The County Times -- August 13, 2009 by David Noss

www.somd.com

Thursday, August 13, 2009

L aunching To The Future

Unmanned Vehicles Rule The Skies Over Webster Field PAGE 18

ADF Bingo Could Reopen

Story Page 4

Former Pax River Sailor Killed in Afghanistan Story Page 5

Charter School Expands to Fit More Students Story Page 15

Photo by Frank Marquart

The County Times

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Your Paper... Your Thoughts Do You Think The County Needs To Do More To Control Mosquitoes? Lisa Lewis, 44, from Leonardtown said she didn’t think the county needed to get involved with mosquito control. “I haven’t had a problem with them,” she said, “so I guess not.” Kayleen Westford, 25, from California said she could see how the county may need to do more to control mosquitoes. “I’m not too familiar with what they do now for prevention, but I would say it’s something they might need to keep focusing on, because of the disease that mosquitoes can bring, and for health reasons,” she said.

County Wide Poll Yes

48%

43%

Not Sure 10

The County Times

Thursday, August 13, 2009 “A lot of this is called ‘pork,’” said Congressman Steny Hoyer who represents Southern Maryland. “But this can have a significant economic impact, which means it’s a good investment.”

On T he Covers

ON THE FRONT

A ScanEagle is launched into the air at Monday’s Unmanned Systems Demonstration on Webster Field in St. Inigoes.

ON THE BACK

St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Deputy Cara Grumbles practices at the shooting range.

County

Newly issued licenses could mean that bingo may make a comeback at ADF Bingo hall in Mechanicsville. SEE PAGE 4

See Page 5

Beach Party On The Square Page 32

Weather

Watch

Sgt. McCants Receives a Hero’s Welcome See Page 31

community

Stock Market

FOR WEEKLY STOCK MARKET CLOSING RESULTS, CHECK PAGE 10 IN MONEY

Great Mills High School students Alison Hallock, left, and Emily Rukavina were among 40 members of the Key Club and the National Honor Society who raised $2,000 for cancer research. SEE PAGE 32

Also Inside

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 Back To School 23 History 24 Entertainment 25 Going On 26 Food 27 Wandering Minds 28 Games 31 Newsmakers 32 Community 35 Potomac Speedway 36 Bleachers 38 Blue Crabs 39 Sports News

Do You Feel Crabby When You Get Your Insurance Bill in the Mail? Give Us A Call.

You’ll Be Glad You Did.

An Independent Agent Representing: ERIE INSURANCE GROUP Sitting left to right: Lisa Squires, Susan Ennis, Katie Facchina. Standing left to right; Gary Simpson, Dan Burris, Jake Kuntz.

April Hancock PO Box 407 Bryans Road, MD 20616 301-743-9000

Burris’ Olde Towne Insurance Auto - Home - Business - Life Leonardtown & LaPlata Bus: (301) 475-3151 (301) 934-8437 Charles County www.danburris.com

P.O. Box 250 • Hollywood, Maryland 20636 News, Advertising, Circulation, Classifieds: 301-373-4125

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, August 13, 2009 Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the telephone, never telephoned his wife or mother because they were both deaf.

un Fact

New Bingo Licenses Mean ADF Could Reopen Doors By Guy Leonard Staff Writer

The inside of ADF Bingo sits enpty.

Photo by Frank Marquart

Car + + Home Home = = Car

Officials with the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office have confirmed that they have approved two new bingo licenses for local charities that want to operate fundraisers at the ADF Bingo Hall in Mechanicsville, which has been closed for weeks since its community foundation arm was denied a license. Alice Gaskin, president of the ADF Community Outreach Foundation, Inc., said her group was still waiting for a nonprofit to set up events in the hall. “It would be nice, it all sounds good,” Gaskin said. Capt. Daniel Alioto, commander of the Vice/ Narcotics unit of the Bureau of Criminal Investigations, said that the Sheriff’s Office has taken pains to inform nonprofits of the bingo law, specifically that the groups must run the bingo games themselves and take full responsibility for any of the money. “Where bingo is held is irrelevant, the law is the law,” Alioto said. “There is no more ‘Here’s your bingo license, go do whatever you want.’” Controversy has resulted from ADF Bingo having to close its doors after another nonprofit’s bingo license ran out in June, and questions raised about how the bingo was run. Sheriff’s Office officials have been concerned that all proceeds from the gaming were not going to charities depending upon them and that they were only getting a fraction; Sheriff’s Office officials have stated that the law demands that all proceeds go to the charities. The ADF Bingo Hall has been raided twice in the past two years, once by deputies and another by FBI agents, in an investigation about how proceeds from gaming there were distributed among charities. The operations there are now

BIG SAVINGS SAVINGS BIG See me for Car and Home Insurance and save.

See me for Car and Home Insurance and save.

the subject of a federal investigation, but no one, including the owner of the hall, Sharon Modlin, has been charged with a crime. Testimony at a June Circuit Court hearing showed that while charities were receiving proceeds from the gaming at ADF, the establishment itself received tens of thousands of dollars in rent as well as pay for technicians who ran the game. One local charity that has come to depend heavily on donations from ADF Bingo’s gaming proceeds may have to cut back the amount of work it does in the community next year, its executive director said. Mary Ann Chasen, of Christmas in April, said that her organization had a bingo license approved in May, but apparently it was only good for six weeks and the organization did not have the opportunity to set up a game. Chasen was unsure if the group would seek another bingo license in the interim. “Just like all the other non-profits, this is a tough year economically,” Chasen said. “More people are applying for help, but we have limited money to buy materials and supplies.” Chasen said that Christmas in April had received $10,000 a year in donations for the past three years from ADF, with no donations this year. That $10,000 could provide enough material and supplies to repair and renovated two homes, she said. “They [the board of directors] might be voting to cut the number of homes … it’s possible,” Chasen said. Agnes Crafton, the activities director for the Knights of St. Jerome in Ridge said they had applied for a bingo license three weeks ago to have a game at ADF Bingo Hall. They had never applied for one in the past, she said, but the aging hall their needed many repairs and the organization also needed the money to support a scholarship they award. “There’s just a lot of things we could use the money for,” Crafton said.

