Thursday, July 30, 2009
Produce Market Alive & Well
Will G ovt. Regulation Woods Firm HOn urt FValues armers? PAGE 18
Wind Turbines OK’d by Critical Area Commission Story Page 4
County Leery of Inflated Census Numbers Story Page 5
Middle Schools Set to Improve on AYP Story Page 15
Photo by Frank Marquart
The County Times
Thursday, July 30, 2009
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Your Paper... Your Thoughts Do you think wind turbines should be allowed to be built within the 100-foot Critical Area buffer along shorelines? “I suppose so, as long as they’re not obstructing the view or the environment,” said Paul Jason Baker, 24, of Hollywood. “Considering that the idea is to produce clean energy, and to build alternative resources such as wind turbines to produce alternative energy, as long as they’re not producing waste products that would damage the environment.” “I don’t think it’s a good idea,” said Stephen Shiell, 57, an environmental analyst from Great Mills (who declined to be photographed). “The most critical part of the ecology along the shoreline is within about 100 to 200 feet of the shoreline itself, and so much of that ties into shoreline erosion, so any type of development within that area is critical and could be destructive so they shouldn’t be doing that.” “I don’t think wind turbines are detrimental to the critical areas,” said Michael Hewitt, 56, who said he lives within one of the Critical Areas in Hollywood. “And if they prove to be in future studies then I would be against it, but right now I think it’s probably a good idea.”
50
County Wide Poll
40
No
30
48%
Yes 20
10
0
28%
Not Sure 24%
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The County Times
Thursday, July 30, 2009
ON THE FRONT
“It’s not a takeback of the community because they own it … It’s more fellowship than anything; it’s a good time.”
Sam Long, with Southern Insulation, rips a single in the 2nd inning.
Potential buyers get set to bid on fresh fruits and vegetables at the Loveville Produce Auction.
ON THE BACK
Just Us’ Audi Queen beats the throw to second base during Monday night’s St. Mary’s County Women’s Softball game in Bushwood.
Also Inside
Watch
4 County News 6 Town News 7 State News 8 Editorial/Opinion 10 Money 11 Defense and Military 13 Obituaries 15 Education 17 Crime and Punishment 18 On The Cover 20 Real Estate 23 History 24 Entertainment 25 Going On 26 Food 27 Wandering Minds 28 Games 31 Newsmakers newsmakers 32 Community Gracie’s Guys and Gals dance 35 Softball troupe sport their trophies for 36 Bleachers winning the grand championship 38 Blue Crabs prize at a competition held in 39 Sport News Hershey, Pa. SEE PAGE 31
- St. Mary’s Sheriff Tim Cameron talk- Crime ing about Na- St. Mary’s Sheriff’s Deputy Ross handing out goodtional Night Out ies to local kids during the 2008 National Night Out. SEE PAGE 17
Page 35
Weather
On T he Covers
Young Professionals Try To Make a Home pg 6
Stock Market
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James Manning McKay - Founder Eric McKay -Associate Publisher..................................ericmckay@countytimes.net Tobie Pulliam - Office Manager..............................tobiepulliam@countytimes.net Sean Rice-Associate Editor.......................................................seanrice@countytimes.net Angie Stalcup - Graphic Artist.......................................angiestalcup@countytimes.net Andrea Shiell - Community Correspondent...........andreashiell@countytimes.net Chris Stevens - Sports Correspondent............................chrisstevens@countytimes.net Guy Leonard - Government Correspondent...................guyleonard@countytimes.net Matt Suite - Sales Representative..........................................mattsuite@countytimes.net Helen Uhler - Sales Representative....................................helenuhler@countytimes.net
The County Times
ews
Thursday, July 30, 2009
The parents of Albert Einstein were worried that he was mentally slow because it took him a long time to learn how to speak.
The Critical Area Commission that oversees the health of the shoreline of the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed have approved a county ordinance that allows wind turbines in the 100-foot buffer, The County Times has learned. Commissioner President Francis Jack Russell, who also represents the county on the commission in Annapolis, confirmed Tuesday that the commission had given its blessing to the county’s efforts to
Bus Stop Changes
Effective July 27, the county bus system made some changes to its routes. Great Mills – Great Mills Loop and the Rt. 5 Express bus stop in Great Mills are on Lexwood Drive, at the Jarboe Building drive entrance. This stop replaces the previously established stop at the McKay’s Food Store on Great Mills Road. Please note that the times below reflect the departure time from the new stop. Lexwood Drive schedule times: • Monday through Friday 6 a.m. to 6 pm. – 35 minutes after each hour. • Saturdays 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. – 38 minutes after each hour. • Sundays 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. – 38 minutes after each hour. Charlotte Hall – the Charlotte Hall Food Lion will be the new bus stop for the Charlotte Hall Route,
allow residents to produce their own electricity. The critical area group put a hold on permitting the construction of the turbines earlier in the spring over concerns that trees might have to be cut down to accommodate them. Staff with the county’s Department of Land Use and Growth Management stated that the commission wanted to ensure that trees would be replanted if they were cut down, which the county already requires. Photo By Guy Leonard
Northern Route and the Van Go transfer stop. This stop replaces the previously established stop at the McKay’s Food Store in Charlotte Hall. Please note that the times below reflect the departure time from the new stop. Charlotte Hall route Northbound at Food Lion schedule times: •Monday through Saturday 6 am to 8 pm – 58 minutes after each hour. Charlotte Hall route Southbound at Food Lion schedule times: • Monday through Saturday 6 am to 8 pm - 6 minutes after each hour. For more information, go to w.stmarysmd.com and click on Department of Public Works and Transportation under the Services box, then click on STS Transit System. For the main STS office, call 301-475-5100 or MaryAnn Coontz, STS Supervisor at 301-866-6799.
un Fact
Business Secretary Says State Must Leverage Military
Critical Area Commission OKs Wind Turbines By Guy Leonard Staff Writer
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By Guy Leonard Staff Writer The state needs to take a more active role in helping more businesses reap the rewards of having a relatively high number of military installations, said Christian Johansson, Maryland’s secretary for the Department of Business and Economic Development, who visited the county Friday. Johansson also said that the state’s business and economic arm had to do more in general to reach out to businesses. “We probably haven’t done as much as we should have in the past,” Johansson told a gathering of local business leaders at the the J.T. Daugherty Center in Lexington Park. “We are your agents for going after American Recovery and Reinvestment Act dollars,’ he said referring to programs designed to stimulate the economy.
Johansson said the state was working on a strategy to get more out of the 19 military and the 53 nonmilitary government facilities throughout the state. That included helping businesses that never were able to get contracts with the federal government to finally break through the process. “We’ve never really had a strategy for harnessing that,” Johansson said. “Those facilities together pack a heck of a punch.” Johansson also said that diversifying the local St. Mary’s County economy, which is a prime aim of local economic and development officials, could best be served by concentrating on tourism, building upon the medical and education fields and finding ways to commercializing technology from Patuxent River Naval Air Station for the benefit of the general community. “If you do that over the next 10 years, you’ll probably see that 80 percent [amount the U.S. Navy represents in the local economy] move to 70 percent and then to 60 percent of dependence on one economic anchor,” Johansson said. “This is one of the most beautiful places I’ve been to, period,” he said, referring to the county’s open land and waterfront. Bob Schaller, director of the county’s Department of Economic and Community Development said that while the national recession has not hit as hard in St. Mary’s as in other places, helping out small businesses was a real concern. “There’s plenty of challenges out there … for small businesses disconnected from the defense industry,” Schaller said.
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5
The County Times
Thursday, July 30, 2009
ews Today’s Newsmakers In Brief How does St. Mary’s County stack up with other venues for attracting visitors and tourists with its scenery?
Are the Maryland Department of Planning’s estimates of population growth for the county for the next 20 years reliable?
This is one of the most beautiful places I’ve been to, period.
I don’t have a high regard for them.
Christian Johansson, secretary of the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development.
Commissioner Daniel H. Raley (D-Great Mills)
County To Mull Taking Over County To Finish Grading For Homes In Pax River Water And Sewer Great Mills
By Guy Leonard Staff Writer
Last year a proposed plan to have the Metropolitan Commission, which provides water and sewer service, take over water and sewer service at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, fell through after much study, but Jacquelyn Meiser, executive director of MetCom, said Tuesday that the possibility was still there. This time however, the deal could include not only the Naval Air Stattion in Lexington Park and Webster Field in St. Inigoes but also the base’s recreation annex in Calvert County. “We’re still certainly interested in negotiation with the Navy,” Meiser told a joint meeting of MetCom board members and county commissioners. Meiser said that it was unclear exactly what the utility would have to do to take over the annex near Solomons Island, since it was run out of a Calvert County station. “It’s not a show stopper, but it needs to be worked out,” Meiser said. “There’s nothing in our enabling legislation that allows
us to operate outside the jurisdiction, but there’s nothing prohibiting it either.” Commissioners and MetCom board members agreed to hold another special session to talk specifically about the utility expanding its services to the base facility here. Meiser said that since last year’s proposal fell through, MetCom has been made aware of improvements to the Naval Air Station’s water and sewer system, while other MetCom staff said that some of it is still in need of repair or replacement due to aging. Commissioner Lawrence D. Jarboe (R-Golden Beach) questioned whether the county would have to pay for any upgrades to the infrastructure on the base if MetCom took over, since MetCom borrowed on the full faith and credit of the commissioners. Commissioner Daniel H. Raley was concerned that MetCom would still be able to serve the county and the base equally. “Would that adversely impact fulfilling your mission outside the gate?” Raley asked. “The issue itself needs to be resolved.”
By Guy Leonard Staff Writer The county may hire a contractor to complete grading work at a small cluster of homes in the Strickland Road neighborhood of Great Mills after the developer failed to do the work after nearly five years, county officials say. The grading left undone on Laurens Run South and Laurens Run North includes storm water management work as well as the planting of grass to prevent soil erosion during rainstorms, said George Erichsen, director of the Department of Public Works and Transportation. The Board of County Commissioners approved a measure Tuesday that authorized the county to move ahead with claiming a $25,500 bond on the project that was put up years ago to ensure the work would be completed. Erichsen told commissioners that numerous attempts to contact the developer, Empire Homes based in Columbia, about finishing the project went unanswered between 2006 and this year. “It sounds like you bent over backwards,” said Commissioner Daniel H. Raley (D-Great Mills) about the efforts to contact the developer. Erichsen told commissioners that the small amount of work to be done might not have been enough to compel the developer to complete the task, now that all six homes in the small cluster have been completed and occupied. “I really don’t think there’s enough here for them to be interested in completing the work,” Erichsen said. This kind of behavior by developers was the reason why the county required such bonds before projects could
begin, Erichsen said. It was a rare occurrence when the bonds were actually claimed by the county. “We want the developer to do the work they promised us they would do,” Erichsen said. “They just never finished despite our urging them to do the work; it doesn’t happen often.” “We owe it to the homeowners to get the work done,” he added. The county could contract the services of the Great Mills Trading Post company to do the work, Erichsen said, or when the county informs the bank holding the bond of its intentions, the bank itself may hire out its own labor instead to do the job. Commissioner Lawrence D. Jarboe (R-Golden Beach) said these kinds of actions were regrettable but necessary. “That’s not vindictive, that’s the way it is,” Jarboe said of the board’s decision. “It’s called enough’s enough.” Attempts to contact Empire Homes were unsuccessful.
Commissioners Question Population Projections By Guy Leonard Staff Writer Now in the process of updating the county’s long-range growth plan, some officials are questioning a state prediction that St. Mary’s County will grow by 50,000 more people by 2030. If valid, that would mean a 50 percent increase above St. Mary’s current population of 100,000 over the next two decades, according to estimates presented at the Planning Commission’s hearing on the draft Comprehensive Plan held Monday night in Leonardtown. County Commissioner Daniel H. Raley (D-Great Mills) has questioned the state numbers in recent weeks, partly because the county was predicted to reach 100,000 residents in 2000, but in fact only reached 86,000 that year. Raley said the numbers were generated by the state’s Maryland Department of Planning using currently available census data and that he did not trust the predictions. He also said he believed the expected growth could be a pretext for the state to attempt to exercise more control over local land-use decisions.
“I don’t have a high regard for them,” Raley said of state planning, “They’re doing it [chipping away at local planning authority] every day. Every legislative session they pass a bill that erodes it further.” Commissioner Lawrence D. Jarboe said that current growth trends in the county are far below the average increase in population of 2,500 people a year that would be necessary to meet 50,000 residents in two decades. That kind of growth was only recently generated by more and more programs coming to Patuxent River Naval Air Station through the congressional base realignment activities in the 1990s, he said. “I don’t expect we’ll see that kind of BRAC [base realignment and closure] generated growth,” Jarboe said. Derick Berlage, director of the county’s Department of Land Use and Growth Management, said that historical data showed that St. Mary’s could, in fact, see that many new residents by 2030 given the steady and strong population growth since 1970, but he cautioned that it was not an exact science. “Projections are projections, they’re not a certainty,” Berlage told The County Times Tuesday. “There’s a lot of
evidence to show it will happen.” If that many people do come, he said, it will be a challenge to find room for them in the county’s two development districts — Lexington Park and Leonardtown — which comprise only 13 percent of the county’s total land mass. County development would have to focus on creating dense, high quality, mixed-use communities to make that happen, he said. Berlage admitted, though, that the state could be either a partner in this effort or an overseer. “That growth has to be designed to give us the good attributes of high density and not the bad ones,” Berlage said. “The state has strong opinions about land use, and they’re getting stronger.” Berlage said he believed the state would press the county to keep with its vision of most of the county preserved in its rural state, with a core of managed growth areas. “My fear … is that they’d try to take control of that,” Berlage said. “We have the same goals, but we at the local level know better how to get it done better than the state does.”
A
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The County Times
Thursday, July 30, 2009
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Retaining Our Youth: Young Professionals Try To Make A Home By Casey McClay Contributing Writer In 2007 the St. Mary’s County Chamber of Commerce found that there was a high turnover rate of professionals between the ages of 20 and 30, as college graduates came to the county for employment. While they would work for a few years, often they would relocate. Young professionals were finding jobs instead of careers, says Bill Scarafia, the president of the Chamber of Commerce. “This age group has a hard time affording housing down here,” he said, “and often they didn’t have the means to build a strong social network.” These different elements contributed to this age group’s short stay in St. Mary’s County. At the time, the Southern Maryland Young Professionals Event Social was developing on the Patuxent River Naval Air Base. Founded by young interns for the Engineer and Scientist Development Program, the group looked to connect interns on the base through social events such as Happy Hours, formals, volunteering and sports. “We wanted a social network,” said found Daniel Forster. Forster, a graduate of the University of Minnesota, came to intern at the Engineer and Scientist Development Program but says that it was difficult to meet people his own age. “We decided to start up this group and plan our own events,” he said. “People aren’t going to want to stay here if they don’t know anyone.” The chamber, who helps sponsor the group, approached the founders to discuss opening membership to professionals outside of the base. Scarafia noted that the exclusivity of the base was a barrier that needed to be torn down. “We wanted to focus not from the base,” he said, “but people from different groups like the education system,
banking, and local business.” and train young people who soon move out of the county, it Forster acknowledged that SMYPES is more of a group means lost money for the area. for the social community rather than the business networkShe also said young people go to Baltimore, Washington ing that the Chamber has in mind. and Annapolis instead of spending money locally and that “We are glad that the group has an effect of retaining they cannot afford to buy houses in the county. young professionals, but that is not our main goal.” “There’s not enough affordable housing for people like In order to focus more on the problem of retention, for- us to plant roots,” she said. mer SMYPES member Daniel Grant, a graduate of Pennsylvania State University, founded the Young Professionals Initiative in 2008, also sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. The YPI focuses on the professional perspective. “We have begun planning seminars, workshops that support all career disciplines within the county,” he said, listing education, leadership, economic and community development as types of workshops they will be offering. While each group may have different interests, they agree on one thing. “Our workforce in this area is critical to the livelihood of our area,” Grant said. “If this issue is not addressed, we will not be able to sustain a usable workforce for the future.” Grant and another member of the group, Lauren Klatt, spoke at the Planning Commission’s hearing about the county’s draft Comprehensive Plan on Monday about the need to attract and keep young people. Photo by Southern Maryland Young Professionals “This area is kind of a pit stop between college and a career,” Klatt said, Kevin Broadnax, left, and Dan Forster, of Southern Maryland Young Professionals Even Social, supnoting that when companies pay to hire port the St. Mary’s Seahawks as volunteers during Breast Cancer Awareness Week.
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Thursday, July 30, 2009
The County Times
It’s tubby tIme BWI Eliminates Free Parking LINTHICUM (AP) - The first halfhour of parking at BWI Airport is no longer free. Starting last Monday, Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport began charging $2 for the first half hour. The free half-hour allowed people to pick up passengers arriving at the air-
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port and help carry bags into the airport for those taking a f light without paying for parking. Airport spokesman Jonathan Dean says the airport still has a cell phone lot for drivers who are waiting for someone to arrive. Dean said the change was made to raise revenue during tight economic times.
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Md. Health, School Leaders Hold Swine Flu Summit ANNAPOLIS (AP) _ Health Secretary John Colmers and state schools Superintendent Nancy Grasmick joined local health and education officials on Monday to discuss plans for handling swine f lu in school this fall. Grasmick said the state was developing a comprehensive plan for when to close schools and cancel extracurricular activities, if necessary. The state also was planning how to best isolate sick students and how to communicate with parents. “There will be procedures which we’re reviewing at this time that’ll be disseminated to every health officer and every superintendent of schools,” Grasmick said. Health officials say the number of f lu cases in the United States could explode in the fall after schools open. The virus has caused an unusual number of serious illnesses in teens and young adults, while seasonal f lu usually is hardest on the elderly and very young children. Maryland is preparing for a mass immunization program for 2.6 million people, including students, school staff and health care workers. A vaccine is expected to be available in the middle of October, Colmers said. “As this vaccine gets produced and
distributed, it will come likely in an initial supply and then significant supplies weekly thereafter,” Colmers said. “So the planning may be that we want to identify subsets of those populations early on and start with them and gradually work our way through the whole population.” State officials are waiting for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to finalize advice later this week on who should initially receive the vaccine. Greg Reed, the immunization director at the state health department, said the state was working with schools, private health care providers, schools and insurance companies to get ready. “We’re doing everything we can to prepare for the coming fall because ... the challenges are going to be widespread and it’s going to require us to be able to vaccinate quite a number of people in a very short period of time,” Reed said. Maryland health officials say four people have died from swine f lu in the state. The most recent case was announced last week on the Eastern Shore.
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Navy Awards Contract for $41M Galley at Academy
ANNAPOLIS (AP) - A Maryland company has received a $41 million contract for an extensive renovation of the U.S. Naval Academy’s kitchen areas. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command announced Monday that the contract has been awarded to Barton Marlow Co., of Linthicum Heights. The renovation is being funded by
the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The academy says the work is scheduled to begin immediately. It’s due to be completed by October 2011. The academy says the current kitchen galley and food preparation infrastructure is dated and becoming harder to maintain and operate.
Knights of Columbus Hall Destroyed by Fire OXON HILL (AP) - A popular Knights of Columbus hall in Oxon Hill has been destroyed by fire. Prince George’s County fire officials say the building known as ``Byrne Manor’’ caught fire early Tuesday morning. Flames were shooting through the roof when firefighters arrived, and they were
forced to fight it from outside. It took 90 minutes to bring the fire under control. Fire officials have estimated the cost of the damage at $1 million. The cause and origin of the fire are under investigation. No one was injured in the blaze. Officials say Byrne Manor had hosted countless parties and social events.
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The County Times
Laws For All or None
I agree with Jimmy Hayden’s letter of July 16, “From the Horse’s mouth.” Let’s do away with the two-party system. It has caused nothing but harm to our country. If we must have a Congress composed of party lines, why are so many senators and representatives required? Choose a specific number of each party and have a completely neutral person cast the final vote if a tie occurs. Better yet, limit the number of terms a politician can serve. The President has limited numbers of terms he can serve. This would get rid of career politicians. Why must our Congressional representatives play the party-line game? In my opinion, once a politician is elected to office, all affiliation with a party should go away. They were elected to office by their constituents, not the party. Do what is good for the people who elected you. Why do politicians have only two goals – their party and what they personally gain by be-
ing an elected lawmaker? Who bestowed our elected representatives with the congressional privilege to exempt themselves from any law they pass? We are expected to live by these laws? If they exempt themselves, what is the reasoning? Politicians are supposedly Americans just like their constituents. I repeat, why do they exempt themselves from laws they expect their constituents to obey? There must be a reason: Either they gain financially or they accrue some other worthy benefit. Either way, laws are made for all Americans or none. I have written to Steny Hoyer, two times, to send me a list of the exempt laws and the reason why they must be exempt. To date, there has been no reply or acknowledgment of my letters. Why? Daniel J. Wilson Leonardtown, Md.
