lookout in St. Mary’s County whilst prissuggestions for future subjects.

Chronicle

in mass burials. The cemetery was enclosed with a temporary wooden fence. By 1867, the fence had decayed and fallen, farm animals were trampling the graves, and there had been flooding in the low lying areas. The names on most of the wooden headboards had been obliterated and some of the bodies were now exposed and some had washed into the Bay. The people of St. Mary’s County, although themselves impoverished by the war, raised $2,500 to drain and enclose the land.

Unfortunately, the savings institution where they had deposited this precious money failed and they lost everything.

Logan Smith, who, before the war, owned the property where the cemetery was located, reentered, at his own expense, 50 of the bodies, which had been exposed. At the time of the 1860 census, Logan Smith was a hotel owner with $1,000 worth of real estate and $12,000 of personal estate. By March 1866, he was an insolvent debtor. Nevertheless, he continued to offer to return the remains of the dead to their families if they would pay for the actual cost of removal.

While noble, this was probably an empty gesture. The vast majority of the men buried at Point Lookout came from homes where these boys felt blessed to have a warm cabin and enough to eat. There would simply not be any money to bring them home.

Despite their earlier losses, the people of St. Mary’s continued raising funds to honor the dead at Point Lookout by holding dances,

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Point Lookout Memorial

oners of war during the late civil strife, and to enclose and ornament the same.” They stipulated that the remains of these soldiers were to be removed to the new site; they were to designate the graves of those whose remains could be identified; and to bury the remainder in one common grave or separately as they deemed best.

Chapman Billingsley, George H. Morgan, William L. Thomas, J. Parran Crane, Marshall Dent, Joseph Forrest, George Thomas, and James R. Langley were appointed, without compensation, as a Board of Trustees of the State of Maryland to carry out the provisions of the legislation. Unfortunately, George H. Morgan didn’t live long enough to attend the first meeting of the newly established Board of Trustees, having died on April 10.

Captain Joseph Forrest served as President of the Board. In a letter to the editor of the Baltimore Sun, August 30, 1872 he said “$3,000 was inadequate to exhume, transport and inter 4,000 dead. The trustees, through their committee, appealed to the citizens of the State to aid them, but unfortunately no such interest was taken as would secure a dollar outside of St. Mary’s County.”

A contract was issued to remove the remains of the dead to a suitable site. People then living in the area recalled seeing wagon loads of skulls and bones transported to the new burial site and hearing the bones rattle against the sides of the wagons. By August 1872, this grisly task had been completed, but the monument had not yet been erected.

A tournament and ball was held on August 26, 1872. Hundreds of people came from all over Maryland and Washington, D.C. A gentleman identified only as Mr. Tregg addressed the assembled crowd saying: “While we sip the sparkling chalice of this day’s pleasure, let us bestow a thought and word on those martyrs to their cause who sleep in yonder cemetery—where glory guards the silent ground, the bivouac of the dead.

“With no monument to mark their resting place but the flowers that bloom above them, they have yet a deathless name, a spirit the smothering vault shall spurn, and, like a steadfast planet, mount and burn.

They are treasured in the heart of the Southern people. Neither time, nor dull decay, nor the wind of forgetfulness shall ever destroy them or scatter them from that resting place.”

33

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Thursday, February 12, 2009

The County Times

Recreation Parks

Recreation and Parks Award Honors Smith, Youngsters

Recipients of the first annual Will Smith leadership award Photo By Frank Marquart

By Chris Stevens Staff Writer

Ryan Anderson, Little Flower Academy Michael Day, Leonardtown Middle School Kyle Gould, Spring Ridge Middle School Tad Greer, Leonardtown Middle School John Hill, Jr., Spring Ridge Middle School Dakota Lowe, Esperanza Middle School Joseph Norris, Home Schooled Mary Beth Pappas, St. John’s Catholic School Patrick Striker, Spring Ridge Middle School Katie Thompson, St. John’s Catholic School Jacob Windsor, Spring Ridge Middle School

Shortly before tip-off at Friday night’s Great MillsLeonardtown boys’ basketball game, 11 eighth-grade basketball players were honored for their leadership and devotion to the sport in the St. Mary’s County Recreation and Parks league.