Hoyer Talks Health Care Reform At Calvert Memorial Hospital By Guy Leonard Staff Writer

Josh Mesh, State Farm Agent Josh Mesh, Farm 25450 Point State Lookout Rd,Agent Suite #2 25450 Point Lookout Rd, Suite #2 Leonardtown, MD 20650 Phone: (301)-475-9111 Leonardtown, MD 20650 Email: Phone: josh@joshmesh.com (301)-475-9111 Web: www.joshmesh.com Email: josh@joshmesh.com

Web:

www.joshmesh.com

LIKE A GOOD NEIGHBOR STATE FARM NEIGHBOR IS THERE® LIKE A GOOD ® STATE FARM IS THERE Providing Insurance &

FinancialInsurance Services & Providing Financial Services

House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer, who represents southern Maryland in Congress, told physicians and staff at Calvert Memorial Hospital Aug. 6 that a health care reform measure on hold over the August recess would reduce burgeoning health care costs but would also ensure that private insurance plans would not become a thing of the past. “Americans want choices,” Hoyer told the private gathering that was only open to the press. “This bill should take away no ones options. “If you’ve got it [private health insurance] and you like it, you keep it,” Hoyer also said. “This bill will not do anything to adversely affect that.” The current proposed legislation has been criticized because it offers a public option that some conservatives argue would push private insurance offerings off the market because the federal plan would be cheaper. Hoyer dismissed arguments that the health care reform package smacked of socialism as “Rush Limbaugh blathering.” According to an analysis done by the Lewin Group, a Virginia-based health care policy and management think tank, the proposed American Affordable Health Choices

Act of 2009 requires all citizens to have health insurance and requires employers to cover their workers or pay a payroll tax of up to 8 percent. The bill prohibits insurance companies from setting premiums based on the health status of the payee; it also guarantees the issuance of coverage, the study states. The study notes that while coverage under the public care option could be 32 percent less than what private insurers pay for coverage and would reduce costs for individual payers by about $1,100 a year, it would also have a negative impact on employment. The study states that the plan’s requirements for small businesses could mean between 260,000 to 600,000 low-wage workers losing their jobs. The forum was open only to hospital staff and media; the event was closed to the general public. Hoyer faced a small group of vocal opponents to health care reform while speaking on public transportation issues recently in Utica, N.Y., while other U.S. representatives have been greeted with protests in other states as more people become weary over plans to reform the health care system. “We’re going to have public forums,” Hoyers told The County Times. “It’s going to be before we get back [into session.]”

Thursday, August 13, 2009

The County Times

ews Sailor Killed In Afghanistan Was Stationed At Pax River By Guy Leonard Staff Writer

A Navy medic who was killed Aug. 5 in Afghanistan serving in Operation Enduring Freedom was posted here at Patuxent River Naval Air Station until January of this year, according to officials on the base. A Department of Defense press release states that Garcia died in Farah Province but did not give any other details. Anthony Garcia, 21, was a third class petty officer working as a hospital medic at the base clinic before he shipped out to the 3rd Marine Division based in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. Garcia was a Denver, Colo., native but

graduated high school in Panama City, Fla. His online myspace.com page showed that he was pursuing a degree at the University of Maryland’s University College to become an emergency medicine physician. He graduated in 2006 from Thomas P. Haney Vocational-Technical Center majoring as a residential electrician, according to his myspace page. “I was born in Denver, Colo., but grew up an Air Force brat and moved around a lot,” Gracia wrote online. “I joined the Navy right out of high school and have matured, changed, in a good way, and have accomplished a lot.”

Today’s Newsmaker In Brief Is the homeless problem in St. Mary’s County improving? It hasn’t lessened any. If anything it’s worse.

Anthony Garcia

Lanny Lancaster, director of Three Oaks homeless shelter

Oyster Bar In Trent Hall Gets Almost 6 Million New Inhabitants By Guy Leonard Staff Writer An artificial oyster sanctuary off the shore of Trent Hall Farm in Mechanicsville got a new delivery last week of about 5.8 million new oyster spats attached to shells that the Oyster Recovery Partnership hopes will continue to improve the water quality of the Patuxent River. The partnership is a nonprofit group that coordinates state and federal stakeholders as well as

House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (D), right, observes some oysters grown on an bar near Mechanicsville as part of a larger restoration project. From left is Oyster Recovery Partnership director Stephan Abell and Calvert County Watermen’s Association President Tommy Zinn.

local watermen in an effort to reintroduce large amounts of oysters back into the Chesapeake Bay and tributaries like the Patuxent River. The oyster seeding in the Patuxent was part of a tour on Aug. 6 by House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer to observe restoration efforts. “A lot of this is called ‘pork,’” said Hoyer who represents southern Maryland in Congress. “But this can have a significant economic impact, which means it’s a good investment.” Hoyer said that restoring the oyster to the bay and its tributaries means that the water quality could improve, and with the subsequent improvement of the habitat, watermen could harvest more product to stay in business. “It’s important to convey to the public that the investment is making a difference,” he said. Ben Parks Sr., a Dorchester County waterman who ferried Hoyer, county officials and members of the partnership out into the Patuxent River, said that the partnership’s efforts have helped keep watermen from giving up their trade. “If it wasn’t for ORP, there’d be very little in the way of hand tonging on the Chesapeake Bay,” Parks told The County Times.

Tommy Zinn, president of the Calvert County Watermen’s Association, said that the oysters seeded by the project in sanctuary bars like the one in Trent Hall were growing well despite diseases that have decimated the oyster population in recent decades. It is estimated that the numbers of oysters in the bay has declined to about one percent of historic levels. The recovery partnership’s oysters were already attached to shells as they were seeded; environmentalists and watermen say this helps them have a better chance of survival. “We haven’t had a problem with them dy-

ing,” Zinn said. “They’re growing fast.” The amount of money spent on the recovery project’s efforts, which includes cooperation from agencies like the Army Corps of Engineers, the Environmental Protection Agency, has been about $60 million since 1994, according to congressional sources. Despite the work on restoring the oyster to rivers and the bay, the University of Maryland’s Center for Environmental Science gave the bay’s health a C- grade in April, while the Patuxent River received a grade of D-, showing that the health of both was precarious.

Kids Can Play, Adults Can Socialize

County To Assist Census In Counting The Homeless

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer

Officials will begin identifying outdoor areas in the county that are being used by homeless people as campsites so the people can be accurately counted for the upcoming 2010 Census, The County Times has learned. A letter from the U.S. Census Bureau, part of the Department of Commerce, to Commissioner President Francis Jack Russell dated Aug. 3 asked that the county have its list of “targeted non-sheltered outdoor locations” ready by Aug. 31. Bennett Connelly, director of the county’s Department of Human Services, said that his office would be the point of contact for the Census Bureau in accurately counting the homeless here. “It affects future funding as to grants that can help the homeless,” Connelly said about why an accurate count of their numbers was important. Counting the homeless in general remains challenging, because it is not always evident who no longer has a home, Connelly said. “We only count the people who are visibly homeless, not the ones who have lost their homes and are staying with relatives,” Connelly said.

He said the county recently participated in a winter count of homeless people for the federal government; however, results are not available yet . There will also be a briefing for the Board of County Commissioners in September on the effects of the economic recession, including the extent of homelessness. Connelly said that the effects of the recession may be tapering off. “At least from what we’re seeing (reports of foreclosure, requests for assistance with food stamps and employment), the numbers are leveling off,” Connelly said. “I haven’t seen them going up like they did last year.” County human services officials estimate that there are about 1,200 to 1,300 people in St. Mary’s who are homeless, according to their latest completed counts. Because that is about one percent of the population, Connelly said that was a significant number. Lanny Lancaster, director of the Three Oaks homeless shelter in Lexington Park, said that he and his staff had seen little evidence that the homeless situation here had improved. “It hasn’t lessened any,” Lancaster said. “If anything, it’s more.”

$699 2 bedroom 1 bath Convenient to Shopping and Schools.