Steny Come Back Congressman Hoyer, in the past, you have served and been an effective leader of this country to the citizens of southern Maryland, the state and this country. However, in recent months you have unfortunately succumbed to and supported the anti-US values and liberty-destructive biggovernment policies of the likes of Comrades Pelosi and Reid with your leadership within the House and votes that are leading this country down the slippery slope to become a totalitarian, socialistic country. Yes, you have lately been working hard to institute those policies that may serve to bolster and perpetuate the Democratic Party’s position leading the economically empty shell of a country we will have. I have, in the past, sarcastically yet honestly thanked you for your support of un-sustainable (unconstitutional) governmentgrowth stimulus and bail-out bills that our children and grandchildren will never be able to pay off. Sir, it’s not too late to come back and return to your former position – of leadership and representation of the true best interests of us, the constituents who have elected you to represent us – not your fellow party leadership. It’s not too late to come back and start again to use your considerable leadership skills and your votes to support the real best interests of the people of this country instead of power aggrandizement for your party leadership cohorts at the EXPENSE of the people. Start your return to us by turning to opposition of the Health Care Rationing reforms currently in front of Congress. Sir, you are too smart to not know better than the proponents’ lies and distortions. You know that government health care is destined to become health care rationing, especially for senior citizens (p. 425 of the bill). We don’t need to look only to other countries like Canada, Britain and Sweden where government-run health care systems are so inferior to the current US system, whose survival statistics so far outstrip those countries that patients from those countries come here for the best care. We can look to US state-run systems that brought
about near-bankruptcy in Massachusetts and several infamous incidents of Oregon’s willingness to pay for euthanasia vs. expensive treatment. Or we can look to our own existing federal healthcare rationing systems that we already have for the needy, elderly and our veterans. Please make the federal government find a way to prove that it can actually meet the needs of these people via Medicaid, Medicare and the VA before foisting similar bureaucracies on the rest of us. We all know that will never happen. Why don’t you in Congress just scrap the whole thing now before you and fashion something that will give the people of this country the world’s best health care system? Let’s go for that. Oops – the World Health Organization – no friend to the US – says we already have it. So, let’s not totally scrap the world’s #1 system in which 100% of Americans – and visitors (legal or illegal) to our country already get healthcare services whenever they really need it - by law and 85% of us are covered via one or more of the 1,300 competitive health insurance providers in this country. Instead of turning that over to rationing by government bureaucrats who have an unbroken track record of cost growth, inefficiency and fraud, let’s try to control health care and insurance costs via tort reform, even though that would be opposed by Democrats’ favorite special interest. Let’s make things easier on the people of the country with real reform in areas like transportability of competitive commercial policies. The proof of the pudding that makes us all know that this plan does not have the constituents’ best interests in it is found in the fact that your party is set to exempt yourselves from having to be subjected to the plan, but you refused to exclude illegal aliens from being covered – and funded by my tax dollars. Steny come back, please. Represent those of us who sent you there instead of your party hack colleagues. Pat Shields Tall Timbers
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Thursday, July 30, 2009
8
Editorial:
We Just Can’t Get There From Here Maryland state government has a $2 billion structural budget deficit, and that is just the best estimates to date. As the economy gets worse, fewer people pay taxes because there are fewer people working, and businesses pay fewer taxes because profits are shrinking, and things could get worse. That means you (those of you who are paying taxes) have at least a $2 billion problem. And that is just your state government problem. We won’t even get into your federal and your local government problems right now. Structural deficit means, in simple terms, that your elected government officials have decided to spend on various state programs and services $2 billion more of your money than what they are receiving from you each year in taxes and fees. It’s as if you committed you and your family to monthly bills that are $1 thousand more than your family’s take home pay. The fiscal condition of your government is disastrous. If you owned stock in this entity you would be advised to sell, sell, sell. Unfortunately, you sort of do own stock which you can’t sell, you are stuck, stuck, stuck, and your elected officials know it. The difference between business and government is when business expenditures remain higher than revenues, businesses must go out of business. When government expenditures remain higher than revenues government will simply raise taxes and fees, and you have no choice but to pay. If business tries to raise prices because they have mismanaged their business, you have a choice whether to continue to shop there or choose a more competitive, better run business. Make no mistake about it, your state government has been severely mismanaged. This structural deficit problem has been going on for 8 years now, long before the current recession began. And it was years of mismanagement even before that which led to the problem you have today. So the blame for how we got in this shape is put squarely on the shoulders of the incompetent state senators and state delegates who have become career politicians more concerned about passing out your hard earned tax dollars to special interest groups that promise to get them re-elected than concern about you. Much has been reported lately about the governor and the Board of Public Works cutting spending. Recently $280 million in expenditures were cut, but these are just one time cuts. They are not permanent cuts and they come back around. They are not fixing the problem, simply borrowing time. Plus, for this year federal stimulus dollars are backfilling those cuts. It’s like you solving that $1,000 a month family
budget problem by not going to the grocery store and just living off the pantry for that month. You may have saved $1,000 that month, but next month the problem still exists and your pantry is running dry. Most politicians do not want to fix this problem, they look at the fix as being political suicide. The easy way out is to raise taxes. With elections only about a year away they did just that three years ago hoping you wouldn’t remember. Since they fail to understand that tax increases often mean less government revenue because it hurts the economy, they either must raise taxes again or cut spending or both. They are buying time until after the next election. Unfortunately, neither of those choices can put Maryland back on solid financial ground, able to deliver the services Marylanders need within a tax rate Marylanders can afford. They cannot get there without overhauling the major quandary to the state fiscal problem, the state pension program. It is estimated that state and local governments spend 72% more on employee benefits than employers in the private sector. More and more companies each year are having to shed defined retirement benefit programs in favor of defined contribution benefit programs, yet governments have failed to do the same. Programs such as 401K’s allow both employee and employer to contribute based upon one’s financial ability as opposed to government retirement plans that guarantee a certain level of benefits regardless of the ability to pay. As a result, government workers will enjoy a much greater level of benefits upon retirement than will the majority of people who do not work for the government. Since government retirement plans are growing at rates of 15% to 20% per year, and nongovernment workers are paying the bill, non-government workers are contributing a larger amount of their pay to government employees retirement, leaving less available for your own 401K so that your retirement could keep pace. We want to be clear that most government workers are hard working, deserving individuals. Pay and benefits should be equal to their jobs. But so are private sector employees, the difference is their pay and benefits are equal to the private sector’s ability to pay, and government benefits should not be 72% greater. But don’t expect the current politicians to have the guts to change this, the state employees union, the teachers union, the police union, the firefighters union; they protect those politicians which protect them.
To The Editor:
Send to:
The County Times
P.O. Box 250 • Hollywood, MD 20636 Make sure you include your name, phone # and the city you live in. We will not publish your phone #, only your name and city
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Thursday, July 30, 2009
Quote Of The Day The best minds are not in government. If any were, business would steal them away. -Ronald Reagan
Hoyer Sounds Off On Bingo Question By Guy Leonard Staff Writer In responding to a constituent’s concerns over the recent closing of ADF Bingo in Mechanicsville, House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer sent a letter to Commissioner President Francis Jack Russell (D-St. George’s Island). “In view of the issues that have been raised, I would greatly appreciate your looking into this matter and advising her of your findings,” Hoyer wrote. Under current law only the county sheriff can issue a bingo license; that authority does not rest with the commissioners. The ADF Community Outreach Foundation failed to get a bingo license from Sheriff Timothy K. Cameron in June because he did not find that it met the requirements of being a qualified organization. A subsequent ruling by Judge C. Clarke Raley supported Cameron’s decision. Foundation president Alice Gaskin has said that they intend to appeal. In the meantime Cameron has said that qualified organizations like nonprofit charities can still get a bingo license and use the ADF hall facilities. The letter from Jamie Smith to Hoyer, dated July 10, bemoaned the loss of fundraising activities that have been held at ADF over the years. “How many people or organizations will suffer from this,” Smith asked. “I do hope you consider reopening ADF Bingo for the community, friends and family.” Russell said there were few options open to the county. “I don’t know there’s anything in the world we can do about this,” Russell said.
The County Times
Speaks
Amish Market
In 1939, Amish and Mennonite families began moving to Southern Maryland from Pennsylvania in search of less expensive land and fewer restrictions on how they could educate their children. Today, St. Mary’s County is the home of approximately 350 Amish and Mennonite families. The Amish mostly live in Charlotte Hall, Loveville, and Mechanicsville and still carry on the agricultural traditions of their heritage. The Amish Market is one way that the Amish sell their agricultural goods to consumers and it draws in visitors from far and wide. The Amish Market in St. Mary’s County is the North St. Mary’s County Farmers Market. It is primarily operated by the Amish who sell produce, flowers, and baked and canned goods. The Amish Market is located at the corner of Route 5 South and Route 6, in the parking lot of the Charlotte Hall Library. The market is open seasonally and has seventeen Amish vendors. The Amish Market is a valued part of the economy in St. Mary’s County and contributes to the success of the state’s Buy Local campaign, which originated in Southern Maryland. In July 1999, the Amish Market first opened in the parking lot at the Charlotte Hall Library, creating a true Amish Market in St. Mary’s County. The Amish Market has been very popular and attracts so many patrons that in 2006, the parking lot at the Charlotte Hall Library was expanded to accommodate the market. On an average Saturday in season, the Amish Market usually has about 500 visitors. At the Amish Market, residents can participate in the state’s Buy Local campaign by purchasing fresh locally grown produce, which also helps support farmers living in the community. The Amish Market is located close to the Amish community to make it easier for the Amish to participate in the market. The opening of the Three Notch Trail, a mixed-use recreational trail being constructed along the railroad right-of-way that runs from Hughesville to Lexington Park, has greatly improved safety and accessibility to the North St. Mary’s County Farmers Market in Charlotte Hall for the Amish by providing a non-highway route to the market. The Amish Market was
featured last week in the County Times as the sixth site visited by “Flat Sneaks”, the St. Mary’s County Library’s summer reading mascot, as part of the “Where’s Flat Sneaks?” caontest. The weekly contest is sponsored by The County Times and produced by the library as part of the “Celebrate 375!” campaign. Flat Sneaks will visit eight local sites throughout the summer with weekly clues to his whereabouts published in the County Times. Children ages 5 through 12 may participate in the contest. See page 31 for full details.
for the love of
Money
The County Times
Thursday, July 30, 2009 Children laugh about 400 times a day, while adults laugh on average only 15 times a day.
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un Fact
Taylor Plumbing Moving to Waldorf By Virginia Terhune Staff Writer Taylor Plumbing and Electric is moving out of its building on Route 235 in Hollywood on Friday but the longtime company will continue to serve customers in the area while it consolidates operations in Waldorf. “The economy has forced this consolidating of offices to decrease the overhead and the operational costs,” said General Manager Jack Farren about the reason for moving after 35 years in that
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location. Founded in the 1940s by the Taylor brothers, the company has focused on wholesale plumbing, heating and air conditioning for homes, with some commercial work. At one time it had offices in both Maryland and Virginia. But now, because of the recession and the drop in the housing market, business has slowed down, and the company has been forced to trim people and costs. “It’s been a 180 [degree turn],” said Tom Tay-
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lor, whose uncles founded the business, about the one-time housing boom. Services will remain unchanged for customers, but the employees – all of whom live in St. Mary’s and Calvert counties – will not longer be able to meet at the Hollywood office and warehouse. Farran, however, says he will stay in touch with them by visiting them at work sites. Now 60 and a resident of Valley Lee, Farren started with the company as a teenager at the Waldorf location. Over the years, he’s kept up with technology and makes full use of a cell phone and laptop computer to keep track of ever-changing situations. “Technology is a wonderful thing,” he said. “It’s progress, and it’s the way business is going.”
Photo By Virginia Terhune Employees of Taylor Heating and Electric will lose their Hollywood warehouse but will continue to serve customers in the area from company headquarters in Waldorf. From left to right are Jeff Smith, Jim Gilner, Steve Raley, Jack Farren, TomTaylor, Mike Burch, Glenn Greenwell and Alan Dennee.
Fashion Flamingo Brings Fun Back Into Fashion By Monica Meinert Contributing Writer
in Leonardtown. Brown also attends local craft fairs and is considering hosting her own “purse parties” in the near future. Additionally, thanks to friends and clients, her products have made their way overseas to countries like Norway, China, Japan and Spain.
Look out Louis Vuitton—there’s a new designer in town! Handcrafting cute and colorful purses and totes, Blaire Brown, 19, is the face behind the Fashion Flamingo, a business she started and runs herself out of her Leonardtown home. The idea of turning her longtime passion for sewing into a business came in 2005, when, tired of the standard array of Coach, Dooney and Bourke, and Vuitton bags that dominated the industry, Brown decided to make herself a purse that would stand out from the crowd. Her work caught the attention of many, and Photo by Monica Meinert she began making custom Local handbag designer Blaire Brown poses with several of her purses. purses for friends. After talking over the business idea with her parents Brown’s purses have also attracted atten(who helped her out with startup funds), the tion in the Big Apple— in 2006, she applied 16-year-old established the Fashion Flamingo, and was granted a spot at Teen Vogue’s Fashlaunching a Web site and expanding her prod- ion University Weekend, where she met and ucts to include tote bags, as well as her signa- networked with professional designers from ture purses. Dooney and Bourke, Tiffany and Co. and othAsked about the origins of the name, ers. She was also approached by designers for Blaire says that the Fashion Flamingo came out Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen, who tapped her of her love of the color pink. to write an article about her purses for their “The first I made had pink feathers Web site. on it,” she said. “So I instantly thought of Most recently, New York-based magazine flamingos!” CGC also contacted her about attending their She added that having her own business “Get Fit” event in September. Hosted primarhas helped her decide on her future career path. ily for college students, the event would give Currently a student at Virginia Tech studying Brown a chance to show her purses in New fashion design and merchandising, Brown ex- York. pects to transfer to The Fashion Institute of It is clear just from looking at the bright, Technology in New York City in the near fu- colorful purses that fun is certainly a major ture. Her dream is to continue with her purse component of Brown’s success. making, and possibly design a line of women’s “It’s what I love to do,” she said of her dresses and children’s clothes. business. “I have so much fun making bags … Aside from her Web site (which is hosted and I hope people have as much fun carrying by Etsy, a site that showcases handmade prod- them.” ucts), most of Brown’s marketing strategy inShop the Fashion Flamingo online at volves word of mouth. Her purses, which range www.fashionflamingopurse.etsy.com. Custom in price from $20 to $45, have gained popular- orders can also be placed by e-mail to fashionity in the county; they can be seen on display flamingo@hotmail.com. for purchase at Brewing Grounds Coffee Shop
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Thursday, July 30, 2009
The County Times Open Mon - Saturday Walk - Ins Welcome!
Navy Sponsors Math, Science Camp at Ryken ics program in the state of Maryland. There was a mixture of cheers and groans as the students put the robots through their paces of the eight assigned tasks. Using a controller and laptop computer on an 8-foot square table, students programmed their robot to rescue a swimmer, clear mines, recover a ship, create a sea base, deliver humanitarian aid, search for a submarine, transport troops, and dock at home base. In the 2008-09 school year, St. Mary’s Ryken also launched the SMR STEM 100 program in cooperation with the Patuxent River Naval Air Station Educational Partnership Program and the Office of Naval Research. While every student participates in the STEM programs, there is an accelerated track, STEM-X, for students wishing to pursue a more advanced course of study in science and mathematics. This article was submitted by Denise Krumenacker, Director of Communications, St. Mary’s Ryken High School.
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Compass Systems Wins $9.2M Navy Contract
Compass Systems Inc. of Lexington Park, announced it has won a $9,238,868 modification for a follow on cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to perform research and development for various command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting programs, sensors, mission and targeting systems, communication suites, and small aircraft vehicle systems. These efforts are in support of the Roll-On Roll-Off Sensor System for the Contingency Airborne Response Program. “We welcome the opportunity to continue supporting the R&D community here at PAX River,” said Mark Pinekenstein, Compass Systems CEO. Compass Systems, founded in 1997, is an engineering services and program management firm currently employing nearly 90 full-time professionals and support staff. The company also has offices operating in Pennsylvania, Arizona and Illinois. As both a prime and a sub-
Your t e G
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Usually in the summer, students look forward to long, lazy days and no homework. But, last week, a group of 120 St. Mary’s County middle school students headed to St. Mary’s Ryken in Leonardtown to take part in a STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) summer program. The program, sponsored by the National Defense Education Program, is designed for students to take their classroom science and math skills and apply them to various challenges. Ray Gamache of NAVSEA, Indian Head, directed the program and county teachers and students from the College of Southern Maryland assisted. The challenges included designing and building a room alarm, launching water balloons on a target range, constructing and launching rockets, and, given a limited number of supplies, designing a package to keep an egg intact when dropped from a specific height. Members of the Leonardtown fire department, along with their ladder truck, were on hand Friday to help with this last one. During the week, students were also introduced to the Material World Modules – computers, software, and robot kits – that help students think of different ways to investigate and solve real world engineering problems. The honors physics class at St. Mary’s Ryken this past year had worked with Gamache and several college interns from NAVSEA Indian Head on similar modules from the National Defense Education Program). St. Mary’s Ryken is the pilot high school for the NDEP-sponsored robot- Robert Thompson, left,
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The County Times
Thursday, July 30, 2009
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Thursday, July 30, 2009
Mary Loretta “Baby Chase” Cruze, 73 Mary Loretta “Baby Chase” Cruze, 73, was called home to rest July 20, 2009 at St. Mary’s Nursing Center, Leonardtown, MD. Born January 29, 1936 in Hollywood, MD, Loretta, affectionately known as “Baby” lived a modest life. She was the daughter of the late John Henry Chase and May Louise Spears Chase. She attended St. Mary’s County Public Schools. In 1970, Loretta was united in holy matrimony to the late Andrew Cruze in St. Mary’s County, MD. In her early days she was a domestic worker. Loretta had a gentle spirit and was extremely devoted to her family. She loved being surrounded by her family and friends and she opened her heart and home to many. Loretta treasured cooking and reminiscing about the good old days. Loretta is survived by her son Francis X. Chase, Sr., daughter-in-law, Joyce M. Chase of Hollywood, MD and two grandsons; Francis X. Chase, Jr. of Hollywood, MD and Cornelius D. Chase, (Megan) of Lexington Park, MD, three great-grandchildren; Rytel, Isaiah and Makayla, sister; Alberta Woodland. She is survived by many nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends. Loretta also had three people who were very close to her. She considered Judge Karen Abram, Judge James Kenney and Col. Roy Gray as family. In addition to her parents, Loretta was preceded in death by her husband, Andrew Cruze, sisters; Anna May Bell, Estelle Smallwood, Dorothy Barber, Marie Wilson, Cecila Briscoe and Rosealee Chase, brothers; Richley Smallwood, Howard Smallwood, Harry Smallwood, James Chase, Irvin Chase and John Chase and her long time friend Francis Paul Miles. Family received friends on Monday, July 27, 2009 from 9:00 am to 11:00 am in St. John Francis Regis Catholic Church, Hollywood, MD, where a Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 11:00 am with Father Ray Schmidt officiating. Interment followed in the church cemetery. Condolences to the family may be made at www.brinsfieldfuneral.com. Arrangements provided by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD
Robert Graves “Bobby” Dean Jr., 64 Robert
Graves
“Bobby”
Dean Jr., 64, of Valley Lee, MD died at University Maryland Hospital Center in Baltimore, MD on Friday, July 24, 2009. Born February 26, 1945 in Valley Lee, MD he was the son of the late Robert Graves Dean, Sr. and Margaret “Cecil” Dean. He is survived by wife Linda “Adams” Dean, two daughters; Kimberly Nepini of Valley Lee, MD, Kristi Lynn Dean of Bethesda, MD, a son; Robert Graves Dean III of Washington, DC. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, his daughter-in-law Amy, sonin-law Kevin, mother-in-law Eloise Adams, and his special uncle Frank Dean. Bobby was a loving and caring husband to his wife, Linda. They shared 41 beautiful years together. Their marriage was a perfect union, creating immeasurable joy and happiness. Bobby was a wonderful father and grandfather. He took great care of his family and always put them first. His actions showed them how to do what is right and live a life of faith and love. Bobby and his wife, Linda, were recently honored as St. Mary’s Ryken Pillars of the Community based on their contributions to the school and broader community. He was a Lifetime Member of the 2nd District Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad, joining the department at the age of 16. He held the positions of Chief Engineer, Vice President of the Board of Directors, and Water Supply Officer. Bobby generously supported many civic and philanthropic organizations, most notably the St. George Catholic Church, Catholic Education, and the 2nd District Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad. Family received friends for Bobby’s Life Celebration on Wednesday, July 29, 2009 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with prayers offered at 7:00 p.m. in St. George Catholic Church, 19199 St. George Catholic Church Road, Valley
The County Times
Lee, MD. Mass of Christian Burial was offered on Thursday, July 30, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. Monsignor Karl A. Chimiak, pastor of the church, was the celebrant. Reverend James P. Meyers and Reverend Joseph Sileo were the concelebrants. Interment followed in the church cemetery. Serving as pallbearers were Stanley Boothe, David Hammett, Jimmy Hanson, Robbie Springer, Blair Swann and Bobby Thompson. Serving as honorary pallbearers were Frank Dean, Ford Dean, Son Wood, Andy Bean, Jimmy Bean, Freddie Burris, Johnny Gatton, Bobby Lynch, Danny Raley and John Slade III. Memorial contributions may be made to St. George Catholic Church Vestibule Building Fund, P.O. Box 9, Valley Lee, MD 20692. Condolences to the family may be made at www.brinsfieldfuneral.com. Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.
Peter Booth Gardner, 64
Peter Booth Gardner, 64, of Hollywood, MD died July 22, 2009 at his home after a long, hard-fought battle with cancer. He was born May 15, 1945 in Skowhegan, Maine, the son of the late C. Harvey Gardner and Marie Booth Gardner. Peter spent his childhood in Scituate, Massachusetts, and lived in Guilford, Connecticut for over thirty years. Peter received his bachelor’s degree from Northeastern University and his M.B.A. from University of New Haven. He worked at Sikorsky Aircraft in Stratford, CT for many years before recently relocating to Pax River. He retired from Sikorsky after 41 years in May 2009. Peter was an avid sailor and will be dearly missed by his family and all who knew him. He is survived by his loving wife of 40 years Pamela
Young Gardner, an exceptional father to two daughters; Amy Gardner Anderson of Cobalt, CT and Jill Gardner Bonnin of Scottsdale, AZ, one sister; Susan Duarte of Riverside, RI. He was a devoted grandfather to Owen Peter Bonnin and Nora Gardner Bonnin. Funeral services will be private. Memorial contributions may be made in Peter B. Gardner’s memory to Hospice of St. Mary’s, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650 Condolences to the family may be made at www.brinsfieldfuneral.com. Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.