It was an easy decision for Recreation Division Manager Arthur Shepherd to name the award after a young man who exemplified those characteristics in his short time on Earth – Great Mills graduate Will Smith.

“We wanted to recognized Will’s character and leadership, as he was heavily involved in the program,” Shepherd explained.

Smith, a 2007 grad of Great Mills and a sophomore at Becker College, was fatally wounded during an off-campus brawl this past September. In his younger years, he could usually be found tagging along with his father William Sr., or his mother Jeannie who both have worked with Recreation and Parks for well over 20 years.

“We were just so excited to see when the maturity and the age would meet,” Jeannie Smith said of her hopes for Will’s future. “He was always helping kids with something and was very respectful like we taught him.”

“We hope that everyone understands that not only is Will being honored tonight,” William Smith, Sr. said, “but the entire county and these athletes are being honored as well.”

The criteria for the first annual Will Smith leadership award was two years of participation in the league, followed by letters of recommendation from the athlete’s seventh and eighth grade teachers.

The 11 youths, who represented Spring Ridge, Esperanza, St. John’s Leonardtown Middle and Little Flower schools (one athlete is currently home-schooled), were honored in a ceremony that was highlighted by a speech from County Commissioner Dan Raley, who recalled a young Will and his father, hardcore New York Yankees fans giving Raley, a Baltimore Orioles fan, an earful whenever the Yankees were on top of the baseball world.

“Will might not be here with us tonight physically, but I can tell you that he is here in spirit,” Raley said to a thunderous ovation.

Picture left to right top row Shelbee Barnes, Karina Bruce, Ka“We hope that tonight, tie Weber, Aliyah Blanks, Morgan Russell, and Victoria Pulliam. that these kids can take away Second row left to right Emily Kwasniak, Katrina Wagaman, Summer Staso, Victoria Rock, Elaina Morris, and Aryella Ward. what they’ve learned on the court into their lives,” Jeannie Front row kneeling Megan Brown, Kasey Gatton, Taylor Kovacic, Smith said. “That ‘hard work and Samantha Janey. Not pictured Rochelle Ashton, Jashayla is all I need.’”

Carr, Shannon Knoefel, Melissa Selby and Shelbi Williams.

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WALDORF – Matt Scott and Matt McGowan each scored goals, but the St. Mary’s Ryken Ice Hockey team fell to La Plata 7-2 in the Knights’ regular season finale Friday night. The Knights will compete in the Maryland Scholastic Hockey League playoffs, with an opponent and dates and times yet to be determined.

Photo By Chris Stevens

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First Period

Second Period

Third Period

St. Mary’s Ryken – Scott (assisted by Sam Vogt), 12:35 La Plata – O’Leary (unassisted), 11:48 La Plata – Wilson-Schultz (assisted by Eagles), 11:34 La Plata – Lawson (assisted by Higgins), 1:47

St. Mary’s Ryken – McGowan (assisted by Peter Martin), 12:13 La Plata – O’Leary (assisted by Eagles), 8:44 La Plata – Reece (assisted by Keelan, Garner), 7:31

La Plata – Kyser (assisted by Wilson-Schultz, O’Leary), 5:30 La Plata – Savoy (assisted by Eagles), 2:57

Pax River Silver Stars Try-Outs Coming Up Soon The Pax River Silver Stars AAU basketball team will have tryouts for both 15 and Under and 16 and Under girls’ basketball teams on Sunday March 8th at Carver Recreation Center in Lexington Park. The tryouts will run from 2 to 4 p.m. and the try-out fee is 14 dollars, the price of an AAU membership. For More information, please contact Savannah Webb at 301-737-1792 or via email at savweb@msn.com.