Fireplace, washer, dryer, dishwasher, garbage disposal

MUST MOVE IN BY 8/28/2009

Income Restrictions Apply

Clubhouse • Playground • Pool • Handicap Access

Spring Valley Apartments springleasing@hrehllc.com 46533 Valley Court • Lexington Park, MD 20653

301-863-2239

round

Town

Leonardtown To Take Center Stage In County Publication By Guy Leonard Staff Writer Leonardtown will be the main feature in the county’s upcoming tourism destination guide, of which about 75,000 will be published, according to town officials. The guide will be a cooperative venture between the county’s Department of Economic and Community Development, the town and Great State Publishing, LLC, based in Frederick, which publishes the magazine “Maryland Life.” The town’s contribution to the publication will be $5,000, according to Town Administrator Laschelle McKay. Major projects coming on line in 2010 for Leonardtown include the new Wellness Center at the College of Southern Maryland, the Port of Leonardtown Winery, the downtown streetscape project, the downtown wharf and the athletic field expansion at St. Mary’s Ryken High School, all of which made Leonardtown an attractive spot to do the feature, McKay said. “With all these things coming to fruition in 2010, the Department of Economic and Community Development thought this would be a good time to feature Leonardtown,” she said. Some of the 75,000 copies will make their way into county visitor centers, while some will be on hand for distribution in the town. Mayor J. Harry Norris said that last year’s publication featured St. Mary’s City for Maryland’s 375th birthday celebration and was well received; he hoped the same would carry over for Leonardtown. “It’s a very well done publication,” Norris said. “It will certainly help the town, and it will be good for the county, too.’”

The County Times

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Study To Find Alternatives To Town’s Sewage Treatment Capacity Issue

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer

The Leonardtown town council voted unanimously Monday to sign off on a memorandum of understanding with the county to fund a study to determine different ideas for expanding the capacity of Leonardtown’s Van Wert Lane wastewater treatment plant. The proposed study, to be done by the town’s engineering firm, Stearns and Wheler and his estimated to cost $37,800, is expected to go before the Board of County Commissioners for approval at its next meeting, said Town Administrator Laschelle McKay. The study will look for ways to improve the plant’s capacity in light of the county detention center’s planned expansion over the next several years. The facility does not have the capacity to service an expanded jail, McKay said, so the study will explore options of spray irrigating land with water that has slightly higher nitrogen and phosphorus loads than are required for potable water under state standards. This should have the effect of relieving some of the capacity issues, because some of the water will not have to be as highly treated. The plant’s capacity has been an issue for Leonardtown since last year, when several large-scale housing projects stalled and the town lost out on impact fees that were to be used to expand the aging facility and bring it up to state requirements for more stringent filtering of nitrogen and phosphorus. With the treatment capacity at the plant at a standstill,

the town council voted to ration the number of equivalent dwelling units (EDUs) allotted to construction projects for water and sewer service. There may be other water-saving measures that could be incorporated into the jail expansion as well, and also other development benefits, McKay said. “There may be projects this could free up capacity for in the future,” she said. Mayor J. Harry Norris, who does not favor the expansion of the jail in Leonardtown, said that the study was necessary even if the jail expansion were not on the table, since treatment capacity was so tight. “We’re very careful with them [EDUs,]” Norris said. “We’re tracking them very closely.”

Thursday, August 13, 2009

The County Times

It’s tubby tIme Cardin Booed At Health Care Forum at Chesapeake Pet Resort & Day spa! TOWSON (AP) - Sen. Ben Cardin had to shout his way through a town hall meeting Monday evening, where angry constituents booed and jeered as the Democratic senator from Maryland tried to explain health care reform working its way through Congress. Cardin was booed and jeered repeatedly throughout his 25-minute presentation and the question-and-answer period. The crowd had to be asked to calm down to allow him to continue. Cardin said how to pay for the bill has not yet been worked out, a comment that prompted even more derision from the audience. Some shouted, “Taxes!” and others shouted, “Spend, Ben, spend!” At one point, four police officers strolled down the two aisles of the auditorium at Towson University and stood in front of the stage. Cardin defended the health bills, saying they would provide more choice, and that there would be more people, not fewer, with insurance. One questioner asked for an example of anything the government had taken over and provided cheaper. Cardin cited the national parks system and Medicare. That drew more boos and jeers. Cardin said Medicare is cheaper than private insurance for the elderly, adding, “your government runs it more effectively.” He said the bill would be neutral on Ben Carden abortion; there would be no change from the current policy. The protests continued even after the But Cardin had to stop speaking several meeting with people shouting on the road outtimes because the crowd was so loud. side of the hall, waving flags and placards. Another questioner: “Yes or no?” on More than 200 boisterous but peaceful whether Cardin would enroll in whatever bill protesters turned out before the meeting. passes. Cardin began to answer twice, and each Protesters chanted and carried signs that time the questioner asked him “Yes or no?” read, “No socialized medicine”; “Public opprompting a deafening roar from the crowd. tion is no option”; “Health care can’t wait” and Cardin finally said, “I turned 65 this year. “Health care is a right.” I’m in a public plan. It’s called Medicare.”

High-Paid State Workers May Have Longer Furloughs ANNAPOLIS (AP) - Plans for another round of Maryland state employee furloughs are likely to put the heaviest burden on higherpaid workers, much like a similar plan ordered in the last fiscal year, an official in Gov. Martin O’Malley’s administration told lawmakers Tuesday. The plans are still being worked out, said Matthew Gallagher, O’Malley’s deputy chief of staff, who declined to mention the specific number of days employees would take under the plan. But he said they will focus on making lower-paid employees take fewer furlough days than those with higher salaries. “I think that the furlough plan that was enacted in the last fiscal year gives some indication of the way that we want to go about doing it,” Gallagher told members of the House Appropriation Committee and Senate Budget and Taxation Committee. Gallagher said administration officials have met with labor negotiators six times in recent weeks to talk about the plan. “I would characterize those discussions as ongoing,” Gallagher said. Under the last fiscal year’s plan, state employees took at least two furlough days. Employees who made more than $40,000 a year took an additional two to three furlough days, depending on their salaries. The furlough plan affected about 67,000 of the state’s 80,000 employees in

the last fiscal year, which ended June 30. O’Malley’s budget officials are working on finding about $470 million in budget reductions by Labor Day to address a shortfall of more than $700 million due to declining state revenues resulting from the recession. State budget officials are looking at cuts to state aid to local governments, employee compensation and programs in state agencies. Last month, the board, which includes the governor, Treasurer Nancy Kopp and Comptroller Peter Franchot, approved about $280 million in spending reductions and fund transfers. T. Eloise Foster, O’Malley’s budget secretary, said the additional reductions are to be brought to the Board of Public Works Aug. 26. Foster said officials are seeking reductions that “are long-term and that are ongoing” to gain ground on future budget woes. Foster said the administration is working to avoid large numbers of layoffs, but she said some jobs could be cut as state agencies search for savings. In the reductions approved by the Board of Public Works last month, about 40 state jobs were cut and 18 vacant positions were eliminated. A clearer picture of the state’s budget problems will be known on Sept. 17, when the state’s Board of Revenue Estimates releases revised state revenue estimates.

chessiepets.com

301-373-3400

Looking for Quality Pet Grooming & Fun Spa Services in a Friendly and Professional environment? • Full Service Pet Grooming & Coat Care In Our New Salon • Certified Pet Stylist with many years of solid experience • Able and skilled with small and large breed canines • Soothing & Fun Spa Services • Pet Massage & Facials • “Peticures” and toe nail painting…lots of fun colors to choose! • Professional and Caring Staff • Personal & Sensitive Attention for fearful pets anxious about grooming • “DIY” Self Service Grooming Stations also available! • Trusted in the Community since 2002, for “above and beyond” Pet Care

Give us a call and check us out! Tours Welcome!