John Slade, Michael Lewis, Eric Ward, and Daniel Slade. Rachel Ward was an honorary pallbearer. Contributions may be left to St. John’s Catholic Church, 43950 St. John’s Road, Hollywood, MD 20636 and/or Hospice of St. Mary’s, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650. Condolences to the family may be left at www.mgf h.com. Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A.
Mary Lillian “Sissie” Hartnett, 94
Alice Effie Gray, 58 Alice Effie Gray, 58, of Mechanicsville, MD died July 16, 2009 at her residence. Born April 30, 1951, she was the daughter of the late Norman and Mary Erva Curry Hancock. She was the loving wife of Robert David Gray whom she married on July 1, 1972 in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. She also is survived by her son David Gray and his wife Jessica, her grandson Gabriel, and her daughter Diana Lewis and her husband Michael, all of Columbia, MD as well as her siblings: Tweet Pilkerton and her husband Winks of California, MD, Sheila Smith and her husband Darren of Lexington Park, MD, Patty Wood and her husband Jimmy of Ridge, MD, Alvin Hancock and his wife Sandy of Leonardtown, MD, Calvin Hancock and his wife Annette of Mechanicsville, MD, Joe Hancock and his wife Pam of Hollywood, MD and Lenny Hancock and his wife Glenda of Hollywood, MD. She was preceded in death by her sister Darlene Snellings and her husband the late Pat Snellings and her brother Norman Hancock, Jr. A lifelong resident of St. Mary’s County, Alice graduated from Chopticon High School “Class of 1969.” She was a childcare provider for many years and loved birds, shopping, and spending time with her husband and family. She loved her daycare children and their parents. The family received friends on Sunday, July 19, 2009 from 2:00 – 5:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD where prayers will be said at 3:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Monday, July 20, 2009 at 10:00 AM in St. John’s Catholic Church, Hollywood, MD with Fr. Raymond Schmidt officiating. Interment followed in Charles Memorial Gardens, Leonardtown, MD. Pallbearers were David Gray, Ralph Gray, Jr.,
Mary Lillian “Sissie” Hartnett, 94, of Avenue, MD died July 23 ,2009 at her residence. Born May 21, 1915 in Abell, MD she was the daughter of the late Joseph Valentine and Ruth Vincent Woodall. She was the loving wife of the late Jerome Francis Hartnett whom she married on September 1, 1935. She is survived by her sister Annie Katherine Murphy of Avenue, MD and five generations of Nieces and Nephews. She is preceded in death by her siblings Ruth Madge Thompson, Joseph Ford “Son” Woodall, George Kelley Woodall and James Morris Woodall. Mary went to work for the Montgomery Co. Government as a 30 day temp and stayed in the record’s clerk position for 30 years and retired Sept. 1, 1973. She was a member of the 7th District Volunteer Rescue Squad Auxiliary, her hobbies she enjoyed were gardening, reading and cooking. She also loved conversing with family and friends. The Family received friends on Friday July 24, 2009 from 5:00 – 8:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, where Prayers were said at 7:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Saturday, July 25, 2009 at 10:0 AM at Holy Angels Catholic Church, Avenue, MD with Fr. William Gurnee officiating. Interment followed at Charles Memorial Gardens, Leonardtown, MD. Pallbearers were Ernie Woodall, Tony
The County Times
Thursday, July 30, 2009
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Continued St.Clair, Joseph Parker, Mike Woodall, Trey Williams and Michael Gibson. Contributions may be made to 7th District Volunteer Rescue Squad Auxiliary. To leave a condolence for the family, please visit www. mgf h.com. Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A.
Dana J. Lantz, 64 Dana J. Lantz, 64, of Lexington Park, MD died July 20, 2009 at the home of her daughter in Woodbridge, VA, after a long, hard-fought battle with cancer. She was born December 6, 1944 in Lexington Park, MD, the daughter of Cornelia Elizabeth “Betty” Wilburn Wilson and the late Obie Wilburn. She was married to the late Allen W. Lantz. Dana Lantz was born and raised in Lexington Park, MD, attending Frank Knox Elementary and Lexington Park Elementary Schools, and graduating from Great Mills High School in 1962. She attended Strayer University, graduating with an Associates Degree in 1964, and completing her Bachelor’s Degree many years later in 1991. She was the owner of D. Lantz Income Tax Service in her home in Lexing-
ton Park since the mid-1970s with a large base of many very satisfied clients. She is survived by her mother, Cornelia Elizabeth Leffring Wilburn Wilson, of Woodbridge, VA, brothers, Cecil Obie Wilburn of Lexington Park, MD and John Rowlyn Wilburn of Chesapeake, VA, stepson, James Allen Lantz of Stanardsville, VA, son Kenneth “Kenny” Lee Lantz, of Lexington Park, MD and daughter Jill Denise Lantz Argueta of Woodbridge, VA, three grandchildren, David Allen Lantz of Fairfax, VA, Matthew Alexander Argueta, and Katherine Elizabeth Argueta, of Woodbridge, VA. She was preceded in death by her husband Allen Ward Lantz, her sister Betty Susan Wilburn Lincoln and a grandson Scott Owen Lantz. Family received friends on Saturday, July 25, 2009 from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. in the Brinsfield Funeral Home, 22955 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650. Interment was private. Memorial contributions may be made to Capital Hospice, 2900 Telestar Court, Falls Church, VA 22042. Condolences may be made at www.brinsfieldfuneral.com.
Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.
John P. Walker Jr., 85
John P. Walker Jr., 85, of St. Inigoes, MD died July 23, 2009 at the Solomons Nursing Center. He left behind his wife of 61 years Mary Frances (Lynne), their two sons, John P. Walker, III and James L. Walker, two grandchildren, one great grandchild and two brothers, Christopher B. and Walter P. Walker. Mr. Walker was born in Lakeland, FL, the eldest son
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Brinsfield Funeral Homes & Crematory
“A Life Celebration™ Home” Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A. Brinsfield-Echols Funeral Home, P.A. 22955 Hollywood Road 30195 Three Notch Road Leonardtown, Maryland 20650 Charlotte Hall, Maryland 20650 (301) 475-5588 (301) 472-4400
of John and Virginia Proctor Walker. He grew up on the family farm in Fayette County, TN. He graduated from Collierville High School in 1940, from Davidson College, Davidson, NC in 1947 with a BS in Physics and from Penn State University with a MS in Physics in 1950. He joined the Navy in 1942 as an Aviation Cadet, received his wings in 1944 and was a pilot in VF33 aboard carriers SAGAMON and CHENANGO in the Pacific during the last year of WWII. In the interval 1950-1976 Mr. Walker worked for several defense contractors in the general area of infrared reconnaissance systems. In 1976 Walkers bought their cruising sailboat GUSTO. After a “dry run” to the Caribbean in 1977, they set out on their circumnavigation of the planet Earth, finishing in 1982. This was followed by a tour of the Mediterranean as far east as the Greek island of Samos from 1986 to 1988. Sensing that it was time to retire, the Walkers built their home on St. Inigoes Creek in 1990. He and his wife continued and active lifestyle cruising with family and friends on the Chesapeake Bay, skiing in Alta, Utah and traveling. He
was a member of the United States Power Squadrons and also the Southern Maryland Sailing Association. A brief departure ceremony will be held at Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD on August 1, 2009 from 1:00pm to 3:00pm. Memorial contributions may be made to the Ridge Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 456, Ridge, MD 20680 Condolences to the family may be made at www.brinsfiledfuneral.com. Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.
To Place A Memorial Please Call: 301-373-4125
Philip H. Dorsey III Attorney at Law
-Serious Personal Injury CasesLEONARDTOWN: 301-475-5000 TOLL FREE: 1-800-660-3493 EMAIL: phild@dorseylaw.net
www.dorseylaw.net
Thursday, July 30, 2009
un Fact
Know
The County Times
Education
In The
15
The word "maverick" came into use after Samuel Maverick, a Texan, refused to brand his cattle. Eventually any unbranded calf became known as a Maverick.
Middle Schools Set to Improve on AYP By Andrea Shiell Staff Writer Following the news released by the Maryland State Board of Education last week that three St. Mary’s County middle schools failed to make AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) this year, school officials are preparing to implement new strategies to help targeted subgroups improve their performance. Most of the students met the goals, but there were some students within three subgroups – special education, free and reduced meals and African Americans – who did not. Leadership teams from each of the three middle schools will be meeting with school officials on Tuesday to discuss specific plans for student interventions and tutoring, after which a report will be made to the Board of Education at their meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 5, on plans for all schools to meet AYP next year. Of those taking the Maryland State Assessment tests at Spring Ridge Middle School, 38.9 percent of African American students, 40.2 percent receiving free or reduced-price meals and 55.4 percent of students in special education programs failed proficiency tests in reading. On the math test, 50.9 percent of special education students fell short. Special education students at Margaret Brent Middle School also failed to meet state goals for
the year, with 50 percent of students failing to meet state standards for reading, and 50.6 percent testing below proficient in mathematics. Leonardtown Middle School students in special education programs tested below the state standard for reading proficiency as well, with 41.3 percent failing to meet state goals. This data reflects subgroup shortfalls in student performance based on the state’s Annual Measurable Objectives. The 2009 AMO for reading proficiency was set at 75.9 percent, while the AMO for math was 64.3 percent. Next year the AMO for reading proficiency will climb to 80.8 percent, and to 71.4 percent for math. The state aims to have 100 percent proficiency in both areas by the year 2014. Last year marked the introduction of what is known as the “modified MSA,” which was given for the first time to middle school students in special education programs, and included a modified format for student responses. The introduction of the modified format will bar the school system from appealing the test results. “There is good news, though,” said Linda Dudderar, Chief Academic Officer for the school system, who said that middle schools in the county had made great gains overall, and the numbers themselves don’t tell the whole story. “The scores have increased significantly in our middle schools,” she said, explaining that most students exceeded the state requirements for
Local Student Enters Space Program
St. Mary’s College of with this research,” she said in a Maryland junior Sophia press release. “This experience Traven is getting first-hand and knowledge will become inknowledge of the spaceflight valuable in my endeavor to beprogram this summer. come a military flight surgeon Traven is one of 18 stuand, one day, an astronaut.” dents selected nationwide The summer internship to work with scientists at program gives selected stuNASA through a National dents an opportunity to spend Space Biomedical Research 10 to 15 weeks working on Institute internship. projects with scientists at JSC A 2007 graduate of St. in Houston or the NASA Glenn Mary’s Ryken High School Research Center in Cleveland. in Leonardtown, she is the With the addition of this year’s daughter of Ricardo and class, more than 100 students Photo courtesy of NASA have now participated in this Shameran Traven. A biology major and St. Mary’s College of Maryland student highly competitive program. Traven tests a modified hiking aspiring astronaut, she is as- Sophia “The summer internship backpack on a treadmill, which simusigned to the Neuroscience lates the weight and center-of-gravity program allows talented stuLaboratory at NASA John- shift experienced by spacewalking as- dents such as Sophia to learn son Space Center in Hous- tronauts wearing the Life Support Pack about research for human ton. She is assisting scien- (LSP) spacesuits. spaceflight and how these eftists on a project to develop a more balanced and forts benefit health care on Earth,” said Jeffrey mobile spacesuit for use by astronauts during Sutton, NSBRI director. spacewalks. NSBRI projects address space health conIn addition to gaining research experience, cerns, which include bone and muscle loss, carTraven said the internship will help her in the diovascular changes, radiation exposure, neupursuit of career goals. robehavioral and psychosocial factors, remote “Interning for NSBRI at JSC is giving me medical care and research capabilities, and habinsight into the kinds of biomedical projects that itability and performance issues such as sleep NASA is working on and where they hope to go cycles and lunar dust exposure.
Schools Receive $100,000 STEM Grant
St. Mary’s County Public Schools has been awarded a competitive Maryland State Department of Education grant in the amount of $100,000. Over the past four years, SMCPS has received a total of $595,000 from the State of Maryland in grant funding to support the STEM program. This year’s grant will focus on four major areas including materials and equipment support, the “STEM for ALL” initiative, an online Spanish I course, and engineering challenges. As the STEM Academy is expanded into grades 8 and 11, this grant will provide funding for SMART technology materials, instructional activity kits,
and portable tool carts. The elementary “STEM for ALL” portion of the grant will provide all elementary schools with LEGO Robotics Kits and the resources necessary to offer all interested students a chance to participate on a robotics team at their school. Additionally, an engineering challenge will be designed integrating concepts from the science and mathematics curriculum for third grade students. At the middle school level, STEM 8 students will take an online Spanish 1 course from the MSDE sponsored Maryland Virtual Learning Opportunities program.
reading comprehension and mathematics. “Scores at Leonardtown Middle School are superb, in the 80s and 90s … and we increased middle school
math scores,” she said. For more information on MSA and AYP data, go to www.mdreportcard.org.
Photo courtesy of St. Mary’s Ryken Middle school students tinker with robots at the STEM summer program held at St. Mary’s Ryken in Leonardtown. More than 120 students participated in the camp, which was sponsored by the National Defense Education Program. For more information, see our story on page 11.
QUESTIONS ABOUT QUICKBOOKS®? WE’VE GOT ANSWERS! Join us at our informative QuickBooks® Workshops.
Sessions are
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La Plata Office 105 Centennial Street, Suite D La Plata, MD 20646 T : 301-934-5780 F : 301-934-9162 WWW.AAACPA.COM EMAIL: ADMIN@AAACPA.COM
Sessions are
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. held at
Leonardtown Office 23507 Hollywood Road, P.O. Box 662 Leonardtown, MD 20650 T: 301-475-5671 F: 301-475-9108 WWW.AAACPA.COM EMAIL: ADMIN@AAACPA.COM
Askey, Askey & Associates, CPA, LLC leads QuickBooks® Workshops. These fun and informative “mini” training sessions provide an opportunity for business people like you to learn about various topics of interest, ask questions, and get the answers you need. Our sessions encourage you to meet others using QuickBooks®, gather tips, post problems and share ideas. Get the most out of your QuickBooks®, join our QuickBooks® Workshops now!
August 6th September 17th October 29th November 19th January 7, 2010
Basic Start-Up Overview Accounts Payable, Credit Card Charges and Account Reconciliations Accounts Receivable and Invoicing Payroll Processing and Reports Closing Out the Year and Getting Ready for Tax Preparation
The workshops are just $35 per person and include either a delightful continental breakfast at the La Plata office or enjoyable refreshments at the Leonardtown Office.
Seating is limited. Please call 301-475-5671 for the Leonardtown Office or 301-934-5780 for the La Plata office to reserve your space today. Cancellations made three business days before session will not be billed.
The County Times
Thursday, July 30, 2009
16
First Fridays are Happening in Leonardtown ON THE FIRST FRIDAY OF EACH MONTH, HISTORIC LEONARDTOWN'S ART GALLERIES, RESTAURANTS, CAFE'S, GIFT SHOPS, ANTIQUE SHOPS, BOOKSTORE, ETC. OPEN THEIR DOORS TO SHOWCASE LOCAL ARTISTS AND/OR SERVE SPECIALS AT THEIR ESTABLISHMENTS. THE TOWN HOSTS A FREE EVENING OF ART, ENTERTAINMENT, AND SPECIALS WHERE PEOPLE GATHER TO ENJOY LOCAL ART, THE COMPANY OF OTHERS, AND EVEN A FREE GLASS OF WINE.
First Friday in Leonardtown is Here! Next big event is August 7 starting at 5:00 p.m.
ViSiT uPTOWN AND DOWNTOWN TO REDiSCOVER THE mANY TREASuRES OF HiSTORiC/NEW LEONARDTOWN! KayaK giveaWay!!!! enter to win a beautiFul hobie kayak, valued at $1,899. donated by leonardtown buSineSS aSSociation, St. mary’S county touriSm, and bluhaven pierS. viSit participatinG FirSt Friday buSineSSeS every day between now and auGuSt 7th From 5-8 p.m. to reGiSter to win! (See oFFicial ruleS at each buSineSS) *one entry per perSon per buSineSS. the KayaK Winner WiLL be draWn at 8:30 p.m. during the august 7 CeLebrate 375 First Friday on LeonardtoWn square. the Winner must be present to Win.
Below is a list of Participating Businesses that are offering August First Friday Evening Specials -> NORTH END GALLERY - 41652 Fenwick Street: CELEbRATiNG SummER – come and join the north end Gallery artiStS aS they celebrate Summer with a Show titled “WaterWays, Light and Land.” thiS Show will open on june 30, 2009 and will FiniSh on auGuSt 30 , 2009. we welcome
301-475-8040 Fax: 301-475-8658
all our FriendS to come in and enjoy the beauty our area artiStS have put toGether
…look For a
Special piece For yourSelF or aS a GiFt For Someone Special... or juSt Simply come in and viSit . you are alwayS welcome.
During this time perioD we will be hosting an opening show anD First FriDay celebration on July 3, 2009 During the hours oF 5 until 8 p.m. -> CAFE DES ARTiSTES - 41655 Fenwick St: FEATuRED iTEmS: mOuLES mARiNiERE, CHiCkEN CORDON bLEu & PRimE Rib
41658 Fenwick St. Leonardtown, MD 20650
ERIE INSURANCE GROUP
-> THE WiNE bAR & CAFE - 22697 waShinGton St: the wine bar & caFe will be oFFerinG our Sample taStinGS oF Some oF our marylanD Fruit wines. Stop in try a GlaSS oF raspberry, peach or plum wines which are Grown & bottled riGht here in maryland! CompLimentary appetizers will be provided to enjoy with your wine. sample tastings: $3. Stop in and SiGn up For our martini taStinG, auGuSt 19th @ 7pm. -> THE bREWiNG GROuNDS - 41658 Fenwick St: We WiLL be having some CeLebrate 375 speCiaLs!
-> THE GOOD EARTH NATuRAL FOODS COmPANY - 41765 park ave: come meet adam From reLiabLe ChurChiLL and Sample a Selection oF organiC and gLuten-Free beer From 4 pm 22720 WASHINGTON STREET • P.O. BOX 707 until 7 pm. LEONARDTOWN, MD 20650 (301) 475-3151 • Toll Free: (800) 872-8010 • Fax: (301) 475-9029 -> ON A ROLL - (located on the corner, Fenwick and waShinGton St) this months speCiaL danburris@danburris.com • danburris.com
BURRIS’ OLDE TOWNE INSURANCE DANIEL W. BURRIS, CIC, PROPRIETOR Auto • Home • Business • Life
North End Gallery (301) 475-3130
Fine Dining
by Southern Original Art d Artists Marylan
In a casual, relaxing atmosphere
On the square in historic Leonardtown Classy entertainment, Prix-Fixe Menu & more Reservations Recommended 301-997-0500 www.cafedesartistes.ws
‘Kraut and thousand isLand dressing. ServinG nathan’s Famous hot doGS with an extenSive variety oF toppinGS to chooSe From. FavoriteS include the Coney isLand, d.C., and the very popular ChiCago, topped with diced onionS, Sweet reliSh, a pickle Spear, two tomato wedGeS, banana pepperS, yellow muStard and a daSh oF celery Salt. alSo available, haLF smoKes From baltimore, homemade cajun bbq reliSh and chipS and drinkS to FiniSh it oFF. stop by For a classic Dog with unique taste at a great price. is a
“reuben dog”
topped With sWiss,
-> CRAZY FOR EWE - 22715 waShinGton Street: join uS For knittinG, liGht reFreShmentS, and yarn taStinG every FirSt Friday. aLL sampLed yarn at be 10% oFF. -> mARYLAND ANTiQuES CENTER - 26005 point lookout road: speCiaL 375th birthday CeLebration by the maryLand antiques Center, CreeK side gaLLery, and LeonardtoWn gaLLeria For the First Friday in august. Special SaleS throuGhout the complex with a raFFle at the end oF the eveninG oF a baSket oF GoodieS do-
nated From many oF the dealerS in the antiqueS
center and the two GallerieS. Come and enjoy a
sLiCe oF birthday CaKe, enjoy the Fine art, giFts and antiques, and taKe a ChanCe on our basKet oF goodies.
both creek Side Gallery and leonarGalleria will oFFer marked SpecialS, juSt For auGuSt FirSt Friday. dtown
-> SOuTHERN mARYLAND ARTiSANS CENTER - rte 5 at md. antiqueS center bldG 2: we’re a cooperative oF local artiSanS and craFtSmen oFFerinG handcraFted oriGinal work includinG jewelry, handwoven ScarveS
and ShawlS, Stained GlaSS, pottery, tableS, handSpun yarnS, and much more.
meet
the artisans
and WatCh spinning and Weaving demonstrations
THE MARYLAND ANTIQUES CENTER
First Friday. the 375th Customer Wins a stained gLass Wind Chime! (the counter waS at 280 on june 10th.)
every
-> TREADLES STuDiO – rte 5 at md. antiqueS center bldG 2: viSit a weaver’S workShop, watch a demonStration, try out weavinG on a loom! Come by on First Fridays For reFreshments and Conversation With peopLe Who Weave, spin, Knit, CroChet, seW, dye, and FeLt. -> LEONARDTOWN GALLERiA - (LoCated in the maryLand antiques Center) route 5. tba -> FENWiCk STREET uSED bOOkS & muSiC - 41655a Fenwick Street: Krys baKer and Kevin CoFod WiLL perForm From 5 to 7:15. we Specialize in uSed (current and claSSic Fiction, non-Fiction and childrenS/ younG adult literature), rare and antiquarian bookS. we alSo have dvd’S and vintaGe vinyL recordS. 10% oFF all purchaSeS! -> SHELbY’S CREATiVE FRAmiNG - 26005 point lookout rd. (route 5): md. antique center, bldG. 2. get your beaCh party WeeKend started here - seLeCted artWorK 20 - 30% oFF !! yeLLoW dot Frames 20% oFF -> COLLEEN’S DREAm - 41665 Fenwick Street: we take on conSiGnment quality women’S clothinG and acceSSorieS and vintaGe clothinG and acceSSorieS. we alSo have a variety oF new and conSiGned jewelry and GiFtS. visit our neW CLearanCe room! -> ARiZONA PiZZA COmPANY - 40874 merchantS ln (rte 5): KaraoKe Contest - 1St prize $50 caSh, 2nd prize $25 GiFt certiFicate, 3rd prize $15 GiFt certiFicate. karaoke iS From 9 pm till?