High School Basketball Scores Boys

Girls’

Friday February 6th

Friday February 6th

Chopticon 71, North Point 66 Leonardtown 60, Great Mills 48 Gonzaga 75, St. Mary’s Ryken 57

Leonardtown 41, Great Mills 37 North Point 60, Chopticon 32 Holy Cross 74, St. Mary’s Ryken 56

Sunday Feburary 8th

Sunday February 8th

Bishop McNamara 58, St. Mary’s Ryken 42

Bishop McNamara 52, St. Mary’s Ryken 40

Sp rts High School Basketball 35

The County Times

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Raiders Survive Hornet Stings for Season Sweep

By Chris Stevens Staff Writer

run,” head coach Jake Heibel said of the Hornets guys to do is use that same aggressive style, shrinking that 17 point lead to just six midway but sometimes we still want to be a jumpthrough the fourth quarter. “Both teams battled shooting team,” Peck added.

GREAT MILLS – After building a 17- really hard I’m proud of my guys for the way The Raiders regrouped, closing the point lead through two-plus quarters, the Leon- they played tonight.” game on a 13-7 run, the big bucket coming ardtown boys’ basketball team caught an eerie The Raiders (11-7 overall, 9-5 in SMAC ac- when Wettengel, who scored 11 points, coltion) took control of the contest with a blistering lided with Great Mills center Basil Moye and third quarter run that included a three-pointer hit a lay-up with 1:46 remaining in the fourth by guard Tyler Gladu which pushed the Leon- quarter. ardtown lead to 37-20, one of many unsung The subsequent free throw pushed the Raider players who have stepped to the front of lead back to double digits and Leonardtown the line this season. swept the season series two games to none, “Tyler kept us in the game when were strug- one year after losing to the Hornets twice on gling early on,” Heibel said of his junior guard, their home floor. who contributed nine points on three long-range “It was very special, we knew we were Photo By Chris Stevens bombs in each of the first three quarters. “Then coming into an emotional game,” said Moe our defense started to create opportunities for Stone, who tied forward Gerell Shingles with Leonardtown’s Tyler Gladu follows through on us and good things happened.”

12 points to lead Leonardtown in scoring. a three-point shot in Friday night’s 60-48 win over Great Mills.

The Hornets (3-11 overall) rallied to make “To get this win feels good.” it interesting in the fourth behind junior guard Moe Queen.

Photo By Chris Stevens Queen scored 11 of the Hornets’ Hornets coach Frank Peck encourages his players. 22 final quarter points, including a three-pointer off a missed sense of déjà vu when Great Mills began using free throw and a floater in the their pressure defense to get back into Friday lane to pull the Hornets as close night’s game. as 47-41 with about five minutes “That big lead was a crucial cushion for us to go in the game. because it was much like the game we had here “In that fourth quarter, Moe

By Chris Stevens last year,” said senior guard Jeff Wettengel af- really got aggressive,” Hornets Staff Writer ter the Raiders held off the Hornets 60-48. “We coach Frank Peck said. Queen struggled with their press, but time was on our led all scorers with 20 points in LEONARDTOWN – Coming off a side.” the losing effort. stretch of solid basketball that saw them “We knew those kids were going to make a “What I’m trying to get the win two of their previous three games against the top teams in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference, Sunday night’s game was not how St. Mary’s Ryken boys’ basketball coach Dave Tallman expected his team to play.

In what Tallman characterized as a lack of physical and mental preparation on his behalf, the Knights dropped a 58-42 decision to third-place Bishop McNamara, a game rescheduled due to an earlier snowstorm.

“As a coach, it’s my responsibility Photo By Chris Stevens to get the guys physically and mentally prepared, it’s been St. Mary’s Ryken’s R.J. Buck dashes to the hoop in the second the same old song and dance half of Sunday night’s boys basketball against McNamara. for us all season,” Tallman said afterwards. “We lose our focus and we lose our discipline, and that’s my fault.”

The Knights (8-12 overall, 4-8 in WCAC play), even with only nine players in uniform, stayed close to the deeper and bigger Mustangs, taking their lone lead on a Kamaron Barker three-pointer with just under a minute to go in the first half.