“New CuSTOMeR” COuPON (valid for first time grooming appointments)

OFF

Your next Grooming or Spa Service

“New CuSTOMeR” COuPON (valid for first time grooming appointments)

Free Plush Pet Toy With Your Next Grooming or Spa Visit

Chesapeake Pet Resort & Day Spa Southern Maryland’s Favorite Pet Retreat for Indoor-Outdoor Patio Lodging, Deluxe Cabins, and Full Service Pet Grooming & Spa Services 26120 Jones Wharf Rd, Hollywood, MD 20636

The County Times

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Generosity Helped Keep River Concerts Free

The River Concert Series at St. Mary’s College of Maryland expresses its deep appreciation to the Southern Maryland Community for the tremendous support of its 11th season, beginning with the celebration of Maryland’s 375th birthday. The enthusiasm of thousands of people of all ages who came to the concerts each week played a major role in the overwhelming success of what has become a summer tradition on the campus of St. Mary’s College of Maryland. This summer drew the largest audience ever, including increasing number of tourists. We are extremely grateful for their generosity in filling the collection buckets with more than $22,000, which qualifies the “audience” to continue to be a full Series Sponsor for the 2010 River Concert Series. Under the superb direction of music director Jeffrey Silberschlag, the Chesapeake Orchestra and featured guest artists provided consistently outstanding performances resulting in standing ovations from delighted audiences who enjoyed the wide variety of music offered. The generosity of local community businesses, organizations and many individuals enabled the concerts to remain free, and we are grateful for their participation. The number of sponsors

and advertisers of the 2009 River Concert Series continued to grow. Many thanks to my assistant Lee Ramsey and other dedicated St. Mary’s College employees from the Office of Development, the Office of Publications, Sam Goddard and the many dedicated staff from the physical plant, the Public Safety office, the office of Media and Public Relations and the Events Office. And a special thanks to the River Concert Series interns and Mike Adams and Audrey Hamilton in the music department for their tireless efforts. We are grateful to the Arts Alliance Steering Committee members who cheerfully handed out programs, passed donation buckets, provided information and sold River Concert Series posters at each concert. In addition, many thanks to the growing number of Arts Alliance members whose dues and donations help keep the River Concerts free for everyone. If you would like to join the Arts Alliance or show your support by making a contribution to the River Concert Series, please call Micah Benons at 240-895-3038. Thanks for your continued support! Barbara Bershon, Executive Director River Concert Series

Universal Health Care Pill The new Universal Health Bill, if made into law, will require people to submit to “End of Life” counseling on their 65th birthday and every five years thereafter. Should such person become seriously ill and need costly medical care, the counseling sessions would be more frequent. I can see it now. “Good morning Mr. Jones,” said the young doctor who is being paid a set fee by the government for each person counseled. “We’re here this morning to discuss your “End of Life” plans. You realize it’s never too soon to plan for the day when you leave this world.” “Ah yep,” grunts Mr. Jones. “Yes. Well, do you have a Last Will and Testament? And a Living Will? And a Durable Power of Attorney? How about your burial costs? Are they taken care of? A lot to think about, wouldn’t you say?” “Ah yep.” grunt’s Mr. Jones. “Uh huh. So, anyway, do you have any questions about the various forms we just discussed?” The young doctor smiles ingratiatingly at Mr. Jones. “Ah nope.” grunts Mr. Jones. “Then, let’s move on to the next area you should be concerned about, Mr. Jones. I see from your medial history that you have been treated for high blood pressure, arthritis, diabetes, and you’re a bit overweight. Are you aware that when compared to a 20-year-old male who does not suffer form these debilitating illnesses, your health care bill is costing the government $23,000 per year more than that of the younger person and the costs will increase every year? What do you think about that? Do you think it’s fair to the younger generation to spend so much of the money that could go toward other programs such as education and job training for the unemployed? Mr. Jones looked a bit sheepish and mumbled, “guess not.” “That’s right, Mr. Jones. It’s not fair. Now what do you think you should do about it to make it more fair to the younger people?” The doctor

looked accusingly at Mr. Jones. Mr. Jones shrank down in his chair. “Don’t rightly know.” “Fortunately, your government that’s brought you all the hope and change you’ve enjoyed for the past several years has a program that can help you decide. You know, you’ve lived a long and fruitful life. You’ve worked hard, raised some fine children, been many places on vacations, and now you’re coming to the end of the road we must all travel. Now the government has brought forth what we call “The Patriot’s Choice Program.” “What’s that?” asked Mr. Jones. “ It’s a very simple program, Mr. Jones.” The doctor reached into his desk drawer and extracted a glossy brochure and a small red, white, and blue cardboard card with a red, white, and blue pill embedded in its center. The doctor opened the brochure and placed it in front of Mr. Jones. “As you can see, volunteers who enter the Patriot’s Choice Program receive a free burial at a cemetery of their choice, and no estate taxes are levied on the first million dollars of the volunteer’s estate. Isn’t that a great deal, Mr. Jones?” “Ah, yep. I guess so.” mumbled Mr. Jones. “Now here we have the “Patriot’s Pill,” Mr. Jones.” The doctor placed the small cardboard card containing the embedded pill in front of Mr. Jones. “All you have to do, when you feel the time is right and you’ve made your decision to move on and join your wife and parents in the happy place where there are no more problems and you have permanent peace, is take this pill with a swallow of water just before you go to bed. We have you registered as a volunteer and we’ll take care of everything for you. Now isn’t that a wonderful way our compassionate government has though of everything?” James H Hilbert Mechanicsville, Md.

The County Times

P.O. Box 250 • Hollywood, MD 20636

Editorial:

Commissioners Make Another Property Purchase Debacle; Will Consider Property Rights Invasion Instead