Tues. - Sat. 11 am - 6 pm, Sunday Noon - 4 pm
http://www.northendgallery.org
26005 Point Lookout Rd. (Rt. 5) • Leonardtown, MD
(301) 475-8899
Look For our New Summer Porch meNu! Lunch: Friday and Saturday 11:30-2:30 CLOSED MONDAY
Dinner: Tuesday - Thursday 5:00 – 9:00 Friday and Saturday 5:00 – 9:30 Brunch: Sunday 9:30 - 1:30
22697 Washington St. Leonardtown, MD
On the Square in Historic Downtown
301 997-1110 Cafe: Wednesday - Saturday 10am - 4pm
Wine Bar:
Thursday til 9pm Friday & Saturday til Midnight Monthly wine tastings every 3rd Wednesday 7 pm, Advanced Reserations required
Creative Custom Framing & Art
Hours:
Tuesday ~ Friday: 10 a.m. ~ 5 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m. ~ 2 p.m.
301-904-2532 MD Antiques Center ~ Bldg. 2 ~ 26005 Point Lookout Rd ~Leonardtown, MD 20650
Saturday, April 26, 2008 From 12:00-4:00 p.m.
Come meet the Artists and celebrate the Grand Opening Robert Bealle . 2008 MD Duck Stamp Design Winner
Artists Represented: Robert Bealle Leonardtown Galleria Nancy Wathen . Lucretia Tanner Leonardtown Located inGalleria the Maryland Antique Jane Williams . Barbara Hance .Center Tricia Darrow Located in the Maryland Antique Center 26005 Point Lookout RdDuval . . Sally Huff. Maria Fleming . Kay 26005 Point Lookout Rd . Leonardtown, MD 20650 Mary Ida Rolape . Rose Beitzell Leonardtown, MD 20650 Open Daily Tammy 10a.m-5p.m. Open Daily 10a.m-5p.m. Vitale . Faith Gaillot . Harry Revis For information call Carol Wathen, Owner Mary EttaWathen, VanNetta . CarolOwner Wathen For information call Carol
Robert Bealle . 2008 MD Duck Stamp Design Winner
301-475-2797
301-475-2797
Park Avenue
41665 Fenwick Street Leonardtown, Maryland 20650
The Wine Bar & Cafe
Grand Opening Reception
Executive Inn & Suites 301.997.0008
301-475-5151
Grand Opening Reception
www.marylandantiquescenter.com
41652 Fenwick St. Leonardtown, MD 20650
HOURS OF OPERATIONS: Monday – Thursday: 7am – 3pm • Friday: 7am – 8pm Saturday: 8am – 8pm • Sunday: 8am – 3pm
Leonardtown Galleria GrandLeonardtown OpeningGalleria Reception
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 10 – 5 OPEN FIRST FRIDAYS 10 - 8
301-475-1960
Located on the Square in Leonardtown
41655 Park Avenue, PO Box 635 Leonardtown, MD 20650
Phone: 301.475.3000 Fax: 301.475.3002 executiveinnparkave@yahoo.com
Come meet the Artists and celebrate the
Monday - Friday 9:30 to 7 Saturday 9:30 to 5
301-475-1630
Jane Williams . Barbara Hance . Tricia Darrow
P.O. Box 540 • 41675 Park Avenue Leonardtown, MD 20650
www.GoodEarthNaturals.com
17
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Crime&
The County Times
Punishment
Five Arrested In Bank Fraud Case Man Charged With Sex
By Guy Leonard Staff Writer
Five Ukrainian nationals were involved in a fraud scheme at Chevy Chase Bank in California where the suspects used the Internet to illegally transfer funds from bank accounts of others to their own, according to detectives with the Bureau of Criminal Investigations. The suspects would then transfer 90 percent of the funds they were alleged to have stolen back to locations in Russia, stated charging documents filed against them by detectives. So far Oleksandr Parkhomenko, Stanislava Onishchuk, Vadym Shvydkyi and Oleksii Seleznov, all 20 years of age, and Oleksander Ponomarenko, 23, have been charged with partaking in a theft scheme of over $500. Charging documents reveal that they allegedly stole $2,000 from the account of a Bank of America customer. Charging documents reveal that Parkhomenko was trying to cash paychecks at the Chevy Chase Bank when his own account had been closed earlier due to allegedly fraudulent activity. Police identified Parkhomenko at the bank and called in five other Ukrainian nationals who lived at the same address in Lexington Park to the sheriff’s office headquarters. One of the Ukrainians, Iegor Ryzhenko,
denied involvement in the scheme, which his compatriots apparently confirmed, charging documents showed. Ryzhenko has not been charged in the case. Court papers state that the other five suspects admitted to the alleged scheme in which they provided their bank account information to someone named “Alexsandr” on the Internet. This person, court papers stated, would electronically access victims’ bank accounts and then transfer stolen money into the accounts of the suspects. The suspects admitted to opening up multiple accounts in St. Mary’s for just this purpose, court papers stated. Chevy Chase Bank provided account transfer records to police about Seleznov’s account that apparently had received a transfer of $2,000 from the Bank of America victim on July 2, charging documents revealed. Police state that the suspects admitted to other fraudulent transactions but the victims have yet to be identified. Detectives have sent out court orders to Bank of America, BB & T Bank, PNC Bank, Chevy Chase Bank and Sun Trust Bank for information on potential other victims as part of the continuing investigation.
Gearing Up for Night Out By Guy Leonard Staff Writer When National Night Out rolls around on Tuesday, Aug. 4, sheriff’s deputies will be at 17 events throughout St. Mary’s County, said Sheriff Timothy K. Cameron. Cameron said that after years of community participation, National Night Out was still successful at empowering communities. “I think it’s natural for neighbors to look out for neighbors,” he said. Where communities had once started the night-out activities to help push crime out of their neighborhoods, they can now come together to see the fruit of their labors, he said. “It’s not a take-back of the community because they own it,” Cameron said. “It’s more fellowship than anything; it’s a good time.” National Night Out, which got its start as a way for crime-beleaguered communities to come together and take back their neighborhoods, has now evolved into a celebration of the fight back against crime. And while the event has changed, it can still be a good source for crime-fighting information, said Calvert Sheriff Mike Evans. When that many people are together, Evans said, valuable information can come of it. “Sometimes that information comes out that something suspicious is going on,” he said. “We’re willing to take any information we can get,” Evans said. “But there’s no pressure, it’s all mutual cooperation.” Residents at each of the Calvert County’s 11 night-out events will get a police presence, as well as various equipment demonstrations from law enforcement and sometimes from fire and rescue personnel, Evans said. Similar events will take place in St. Mary’s, including cookouts, block parties and anti-crime and anti-narcotics rallies, according to Cameron’s office. Perhaps the best benefit communities got
out of National Night Out was that they got to know themselves better for one night out of the year, said Candace D’Agostino of the Calvert Alliance Against Substance Abuse. The alliance has been involved in sponsoring National Night Out events in Calvert for the past 15 years, she said. “The focus for the event is to allow folks who don’t know their neighbors to get to know them,” D’Agostino said. “It’s a positive thing.” For more information, call the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office at 301-475-8008 or the Division of Community Services at 301475-4200 ext. 1847.
Abuse Of Minor
By Guy Leonard Staff Writer
Detectives with the county’s Bureau of Criminal Investigations have charged a California man with continuing to sexually abuse a female juvenile; the victim in the case has claimed that the alleged course of abuse has gone on for 12 to 13 years. James A. Dietz, 57, remains incarcerated at the detention center, according to court records. The victim in the case came forward to police and claimed that she had first been abused when she was about 7 or 8 years of age in either 1996 or 1997, according to charging documents filed against Dietz by Dep. Thomas A. Hedderich. The victim, now a teenager, alleged in court papers that Dietz had sexually abused her more than 100 times during those years; charging documents show that Dietz committed the alleged acts from 2003 to 2008. Dietz is a friend to the victim’s family, and the victim would often spend time James A. Dietz at his residence, which was close to her home, charging documents stated. Dietz faces 35 years in prison for the sexuCharging papers state that Dietz confessed al abuse of a minor as well as 25 years for a conto at least some of the crimes. tinuing course of conduct of the alleged abuse “The suspect confessed to sexually asif found guilty. saulting the victim several times over a period He also faces 10 years incarceration for a of several years,” Hedderich wrote in charging third-degree sex offense charge. documents. “He advised that it always occurred at his residence… in California.”
Briefs Man Charged With Strong Arm Robbery On July 26, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. the victim was in the parking lot of the Leonardtown Shopping Center in Leonardtown when he was approached by a suspect identified as Gerald A. Riche, 50, of no fixed address and requested a ride from the victim. Once inside the vehicle Riche allegedly demanded the victim give him all his money. The victim complied, fearing for his safety, at which time Riche exited the vehicle and fled on foot to the rear of the shopping center. Riche was subsequently located and placed under arrest after the victim positively identified him as the person taking his money. Riche was incarcerated in the detention center, charged with robbery and theft under $100.
Juvenile Charged With Taking Motor Vehicle On July 25, 2009 at 6:19 p.m. the victim parked his 1995 Ford Taurus in front of the Sheetz store in California, leaving the keys in the vehicle, and entered the store. The victim observed his vehicle exiting the parking lot being operated by an unknown subject. The victim immediately called 911 and a lookout was broadcasted for the vehicle. The vehicle was observed being operated northbound on Three Notch Road in California by Major John Horne and a vehicle stop was initiated. The operator was identified as a 13-year-old male from Great Mill’s. The juvenile was arrested and charged with theft over $500 and driving without a license and released to parental custody pending further action by the Department of Juvenile Services.
Police Investigating Fatal Motor Vehicle Collision
St. Mary’s Sheriff’s photo Deputy Ross during National Night out in 2008
On July 25, 2009 at about midnight, a 2008 Ford F-450 dual wheel pick up truck, operated by George Michael Bowes Jr., 31, of Callaway, was traveling north on Piney Point Road in the area of Happyland Road in Valley Lee, when the truck crossed the centerline into the south bound lane of Piney Point Road and collided head on with a 2009 Audi A4 sedan driven by Russell Edward Wenzel, 58. The front seat passenger was identified as Melissa Anne Wenzel, also 58. Both reside in Tall Timbers. George Michael Bowes and Russell Wenzel were transported to St. Mary’s Hospital where Wenzel died of his injuries. Melissa Wenzel was transported by Trooper 7 to Prince Georges Shock Trama Center with critical injuries. The Sheriff’s Office Collision Reconstruction Team is continuing the investigation. Any persons who witnessed the accident are asked to contact Cpl. Emory Johnson at 301-475-4200 ext: 9030.
The County Times
Cover On The
Thursday, July 30, 2009
18
Small Growers Worry Over Impacts Of Auditing For Agricultural Standards
By Guy Leonard Staff Writer Small-scale local produce growers who sell the fruits of their labors at the Loveville Produce Auction near Leonardtown say that they have always tried to follow federal guidelines for cleanliness and safety of their wares, but the cost of proving that they have done so for large-scale buyers has them worried. A voluntary program known as Good Agricultural Practices, or GAP, is a combined state and federal program that helps ensure that food is not contaminated by bacteria. The state does audits for growers for a relatively low price, but audits by private third-parties, which are sometimes requested by large-scale buyers like national grocery store chains, can be far more expensive. “Farmers have always used these recommendations,” said Ben Beale, an educator with the Cooperative Extension office in Leonardtown that deals with agricultural issues. “Many of our local farmers have been following GAP, but the auditing process can be very expensive, up to $5,000 or $10,000. “That can be cost prohibitive for a small grower,” Beale continued. And while the state’s option is cheaper
(as little as $400), there have been no takers in either St. Mary’s or Calvert counties, according to Maryland Department of Agriculture representatives. One reason may be that the audit program requires applicants to provide a food safety plan in writing. “Most producers are doing the right things, but when they’re doing an audit, they also have to have the documentation,” said Deanna Baldwin, a state program food quality assurance manager. For example, if you say you’ve trained your workers in health and hygiene, you must provide a list of workers and when they received the training, she said. “That problem has probably been the biggest stumbling block,” she said. Because of this, some produce growers are trying to turn to smaller buyers in the county to make their living, Beale said, so that they can avoid the expensive auditing process. “We have growers who don’t sell at the auction but are confronting this problem,” Beale said. Beale said that the quality and safety of the products at places like the Loveville Produce Auction, where produce is sold whole-
sale, has not been an issue. At the market on Monday, Shawn Stauffer, a member of the local Mennonite community, said that conforming to GAP recommendations wasn’t easy. “The GAP is a little tough to follow the instructions to the T,” Stauffer said, adding that growers in his community were careful to wash their produce and ensure its safety as it came to market. “We want to keep the quality of what we’re producing as safe as possible,” he said. But the cost to small growers like Stauffer, he said was that to be able to comply with an audit could hurt them deeply in a financial way in the future. “It could cost half of what a small grower makes in a year,” Stauffer told The County Times. “It could hurt small farmers in the future.” If the small farmers are hurt here, Stauffer said, that could hurt the Loveville auction venue as well. Another lingering fear is that the GAP-style recommendations could someday become law. “A lot of things still need to be worked out,” Stauffer said.
Everything Amish Everything Indoor • Everything Outoor • Everything Amish
For more information about the state GAP audit program, call Deanna Baldwin at 410-841-5769 or e-mail baldwidl@mda.state.md.us or go to Photo by Frank Marquart www.mda.state.md.us/go/gap. All kinds of produce are available at the Loveville produce auction php.
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IF IT AIN’T DUTCH IT AIN’T MUCH HOURS: MON. - SAT. 9-6 • SUNDAY 10-5
301-932-4164
7700 Leonardtown Rd. • Hughesville, MD 20637 1/2 Mile North of Hughesville Bypass
Photo by Frank Marquart Horse-drawn wagons laden with fresh produce are a common sight at the auction.
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The County Times
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Quality is What you Pay for at Pat’s Speed Shop tmarina.com u o
16244 Miller’s Wharf Rd. Ridge, MD 20680
pointlo ok
Transcients welcome, full service department & Spinnaker’s Waterfront Restaurant on site.
301-872-5000
13210 Pt. Lookout Rd. Ridge, MD 20680 Ph. 301.872.0444 Fax 301.872.0445
Pat’s Speed Shop in Ridge has been in business since the early ’60s. Owners Patrick and Gloria Gerek have, through the years, served both the local and international marketplace with their down-to-earth, no nonsense approach to getting the job done right. In that time, their sign located at Snowhill Road and Rt. 5 has become somewhat of a local landmark. It would take less space to list what they don’t do than to list all that they are or have been involved with. Pat has made a name for himself in industry circles. He began racing cars in the mid-’60s and was the Super Stock D national record holder from 1980 through the early 2000s. When he opened his shop 46 years ago, Pat decided to carry “product that was better and no one else had.” His area of expertise is a highperformance engine. He now finds himself building engines for the grandchildren of customers he built engines for years ago. They offer 24-hour towing and handle towing jobs for both the State Police and fire departments. Pat and Gloria are still hands-on in the business and have built a solid reputation around hard work and honesty. Gloria is just as much a part of
Rt. 5 and Snowhill Road, Park Hall, MD 20667 301-863-2111 The Glass Garden shoppe
www.woodlawn-farm.com
Chesapeake Bay Charter Boat Fishing With Capt Dave Bradburn Aboard the “Ruth D” A 42 foot Bay Built Boat Located at Drury’s Marina
16040 Woodlawn Lane Ridge, MD 20680
301.872.0555
the operation as her husband. She even helped with the construction of the first level of the building in 1963. When the need arose for a larger inventory of stock in the’70s, they added the second level. With all that they do, they have managed to have a successful business, tackle other projects and create a successful partnership, both professional and personal. Next month, they will celebrate their 50th year of marriage. Over the years, Pat has worn many hats. He did a stint in the United States Air Force, at one time being stationed at Andrews Air Force Base. He had held a government job for 15 years and had his hand in construction work for the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., before finally venturing out on his own. Pat is also a charter boat captain and can be found on the water when he’s not hard at work in the shop. It will only take a short conversation to get to know the Gereks. They have developed a solid partnership, often finishing each other’s story. If you are looking for solid expertise, honesty and a “hard day’s work” ethic, look no further than Pat’s Speed Shop on Snowhill Road in Park Hall. After all, quality is what you pay for.
18080 Point Lookout Road Park Hall, MD 20667 Phone: 301.863.7199 • Fax: 301.863.7599 Rt. 5, Just North of St. Mary’s City
theglassgardenshoppe.com
In St. Mary’s County On St. Jerome Creek Just minutes from the Chesapeake Phone: 301-872-4480, 301-872-4288 or 301-872-5217
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Storage, bait, chum, gasoline, ice, ramp www.buzzsmarina.com
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Store Hours:
Monday – Thursday: 8am – 9pm Fri – Sat: 7am – 9pm • Sunday: 7am – 8pm
We Gladly Accept Food Stamps and Independence Cards
A House is a Home
The County Times
Thursday, July 30, 2009
20
Double Your Decorating Potential
An expensive redecorating project is not likely a priority this year -- at least as far as your household budget is concerned. While we’re all tightening our belts a bit, it’s easy to refresh a room without breaking the bank. Here are a few tips from the color experts at Rust-Oleum: * Take stock of what you own. Pull all of the furniture out of your room so that you can take an inventory of what you’d like to keep. You may be surprised to find that an old item once tucked into a corner could provide new inspiration. Look around your house for other furniture items and accessories. Be sure to “shop� for your new items in the attic, basement or garage. Ask neighbors or friends or shop flea markets and garage sales. Don’t worry if the items don’t match just yet. Paint can bring the room together. * Choose your new color palette. Choosing color is often the most daunting task when redecorating, but here’s a tip for finding the perfect color palette. First, think about what you use this room for. Is it a peaceful place to read? An inspiring area to create? A room dedicated to family fun? Next, pick a word or two that describes how you want that room to feel -- calm, peaceful, bright, warm, or inspiring. Now close your eyes and visualize that word. You may visualize the ocean when you think of calm or a bright outdoor place when you think of inspiration.
Write down one or two colors from the scene that you’ve visualized. Maybe it’s a Spa Blue of the ocean along with the Khaki color of wet sand. Or, if your inspiration is a bright garden, you may want to use colors like Sun Yellow, Deep Blue or Apple Red. * Recycle, refresh and renew your existing furniture. Use paint to bring unlike pieces together. You may find six unique dining chairs with different styles. Painted a rich Kona Brown, these very different chairs make up a beautiful and eclectic dining set. This same strategy works well with picture frames, vases, baskets and other accent pieces. Bringing a mix of different styles together with paint is even easier with Rust-Oleum’s new Ultra Cover 2X. Its double cover technology offers twice the coverage of other spray paints and is available in the most popular colors. Twice the coverage means that you’ll need fewer coats of paint to complete your project so your room will be ready in half the time. Spray paint has many advantages over brush paint. Most notably, spray paints provide a smooth finish for items with a lot of texture like wicker or wood with detail. For more inspiration and project ideas, visit www.paintideas.com. There are hundreds of easy, inexpensive projects that can help you transform any living space. And, when you’ve finished your own room makeover, be sure to share it with your new friends at paintideas. com. Refresh the look of any room for less. Repaint, refinish and renew what you already own.
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21
Thursday, July 30, 2009
The County Times
A House is a Home
Hot Tub Installations Go Upscale on a Budget
Taking advantage of the views, this deck incorporates a hot tub manufactured by Jacuzzi with bench seating in a simple but unifying design. The integrated step up to the hot tub and table at the side add function and style.
Every year at this time, homeowners look at their backyard and envision their dream space. Wish lists vary and often include decks or patios, furniture and recreational water features like pools and hot tubs. How do families get the million dollar look on a modest budget? Do-it-yourself decks instead of more elaborate brick work, pre-fabricated privacy screens instead of walls and selfcontained hot tubs instead of in-ground pools are among the more desired tradeoffs. “Over the years, we’ve found that homeowners simply want a backyard space that is comfortable,” says Anthony Pasquarelli of Jacuzzi Brand Hot Tubs. “Whether it’s a night at home alone unwinding or entertaining family and friends, a few basics are needed: a place to relax and some activity to keep everyone busy. Hot tubs combine hydrotherapy and fun regardless of age and can typically be used year-round so people find them to be a practical solution.” But how do you add a factory-built hot tub to your yard and take it to the next level with an upscale custom look? Here are the three top landscape design trends emerging in backyards around the world: * Partially recess hot tubs underground. By placing the hot tub half into the ground and half out, it blends into the landscape while also making it easier to get in and out. * Build your deck around the hot tub for a seamless look that is simple to accomplish. You may even save a little on lumber costs! * Stack decorative blocks around two or three sides of the hot tub for the appearance of a custom enclosure. A variety of materials can be commonly found at local hardware stores. “Creating a custom look is much easier than most people think if you follow a few simple tricks known by the pros,” says Larry Ovalle of industry giant Sundance Spas. “Remember to provide access to the front panels of the spa by leaving extra space. Strategically place removable stonework in this area or build
a simple trap door into the deck for future service needs.” Common hard surface materials like concrete are typically sufficient as a base. Lightweight, pre-made synthetic spa pads are also available from local hot tub retail stores, where you can get advice from experts. Hot tubs are filled with a garden hose and only require an electrical hook up so no special plumbing or drains are required. A sophisticated look doesn’t have to drain your bank account. A do-it-yourself approach will help you save even more. Many photos of backyard hot tub installations are available online at Web sites such as www.sundancespas. com, www.jacuzzihottubs.com or www.hottubguide.com.