“St. Mary’s Ryken is a very good team,” Mustangs head coach Marty Keithline said.

“They shoot the ball well, space out the floor and take the open shots, and that’s what they were able to in the first half when they had us on the run.”

The Knights’ first-half barrage was led by center Gokhan Sirin, who scored a team-high 15 points, 11 of those coming in the first half, but Keithline felt his team did a good job of limiting Sirin’s touches in the second half.

The Mustangs (17-6 overall, 10-3 WCAC) also used a distinct height advantage to control the boards, with 6’ – 9” center Talib Zanna, who led all scorers with 27 points and 6’ – 7” forward Brandon Coleman towering over Ryken’s post players to come down with possession of missed shots, but neither Tallman or senior guard R.J. Buck would use the height as an excuse.

“We just didn’t put a body on a couple of guys, and that will hurt you,” Buck (nine points on the night) said. “If we box out and put a body on some guys, that doesn’t happen.”

“They dominated us on the glass tonight, so we’re going to have to do some more rebounding drills,” Tallman said.

Ryken hopes to regroup in time for the WCAC tournament, where anything is possible, and R.J. Buck believes that the Knights still have enough gas in the tank for a late-season run at the conference championship.

“Watching basketball for a long time, you see teams that get hot at the end and win some games,” Buck said. “Just by being disciplined and staying consistent, we can make a big run.”

Tallman Takes Heat for Ryken Loss

Photo By Frank Marquart

The Raiders’ Jeff Wettengel takes flight as Great Mills’ Tyler Sanders watches in the first quarter of Friday night’s boys’ basketball game.

Photo By Chris Stevens

The Knights’ Deon Andrews concentrates at the free throw line.

Sp rts

The County Times

The only two days of the year in which there are no professional sports games (MLB, NBA, NHL, or NFL) are the day before and the day after the Major League All-Stars Game.

A View From The

Bleachers Frustration and Loathing

By Ronald N. Guy Jr. Contributing Writer Woe is Redskins nation my fellow Southern Marylanders! Like many of you, I’m a fan, a big fan of the burgundy and gold. Unlike most of you, I also am…or was…a Daniel Snyder apologist. In the face of the constant criticism lobbed in Redskin owner Snyder’s direction over the years for his frivolous spending on free agents, his apparent aversion to the NFL draft, and his lack of patience with coaches, I’ve been the fool that’s stood up and defended his passion – albeit frustratingly misguid-

Thursday, February 12, 2009

ed – and willingness to spend whatever it takes to acquire talent. But I simply can’t do it anymore. He’s beaten the optimist out me. I’m tired of knee-jerk trades where draft picks are swapped for aging or overrated players. I’ve had my fill of players who land in D.C. and do little more than pick up a disgustingly inflated paycheck. I’ve had enough of the organization’s near-sightedness. There’s no vision beyond the tip of its outstretched arm, no plan beyond the current season. Sadly, there’s no end in sight for the sick and loathing Skins fan. Players can be released. Coaches can

get fired. But there’s no one to protect an owner from himself. Owners have lifetime contracts.

There’s little doubt Daniel Snyder’s heart is in the right place. He does run a classy organization and treats players very well. And undoubtedly, he wants to win badly (or is it desperately now?). The problem is, the foundation is skewed. The organizational structure of the Washington Redskins is fatally flawed.

Off the top of your head, name the elite NFL franchises. Chances are most of you rattled off Patriots, Steelers, Colts, Eagles and Giants. It

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pains me, but I’ll give you Baltimore too. These are teams that contend, year after year.

They weather injuries, the ebb and flow of every NFL season and more often than not are in the championship discussion at playoff time. You know what they have in common? A NFL tested and true organizational structure. They all have coaches that coach, personnel men that acquire talent and owners that do little more than pay the bills. Such was the structure in D.C. during the glory years of the 1980’s. General Manger Bobby Beathard picked the players, Joe Gibbs coached ‘em up and flamboyant owner Jack Kent Cooke cut the checks. The three didn’t always agree, but they respected each other, stayed in their swim lanes and won big. What is maddening is Snyder was an impressionable young fan during this period. Wasn’t he paying attention? Apparently not. Snyder the owner dabbles in, if not significantly influences, personnel decisions and often undermines his coach with close, personal relationships with star players. It is a convoluted set-up that, despite the money spent, has yielded inconsistent returns at best.