The saga of bad business decisions by the Board of County Commissioners continued this week. After badly wasting taxpayer dollars on property near Leonardtown the commissioners decided not to pursue a much needed property acquisition near Lexington Park that would have been a home-run for a community in desperate need of revitalization. On Christmas Eve of last year, in a meeting scheduled on a day that was a noncommissioner meeting day (Wednesday) and the busiest day of the year for families focused on Christmas, the county commissioners announced they would pay nearly twice the appraised value for a farm just outside of Leonardtown. In a strangely organized public meeting the commissioners revealed for the first time to the public that they had agreed to use taxpayer dollars to purchase the Hayden Farm. With all plans and negotiations having taken place behind closed doors, the commissioners wanted no public input; revealed very few plans, and basically told the public to put blind faith in their decision. After some scrutiny in the months that followed, it has been revealed that the commissioners paid nearly $5.5 million for property that was appraised at only $3 million in a declining real estate market. It has also become clear that the commissioners did not perform the usual due-diligence associated with property development acquisitions. Concerns have now surfaced that much of the property may not be suitable for development due to environmental issues. Additionally, the commissioners claimed the rush to purchase was due to the need for new schools and now it is learned that the area does not meet the requirements for school funding and probably will not meet the enrollment projection requirements for some 10 years. There are water and sewer issues associated with the Hayden Farm. Also, the commissioners would like to build a new library on the property despite that fact that a new library in downtown Leonardtown, not outside of Leonardtown, is fundamental to the provisions of smart growth and would virtually assure a stable commercial district on the Square for generations to come. While spending indefensible amounts of money and not providing redevelopment and smart growth benefits with the Hayden Farm acquisition, the commissioners are now going to make all the same mistakes again, this time in reverse. The Community Development Corporation (CDC) was established as a quasi-government entity that could operate in Lexington Park for the purpose of job training and blighted area redevelopment, among other things. A board of directors made up of highly successful business and professional people oversee the operations. The corporation is designed to allow an independent arm of the public to buy and

sell property, to redevelop property, and to manage government incentives to revitalize Lexington Park, including tax incentives. Not everything the CDC does do we agree with, but redevelopment is often a risky business. Nearly 10 years ago the CDC managed a deal that gave sizable tax incentives to WAWA to open a new store and gas station on Great Mills Road. Incentives included forgiveness of local property taxes as well as employment tax incentives. Unfortunately, two existing gas stations on the corners of Chancellors Run Road were forced to close due to some degree to the additional competition. These businesses have been empty since, despite the ongoing efforts by the property owners to find other uses for the buildings. Yet these property owners have continued to pay property taxes on their unoccupied property while WAWA has done business without paying property taxes. These empty properties sit across from Great Mills High School and are considered by nearly everyone to be candidates for redevelopment. The CDC has been able to secure the prospect for a federal government grant to allow the CDC to purchase one of the properties. The CDC has performed the necessary due-diligence and would propose to remove the building and all other structures on the property, clean the property up and then sell the property. While the cost of nearly $600,000 to do all of that may sound like a lot of money, corner commercial lots at major intersections can often yield more than that when conditions are good. This is the exact purpose for which the CDC was established, and redevelopment of this intersection would go a long way to improve the chances that other commercial and residential redevelopment projects would follow. This project had the potential to cost taxpayers very few dollars once the property was resold with millions in related benefits. The commissioners, who must approve the federal grant application are refusing to even vote on it. Now the commissioners are considering digging into the county’s land use laws to find ways to force property owners to give up property rights for the purpose of economic development. This tactic amounts to eminent domain through the back door, the government taking private property. Who will decide when your business or home is not desirable anymore and must be torn down? We are not talking about junk cars and trash here, we are talking about private property that has improvements built on the property that government could come along and require a property owner to remove. There are plenty of buildings and structures that we find offensive everywhere in our county. But county government should never be given the authority to decide which ones will stay and which ones will go unless they are willing to buy the property, which is exactly what the CDC is there for.

The County Times

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Speaks

DEALS SO GOOD YOU MAY WANT TO SIT DOWN.

Libraries An Essential Component Everyday more than 2,500 county residents walk through the doors of the three branches of the St. Mary’s County Library system. They take for granted what a small group of citizens only dreamed about nearly 60 years ago—a public library for everyone. Thanks to the determination of these dedicated citizens and a gift from Mrs. Mary Patterson Davidson of Mechanicsville, their dream was realized in 1950 when St. Mary’s County Library opened in Tudor Hall. The library’s beginnings were modest, opening with only 3,647 books and three staff. Today the library maintains a collection of 240,000 items, operates three libraries, a WoW! van service for child care providers, and an Internet branch, www.stmalib.org, which makes the library services accessible worldwide 24/7 to cardholders. As the county grew, so did the residents’ needs for library services. The original library, now Leonardtown Library, moved to its current location, the old Leonardtown National Guard Armory, when it outgrew Tudor Hall. It has now outgrown the Armory and plans are underway to build a new Leonardtown Library on the Hayden Farm off Hollywood Road. Lexington Park Library, the newest facility, moved into its new building at 21677 FDR Boulevard in 2002. Having started out in a retired bookmobile on concrete blocks ian 1982, Charlotte Hall Library is now located at 37600 New Market Road, at the corner of Route 5 and Route 6 in Charlotte Hall. The libraries are used at an amazing rate. In 1950 the library had 7,000 visitors checking out 35,000 items. This past year the library ranked

5th in the state in circulation per resident with 675,000 visitors checking out 1,300,000 items. Thousands attend numerous free programs and workshops offered by the libraries. More than 70,000 county residents have a library card. The library staff have made very effective use of technology to provide new and enhanced services: high speed access to the Internet from the more than 100 public computers and laptops, wireless access to the Internet, computer classes, 24/7 access to the statewide catalog and online resources, self checkout machines. St. Mary’s County Library is an essential component of our county’s educational and recreational resources for all of our county’s residents, from birth through retirement. It is exactly what that small group dreamed of 60 years ago—a public library in which everyone can learn, discover, and relax! St. Mary’s County Library was the final site visited by “Flat Sneaks”, the library’s summer reading mascot, in the “Where’s Flat Sneaks?” contest. The weekly contest was sponsored by The County Times as part of the “Celebrate 375!” campaign. St. Mary’s County Tourism Department and the St. Mary’s County Library collaborated on this program.

NO INTERE ST, NO PAYMENTS FOR 12 MONTHS

ON ALL MODELS SHOWN

XUV 620i

$300 OFF

Green & Yellow • On-demand true 4WD • Electronic fuel injection

PLUS $200 OF

ATTACHMENTS FREE3

��

$500 OFF

You’re Invited to a Public Meeting On the Replacement of St. Mary’s College’s Anne Arundel Hall And the Construction of the New Maryland Heritage Interpretive Center (Visitor’s Center) for Historic St. Mary’s City The Capital Design Advisory Committee (CDA) Of St. Mary’s College of Maryland (SMCM) And Historic St. Mary’s City (HSMC) Will Host an Open House To Seek Feedback From the Community WHEN: Thursday, August 13 4-7 p.m.

WHERE: Glendening Annex, SMCM Campus

Z445

X534

• 25-hp • 48", 54" or NEW 54" High-capacity mower deck

• 25-hp • 48" or 54" Deck • 4-year limited warranty

EZtrak™

Select Series™

$200 OFF

WHY: The Open House will provide information about the program, scope, and siting for the replacement of Anne Arundel Hall and the new Maryland Heritage Interpretive Center. In addition to the open house, the CDA will hold a public meeting on Wednesday, August 19, to review the proposals and receive feedback. The CDA will report feedback to the governing boards of the college and HSMC.