This simple deck approach delivers loads of function to the homeowner. The Sundance Marin model is situated partially below the deck to allow for easy entry and unimpeded views.
The County Times
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Leonardtown Campus Wellness and Aquatics Center
O P E N I N G FA L L 2 010
The 32,000-square-foot Wellness and Aquatics Center will be the fourth building on the Leonardtown Campus. This new center will be home to two swimming pools — the Àrst pool being, a six-lane, 25-yard, lap pool and the second pool is a zero-depth-entry therapy pool. The center will also have a variety of classroom spaces for aerobics and other Àtness activities, as well as an outdoor meditation garden for Tai Chi and yoga. In addition, the facility will have specialized Àtness assessment rooms for individualized consultations and Àtness analyses.
Coming Soon •Tai Chi, Yoga and Kickboxing
•Nutrition and Weight Management
•Indoor Group Cycling
•Fitness Assessments
•Circuit Training
•Body Composition Analysis
•Water Aerobics
•Cardiovascular Equipment
•Lifeguard Training
•Selectorized Machines and Free Weights
•American Red Cross Swim Instruction
•Metabolic Testing
•Therapy Pool
•and Much More!
•Open Swim and Pool Memberships
www.csmd.edu/Leonardtown
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Thursday, July 30, 2009
The County Times
A Journey Through Time The
Chronicle
and is the oldest structure in that city. During the Civil War it was used as a Confederate Hospital; later as a hospital and officers’ mess hall for the Federal Army; and in the 1870s was a refuge for city residents from desperado and Indian raids. Today it is a museum and is on the National Register of Historic Places. About 10 years ago I was contacted by the staff at the museum asking permission to use the portrait you see here of Rebecca (Millard) Britton. Permission was granted by the St. Mary’s County Historical Society and now Rebecca’s portrait hangs next to her husband’s at Centennial House. Rebecca remained in Texas after her husband’s death. At the time of the 1870 and 1880 By Linda Reno censuses, she was living in Austin with her Contributing Writer daughter, Ann Elizabeth Britton and her husRebecca Ann Millard, daughter of Joshua band, Edmund Jackson Davis, a Union Army Millard (1777-1832) and Ann “Nancy” Man- officer and Reconstruction governor of Texas. ning (1782-1866), was born in St. Mary’s Coun- Now this was a house divided! Rebecca’s son, ty in 1806. She accompanied her parents when Edward Wharton Britton served as a surgeon in they moved to Washington, D.C. in about 1818. the Confederate Army and her nephew, Francis After Joshua’s death in 1836, Ann “Nancy” Crawford Armstrong, “although a Union officer when he took part in the First Battle of Bull (Manning) Millard returned to St. Mary’s. In 1831, Rebecca’s sister Ann Monica Mil- Run on 18 July, 1861, was fighting at Wilson’s lard married Maj. Francis Wells Armstrong of Creek [MO] as a Confederate officer less than the 7th Calvary, U.S. Army and they immedi- a month later and was promoted to Brigadier ately headed west. Rebecca either went with General in the CSA in 1863.” Francis “Frank” Crawford Armstrong was her sister or later joined her after Maj. Armstrong’s death on August 6, 1835 at the Choc- a very interesting character himself. During the Civil War he served under Gentaw Agency, Indian Territory (Oklahoma). eral Nathan Bedford Forrest “Swallow Rock, Fort Coffee, Chocaka “Wizard of the Saddle” taw Nation: Major Francis Armor “The Devil Forrest” strong is buried in a small ceme(take your pick). After tery at Swallow Rock, Fort Cofthe death of his first fee. He was Superintendent of wife, Frank married the early Choctaw removal his second cousin and also Superintendent Charlotte Coad of the Choctaw Agency Combs, daughwhen it was established in ter of George 1832. He died 1835 at the Combs and Agency and was brought Mary Cathto Swallow Rock, (Fort erine Coad of Coffee), for burial.” “Buena Vista” On March 13, 1836 (near Leonarat Fort Gibson, Oklahodtown) in St. ma, Rebecca married Lt. Mary’s County. Forbes Britton, an 1834 Charlotte had graduate of West Point. also been marForbes Britton was ried before and promoted to Captain in was the widow 1847 after having served of Lt. William in the Mexican War, but Kilty McSherry for most of his military caof the U.S. Marine reer he was involved in the Corps. movement of the American By 1900, ReIndians from the southeastbecca had returned ern U.S. westward. This to Maryland and included the forced movePhoto Courtesy ment of the Cherokees from of St. Mary’s County Historical Society was living with her daughter, Ann Georgia to Oklahoma, othElizabeth (Briterwise known as the “Trail Rebecca Ann (Millard) Britton ton) Davis/Smith of Tears.” Also involved with the westward movement of the Indians in Baltimore. They were living on North Calwas Rebecca’s brother, John Michael Mil- vert Street where Rebecca died just three years lard and brother-in-law, Major Francis Wells later on January 18, 1903 from old age. By the time of her death, she had survived all of her Armstrong. In 1850, Britton left the Army and the siblings except the youngest child, Mary Jofamily settled in Corpus Christi, Texas where anna (Millard) Armstrong, born 1832, widow he practiced law and speculated in real estate. of Josiah Armstrong (brother of Francis Wells In 1857 and again in 1859 he was elected Sena- Armstrong). Mary Joanna survived for only a tor to the Texas State Legislature. While serv- few more months, dying on April 3. The sising in the legislature, he was commissioned ters were buried at Rock Creek Cemetery in chief of staff to Governor Sam Houston with Washington, D.C. Rebecca had four children in all—two the rank of brigadier general. Britton died of pneumonia in Austin on February 14, 1861 and sons and two daughters. Her sons Edward was buried in the Texas State Cemetery--only and Frank predeceased her. Her daughters-Rebecca Britton who married Charles M. the third person to be interred there. When the Brittons first moved to Corpus Worthington and her daughter, Ann Elizabeth Christi, they built a new home. Today it is (Britton) Davis/Smith survived their mother known as the Britton-Evans Centennial House and both were living in the Baltimore/Washington area in 1903.
St. Mary’s County Elks Lodge #2092 Supports the Wounded Warrior Project 2009/2010
August 1st Texas Holdem Time: 3 p.m. (Check-in at 2:30) Who: All Welcome!!!!!
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St. Mary’s County, MD.
301-863-7800
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The County Times
Thursday, July 30, 2009
24
Shakespeare, Meet Hollywood Newtowne Players Perform Ludwig’s Comedy Farce at Three Notch Theater By Andrea Shiell Staff Writer There’s something to be said for the beloved “Swan of Avon” and his dramatic effect on Hollywood. After all, several screen adaptations of Shakespeare’s plays came out in the years immediately following the innovation of “talkies” in the 20s and 30s, one of which was Max Reinhardt’s famous 1935 production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” which provides the crux of Ken Ludwig’s comedic masterpiece, “Shakespeare in Hollywood,” the latest offering from the Newtowne Players. Set in Hollywood in 1934, Ludwig’s play follows Shakespeare’s most famous fairies, Oberon and Puck, as they magically materialize on the set of Reinhardt’s movie with no knowledge of how they got there or how to get home. Meanwhile Reinhardt’s production is having problems. Hollywood actor Mickey Rooney can’t perform his duties as Puck, having broken his leg while skiing with his mother,
John Raley (Puck) and Peter Klug (Oberon)
Photo By Andrea Shiell
ary’s M
and the actor playing Oberon has walked off the set, so when Reinhardt runs into the real Puck and Oberon he mistakes them for actors and offers them each their own respective roles in the movie. The two quickly fall in love with the glitz and glamour of Hollywood as they bumble through what looks more and more like an illfated project. Jack Warner, played by Newtowne veteran Patrick Welton, is a sneering typecast of the jaded Hollywood executive, who is smitten with his ditzy girlfriend, Lydia Lansing (played by Catherine DiCristofaro), who is aching to shed her dubious distinction as “Hollywood’s sluttiest actress” by taking on the role of Helena in the film. DiCristofaro does a great job of butchering her lines as Helena, prompting a lot of laughs as her character struggles to understand the material. Peter Klug makes his Newtowne debut Photo By Andrea Shiell playing Oberon, and his stage chemistry blends well with his cohort, John Raley, who gives one The Warner Brothers play phone tag in ‘Shakespeare in Hollywood.’ Patrick of the most animated and hilarious interpreta- Welton (Jack), Jacob Lang (Harry), Kerry Robinson (Albert) and DJ Lavery (Sam). tions of Puck this reviewer has ever seen. Much like he does in Shakespeare’s play, Puck wields lywood was still buckling to pressures from Will Hays, the a magical flower which not only makes those that smell it president of the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors fall in love with the first person they see, but somehow also of America. Hays himself raised many objections to Shakemakes them lapse into Elizabethan monologues as well, all speare’s script and tried to have entire chunks of text and of which adds to the hilarity as both Puck and Oberon try to characters removed in the name of public decency. The politics of censorship add a clever dynamic to the use the flower to their advantage, most particularly with Will story as Reinhardt struggles to keep Shakespeare’s script Hays (played by Leslie Dickey), the author of the famously restrictive Hays Production Code, which was used as a guide from being slashed to pieces. In reality, Hays eventually did remove his objections to the script, and though nobody for censoring Hollywood movies starting in 1930. What is most interesting about Ludwig’s play is that it knows why he had his change of heart, this play explains it follows the history of Reinhardt’s production quite closely, in a very funny way. Even DiCristofaro’s performance as Lydia Lansing harrelying on facts that he researched exhaustively while writkens back to an interesting fact of Hollywood’s golden age ing the piece on commission from the Royal Shakespeare (though there was no such actress by that name in 1934, and Company in 2003. The real Max Reinhardt came to Hollywood as an Aus- the part of Helena was actually played by Jean Muir in Retrian refugee to escape the Nazis in 1938. Before emigrating inhardt’s film). Many of the starlets securing roles in screen he had met with a great deal of success in America with his adaptations of Shakespeare at the time were the wives or popular stage production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” mistresses of Hollywood executives, also wanting to validate devising a spectacular outdoor version of the play which was their acting careers by taking on serious dramatic roles. Prospective audiences shouldn’t let all this Shakeperformed at the Hollywood Bowl in September 1934. After speare-speak scare them though. It may be enriching to be that he directed his first and only screen adaptation of the play, which starred popular 1930s heartthrob Dick Powell as familiar with the source material (both Shakespeare’s play Lysander, and James Cagney, who took a break from gang- and Ludwig’s historical notes) before you see this play, but it is far from necessary. The cast here has delivered Ludwig’s ster films to play Bottom. Mickey Rooney, who played Puck in both Reinhardt’s comedy with charming wit and timing, giving us a great satstage and screen adaptations of the play, broke his leg while ire of the land of glamour and gluttony, told from the perskiing shortly before shooting was scheduled to begin, de- spective of two characters that truly are “such things that laying the production schedule while producers fought with dreams are made of.” Reinhardt over the film’s content and marketability. Warner Brothers Pictures produced the film while Hol-
Show Time
St.
Shows and Rating Provided By Yahoo Entertainment. Check Local Listings For Show Times.
Get Out & Have Fun Right Here in St. Ma ry’s Now Playing
AMC Loews, Lexington Park 6, (301) 862-5010 • Aliens in the Attic PG, 86 min; Starts on Fri, Jul 31 • Funny People R, 136 min; Starts on Fri, Jul 31 • G-Force PG, 90 min
• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince PG, 153 min • Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs; PG, 87 min
• Nim’s Island PG, 95 min • Orphan R, 123 min • Star Wars: The Clone Wars PG, 98 min; Starts on Wed, Aug 5
• Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen; PG-13, 150 min • The Ugly Truth R, 96 min
County!
The County Times is always looking for more local talent to feature! To submit art or entertainment announcements, or band information for our entertainment section, e-mail andreashiell@ countytimes.net.
The Newtowne Players Announce Auditions for Musical, ‘The Fantasticks’
The Newtowne Players announces open auditions for the upcoming production of The Fantasticks by Harvey Schmidt and Tom Jones. There are parts for six men and one woman. Volunteers for the technical and support crew are also welcome. The play, directed by Kerry Robinson with the musical direction of Diane Trautman, will be performed Nov. 6 through 22. Auditions will be held Aug. 3 and 5 at 6:30 p.m. at Three Notch Theatre on 21744 South Coral Drive in Lexington Park. Callbacks will be held Aug. 8 at 1 p.m. Please arrive at the beginning of the audition session and come prepared to sing and move. Pantomime skills will help in some roles. Singers should rehearse the audition music prior to the auditions. Recorded, karaoke-style versions of the songs are available upon request from the director. If you cannot make these audition times, please call Robinson at 301-863-8577. Characters and audition songs can be viewed at http:// schedule.newtowneplayers.org/fantasticks.html. For more information about volunteer opportunities or other upcoming programs, please visit www.newtowneplayers.org.
25
The County Times
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Thursday, July 30 • One Body, One World (Grades 1-3) Annmarie Garden (July 27-31) – 9 a.m. • Fair Warning Irish Pub Band CJ’s Back Room – 5 p.m. • BBQ Night VFW Post 2632 (California) – 5:30 p.m. • Wii Play Together Family Night Charlotte Hall Library – 5:30 p.m. • Cheer Camp (ages 5-11) Patuxent High School (July 28-30) – 6 p.m. • Drop-In Salsa House of Dance (Hollywood) – 6 p.m. • Ladies Night Spicers (Owings) – 7 p.m. • Ladies Night Fat Boys Country Store (Leonardtown) – 7 p.m. • Upstroke Chef’s American Bistro – 7 p.m. • Ladies Night Hulas Bungalow (California) – 8 p.m. • Newtowne Players: “Shakespeare in Hollywood” Three Notch Theater (Lexington Park) – 8 p.m. • Karaoke Cadillac Jack’s (Lexington Park) – 9 p.m.
Friday, July 31 • Fair Warning Irish Pub Band Donovan’s Irish Pub (California) – 5 p.m. • Texas Hold’Em VFW Post 2632 (California) – 7 p.m.
Saturday, August 1
Sunday, August 2
• Community Yard Sale The College of Southern Maryland Leonardtown Campus - 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Blackistone Lighthouse Tour St. Clement’s Island (Colton’s Point) – 10:30 a.m.
• Annual Roar from the Shore Boat Poker Run Solomons to Kent Narrows – 9 a.m.
• Bead MANIA: Beaded Tassel Necklace Annmarie Garden – 12 noon
• Draw & Paint in the Garden (Mixed Media) Annmarie Garden – 9 a.m. • Throwing Large Ceramic Vessels (2 Class Series) Annmarie Garden – 9 a.m. • SMAWL Pet Adoptions Petco (California) – 10 a.m. • Lighthouse Open House Point Lookout State Park – 10 a.m. • Blackistone Lighthouse Tour St. Clement’s Island (Colton’s Point) – 10:30 a.m. • Bead MANIA: Beaded Tassel Necklace Annmarie Garden – 12 noon • Heads-Up Hold’Em Tournament Mechanicsville Moose Lodge – 2 p.m. • No Limit Texas Hold’Em Leaderboard Challenge St. Mary’s County Elks Lodge (Lexington Park) – 3 p.m. • Benefit for Terry Meador (Battling Stage 4 Cancer) $10 donation. ApeHanger’s Bar & Grill, Bel Alton, 20611 (301) 753-1650 – 6 p.m. • Disciples of Faith Christian Life Center Anniversary and Founders Celebration Tickets: $45-Adults/$20-Children 12 and under. 301-866-1430 J.T. Daugherty Conference Center in Lexington Park – 6 p.m.
• Cancer Benefit for Kim Solomons Tiki Bar – 1 p.m. Fundraising benefit for Kim of Kim’s Key Lime Pies on Solomons Island. Two stages of live entertainment, gift raffles and 50/50 raffles; gift certificates donated by local businesses including the Ruddy Duck, Hairport, Bob Evans, Maertens Jewelry, Calypso Bay, Pepper’s Pet Pantry, Boomerangs, C.D. Cafe, DiGiovanni’s, Sail Solomon’s, Vincenzo’s and The Blue Heron. Raffle tickets are $5 each, 3 for $10. Advance tickets can be purchased at Pepper’s Pet Pantry in Solomons. Roast provided by the Grill Sergeant. Rain date is Aug. 9. For more information, call Ben Connelly at 301-996-8355. • Newtowne Players: “Shakespeare in Hollywood” Three Notch Theater (Lexington Park) – 3:30 p.m.
Monday, August 3 • Dance Camp (3-6 years old, Aug. 3-7) House of Dance (Hollywood) – 9 a.m. • Mad Hatters Throne (Aug. 3-7) Annmarie Garden – 9 a.m. • Not JUST a Lemonade Stand (Aug. 3-7) Annmarie Garden – 9 a.m. • Paul Hadfield, “The Lost Vaudevillian” Charlotte Hall Library – 10 a.m. Leonard Hall Recreation Center – 12:30 p.m. Lexington Park Library – 3 p.m.
Tuesday, August 4
• La Plata Summer Concert Series: United States Naval Band Sea Chanters La Plata Town Hall – 7 p.m.
• Cruising With Pirates Calvert Marine Museum – 6:30 p.m.
• No Limit Texas Hold’Em Tournament FOP-7 Lodge (Great Mills) – 7 p.m.
• Big Stack Texas Hold’Em Izaak Walton Hall (Hughesville) – 7 p.m.
• Nature Time at Greenwell Greenwell State Park (Hollywood) – 10 a.m.
• River Concert Series: The Big Finish St. Mary’s College – 7 p.m.
• SVRSFD Texas Hold’Em Solomons Volunteer Rescue Squad – 7 p.m.
• Intro to Computers Class Lexington Park Library – 2 p.m.
• Benefit for Shane Wedding Heavy Hitters Bar – 8 p.m.
• Teen Advisory Group Lexington Park Library – 4 p.m.
• Newtowne Players: “Shakespeare in Hollywood” Three Notch Theater (Lexington Park) – 8 p.m.
• Teen Gaming Fun Lexington Park Library – 5:30 p.m.
• Citizens Band Radio Cryer’s Back Road Inn (Leonardtown) – 8 p.m.
• Free Family Movie Lexington Park Library – 2 p.m.
• Newtowne Players: ‘Shakespeare in Hollywood’ Three Notch Theater (Lexington Park) – 8 p.m. • Nuttin’ Fancy Band Mechanicsville Moose Lodge – 8 p.m. • Smith-Tucker Seabreeze (Mechanicsville) – 8 p.m. • 4 Friends Chef’s American Bistro – 8:30 p.m. • Karaoke Cadillac Jack’s (Lexington Park) – 9 p.m. • Legend Vera’s Beach Club (Lusby) – 9 p.m.
• 25HR Band Fat Boys Country Store (Leonardtown) – 9 p.m. • Karaoke with DJ Tommy T and DJ T Applebee’s (California) – 9 p.m. • Kneel To Zod Buffalo Wings & Beer (Leonardtown) – 9 p.m.
n O g Goin
What’s
• DJ & Karaoke Red Dog Cryer’s Back Road Inn (Leonardtown) – 9 p.m.
Wednesday, August 5 • Why Snooze When you Can Crooze? Arby’s Parking Lot (Leonardtown) – 5 p.m. • Captain John D. B. McMillan’s Pub and Grill – 6 p.m. • Lions Club Meeting/Dinner Leonardtown Lions Club August 2009 meeting/dinner at Olde Breton Inn – 6:30 p.m. • Learn to Line Dance Hotel Charles (Hughesville) – 7 p.m. • Special Olympics No Limit Hold’Em 24930 Old Three Notch Road (Hollywood) – 7 p.m.