And with free agency, Version 2009, nearing its dawn, is there any doubt Redskin 1 is gassed up and ready to wine and dine the next big catch?

Success in life, whether it’s in business, marriage or in personal endeavors, is as much about figuring out what you’re not good at as it is identifying your strengths. Yet recognition of one’s shortcomings is only half the battle. Once skill gaps are identified, it takes foresight to pick the right person to fill voids and courage to then step away and let that person do the job. After a decade of listless mediocrity, you’d think a NFL owner would consider an approach used by the most successful teams and a structure that led to the richest period in team history. But Snyder has shown no inclination to change and no interest in hiring and empowering a talented General Manager. It seems for as long as he’s owner, Daniel Snyder will have a significant voice in the football operations of his franchise. Unfortunately, without a change in organizational structure, there’s no reason to think Skins nation will be hailing anything more than the occasional victory.

Hopefully I’m wrong. Here’s to Daniel Snyder making a fool of me…again.

Send your comments to rguyjoon@yahoo.com

36

un Fact

High School Sports Schedule 02/12/09-02/18/09 Friday Feb. 13 Boys’ Basketball Chopticon at Leonardtown, 7:30 p.m.

Westlake at Great Mills, 7:30 p.m.

St. Mary’s Ryken at Bishop O’Connell, 7:30 p.m.

Girls’ Basketball Leonardtown at Chopticon, 6:30 p.m.

Great Mills at Westlake, 6:30 p.m.

Bishop O’Connell at St. Mary’s Ryken, 7 p.m.

Saturday Feb. 14 Boys’ Basketball KIMA at St. Mary’s Ryken, 7 p.m.

Tuesday Feb. 17 Boys’ Basketball St. Mary’s Ryken at St. John’s, 7:30 p.m.

Girls’ Basketball Grace Bretheren at Leonardtown, 6:30 p.m.

St. John’s at St. Mary’s Ryken, 7 p.m.

Wednesday Feb. 18 Boys’ Basketball Chopticon at Huntingtown, 7:30 p.m.

La Plata at Great Mills, 7:30 p.m.

Leonardtown at Thomas Stone, 7:30 p.m.

Girls’ Basketball Huntingtown at Chopticon, 6:30 p.m.

Great Mills at La Plata, 6:30 p.m.

Thomas Stone at Leonardtown, 6:30 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

37

Thursday, February 12, 2009

The County Times

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38

St. Mary’s College Women

Comeback Attempt Falls Short for Lady ‘Hawks

Photo By Chris Stevens

The Seahawks’ Alex Wenger closely guards York College’s Chanel Perez.

By Chris Stevens Staff Writer ST. MARY’S CITY – It has been a trying season for the St. Mary’s College women’s basketball team and head coach Barb Bausch.

Yet and still, the Seahawks continue to put their best effort forward,

and Saturday afternoon’s 75-60 loss to 12th – ranked York (Pa.) College was no different.

“They’re a good team, they’re not ranked 12th in the nation for nothing,” Bausch said after the Seahawks (7-14 overall, 5-8 in Capital Athletic Conference action) threw a scare into the Spartans (20-1 overall,

13-0 in CAC play, first place) before York’s hot shooting became too much to handle.

“You just have to get them out of rhythm, be able to control the boards so they don’t get second and third chances,” Bausch said. “You have to communicate on defense and there has to be no hesitation or else they’re going to knock down shots.”

York withstood an early Seahawk lead (12-8) before ending the half on a 37-18 run, thanks in large part to their blistering 52.8 percent (19-of-36) shooting clip, but also, an aggressive zone defense that left the Seahawks flustered and out of options until a second half adjustment cleared some things up.