HOURS: Mon-Fri • 8-5 Sat • 8-12 Closed Sundays VISIT US AT WWW.JOHNDEERE.COM

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

¹Offer ends 8/3/2009. Some restrictions apply; other special rates and terms may be available, so see your dealer for details and other financing options. Subject to approved credit on John Deere Credit Revolving Plan, a service of FPC Financial, f.s.b. For consumer use only. After promotional period, finance charges will begin to accrue at 17.9% APR. A $1.00 per month minimum finance charge may be required. Upon default of your account, the interest rate may increase to 19.8% APR. ²Offer ends 5/31/2009. This offer not available in California or for purchase of units to be used in California. Prices and model availability may vary by dealer. Some restrictions apply; other special rates and terms may be available, so see your dealer for details and other financing options. Available at participating dealers. ³Save up to $200 (U.S.) on attachments and accessories offer available March 3, 2009, through August 3, 2009. Savings offer on John Deere–branded attachments or accessories purchased with a new XUV Series Utility Vehicle. Prices and models may vary by dealer. Some restrictions may apply. Prices and savings in U.S. dollars. See your dealer for details. John Deere’s green and yellow color scheme, the leaping deer symbol and JOHN DEERE are trademarks of Deere & Company. DC3CUAI6227 -CAR3x100513CCR-4C-00287274

for the love of

Money

The County Times

Thursday, August 13, 2009 The typical U.S. family will spend $7,000 in the first year of their child's life.

un Fact

Think Economic Diversity

By Bob Schaller

“THINK” was a one-word slogan developed by IBM founder Thomas J. Watson Sr. that became IBM’s core value. Generations later Apple Computer adopted the campaign “Think Different” and the evidence is striking in many things Apple does. Both companies are successful today, and both much different than when they started. The true test of long-term economic success is the ability to adapt to change. Economic diversity happens because change happens. This applies to at all levels in the economy, from large institutions to individual households. The purpose of this column is to raise awareness on the possibilities and potential benefits of economic diversity. As discussed often, we are very fortunate to have a strong local defense economy that employs about 40 percent of our workforce, represents 60 percent of all wages in the county, and an even greater share of total economic impact through all the spending for goods and services that flows through the local economy. High-paying jobs are vital to the success of our economy and community. The future workload projections at NAS Patuxent River look bright and we must ensure this continued success. That’s our first priority. Steady defense employment is the chief reason the economic downturn has not been felt as much here as in other places. Local unemployment, while up to 6.1 percent in June, remains the third lowest in the state through the first half of 2009. Only Howard and Montgomery Counties are lower, and not by much. Over time St. Mary’s has gradually gotten relatively stronger in employment. In 2006 St. Mary’s ranked ninth lowest in the state. In 2007 we moved up

to eighth. In 2008, when the recession settled in, we improved up to sixth. Again, so far this year we are holding at third. At the same time we need to pursue economic diversity more vigorously to increase the tax base and provide more balance and opportunity to those in the nondefense sector. This is not easy but there are many examples around. Whether it’s finding a commercial application for a technology used in defense as some are doing, or experimenting with a new crop or use of a farm such as grapes or wineries, or simply reassessing changing customer needs and offering more or less of something based on shifts in the market. The slowing economy is the time to look hard at things, make adjustments, and set a new course if necessary. For county tourism, we have attempted to stimulate demand this year with the Maryland 375 campaign. This is true at all levels in the economy, from large institutions to individual households. It’s that “Should we do something differently?” mentality that keeps economies flexible and ready for inevitable change. So ask yourself whether you should be pursuing other markets, attempting new products, trying a new approach to sales and distribution. Are you getting the best use of your resources? Ask yourself and ask others around you. Look around for examples where others, especially your competitors, have asked and answered. Ask them what they did, why, and how. Hopefully you’ll find an answer or two worth pursuing. That’s good thinking, and with it the basis for diversifying. Bob Schaller is director of the county’s Department of Economic and Community Development.

Company

Wal-Mart Harley Davidson Best Buy Lockheed Martin BAE Systems Computer Science Corp. Dyncorp International Inc. General Dynamics Corp. Mantech International Corp. Northrop Grunman Corp.

Symbol

Close 8/12/2009

Close 12/31/2008

WMT HOG BBY LMT BAESF CSC DCP GD MANT NOC

$50.51 $22.90 $36.44 $75.65 $5.43 $49.95 $17.15 $57.13 $53.53 $48.03

$56.06 $16.97 $28.11 $84.08 $5.41 $35.14 $15.17 $57.59 $54.19 $45.04

Change

-9.90% 34.94% 29.63% -10.03% 0.37% 42.15% 13.05% -0.80% -1.22% 6.64%

Help For Struggling Businesses

If your small business is stressed meeting expenses during these economic times, the U.S. Small Business Administration has a new loan program designed just for you. SBA’s America’s Recovery Capital (ARC) Loan Program can provide up to $35,000 in short-term relief for viable small businesses facing immediate financial hardship to help ride out the current uncertain economic times and return to profitability. Each small business is limited to one ARC loan. ARC loans will be offered by some SBA lenders for as long as funding is available or until Sept. 30, 2010, whichever comes first. For more information, go to http://www.sba. gov/recovery/arcloanprogram/ <http://www.sba.gov/recovery/arcloanprogram/> or contact the Small Business Development Center Southern Region at 301-934-7583.

DEL. JOHNNY WOOD WANTS YOU TO ATTEND HIS

BULL ROAST TUESDAY, AUGUST 25th, 2009

6-9 P.M.

Olde Breton Inn, Compton Casual Dress $30 per person • $20 for seniors Come out and enjoy a fun evening of great food and terrific company with Delegate Wood and his family BY AUTHORITY JOHN F. WOOD • JULIA LEE FORBES TREASURER

Thursday, August 13, 2009

The County Times

Meeting to Help Homeless Veterans

Addressing the needs of homeless veterans in Southern Maryland will be the focus of a Community Homelessness Assessment, Local Education and Networking Group (CHALENG) meeting on Friday, Aug. 14 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Frank Knox Training Center at the Naval Air Station Patuxent River. The Center is outside of Gate Two near the intersection of Great Mills Road and Rte. 235. CHALENG is an initiative of the US Dept of Veterans Affairs and joins the VA medical centers with other federal, state and local agencies and nonprofit organizations to assess the needs of homeless veterans, develop action

plans to meet identified needs, and develop directories that contain local community resources to be used by homeless veterans. More than 10,000 representatives from non-VA organizations have participated in Project CHALENG initiatives to raise awareness of the needs of homeless veterans to create new partnerships in the fight against homelessness, and developing new strategies for future action. For more information, call Kevin Morton, Health Care for Homeless Veterans Coordinator of the Washington DC VA Medical Center at 202-745-8000 x 6892.

Breakfast Briefing on Acquisition Reform The Patuxent Partnership is hosting a breakfast briefing titled Acquisition Reform on Wednesday, Aug. 19, at the Southern Maryland Higher Education Center, 44219 Airport Road in California, adjacent to St. Mary’s County Regional Airport. Speaking will be Bob Simmons, Minority Staff Director, and Jenness Simler, Professional Staff Member, of the United States House of Representatives Committee on Armed Services. Check in is at 7 a.m. and the program begins at 7:30 a.m. with adjournment at 9 a.m. The program is complimentary, with beverages and breakfast snacks provided. Everyone, including base personnel, are welcome. Advance registration is requested to manage seating and catering. For more information, go to www.paxpartnership.org.