L ibrary Items • Vaudeville Paul Hadfield, “The Lost Vaudevillian”, combines storytelling and physical comedy to recreate 20th century vaudeville for the last performance of this summer’s Professional Performance series on Aug. 3 (Charlotte Hall – 10 a.m., White Marsh Elementary School; Leonardtown – 12:30 p.m., Leonard Hall Recreation Center; Lexington Park – 3 p.m., Lexington Park Library). • Free Ice Cream Children, ages 5-12, can earn a coupon for free Bruster’s ice cream and a chance to win a copy of Sally Walker’s book, “Written in Bone” by visiting five of the 10 sites listed in the Adventure Passport available at the libraries. The children will also earn an extra chance for the book for each additional site they visit. A book will be given away at each branch. Flat Sneaks continues to tour the county. Children ages 5-12 have a chance at winning a book in the Where’s Flat Sneaks? contest by guessing where Flat Sneaks has explored this past week from the clues posted in this issue. • Teen workshops Create a simple animation for emails using Digital Art software on Aug. 6, 2 p.m., Lexington Park. Create a simple arcade game using Gamemaker software Aug. 12, Lexington Park, 2 p.m. Create a computer game using Scratch and share it online at Charlotte Hall on Aug. 13, 6 p.m., or on Aug. 22, 10 a.m. Registration is required. Teen Gaming Night at Charlotte Hall, Aug. 4, 5:30 p.m. Leonardtown will show a G-rated movie for teens on Aug. 14, 2 p.m., about seniors who decide to put on one last musical before they go their different ways. Snacks are provided at each program. • Games and movies Gamers can challenge each other to Wii and other games tomorrow at Charlotte Hall at 5:30 p.m. Snacks are provided. A PG rated movie will be shown at Lexington Park on Aug. 6, 2 p.m. This 2008 family comedy features a hotel handyman whose life changes when bedtime stories magically come true. On Aug. 6, 2 p.m., Leonardtown will show a PG rated movie about a young girl who discovers her father can bring book characters to life and she must stop a freed villain from destroying them all. Both movies are free and snacks will be provided. • Movie musicals Lexington Park is offering a Movie Musical series every Friday afternoon at 2 p.m. in August. The series starts Aug. 7 with the showing of a heartwarming PG-rated musical about Little Orphan Annie who dreams of the day when her parents will rescue her from the orphanage. The movie is free and snacks will be provided.
Cuisine
The County Times
& More
On The Menu Whatever Berry You Got, Here’s How to Make a Pie By ALISON LADMAN For The Associated Press Summer brings an abundance of berries that scream out to be turned into pie. But unless you’re looking to quash your lazy days mojo, you need a pie recipe that gets you out of the kitchen. Fast. Hence this all-purpose berry pie that comes together in about 10 minutes. Then it can bake and cool while you chill by the pool. This recipe (which calls for a refrigerated or frozen crust) works with any berry variety, including blends. Also try adding chopped apples, pears, apricots and peaches. The crumb topping is so much easier (and tastier) than a traditional crust topping. It bakes up slightly crunchy and sweet, the perfect contrast to soft, tart berries.
Healthy Bites
ANYBERRY SUMMER PIE
Start to finish: 55 minutes (10 minutes active) Servings: 8
For the filling: 3/4 cup sugar 2 tablespoons cornstarch Pinch of salt 5 cups berries, fresh or frozen 1 prepared pie shell (thawed slightly if frozen) For the crumb topping: 1/2 cup rolled oats 3/4 cup all-purpose flour 1 cup sugar 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 1/2 teaspoon allspice 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, cut into small pieces Heat the oven to 375 F. To make the filling, in a large bowl mix the sugar, cornstarch and salt. Add the berries and toss gently until well mixed. Pile the filling into the prepared crust. Set aside. To make the crumb topping, in a medium bowl combine the oats, flour, sugar, cinnamon, ginger, allspice and butter. Using your fingers, a pastry blender or a fork, mash and rub the butter into the dry ingredients until it resembles coarse crumbs. Top the berries with the crumb mixture, patting it on, as necessary, to make it stay put. Place the pie on a rimmed baking sheet (to catch drips) and bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the crumb topping is golden brown and the berries are bubbling. For clean slices, let the pie cool before slicing. Or serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Recipe for Nut-Crusted Goat Cheese Salad Sweet, tart and creamy, this salad pairs tomatoes and apricots with creamy goat cheese that is rolled in crushed nuts.
NUT-CRUSTED GOAT CHEESE SALAD WITH APRICOTS AND APRICOT VINAIGRETTE
Start to finish: 20 minutes
3 tablespoons coarsely chopped raw nuts, such as pistachios, hazelnuts, walnuts or almonds 3-ounce log soft fresh goat cheese, at room temperature, cut into 4 equal rounds 3 fresh apricots, pitted 2 teaspoons cider vinegar or white wine vinegar 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon minced shallot 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper, or to taste 1 bunch watercress, thick stems trimmed, coarsely chopped 1 large Belgian endive, cored, leaves thinly sliced lengthwise Place the chopped nuts in a bowl. Gently press both sides of each cheese round into the nuts to adhere. Set aside.
Servings: 4
Finely dice 1 of the apricots. Place the diced apricot in a bowl and use the back of a spoon to mash it. Add the vinegar and mix well. Whisk in the olive oil and shallot, then season with salt and pepper. Set aside. Thinly slice the remaining apricots. In a large serving bowl, toss the sliced apricots, watercress, endive and apricot vinaigrette. Alternatively, arrange the ingredients on a serving platter. Taste and adjust seasoning. Top each serving with a nut-crusted cheese round.
On the Net:
Nutrition information per serving (values are rounded to the nearest whole number): 210 calories; 19 g fat (5 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 10 mg cholesterol; 5 g carbohydrate; 6 g protein; 2 g fiber; 240 mg sodium. (Recipe from Jackie Newgent’s “Big Green Cookbook,” Wiley, 2009)
Thursday, July 30, 2009
26
On The Vine
Software Sommelier Brings Wine Advice Home By MICHELLE LOCKE Associated Press Writer SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – Building it took eight months and the combined brainpower of math, code and food-and-wine geeks. The result is a new computergenerated wine pairing service that developers say uses cutting edge technology to answer an ageold question: What wine to serve with dinner? “We think it’s going to be tremendously helpful for people,”’ says James Oliver Cury, executive editor of food recipe site Epicurious.com, which recently partnered with wine database Snooth to add the pairing suggestions to thousands of its recipes. The recommendations are based on an algorithm that involved breaking down the recipes into hundreds of categories, including flavor profiles, ingredients and preparation techniques. Among other things, the algorithm looks for words in proximity. Boiled beef with baked potatoes, for instance, is not the same as baked beef with boiled potatoes. Pairings are listed at the bottom of recipes, along with the price of the wine – the majority are under $20. Clicking on photos of the bottle or label brings up reviews and shopping information. But can an algorithm replace the human touch in the very subjective decision of what wine to have with dinner? Not really, says master sommelier Geoff Kruth, wine director of the Farmhouse Inn & Restaurant in Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley. The trouble with software pairings, he says, is that they only factor in the food. “Just as much of the wine and food pairing is about the person that’s drinking it,” he says. Kruth says he looked at a few Epicurious recipes and found several recomm e n d a t io n s for Oregon pinot noirs. Not a bad choice, but one that made him wonder about the scope of the recommendations. “It seemed there were a lot of the same styles of wine that were repeated,” he says.
Epicurious: http://www.epicurious.com Snooth: http://www.snooth.com/
Snooth CEO Philip James says there was an effort to come up with wines that are widely available, but notes there are multiple recommendations for each dish, with some wines being more esoteric choices for the adventurous. Beyond that, he notes there was a concerted effort to base recommendations on the expertise of real-life experts. “It was important for me to get across that we were not building a sentient, thinking machine. This is not the Terminator,” he says. “This is basically cracking open the heads of the finest food and wine critics that we could find and basically scooping their brains out and putting them into a database.” On the plus side, Kruth likes the way the system gets people talking about wine options. “Things like that are exciting because they can lead consumers to try things that they otherwise wouldn’t have tried. I like that people are thinking about food and wine pairings,” he says. New York-based Snooth (the name is derived from a town in James’ native Cornwall in the south of England) is an interactive database of wines with more than 500,000 monthly users. Snooth doesn’t sell wine directly but provides access to a network of more than 11,000 merchants. Epicurious has more than 25,000 professionally tested recipes as well as 75,000 membersubmitted dishes. Pairings will be available for the tested recipes, except for breakfasts and meals labeled as kid-friendly. A recipe for grilled chicken breasts with honeydew salsa, for instance, yielded a dozen wine recommendations, including some roses and chardonnays, as well as grenache, a red wine. The wine recommendations also have an advertising component in which companies can be showcased as the “featured partner.” However, Cury says such matches will always be clearly marked as ads and will be appropriate for the recipe. Although the service has been launched, Cury says improvements will continue to be made. User comments also will probably influence adjustments. Cury concedes that trying to turn computer code into a connoisseur was daunting. “It’s hard enough to get wine experts to agree on what one wine or even kind of wine might pair with a particular dish. How are you going to create an automated way to do this for 25,000 recipes?” Cury says. “That was the challenge that Snooth with our coordination was able to meet.”
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The County Times
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Wanderings of an Aimless
d
Min
August Tidbits
By Shelby Oppermann Contributing Writer I was writing birthday reminders on my August calendar, when I noticed there were no holidays listed for the month. I thought every month had some event listed. So, I had to do some research on this. This is what happens with an unfocused, wandering mind. Several sites came up which listed everything from national daily, weekly, and monthly observances. The birthdays ranged from Francis Scott Key, who has many connections to St. Mary’s County, to Mother Theresa, Julia
Child and Hulk Hogan. The first Lincoln penny was introduced and also the first income tax in the month of August. These two inventions seem to work together, because after you pay your taxes you are left with pennies. The dollar bill was also approved by congress in August of 1786. Maybe August should be national savings month. Though, I bet, August ties with December for the most money spent - due to back to school expenditures. Maybe because of Julia Child, there were many national food days. There are national, watermelon, s’mores, waffle, cream-
Creature Feature
Speed King of the African Plains By Theresa Morr Contributing Writer Meet the cheetah, the world’s fastest land animal. These guys are long and lean, muscular machines. With streamlined aerodynamically built bodies and flexible spines, cheetahs are among the superstars on the African plains. You’ve probably seen them at the zoo or on TV’s Animal Planet. Their smallish heads and ears, along with high-set “tear-streaked” looking eyes, make cheetahs unique in the animal kingdom. But what places the cheetah apart from other wild creatures is its enormous strength and awesome speed, thanks to a pair of long, powerful legs. In just a few short strides, this animal can reach 40 miles per hour; and a few seconds later, attain an incredible full speed of 70 miles per hour when in pursuit of prey. That’s a lot faster than most cars are driven on an open highway. But unlike cars, the cheetah can only maintain its high speed for short bursts, about 20 seconds or so. When in hot pursuit of prey, the cheetah’s long tail acts like a rudder keeping the animal balanced as it changes direction; and its special paw pads provide traction. After a kill, the poor creature is so pooped out that it needs time to catch its breath so it can enjoy a hard won meal (provided a lion or other large predator doesn’t run the cheetah off and steal its dinner). Lions and other big cats that hunt mostly at night but cheetahs are diurnal, which means they hunt during the day. And about those distinctive “tear streak” markings: Animal biologists think the markings help to keep bright sunlight out of the cheetah’s eyes. Their handsome golden coat with small black spots acts as a camouflage, making it easy for the cheetah to blend in with tall, dry grasses where
they can stalk; creep in close to potential prey; and overtake them within a short distance. Cheetahs have a keen sense of sight and find hilltops and trees perfect for checking out potential meals. They are carnivores, or meat eaters, and menu favorites include small antelopes, springboks, gazelles, impalas, rabbits, and even birds. Cheetahs don’t roar like lions. Instead, they communicate with each other through barks, bleats, chirps, purrs, growls, and hisses. Adults weigh anywhere from about 75 to 145 pounds. At one time, these animals roamed the plains from North Africa to India (the name cheetah derives from an Indian word meaning “spotted one”). But now cheetahs are found mostly in open grasslands in Africa, south of the Sahara Desert. Sadly, the future of these beautiful animals is questionable. They are listed as “vulnerable” on the World Conservation Union’s Red List of threatened animals. Cheetahs form family or male groups. Females have up to five cubs in a litter. Small cubs are left hidden in tall grasses while the mother goes hunting, but lions and hyenas often catch a whiff of the cub’s scent and kill them (cub mortality is said to be as high as 90 percent in the wild). Surviving cubs stay close to their mother for up to two years. The struggle to stay alive is hard for young cheetahs, too. In the wild, cheetahs live for about 8 to 10 years, and about 15 years in captivity. Maybe you’ve seen the popular TV program featuring three cheetah brothers and their difficult life on the African plains. Check your TV schedule for a possible rerun in the near future. For some incredible pictures of cheetahs by wildlife photographer Ross Warner, check out his website: http://rosswarner.com/cheetah. html. Comments to Kikusan2@verizon.net.
sicle, toasted marshmallow, peach pie, cherry turnover, and trail mix days. And because it is Summer, there are national relaxation and picnic days. I really like the National Simplify Your Life week set for the first week of August. I am going to do something special for that week like sort through paperwork, organize the spare bedroom, and clean out the kitchen junk drawer. Wait a minute, that is not sounding like simplifying and relaxing. This will just have to wait until National Organization Day, which so far I haven’t found and means I’m off the hook a while longer. Mother Theresa’s influence is all throughout August. Week two is National Smile Week, Week three is Friendship Week, and Week four is Be Kind to Humankind Week. I found Friendship Day and International Forgiveness Day listed on the first Sunday in August. I guess we need to be nice for at least three of the four weeks. We really need the whole month to honor Mother Theresa. I know that August being National Golf month will appeal to a whole group of readers. Now they have the perfect excuse to golf everyday. Can you hear that conversation? “Honey, I have to go to the golf course, no I don’t want to. But you understand that this is a national month long observance. It’s like a pilgrimage, or 31 days of Lent for golfers. I’ll give up everything else.” It is also National Catfish month. Insert fishing terms in the above dialogue. I was glad to see there is also a national dog day, since Tidbit’s birthday is on August 6th. I figured that my Mother and I were the only ones who celebrated our dogs’ birthdays. At one point my Mother had five dogs, prompting neighbors to call her “the dog lady”. Across the street was “the cat lady, who had twenty-eight
cats when I counted once when I was a teen. It always seemed we were having a dog birthday complete with Dixie vanilla ice cream cups and singing. One of the dogs named Spunky used to fall asleep licking the Dixie cup between her paws. Woofer and Tweeter were twins, so that was always a big day. There are so many celebrations for each day that you could be enjoying Dixie ice cream cups everyday, or finding some reason to have a party. I know a lot of people who love Elvis and would be happy to have a celebration each night of Elvis Week; the second week of August. Maybe I could somehow have a ”You ain’t nothing but a hound dog” birthday party for Tidbit: Poodle skirts, Frosty Paws ice cream treats, hide the bone and try and remember where you buried it game, and pin the tail on the squirrel. Note to self: Send invitations to Sampson, Angel, and Alexis. As I mentioned earlier, I thought my family were the only ones to have dog birthday parties, but I’ve found a family that takes the birthday cake. They were traveling to Baltimore for the weekend to celebrate their dogs’ birthdays. I almost said something in front of Tidbit, but knew I’d start finding travel articles to exotic locales by her toy basket. She’s not that spoiled yet, she’s just a very competitive girl. To each new day’s adventure, Shelby Please send comments or ideas to: shelbys.wanderings@yahoo.com. Web Sources: Holiday Insights, About.com, and Wikipedia
THANKS TO OUR SERIES SPONSORS Arts Alliance of St. Mary’s College • Booz Allen Hamilton • Comcast Cable Communications • G&H Jewelers • Lockheed Martin • ManTech Systems Engineering Corporation • Maryland Public Television • Maryland State Arts Council • MetroCast Communications • Northrop Grumman Corporation • Raytheon • River Concert Series Audience • SAIC • Smartronix • St. Mary’s County Arts Council • St. Mary’s County Government • Wyle • Yellow Book USA
July 31
River Concert Series
The Big Finish
Giampiero Sobrino
2009
Join Jeff Silberschlag and the Chesapeake Orchestra for the season finale featuring clarinetist Giampiero Sobrino performing clarinet concertos by Aaron Copland and Artie Shaw and pianist Brian Ganz performing George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, plus Bernstein’s West Side Story: Symphonic Dances.
Brian Ganz
Chesapeake Orchestra
Jeffrey Silberschlag, music director
All concerts are FREE! Concerts begin each week at 7 PM. The grounds on Townhouse Green at St. Mary’s College of Maryland open at 5 PM for picnicking or purchasing food from a wide variety of vendors. For more information, call 240-895-2024 or visit www.riverconcertseries.com
Concert Sponsors Giant Food • Learning System International • Maryland Bank
and Trust
Company • O’Brien Realty • Sabre Systems • Sikorsky •
The County Times
1. Speedometer rate 4. Important game player 7. Sheep’s cry 10. Scorch 12. Large So. Am. rodents 14. Taxis 15. Free from danger 16. 3rd rock 17. Cain and ____ 18. Gazes 20. President’s service 22. Crow’s call 23. Comic Harvey ___man 24. “Socrate” composer 26. Not prone 29. Of she 30. Cleans teeth 35. Cheer 36. Sealed metal container 37. ___s: SE Asian country 38. Impose regulations on 44. Electronic data processing 45. Eyelid infections 46. Ridgeline 48. Boxer Mohammed 49. Pen point
Last Week’s Puzzle Solutions
ner
KiddKioer
CLUES ACROSS
Thursday, July 30, 2009
50. Break from a union 53. Tendons 56. Japanese beverage 57. Master of ceremonies 59. 3rd Islamic month 61. Comportment 62. Fathers 63. Three performers 64. Tally 65. 2000 pounds 66. European money
CLUES DOWN
1. Manuscripts (abbr.) 2. Snow and sugar snap 3. Tool handle 4. Netherlands river 5. Outdated TV player 6. Taps 7. Pig movie 8. Assist in wrongdoing 9. Sign language 11. Respond to 12. Young football league 13. Israeli money 14. Library study cubicle
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19. Foray 21. Mine wagon 24. Backsides 25. Buddhist saint 27. British scholar John 28. 18th hebrew letter 29. Time units (abbr.) 31. Company that rings receipts 32. Small amount 33. Black tropical Am. cuckoo 34. Dipping morsel 39. A B vitamin 40. ____te: remove 41. Digressions 42. Clowns 43. Emerald Isle 47. Siskel and _____, critics 50. Aforementioned 51. Supplemented with difficulty 52. Utter sounds 53. Visualized 54. Manufactured article 55. Invests in little enterprises 56. Senior military officer 58. Actor Hume ___nyn 60. Informal debt instrument
29
The County Times
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Business
DIRECTORY Call to Place Your Ad: 301-373-4125
www.ProfessorMoneyWise.com
(301) 997-8271
Pool Opening
Pool Closing
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Serving the Southern Maryland Area Accepting All Major Credit Cards
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
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Deadlines for Classifieds are Tuesday at 12 pm.
“We Care About You & Your Pool” Spas-Wrap Around Tanning-Pool Accessories Inground Liners, Loop-Loc safety covers, Hayward pumps, filters & more. www.countywidepool.com
4501 Bonds Place Pompret, MD 20675 (301) 934-9524 / 870-3445
29050 New Market Village Rd. Mechanicsville, MD 20659 (301) 884-8484 Fax (301) 392-5471 New Arrivals: Hard Cover Spas Above Ground Pool Sales!
3 bedroom 3 bath house on top of full garage. New home, well built, many extras. For more information, please call 301-904-2752. Price: $278,000. Waldorf, Maryland Single Family Home. Newly renovated Rambler with 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths. Garage converted to 1/2 storage and den. Nice backyard with shed for storage. New stainless steel appliances, new washer and dryer. New carpeting. Ceramic tile in master bath. Dorchester neighborhood. Westlake School District. School and shopping within walking distance. Neighborhood center with pool and tennis court. Price: $269,000.
Apartment Rentals
Spring Valley Apartments 46533 Valley Court • springvalley@hrehllc.com 301-863-2239 (p) 301-863-6905 (f) Two bedrooms available 805-1103 Sq. ft. $938-$992
One 1 BR Available One 3 BR Available
Specials:
1 bdrm, 1 bath:
fireplace, dishwasher, washer/dryer, garbage disposal
$699
301-737-0777
Prime Rib • Seafood • Sunday Brunch Banquet & Meeting Facilities 23418 Three Notch Road • California, MD 20619 www.lennys.net
Computer & Network Service/Sales Security Camera Service/Sales Serving Southern Maryland
PC Repair Fee: $79-$99 Residential Only
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301-475-8711**410-326-4442**301-885-3000
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1 Br Apt.w/den and atic storage space. 12x24 porch. with privet entrance.Heat Pump, and w/ central air back-up Renovated -fresh paint, new carpets, new countertops kitchen ORM oven, and window blinds. Partial furnishing available for additional $150 per month In a quiet cul-desac.wooded neighborhood, conveniently located 3 miles of Pax River NAS, Non-Smoker & No Pets 301-862-2857 Email kolliod@yahoo.com. Price: $950.
Help Wanted Looking for mature, reliable, high energy person to clean office space from 2:30 to 5:30 pm, Monday through Friday in the California/Wildewood area. Only candidates with clear background check, US Citizenship, valid driver’s license, and experience cleaning will be considered. Regular attendance and attention to detail are necessary to be successful in this position. Please call 301-769-2300 or email bandbmaintenance@chesapeake.net for an application.
Vehicles CORVETTES WANTED! Any year, any condition. Cash buyer. 1-800-369-6148. 1980 F100. “Black Beauty” 302 v8, c6 transmission. New tires. $1,200 or best offer. If interested, call Joe at 240.538.1914.