“Our post players did a great job of creating some space for themselves so we could enter the ball and reverse it around,” Bausch said of the change in strategy that sparked a 15-4 early second-half run by SMC, culminating in a wide-open three pointer from the right corner by senior forward Allie Scott that brought the Hawks to within 49-45 at the 14:07 mark of the period.

However, behind a game-high 24 points from April Sparkman,

along with 18 and 15 points respectively from Keli Ward and Chanel Perez, the Spartans finished off St. Mary’s with a 26-15 burst, taking their largest lead of 16 points (67-51) on a Sparkman jump shot with just under seven minutes to run in the contest.

Sophomore center Tiara Hurte continued her hot play as of late, leading the Seahawks with 22 points and a game-high 13 rebounds, with Scott adding 18 points and seven

rebounds.

Hurte is second on the team in scoring and rebounds this season, and Bausch is pleased with her progress as the season reaches its final two weeks.

“In the beginning, she seemed to be afraid to get hit,” Bausch explained. “But now, she understands what it means to be physical down there, she’s learning to create space and take some contact.”

Photo By Chris Stevens

Allie Scott, who scored 18 points for St. Mary’s College Saturday afternoon, makes a move towards the basket.

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39

Thursday, February 12, 2009

The County Times

St. Mary’s College

Men Wise Reaches 1000-Point

Sp rts

Mark in Seahawk Win

Photo By Chris Stevens

Senior forward Calvin Wise scored his 1000th career point in the Seahawks’ 88-79 victory over York College Saturday afternoon.

By Chris Stevens Staff Writer

ST. MARY’S CITY – As head coach Chris Harney’s first-ever recruit, St. Mary’s College senior forward Calvin Wise has seen the men’s basketball team go from Capital Athletic Conference cellar-dwellers to one of the top-rated NCAA Division III teams on the East Coast.

It was only fitting that an individual honor came Wise’s way, as he scored his 1,000th career point Saturday afternoon as the Seahawks held on to defeat York (Pa.) College 88-79, running their home-court winning streak to 14 games.

“When Harney recruited me, he talked about starting something special here, and I believed in that,” said Wise, who tied center Alex Irmer for high-scoring honors amongst the Seahawks with 17 points. “I’ve been blessed to have talented players around me and this experience is something I’ll keep with me for the rest of my life.”

“He is, without a doubt, the heart of our team,” Harney enthused about Wise, who needed 10 points to reach the milestone, and picked it up on a tip-in with 11:43 left in the first half.

“He committed to us in September of his senior year of high school, which you never see anymore on the Division III level. I can’t say enough good things about him, and he is going to go far in life based on the kind of person he is.”

Wise’s milestone hoop gave the Hawks (18-4 overall, 11-2 in CAC action) a 28-11 lead, but the Spartans (7-15, 5-8 CAC) clawed back, taking a lead as late as three minutes and 16 seconds into the second half (46-45) on a jumper by guard Julian Watson. Watson led the Spartans and all scorers with 18 points.

“We deal with this every night,” said junior guard Camontae Griffin, who totaled 15 points despite playing much of the second half with four fouls. “Our conference is so balanced that anybody can beat any team on a given night.”

“They’re obviously not a bad team,” added Irmer, who grabbed eight rebounds and made eight of his 11 field goal attempts. “People forget that me

Photo By Chris Stevens

Alex Irmer of St. Mary’s College defends York’s Andrew Pawlyk.

and Cal are the only two seniors, that we’re a very young team and we don’t have the experience to put games away like we did last year.”

“Every game has its teachable moments,” Harney explained. “We do have a very young team. Four of the guys in our eight-man rotation are underclassmen, James Davenport is a freshman, of course, and he sees major minutes for us.

“The full 40 minutes in the game is like a classroom, and while I’m very happy with the win, we had a lot of teachable moments out there tonight.”

THURSDAY

Award Honors Beloved Athlete Page 33

FEBRUARY 12, 2009

Photo By Frank Marquart

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