Unmanned X-47B Goes Through Rigorous Testing

SAN DIEGO – Northrop Grumman Corp. (NYSE:NOC) recently completed a series of static and dynamic proof load tests to validate the design and structural integrity of the U.S. Navy’s first X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) for aircraft carrier launches, recoveries and at-sea operations under the UCAS Carrier Demonstration (UCAS-D) program. “Arrested landings, catapult launches, high winds, pitching deck, subsonic speeds, you name it – the operating environment of the carrier air wing is unforgiving,” said Scott Winship, vice president and program manager of the Navy UCAS program for Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems sector, in a recent press release. “The X-47B was built for these conditions, and as the results of the rigorous proof test show, the design of the aircraft is structurally sound for all aspects of carrier operations,” he said. Conducted over a two-month period with NAVAIR involvement and oversight, the first X47B underwent a series of progressive structural, functional proof and calibration tests to verify the integrity of all flight control surfaces, major structural load paths, main landing gear structure and tailhook assembly. According to Northrop Grumman’s air vehicle integrated product team lead, Tom Soard, “Past experience in the Navy shows these tests are the only way to verify the design and the tools used to estimate the load paths. This test

proved that our latest finite element models are indeed very accurate. The results match our predictions very well.” To conduct the tests, over 200 electro-hydraulic assemblies were attached to the major components of the X-47B. Pressure was applied to simulate aircraft flight conditions. Each test condition was reviewed and the results approved by the X-47B airframe team before the next series of tests were initiated. Reported results confirm that the X-47B meets the design requirements outlined by the U.S. Navy for a jet-powered, fighter-sized aircraft to demonstrate autonomous launches and recoveries from a carrier. The X-47B aircraft, now designated with Navy Bureau Number 168063, will undergo engine integration and taxi tests through the fall in preparation for first flight and carrier trials. The second aircraft is currently being assembled and will begin proof load tests later this year. On schedule and cost, the Northrop Grumman UCAS-D program is committed to maturing critical technologies, reducing unmanned air system carrier integration risks and providing necessary information to the U.S. Navy for a potential follow-on acquisition in support of the Naval Aviation Master Plan. The period of performance for the UCAS-D contract is through 2013.

For more information, check out our website at

www.hvfd7.com

The County Times

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Look where Flat Sneaks’ adventures took him! Flat Sneaks had a fantastic time exploring our county and learning a little about the past 375 years. He found the sites amazing and gave them a “thumbs-up”. Look where his adventures took him: Week 1-Old Jail; Week 2-African-American Monument; Week 3–Greenwell State Park; Week 4-Three Notch Trail; Week 5-Leonardtown Wharf; Week 6-Amish Market; Week 7-Elms Beach; Week 8–St. Mary’s County Libraries. Take a tip from Flat Sneaks—visit these sites if you haven’t done so! They are amazing!

Congratulations to Week #8 winners: Malori Tignor,

Charlotte Hall Library; Faith Farren, Leonardtown Library; Summer LaRocco, Lexington Park Library.

Thank you to all of our participants.

Kids, explore other county sites and earn free ice cream.

2 7

Pick up an Adventure Passport at your library and explore 5 other county sites to earn a Bruster’s Real Ice Cream coupon and a chance to win Sally Walker’s book, Written in Bone. Your passport admits you free at the sites. Hurry, the program ends August 31. Visit www.Maryland375.com for more 375 fun activities.

Limi te

Charlotte Hall Library 301-884-2211 • Leonardtown Library 301-475-2846 • Lexington Park Library 301-863-8188

ime Only!

Move

pecial S - In Discounted Cable Playground

301-862-5307

Free on Site Storage with Every Apartment Walk to Shopping/ Restaurants Amenity Package Available

Owned and Operated by

Call For More Information: Bella Bailey, Marketing & Leasing MGR.

301-737-0737

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

• Meeting Rooms • Walk to Restaurants • Shopping • Night Life • Per Diem Rates Available

Brand new

with free internet, free hot breakfast

EvEry room

Fridge/Microwave Flat Screen TV

Fitness Center Business Center Laundry Facility

wake up on the bright side® 301-862-4100 22769 Three Notch Road • California, MD 20619

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Agnes Lillian Anderson, 87 Agnes Lillian Anderson, 87 of Mechanicsville, MD died August 11, 2009 at her residence. Born April 1, 1922, in Dynard, MD she was the daughter of the late James Dudley and Mary Agnes Lawrence Thompson. She was the loving wife of the late James Leo Anderson who preceded her in death on August 15, 2001. She is survived by her children Ruth Ann Gainey and her husband Herb of Mechanicsville, MD, James William Anderson and his wife Patsy of Mechanicsville, MD, Mary Agnes Wood and her husband Johnson of Mechanicsville, MD and Anthony Leo Anderson and his companion Willie of Washington, DC. Condolences to the family may be left at www.mgfh. com. A full obituary will appear at a later date. Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A.

Robert Doyle “Buck” Buckner, 80 Robert Doyle “Buck” Buckner, 80, of Lexington Park, MD died August 3, 2009 at his residence. Born April 10, 1929 in Greensboro, NC, he was the son of the late Aubrey Watson Buckner and Ollie Mae (Fox) Buckner. Buck served in the United States Navy from 1951 until 1972. After his retirement from the Navy, he worked for the Civil Service at Patuxent River, MD as an aircraft electrician until his retirement in 1982. Buck is survived by his children; Robbie Buckner (Joan) of Prince Frederick, MD, Patty Jensen of Greenville, NC, Anna Buckner of Lake Tahoe, NV, Mark Buckner (Valerie) of Lexington Park, MD, Michele Lengel of Virginia Beach, VA, and Mary Woodburn (Joe) of Ridge, MD, ten grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren, siblings; Colleen Sykes of Siler City, NC, Donald Buckner of Greensboro, NC, Gilbert Buckner of Ramsuer, NC, Ed Buckner of Greensboro, NC, Ormond Buckner of Leigh Creek, Australia, Jerry Buckner of Greensboro, NC, Wanda Hicks of Siler City, NC, and Katy Buckner of Winston Salem, NC. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Madeline (Bibeau) Buckner in 1989 and his second wife Judy (Barnes) Buckner in 2004. Family received friends for Buck’s Life Celebration on Friday, August 7, 2009 from 5:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. in St. Michael’s Catholic Church, 16555 Three Notch Road, Ridge, MD 20680. A Memorial Mass was conducted at 6:00 p.m. with Father Lee Fangmyer officiating. Interment was private. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of St. Mary’s, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650, St. Michael’s Church, P.O. Box 429, Ridge, MD 20680 or ACTS (A Community That Shares), P.O. Box 54, Bushwood, MD 20618. Condolences to the family may be made at www.brinsfieldfuneral. com. Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.