Heating & Air Conditioning “THE HEAT PUMP PEOPLE” 30457 Potomac Way Charlotte Hall, MD 20622 Phone: 301-884-5011
Est. 1982
snheatingac.com
Lic #12999
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, July 30, 2009
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Thursday, July 30, 2009
The County Times
ewsmakers
Gracie’s Guys and Gals Sweep National Competition By Andrea Shiell Staff Writer It’s fair to say that the performers at Gracie’s Guys and Gals Dance Studio in Hollywood have embraced the spirit of competition, having swept several honors at a contest held at Hershey, Pa., and hosted by Dancers Inc. from July 8 to 12. More than 32 studios from the eastern United Stated competed with more than 1,200 routines, and not only did Gracie’s Guys and Gals receive mostly gold and high gold for their 28 routines, but their production routine titled “Disco Dance Fever” was the first place champion for the junior division, also taking home the top overall Grand Champion prize after all the scores were tallied. Owner Gracie Myles said there were about 38 students in the winning dance troupe, with ages ranging from 10 to 18, and the troupes qualified at a regional competition in March. She said the selection of their winning piece, “Disco Dance Fever,” came through in rushed rehearsals at the last minute. “The funny part about that is we taught that routine in three weeks,” she said. “It was our opening number for our recital, so when we qualified
with our other production number called ‘Celebration,’ we decided that we would take ‘Disco Dance Fever’ instead.” Gracie said that judges went so far as to sing along with the music as the kids were performing, but she didn’t expect her troupes to place as high as they did. “We sat through all the Michael Jackson tributes and I thought, ‘There’s no way we’re going to get to the top’ – not that I don’t have faith in my group, but I didn’t expect when they announced the grand champion that it would be us,” she said. Gracie’s Guys and Gals took home bragging rights, two large trophies and a $750 cash reward for their performance, which was choreographed by Lisa Burrows, Crystal Hutson and Gracie Myles. The students in the winning troupe were: Hannah Bailey, Charlotte Ball, Melanie Bowles, David Burrows, Jesse Burrows, Abriana Civattone, Carly Colvin, Nick Colvin, Cali Copsey, Melanie Downs, Mellinda Farrell, Ashton Frech, Taylor Frick, Shannon Gleason, Sydney Guthrie, Ashley Jo Guy, Megan Hammett, Madison Hill, Bonnie Hollyer, Victoria Janiszewski, Hailey Leukhardt, Brittany Lyon, Renee
Photo By Andrea Shiell
Gracie’s Guys and Gals dance troupe, dressed here for ‘Disco Dance Fever,’ sport their trophies for winning the grand championship prize at a competition held in Hershey, Pa., earlier this month.
McCarson, Stacey Myers, Gabrielle Moore, Erica Mundie, Samantha Myles, Benjamin Redding, Taylor
Richards, Amanda Ripple, Shelby Thompson, Lundsey Tygrett, Jessica Underwood, Bailee Wathen, Jordan
Wilhoit, Anna Williams and Amber Winslow.
Community
The County Times
Blue Crabs Offer Discounted Tickets for Library Night
Local Boat to Compete in Governor’s Cup
The Blue Crabs baseball team is offering discounted tickets for a game on Friday, Aug. 21, to help celebrate the work of libraries in St. Mary’s, Calvert and Charles counties. Anyone may get a ticket by going to his or her library system’s Web site, finding the “promo” code and ordering tickets from the Blue Crabs by phone, online or in person. The event also enables anyone who received a free lawn ticket for registering for summer reading programs to upgrade his or her ticket to a seat in the stands at a discounted price. The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. with an infield parade of all the participants from the summer reading programs in the three counties. There will also be a special appearance by the library mascot, “Sneaks.” “We will be giving a free Tshirt to the first 1,000 people who come to the stadium, and also giving away three Creative Zen MP3 players during the game,” said Sharan Marshall, executive director of the Southern Maryland Regional
“DE
E OF
SAIN
T MA
RY’S ”
Trip tych
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By Sara Campbell Contributing Writer Jim Young, of Callaway, fondly remembers his first experience with the Governor’s Cup sailing race. In 1973, the first year the race exThe Southern Maryland Blue Crabs masisted, he accompanied his uncle on the cot, Pinch, shares a moment with Lusby, trip back from Church Point near St. Md., residents, Peyton and Grady Fort, Mary’s College to Annapolis. Unforafter attending a story time event at the tunately, the man steering the boat got Southern Branch of the Calvert Library. the group stuck on a sandbar, and they had to wait to be rescued. Library Association in Charlotte Jim is hoping for better luck this Hall. year as he sets out on his own boat, the The association is using the Lakahi, with his wife and co-captain, event to highlight its 50th year of Kris Dennie-Young. The Lakahi’s providing library services through crew is rounded out with the Young’s partnerships with the public library daughter Kaitlyn French, a college systems in Calvert, Charles and St. student, and with George Harrum, Mary’s County. Evan Buschmann, Calvin Stull and To get the code, go to the St. Art Kuehne, all civilian employees of Mary’s County library at www.stPatuxent River Naval Air Station. malib.org and click “Summer Fun.” Jim and Kris usually participate In Calvert County, go to www.calin an average of four races a year, vert.lib.md.us/summer09 and click including the Screwpile Regatta off Blue Crabs and Orioles Games.” Solomons, which took place on July To buy tickets, call the Blue 19- 21 this year, the Hooper Point NoCrabs ticket office at 301-638-9788 Point race in October (which starts or go to www.somdbluecrabs.com. in Solomons, The 2008 Lakahi Governor’s Cup crew sails to a third place finish. Top Row: making a 27Rich Egan, Evan Buschmann, Kevin Ransford. Bottom Row: Jim Young, Kris Denmile triangle in nie-Young, Joe Frost, Art Kuehne. Hidden (behind Art Keuhne): Bruce Young. the Bay), and the The weather is always unpredictable, though, and Frostbite races in the Patuxent River off Solomons Jim’s strategy depends on that unpredictability. “The winds are flukey in the middle of the night, in November. Jim has participated in the 70- so the boat crew that is vigilant can take advantage of a mile Governor’s Cup race about 25 sudden gust or wind shift when all the other crews are times over the past 28 years, tak- drowsy,” says Jim. “That’s how we took third place last ing third place out of 17 boats in the year.” The Youngs hope to see a repeat of last year’s good spinnaker class A2 in 2008. h c y performance, but it’s obvious that a poor placement this t When the Youngs aren’t racing, ip F” D year would not affect their love of sailing, as Kris comF I they try to sail with their family at K OS W ments, “This is our life.” T least once a week. F, SKIF E “I just have to be on the N “O water,” says Kris. “It’s a relaxation thing for me. It’s my outlet.” She also enjoys the family bonding that sailing offers. Boats in the annual Governor’s Cup Yacht Race All five of the Young’s children, bewill leave Annapolis at 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 1, and between the ages of 10 and 27, enjoy gin to arrive at St. Mary’s College Saturday morning. sailing together. Starting at 10 a.m. Saturday, sailors and visitors Jim agrees that sailing has a are invited to a post-race party on the college waterrelaxing effect. front with food and live entertainment. Admission “I love to sail at night,” he said. is free but anyone interested in buying an alcoholic “There’s usually no noise, and you drink must buy a $5 wrist band at a tent located next get a nice breeze.” to the James P. Muldoon River Center. To prepare for this year’s At 4:30 on Saturday, an awards ceremony will Governor’s Cup, which will begin be held for the winning yachts. Photographers from in Annapolis on Friday, July 31 and last year’s photography competition will also be end at Church Point on Saturday, recognized. Aug. 1, the Youngs will be checkThe Nautical Wheelers play from noon to 4:30 ing the weather and trying to anp.m. and Key West Race Week musicians Joe Bachticipate their needs based on what man and the Crew perform 7 to 11 p.m. they find. New this year is a misting tent, which emits a fine “Packing is an art,” says Kris. spray, lowering ambient temperature by 25 degrees. “You want to make sure you have The Governor’s Cup Yacht Race between Anenough food and water for the trip, napolis and St. Mary’s City is the oldest and longest but you also need to be concerned continuously run overnight race on the Chesapeake about weight on the boat.” Bay. It was conceived and founded by three St. The wind speed and direction Mary’s College students and has been sailed every can affect how long it takes to comsummer since 1974. The first race attracted only 47 plete the race, and the length of the boats; in recent years it has attracted more than 150 race determines how many proviboats competing on the 70-mile course. sions are needed.
If You Go …
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Thursday, July 30, 2009
The County Times
St. Mary’s Road to Close Finest Donate for Parade Stapf Wins Library Art Contest Gift of Life The Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department is celebrating its 75th anniversary with a parade on Sat., Aug. 1, that will encompass Old Village Road from Locks Crossing Road to Mechanicsville Road. Old Village Road will be closed from 1-5 p.m. Motorists are encouraged to use caution when trying to access Old Village Road and St. Mary’s Avenue on this date. After the parade the carnival grounds will open for food, fun, music, trophy presentations and fireworks at dusk. As a result, Hills Club Road will be closed from 1-11 p.m. The Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department would like to thank the community (in advance) for its patience and apologize for any inconveniences these events and road closures may cause. None of this would be possible without the help of our department members, the community, the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Department and all the wonderful individuals who donated money. (The department would also like to thank the Rev. Peter R. Alliata, pastor of the Immaculate Conception Church in Mechanicsville, for changing the mass for this day from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. to allow us to have the parade.)
Captain Richard Gray of the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office (Corrections Division), Sergeant Michael Butler and Deputy First Class Timothy White (Patrol Division) each share something very special in common. In addition to working for the Sheriff’s Office protecting and serving the citizens of St. Mary’s County, within the past year each has donated a kidney to their one of their parents. Tim’s mother, Jean Wing, 67, of Waldorf was diagnosed in 1993 with chronic kidney disease and was told she would one day need to go on dialysis or have a kidney transplant. She recalled hearing the news and her son’s immediate response. “There was no hesitation in Tim’s voice,” she said. “He said to me, ‘Mom, you are not going to go on dialysis. When the time comes, I am going to give you one of my kidneys.’” At the beginning of 2008, doctors told her the time was drawing near, but Tim never wavered in his commitment to donate a kidney to his mother, and the two began the testing process to see if he would match. “I really hesitated to take his kidney,” Jean said. “I cried many tears over it. I was afraid for him,” but her son’s resolve gave her the confidence and strengthened her faith. On May 14, 2008 doctors at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore successfully trans- From left, DFC Timothy White and his mother Jean Wing, Capt. Richard planted the kidney Gray and his mother, Phyllis Gray, and Sgt. Michael Butler and his father to his mother, and Ralph Butler. nearly 14 months later, Jean’s body has shown no signs of rejecting the kidney. Richard’s mother, Phyllis Gray, 61, of Hollywood, told a similar story about her experience with her son. After being diagnosed in 1994 with polycystic kidney disease, a genetic disorder characterized by the growth of cysts on the organ, Richard watched his mother grow increasingly lethargic over the years. Phyllis and Richard Gray began the testing process at Washington Hospital Center in December 2008. Richard’s kidney was a compatible match for his mother, and the transplant was performed on April 8, 2009. “I was honored to be able to do it. She gave me life and took care of me,” said Richard. “That was the least I could do.” The odyssey for Mike’s father, Ralph Butler, 67, of Leonardtown began in 2003 when he was told by doctors his kidneys were not functioning properly. After battling the same chronic fatigue that Phyllis and Jean spoke of for two years, he began kidney dialysis. For four and a half years, Mike watched his father leave three days a week for dialysis, but he said he really never had an understanding of what his father was enduring. “I was ignorant about kidney disease and what goes on at a dialysis clinic,” he said. “It got to the point where he would come home from dialysis and his energy level still wasn’t there. Kidney dialysis ruled every aspect of my father’s life, and he wasn’t able to do any of the activities he loved so much. More importantly, I did not want dialysis to break his spirit.” After hearing about Tim donating a kidney to his mother, Mike did research on kidney disease and realized how much a transplant would help his father. “It was a no brainer. I was like, oh my god, I need to do this.” From there the Butlers completed testing at Washington Hospital Center, and were treated by the same doctor as the Grays. The transplant was performed on March 11, 2009. “You want to know the ironic art?” laughed Mike. “I was laying in my hospital bed after the surgery, still somewhat groggy, and the doctor walked in and said to me, ‘Your dad was just down to visit you.’ I was like, what? Can you believe it? Pop was up and out of bed before me!” The one thing that all three families are passionate about is the importance of organ donation. According to the United Network for Sharing Organs, as of July 22, 2009, there were 102,599 persons on organ donor waiting lists. Those interested in finding out more about organ donation can visit the U.S. government’s organ donor website at www.organdonor.gov, the United Network for Organ Sharing at www.unos. org, and Transplant Living, a private united network for organ sharing, at www.transplantliving. org. Information may also be obtained through the nation’s major hospitals which specialize in organ transplants. (This article, which has been edited to fit available space, was submitted by Dep. Cindy Allen, St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office.)
Hollywood resident Sharon Stapf won the art contest for an oral history book project by the Southern Maryland Regional Library. Open to artists in Calvert, Charles or St. Mary’s County, the contest was to choose the cover art for a book titled, “Changing Landscapes in Southern Maryland,” which is being produced by the regional library to celebrate 50 years of service to the community. The book, to be Sharon Stapf, of Hollywood, left, and published later this year, will be Sharan Marshall, director of the Southern a compilation of excerpts from Maryland Regional Library in Charlotte oral histories recorded earlier Hall, hold the winning acrylic and oil this summer. painting created by Stapf for an art conAccording to Stapf, her test sponsored by the regional library. winning picture takes you on a trip through the evolving historical landscapes of Southern Maryland – from Native American Woodland Indians, to tobacco farmers, to generations of watermen and to the transition from tobacco to alternate farming ventures. Stapf will be a guest at the Southern Maryland Library Night with the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs on Aug. 21 and will receive two free tickets to attend the Legend’s Club at the Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf. The Southern Maryland Regional Library Association partners with the three public library systems in Southern Maryland to provide equal access to information through efficient, economic and effective sharing of resources. For more information about the book project, call Vicky Falcón at 301884-0436 or e-mail her at vfalcon@somd.lib.md.us.
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Thursday, July 30, 2009
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Bare and Myers Add to Win Totals, Splitting Twin Three State Flyers By Doug Watson Potomac Speedway BUDDS CREEK –Booper Bare of Rockbridge Baths, Va., and DJ Myers of Greencastle, Pa., were triumphant in last weekend’s Three State Flyers series events at the Potomac speedway. Bare scored his fourth late model feature win of the season as he was the winner of Friday nights 30-lap, $3000-to-win main, while Myers grabbed his second Potomac feature win of the season, and first since opening day, in the 51-lap, $5000-to-win Vern Harris Memorial. In Friday night’s contest, Jamie Lathroum and Booper Bare led the field to the initial waving of the green flag. Bare darted into the race lead and would control the events first six circuits. Lathroum would the make what appeared to be the winning pass on Bare on lap-7 as Lathroum dominated the race until his undoing came on lap 28. Lathroum’s racer would break an axle sending him into the backstretch wall ending his night. Bare would then re-inherit the top spot and control the remaining seven laps to post his fourth Potomac late model feature win of the season and his milestone 50th career late-model victory at the track. “My crew told me the top was getting better because the car was getting worse on the bottom it was dragging the nose getting in the corners and I figured we had a second place car,” Bare said. “But the top was much better for us so that’s where we went.” Lathroum’s misfortune was the key to Bare’s winning run. “I feel bad for Jamie,” Bare explained. “I think he had the car to beat, but Jamie is a lot of fun to race with and we rubbed doors a little during the race and that’s always fun but we’ve lost races the same way.” DJ Myers came from the 18th starting spot to score second, Nick Dickson was third, Ray Kable Jr. had a nice run in fourth and 23rd starting Frankie Plessinger, in his firstever start at Potomac, completed the top five. Heats for the 32 cars on hand went to Jason Covert, Nick Dickson, Booper Bare and Jeremy Miller with Ross Robinson winning the consolation. Saturday night’s 51-lap Vern Harris memorial was almost a mirror image of Friday night’s event as outside front row starter Jamie Lathroum blasted into the race lead. As Lathroum lead, his first challenge came from Kyle Lear as he hounded Lathroum for the first 16-laps of the event before he spun from contention on lap 17. Third starting DJ Myers then took up the chase and was starting to reel in leader Lathroum during the closing laps of the race until disaster once again struck Lathroum’s mount. Another broken axle on his Masterbilt No.6 sent him into the backstretch wall ending a potentially feature winning run. Myers would then lead the final three tours around the speedway to post his second career Potomac late model feature win and his first-ever in the
Vern Harris memorial. “The cautions really weren’t helping us any,” Myers said. “The longer we ran green the better the car got.” Myers’ winning run was once again aided by Lathroum’s misery. “He (Lathroum) had the car of the weekend as far as I’m concerned. He’s fun to race with and I’m real sorry about his bad luck, but I’ve always said it’s better to be lucky than good.” Myers was quick to praise his car owner in victory lane. “I can’t thank Greg Gunter and PPM chassis enough,” Myers said. “We work real hard at this deal and the results are starting to show.” Jim Yoder snared second at the checkered, Booper Bare was third, Austin Hubbard took fourth and Nick Dickson completed the top five. Jamie Lathroum set fast time in time trials over the 29-car field with a time of 16.191. Heats went to Lathroum, Jim Yoder and Jason Covert with Matt Quade winning the consolation. In support action on Friday night, current point leader Kyle Nelson romped to his sixth feature win of the season in the 16-lap street stock feature, Rich Marks was victorious for the first time this season in the 15-lap modified event and Buddy Dunagan scored his 10th career win in the 15-lap Hornet main. In Saturday’s support card, Ed Pope Sr. scored his first-career 20-lap strictly stock feature win, while both the 25-lap limited late model feature and the 15-lap hobby stock feature were both lost to a late evening rain shower and will be made up at a later date.
Late Model Feature Finish (Friday Night) 1. Booper Bare 2. DJ Myers 3. Nick Dickson 4. Ray Kable Jr. 5. Frankie Plessinger 6. Ross Robinson 7. David Williams 8. Roland Mann 9. Kyle Lear 10. Randy Burkholder 11. Daryl Hills 12. Dale Hollidge 13. Matt Quade 14. Deane Guy 15. Jeff Pilkerton 16. Jamie Lathroum 17. Jason Covert 18. Jim Yoder 19. Kirk Ryan 20. Jeremy Miller 21. Skip Hare 22. Alan Sagi 23. Devin Friese 24. Scott Cross. DNQ- Pat Wood, Deuce Wright, Bob Gordon, Chris Cromer, Larry Ramsey, Harold Dorsey Jr., Kenny Geer, Scott LeBarron.
Late Model Feature Finish (Saturday night) 1. DJ Myers 2. Jim Yoder 3. Booper Bare 4. Austin Hubbard 5. Nick Dickson 6. Kirk Ryan 7. Andy Anderson 8. Randy Burkholder 9. Daryl Hills 10. Scott Cross 11. Larry Ramsey 12. Matt Quade 13. Ray Kable Jr. 14. Devin Friese 15. Frankie Plessinger 16. Jamie Lathroum 17. David Williams 18. Dale Hollidge 19. Kyle Lear 20. Roland Mann 21. Jeremy Miller 22. Jeff Pilkerton 23. Deane Guy 24. Jason Covert DNQ- Pat Wood, Skip Hare, Deuce Wright, Bo Feathers.
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SOFTBALL SCHEDULE 07/30-08/05/2009 Thurs., July 30 Men’s Over-40 League Hobos vs. Seabreeze at Tippett’s Field Nationwide vs. Tri-County Aire at Back Road Inn Hole-In-The-Wall vs. Captain Sam’s at Captain Sam’s Anderson’s vs. Clements at Anderson’s Bar Rita B’s vs. Mom & Pop’s at Fenwick Field
Southern Hands Just Us First Loss of the Season By Chris Stevens Staff Writer
BUSHWOOD – Southern Insulation manager Paula King was at Fri., July 31 a loss for words. Just Us manager Lamont Saxon Young Men’s League was upbeat. Jeff Rocks vs. Liberty O.S. at The Brass Rail, 6:30 p.m. The reason for those Cryer’s vs. Big Dog’s at Anderson’s Bar, 6:30 p.m. Dew Drop Inn vs. AC Moose at Moose Lodge, 6:30 p.m. differing emotions come as a surprise, as Southern Sat., Aug. 1 upended defending champion Just Us 8-6 MonYoung Men’s League Liberty O.S. vs. Team Moose at Moose Lodge, 6 p.m. day night in a St. Mary’s Photo By Frank Marquart County Women’s Softball Sun., Aug 2 League game at 7th Dis- Yola Lyles of Just Us connects with the ball during Southern’s 8-6 win Monday night at 7th District trict Park. Young Men’s League Straight Cuts vs. Raley’s Softball at Back Road Inn, 4 p.m. “We are so pumped Park. AC Moose vs. Cryer’s at Back Road Inn, 6 p.m. up, so excited,” King managed to say after the game. “Just Us is a great team, and Knott’s Construction vs. Team Moose at Moose Lodge, 6 p.m. I’m not going to take anything away from them. This win is unbelievable.” Shockers vs. Dew Drop Inn at Chancellor’s Run Park, 6 p.m. Southern (17-3 in 2009) broke a three-all deadlock in the bottom of the Mon., Aug 3 sixth with five runs and withstood a three-run seventh inning from Just Us to secure the win. Women’s Over-30 League “I’m glad to get a loss in,” said Saxon, whose team had a 22-game winning Raley’s vs. Hole-in-the-Wall at Tippett’s Field streak dating back to the 2008 County playoffs. Moose Lodge vs. Captain Sam’s at Captain Sam’s Back Road Inn vs. Ryce Electric at Moose Lodge “I’d rather have us lose one now before we get to the playoffs, but Southern S&J vs. Hurricanes at Chancellor’s Run Park played a great game, they hit the ball and we didn’t. No excuses.” Just Us (18-1) jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first when AnWed., Aug 5 gelita King’s RBI triple scored Gail Maddox and King was awarded home on Women’s League a throwing error. Just Us vs. Moose Lodge at Moose Lodge, 6:30 p.m. King’s hit was the last long fly ball to get by Southern’s outfielders, as Knockouts vs. Coors Light at Back Road Inn, 6:30 p.m. Paula King instructed them to be ready for anything. Knight Life vs. Captain Sam’s at Captain Sam’s, 6:30 p.m. “We knew that they could hit the ball a long way and they could drop them Simms vs. Dew Drop/Two Point Construction/PJ’s Autobody/ Bryan Jones Paint at Knight Life, 6:30 p.m. in as well,” King said. Bud Light vs. Chesapeake Custom Embroidery at “We told the girls just to be ready to run after anything in the air.” The Brass Rail, 6:30 p.m. With the defense holding Just Us off, the Southern offense did its part, Xtreme vs. Chesapeake Custom Embroidery at taking a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the fourth with RBI singles from Melanie The Brass Rail, 8 p.m. Anderson’s Bar vs. Back Road Inn at Back Road Inn, 8 p.m. Guy and Trish Segars. Just Us tied the game in the top of the sixth on a sacrifice fly from Karen Camp, setting the stage for Southern’s bottomhalf outburst. Tennis Combo League Sam Long started the rally with a triple that just got under Angelita King’s glove. Long scored the tying run on a St. Mary’s County Tennis Association welcomes all players fly ball by Jenn Kern, and after an intentional walk to Segars, to attend the Captain’s meeting on Aug. 3 at Panera Bread in Caliconsecutive RBI singles by Sarah Russell and Brittany King, fornia at 6 p.m. to plan the 2009 USTA Men and Women Combo along with a two-run single from Tricia Johnson gave Southleague. There will be three doubles teams fielded. We are looking ern plenty of breathing room. to form 6.5, 7.5 (and 8.5 if possible) combo teams for Southern It would prove necessary as Maddox and Robin Pettit had Maryland. First matches will start in mid-August and end in early run-scoring hits that brought Just Us within two runs. But Yola October with districts scheduled Oct. 9-11. To be eligible to play, Lyles flied out to Russell to end the game with the tying runs you must be 19 years old and a USTA member. If you are interested on base. in playing and unable to attend the meeting, call Mai-Liem Slade, “I am very excited for our team,” Paula King said. “I exSt. Mary’s County USTA League Coordinator, at (301) 481-2305. pect and get the best from them every week.” Saxon, meanwhile felt the loss would help Just Us in the Shockers Tryouts Next Month long run. “Without a doubt,” he said. “This is going to make them hunThe Southern Maryland Shockers Fast Pitch Softball Team grier and you can put this in bold, the league better watch out.” will hold tryouts for its 14 and Under and 16 and Under teams on Aug. 23 and Aug. 30 at the Hughesville Barn Fields from 4- 7 p.m. For more information, call Kenny Sothoron for 16-U team at 301884-0236 or Bobby Rawlings at 301-536-0017 for 14-U team.
Gretton Soccer Camps
Softball Standings
Games Through Tues., July 28 Women’s League Standings Division I 1. Just Us 2. CCE 3. Bud Light 4. Southern
Wins 18 17 16 17
Losses 1 2 2 3
Games Back 0 1 1.5 1.5
Wins 12 11 10 10 9 7
Losses 7 7 9 10 9 11
Games Back 0 0.5 2 2.5 2.5 4.5
Wins 4 1 1 0
Losses 16 18 18 20
Games Back 0 2.5 2.5 4
Division II 1. Back Road 2. Knight Life 3. Anderson’s 4. Simms 5. Capt. Sam’s 6. DDI
Division III 1. Xtreme 2. Knockouts 3. Coors Light 4. Moose
Young Men’s Standings 1. Team Moose 2. AC Moose 3. Cryers 4. Dew Drop 5. Shockers 6. Straight Cut 7. Big Dogs 8. Raley’s 9. Knott’s 10. Jeff Rocks 11. Liberty
Wins 18 17 18 17 16 12 10 7 7 4 3
Losses 2 4 5 7 8 10 12 16 17 22 19
Games Back 0 1.5 2 3.5 4.5 8 10 13.5 14 18 20
Men’s Slow-Pitch Standings
Gretton Goalkeeping will offer its Goalkeeper Soccer Camp through the week of Aug. 17at various locations in Southern Maryland. Camps run Monday through Thursday. For questions or to reserve your spot, call 301- 643-8992 or e-mail grettongoalkeeping@gmail.com.
Skate Series in August The Mid-Atlantic Skating Series will be held Saturday Aug. 22 at Nicolet Park in Lexington Park. All age and skills levels are welcome. For more information, go to http://www.curtkimbel.com.
Photo By Frank Marquart
Tricia Johnson holds the bag as Just Us’ Fanta Gray is out at first base.
Photo By Frank Marquart
Southern’s Sam Long follows through on a single in the second inning.
Wins 1. Chaney’s 26 2. Budweiser 22 3. Back Road 22 4. Pax Bombers 19 5. Wentworth 14 6. Eagles’ Nest 6 7. Book By Blanche 5 8. VFW 2632 2
Losses 4 6 8 10 17 24 25 29
Games Back 0 3 4 6.5 12.5 20 21 24.5
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Thursday, July 30, 2009
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life and even the social circle I maintain today. Sure I picked up a few scars and creaky joints along the way, but that’s an easy trade for the database of priceless memories I have and good friends I owe to sports. As I and many of my good friends wrestle with the challenges of raising children and maintaining a busy career, it is the now-decades-old gift of athletics that is the forcing function that keeps us connected. After a big Redskins’ win, I can count on a call from my college roommate. The Marcy House golf tournament is the one day each year I spend some time with my cousin and very good friend … the miles and five kids between us have a way of absorbing the other 364. And a handful of best-ball golf tournaments every summer keep me connected with many of my old soft-
BLEACHERS A Mid-Summer’s Reflection On The Gift Of Sport
By Ronald N. Guy Jr. Contributing Writer When you’re a child, it’s just a game: the first baseball, basketball, golf, lacrosse or soccer experience. Sure, that first foray into the world of athletics comes with some trepidation. It’s one thing to toss the ball around with mom or dad in the backyard; it’s another to get in uniform and take the field with your friends and peers. That’s the “real deal,” and in a child’s mind the unknowns generate uncertainty and nervousness. At the end of the day though, for kids it’s just a “game” – running around a bit, devouring the post-game sugar-infused snack and hamming it up with friends. Adults and parents though, particularly those with a few decades worth of their own athletic experiences in the rearview, know something much more significant happens when a child takes their first plunge into sports. Many of life’s lessons, such as handling suc-
cess and failure (winning and losing), respecting authority (of coaches) and doing your job within a team concept, are learned or reinforced through participation in sports. Aside from being a life coach, athletics can be a life-long social lubricant. For children, a t-ball or soccer team transparently establishes and deepens friendships. In the awkward years of adolescence, sports can be a priceless social icebreaker for introverted kids or a cross-clique link between classmates that would have otherwise remained skeptical strangers. And the story doesn’t change much for adults, does it? An office volleyball or softball team reveals a different side of the guy or gal a few cubicles down and gives you something more to talk about than this month’s approaching deadlines. In fact, even retired professional athletes often lament about how deeply they miss the camaraderie of the locker room and how special it is when they cross paths with former teammates. Reflecting on my own three-decade relationship with athletics, it’s amazing the social influence “the games we play” have had on my
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ball buddies. But that’s just my story. While the details might be a little different, I’ll bet your personal athletic story has a similar theme. Now it has come full circle. Now I’m the parent that’s nurturing and establishing his kids’ relationship with sports. My oldest is learning the American pastime on the same fields where I played Little League ball back in the day. On the way to home games this season we passed the softball field where my dad played … even farther back in the day. I can only hope that the athletic seeds I’m planting for my kids bear as much fruit throughout their lives as those my parents planted for me so long ago. The innings ran out on my first t-ball game years ago, but I know now that game never really ended. It was the start of something, the significance of which I couldn’t possibly understand at the time but that I now, nearly 30 years later, appreciate greatly. My daughter recently wrapped up her rookie season. In the end, it was all about the pizza party and the trophy. For now, that’ll due, but in time I hope it comes to mean much more. Send your comments to rguyjoon@yahoo.com.
Girls Softball Team Eyes Little League World Series
Photo Courtesy of Al Ogletree
Players )in red, from left to right): Alison Eichel, Diana Cruz, Megan Redman, Jessica Miles, Jasmyn Ogletree (with glasses), Michaela Young, Christi Norton, Hannah Lawrence, Ashleigh Lawrence, Victoria Rice, Rachel Buffin, Jasmyn Berry
By Chris Stevens Staff Writer St. Mary’s All-Stars coach Al Ogletree gives credit where credit is due. As the man in charge of the All-Stars, a 12-and-under girls softball team that won the Little League Maryland state championship Tuesday in Hurlock, he knows that the players and the parents are the reason for the team’s success. “The driving force in all of this is the parents,” said Hurlock, whose team will play Delaware in the Eastern Regional tournament this Saturday Aug. 1 in Albany, N.Y. “The parents were very driven and dedicated. They were there for every game.” The All-Stars went through district and state tournament play without a loss, and the first two games were shutouts, thanks in large part to catcher Diana Cruz. “Girls were scared to try and steal bases on her because of her arm,” Ogletree said. “She’s our captain on the field, and she does a great job of settling our pitchers down. She has a great attitude and is a very coachable player.” With Cruz leading the way behind the
plate, the All-Stars defeated Havre de Grace, Delmar and Tri-City by scores of 9-5, 10-2 and 9-3 respectively. The pitching duo of Jasmyn Ogletree and Jessica Miles struck out 28 batters in the three games combined. Ogletree and Miles also led the way offensively with Ogletree driving in seven runs and Miles collecting seven hits and five runs batted during tournament play. The win marked a milestone achievement for the girls and their supporters. “We haven’t had a team win a state championship in about 20 years,” Ogletree said. “It’s awesome, and I think everybody is proud of them, I know I am. They were so excited when they won, it was unbelievable.” A major part of the All-Stars’ success is their dedication to getting better through practice. “There will be days when I might call off practice, but the girls will say, ‘Hey, we need to practice,’” Ogletree said. “They’ve been wonderful. The All-Stars ask that anyone willing to help with fundraising efforts to e-mail Wanda Brown at au2umd@aol.com for more information.
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Thursday, July 30, 2009
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The County Times
Thursday, July 30, 2009
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38
Crabs Use Strong Starting Pitching En Route to Win The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs defeated the Long Island Ducks 9-4 on Tuesday before a past-capacity crowd of 6,346 at Citibank Park. The Flock used Juan Francia’s legs to crack the scoreboard in the home third. Francia led off the frame with a sharply hit single through the left side. After stealing second and third base, Johnny Hernandez brought him in with a sacrifice fly to give the Ducks an early 1-0 lead. In the fourth, John Pachot’s RBI sacrifice fly off Southern Maryland starter Keith Ramsey scored Jose Herrera, who led off the frame with a single and the Ducks doubled the score to 2-0. In the top of the fifth, the Crabs tied the contest with two runs off Ducks’ starter B.J. LaMura. James Shanks’ two-run single to left field was the big blow of the inning. Liu Rodriguez’ two-run double in the sixth off Ducks’
reliever Rob Paulk gave Southern Maryland their first lead of the game at 4-2. The Blue Crabs opened it up with three runs in the seventh and never looked back. A RBI double by Michael Tucker and two-run double off the bat of Richard Giannotti gave the Crabs a 7-2 advantage. A two-run homer in the ninth by Rodriguez off reliever Josue Matos made the score 9-2. The Flock added two runs in the home half of the ninth as Kyle Reynolds belted a two-run homer off Crabs’ reliever Mike James to make it 9-4. James would then retire the next three batters to seal the game. Ramsey (2-1) fired a season-high eight innings, yielding five hits and two runs, while fanning four. LaMura (6-6) went five and onethird innings, allowing four runs and seven hits, while striking out two.
Faith Day, Fireworks Displays Highlight Weekend Homestand for Blue Crabs Friday, July 31, 7:05 p.m. game It’s Beach Party Night at Regency Furniture Stadium! Blue Crabs beach towels will be given away FREE at the gate to the first 2,000 fans in attendance, courtesy of Community Bank. It’s also a Backfin Buddies Kids Club Night, “Discover CSM (College of Southern Maryland) Night, and another Fireworks Spectacular will follow the game between the Blue Crabs and Barnstormers. Saturday, August 1, 7:05 p.m. game A very important night at the ballpark starts with “Strike Out Cancer Now” Night, presented by Cancer Treatment Centers of America, and once again a Fireworks Spectacular presented by Winegardner Auto Group will follow the ballgame between the Crabs and Lancaster. Sunday, August 2, 2:05 p.m. game On Sunday, August 2, New Life Church along with the Garage Church and the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs will host “Faith Day” at Regency Furniture Stadium. Events for the day will kick off at 10:30 a.m. with a combined service between the two churches at Regency Furniture Stadium. Admission for the church service is free for anyone who wishes to attend. After the mass, New Life will provide live worship music for 30 minutes prior to the
scheduled game time of 2:05 p.m. when the Blue Crabs will take on the Lancaster Barnstormers. Anyone who attends the service and would like to stay for the game will need to purchase a ticket. After the game is over, New Life will again provide live worship music for fans to enjoy as they leave the ball park. “Our goal is to bring the Church, which is for everyone, to every place that we find people. God calls us to let the world know of His love for them, and we plan to do that anywhere we can, including Regency Furniture Stadium. We really appreciate the Blue Crabs organization for allowing us this opportunity to both worship and say thanks to all those who serve God with us in the area,” said Pastor Mike Hilson of New Life. Fundraising tickets to benefit New Life Church for the game can be purchased in the New Life Church Lobby at 9690 Sheperd’s Creek Place in La Plata, MD. Tickets are $13 apiece. For more information or questions, contact New Life Church at 301-609-8423. “We are very thankful for all of our local partners and sponsors that are so loyal, and New Life certainly falls into that category, said Blue Crabs Assistant General Manager Omar Roque. “New Life’s event here at the ballpark is definitely one we’ve been looking forward to all summer,” Roque continued.
Atlantic Baseball League Standings (For games through Tuesday, July 28th)
LIBERTY DIVISION Southern Maryland Long Island Bridgeport Camden
W 11 11 11 5
L 7 7 7 13
PCT .611 .611 .611 .278
GB
FREEDOM DIVISION Somerset Newark York Lancaster
W 10 9 8 8
L 8 9 11 11
PCT .556 .500 .421 .421
GB
6.0
1.0 2.5 2.5
STREAK LAST 10 W1 6- 4 L4 5- 5 W7 8- 2 L3 3- 7 STREAK LAST 10 W1 5- 5 W4 6- 4 L1 4- 6 L1 3- 7
39
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Volleyball Returns to the Mid-Summer Classic Games
The County Times
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National Champ County Kickball League Gives Adults Cleveland On Hand For Lawnmower Young Feeling Races This Weekend By Chris Stevens Staff Writer
e Thompson Photo Courtesy of Conni
ampions, the St. r Classic Volleyball Ch row from Left: me um d-S Mi 09 20 e Th . Top m, poses victoriously elt, Mary’s County A-tea ley, Steven Summerf Rid n au Sh , an ffm Hu t: m Lef Sa , m ley fro Rid il row W ttom Hagen (coach). Bo es av Thomas Smith, Jeff Gr lly Ke , bs, Kara Sapp Larry Mills, Julie Coom
By Sara Campbell Contributing Writer
Bobby Cleveland couldn’t resist a trip to Bowles Farm this summer. “When you get to nationals, all the talk is about how great Bowles is,” Cleveland, 9-time national lawnmower racing champion said Tuesday Photo Courtesy of afternoon as he pulled into St. Tina Bowles Mary’s County for the fifth an9-Time USLMRA Cham- nual race this weekend in Clepion Bobby Cleveland ments. “This year I just hapwill appear at Bowles pened to be on the East Coast Photo By Chris Stevens Farm for this weekend’s and was glad to work it into my The St. Mary’s County Adult Co-Ed Kickball League has been fun for schedule.” Lawnmower Races. league participants all summer long. Cleveland, also known as the Engine Answer Man, will not only race at Bowles By Chris Stevens Farm this weekend, but will be available to answer questions Staff Writer
Cheers filled the volleyball gym at the Athletic and Recreation Center at St. Mary’s College when the St. Mary’s County A-team scored its 25th point to win the gold in the Special Olympics Mid-Summer Classic volleyball event on Sunday, July 26. Volleyball was re-introduced into the Mid-Summer Classic in St. Mary’s County this year after it was cancelled in the mid-’90s, and there have been some changes. Mary Lu Bucci, county director of the Special Olympics, explained that, previously, volleyball was played traditionally, meaning all the players on the teams were athletes with an intellectual HOLLYWOOD – During the summer, Saturday becomes the or physical disability. best day of the week to kick back and relax. Instead, 14 teams at As the sport returned this year, though, teams were uni- Dorsey Park prefer to kick a ball around the baseball fields for fun. fied – there were equal numbers of disabled athletes and Spe“Everyone’s played it, if not since elementary school, at least cial Olympics partners on each team. A partner is a nondis- in elementary school,” says Adult Co-ed Kickball league supervisor abled adult from the community who volunteers to play and Doug Shuman. “It doesn’t require a lot of skill, so pretty much anyto help teach the athletes the necessary technical and social one can show up and participate.” skills for the sport. Kickball shares similar traits with baseball and softball, as the Partners volunteer for a variety of reasons, but often they games are played on a baseball diamond, except are influenced by a personal relationship that instead of a bat, all one needs is a strong leg. with a disabled person. This was the case Also, instead of forcing runners out by stepping with Wil Ridley, who played on St. Mary’s on bases, runners can be tagged with the ball. A-team along with his son, Shaun, who Shuman, along with his wife Chris are in has an intellectual disability. charge of setting up the fields for play, as well Julie Coombs, whose brother, Mark, as providing balls and securing umpires (most is intellectually disabled, has been volunoften players from other teams whose games teering since she was 13. This was her first haven’t started yet) for the games. year playing on a team, as she was now “We just line the fields up and hang out,” eligible to play as an adult at the age of 18. Doug Shuman says. She enjoyed her first team and said, “MixThe League was created Recreation and ing partners with athletes is important Parks Sports Coordinator Kenny Sothoron and because it gives the athletes something to played its first season last summer. The number play for. They learn a lot more this way.” of teams has jumped from five in 2008 to 14 in For its 2009 comeback, volleyball had 2009 and Sothoron is happy with the results. So five teams from four counties. St. Mary’s many people have signed up that registration is County had two teams, A and B arranged now closed for the year. according to ability. The A-team took “We really could have had one or two more home the gold while the B-team also did teams this year,” he says. “I was surprised at the Photo Courtesy of Mary Lu Bucci huge turnout, but pleased. I’d say it has really very well and ended in third place with bronze. Other teams were Cecil County, Shaun Ridley helps to lead the St. taken off.” second place, Lower Shore, fourth place, Mary’s County A-team to victory with It has benefited from word of mouth, as a bump over the net. and Washington County, fifth place. the league’s first-year players talked to their Bucci was particularly impressed friends and family about this new and fun-filled with the St. Mary’s teams, but not because of their place- adventure. ments. “The partners this year have included the athletes “Last year, we had five teams and they went and told their greatly,” she said. “I’m very pleased with the progression friends, and now we have 14 teams who will probably tell their from where we started to today.” friends,” Shuman says. “Next summer, it’s going to be even bigger.” “With the help of the partners, some of these athletes “It’s like you tell your friends and they say, ‘You play what?’” gain enough skills to play on teams in the community, and says Aaron Canter. “It’s just a lot of fun.” that’s very important for their socialization and overall happiThe league, which requires four women on the team at all times ness,” Bucci went on to say. (as well as a man-woman-man-woman kicking order) plays every The two other events in the Mid-Summer Classic were Saturday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Dorsey Park. In an effort to keep sailing, unified with the option to go solo, and kayaking, tra- the league light-hearted and fun, no standings or statistics are kept. ditional, with a demo unified boat. The next Special Olym“There are some teams that are more competitive than others, pics event is traditional cycling in September. and there are some teams that are out here just for fun,” Shuman Anyone interested in volunteering or being a partner in says. a sport, contact County Director Mary Lu Bucci at 301-373The cost per team this year was $200. For more information, 3469 or at somdsmc@md.metrocast.net. contact Kenny Sothoron at 301-475-4200, ext. 1830.
Photo Courtesy of Tina Bowles
Bobby Cleveland poses with his Monster Mower, which will be on display this weekend and Bowles Farm.
about maintaining cars and showing off his Monster Mower, a labor of love that combines his passion for monster trucks and lawnmower racing. “I couldn’t afford a monster truck, so I decided to build the Monster Mower,” Cleveland says. “It’s a four-wheel drive, four-wheel steer independent suspension mower that doesn’t cut grass.” Cleveland, who set the world speed record for a lawnmower with 81.792 MPH in 2006, is looking forward to racing on the Bowles’ Farm track, which has a reputation as one of the best on the United States Lawnmower Racing Association (USLMRA) circuit. “I’ve heard nothing but great things about Bowles Farms,” he says. “This is a very nice track.” “To have someone like Bobby to help promote this race is a big plus,” said Tommy Bowles, co-owner of the farm. “We’re trying to make it a big event that everyone will remember.” The races will be held Friday July 31 and Saturday Aug. 1, starting at 7 p.m. Admission is $8, with free admission for kids age 8 and under. There will be face-painting, farm equipment displays and well as several bands playing music during the weekend. “We’ve got something for everybody, whether you’re two years old or 102 years old,” Bowles says.
THURSDAY July 30, 2009
Gearing Up for a ‘Night Out’ Story Page 17
St. Mary’s Finest Donate the Gift of Life Story Page 33
A COLLISION IN DIVISION ONE Page 35
Kickball League Gives Adults That Young Feeling
Story Page 39
Photo By Frank Marquart