William Marvin Cheseldine 83

William Marvin Cheseldine 83, of Leonardtown, MD died Friday, August 7, 2007 at his home. Born November 22, 1925 in St. Mary’s County, he was the son of the late William Francis Cheseldine and Laura M. Scott Cheseldine. He is survived by his wife, Anna Bernice Meloy Cheseldine of Leonardtown, MD, daughter, Linda Marie Gateau of Ocean City, MD, and son, Reverend David Wayne Cheseldine of Mechanicsville, MD. He is also survived by two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Mr. Cheseldine was preceded in death by a son, William M. Cheseldine and two sisters, Gladys Stanton and Pearl Breckenridge. Family received friends on Sunday, August 9, 2009 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Brinsfield Funeral Home, 22955 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, MD. A funeral service was conducted at 7:00 p.m. with his son, the Rev. David Wayne Cheseldine officiating. Interment was private. Condolences to the family may be made at www.brinsfieldfuneral.com. Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.

The County Times

He was predeceased by his parents; his wife, Mary Louise Harrison Cooksey; and grandson, Nicholas Alan Schofield. He is survived by six children, Barbara Cooksey (Richard) Feeney of Swan Point and La Plata, MD, Betsy Cooksey (David) Lewis of Annapolis, MD, Brenda Cooksey (William) Gee of Moravian Falls, NC, Harold Roger (Lizabeth Lenhart) Cooksey, Jr., of Dentsville, MD, Bonnie Cooksey (Amon) Brown of Mechanicsville, MD, and Robert Somerset (Tammi Canter) Cooksey of Dentsville; and eight grandchildren. Family received friends on Tuesday, August 11, 2009, from 4-7PM at St. Mary’s Catholic Church at Newport (11555 St. Mary’s Church Road, Charlotte Hall, MD 20622). A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Wednesday, August 12, 2009, at 2:00PM at St. Mary’s Catholic Church at Newport with Fr. Fred MacIntyre officiating. Interment was at the Trinity Episcopal Church Cemetery (DuBois Road and Sycamore Road) in Charlotte Hall, MD. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church at Newport, 11555 St. Mary’s Church Road, Charlotte Hall, MD 20622. Arrangements by Raymond Funeral Service, P.A., La Plata, MD.

Harold Roger Cooksey, 83 Harold Roger Cooksey, 83, died August 9, 2009, at his home in Dentsville, Md., after an extended illness. He was born August 17, 1925, in Dentsville, Md. Born and raised in Charles County, he was a fixture in southern Maryland and was active in many professional, fraternal, and community organizations. Until his retirement in 1986, he owned and operated several farms and Cooksey’s Store in Dentsville. He served as president of the Thomas Stone Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. He was a grand knight in the Knights of Columbus and was an honorary life member of its Neale Council. He was a member of the Historical Society of Charles County and was associated with the Mattawoman Art Center at Smallwood State Park. His volunteer activities included the Charles County Fair Museum, the Richard Clark Center for Senior Citizens, the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC where he served as usher, and St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Newport where he served as chairman of its finance committee. For 13 years, Mr. Cooksey was a commissioner on the Charles County Board of License and was chairman for five of those years. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Farmers Home Administration appointed him for two four-year terms to administer loans for homes, farms, and small businesses. He was a Board of Election supervisor for 39 years and was chief programming technician for voting machines in Charles County. He served as president of the Charles-St. Mary’s Baseball League. He was vice president of Big Meadows, Inc., a 700 acre farm and hunting preserve in Kent County, MD and was supervisor of production for its 400 acres of row crops. He was the son of the late William Elmer Cooksey and the late Amy Lee Cooksey.

David S. Fetty, Sr., 60 David S. Fetty, Sr., 60, of Bryans Road, MD died August 8, 2009 at his residence. Born July 21, 1949 in Washington, DC, he was the son of Virginia Brown of Viola, DE. He is survived by his children; Ruby L. Smith of Waldorf, MD, David Fetty, Jr. of KY, Tammy Cassidy of Waldorf, MD, Rev. James Fetty of VA, John Fetty of Bryans Road, MD, Beverly Fetty of KY, Michael Cassidy of Bryans Road, MD, William Fetty of SC, Cynthia Hall of Indian Head, MD and Donald Fetty of KY, 21 grandchildren and his siblings; Lee Fetty of Abell, MD, Florence Alexander of Sand Gates, DE, Sherry Clark of Milford, DE, Glenn Clark of NC, Paul J. Clark of Milford, DE, Christine Brown of Dover, DE, William Brown of Dover, DE, Billie Brown of Dover, DE and Sharon Eldridge of Naples FL. He was preceded in death by his daughter Carol Fetty in 1971. David was a truck driver for St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Washington, DC who enjoyed hunting, playing cards and watching the Redskins play football. The family received friends for a visitation on Wednesday, August 12, 2009 from 9:00 – 10:00 AM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home Chapel, Leonardtown, MD where a funeral service was held at 10:00 AM with Pastor Bob Barth officiating. Interment followed in Charles Memorial Gardens, Leonardtown, MD. Pallbearers were John Fetty, Michael Cassidy, Kenneth Hall, Ronnie Smith, Sr., Sean Reingruber, Lee Fetty, Keith Noble and Eric Reingruber. Contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 415 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21202. To leave a condolence for the family please visit www.mgfh.com. Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A.

Robin “Courtney” Good, 61 Robin “Courtney” Good, 61, of Leonardtown, MD and formerly of

Charles County, MD died August 10, 2009 at his residence. Born January 28, 1948 in Charles County, MD, he was the son of Mary Frances Strobel of Waldorf, MD and the late Robin Hood Good. He is also survived by his wife Elsie May Good, whom he married on January 28, 1983 and his son Daniel Courtney Good of Leonardtown, MD as well as his stepdaughters Carey Ann Kinzey of Leonardtown, MD and Angela Marie Kinzey of FL and April Lynn Bowles, a special young lady he thought of as his daughter. He is also survived by his siblings; Willie Good of Waldorf, MD, Raymond Good of La Plata, MD, Richard Good of Indian Head, MD, Ralph Good of Lusby, MD, six half sisters, two half brothers, four step grandchildren and one step greatgrandchild. He was preceded in death by his daughter Robin Louise Good and a half brother. A graduate of La Plata High School in Charles County, Courtney moved to St. Mary’s County in 1978. He was the President and coowner/operator of Bay Country Contractors for 25 years. His very good friend Gene St. Clair is the vice president of Bay Country Contractors and was his business partner and lifelong friend and Courtney’s son Daniel Good is also a vice president. Courtney was a dedicated husband, loving father and a good friend to many. He enjoyed antique tractors, collectables, street rods, dirt races and heavy equipment. The family will receive friends on Friday, August 14, 2009 from 5:00 – 8:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD where prayers will be said at 7:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, August 15, 2009 at 10:00 AM in St. Aloysius Catholic Church, Leonardtown, MD. Interment will follow in Charles Memorial Gardens, Leonardtown, MD. Pallbearers will be Chris Bonner, Mike Sneden, David Howell, Joey Seward, Francis “Boo” Posey and Charlie Weasenforth. Honorary pallbearers will be Willie Good, Raymond Good, Richard Good and Ralph Good. To leave a condolence for the family please visit www.mgfh.com. Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A.

Mary Agnes Harding, 85 Mary Agnes Harding, 85, of Laurel Grove, MD died August 9, 2009 at St. Mary’s Nursing Center. Born May 6, 1924 in Oraville, MD she was the daughter of the late James and Mary Dyree Quade. She was the loving wife of the late Raymond Ernest Harding who preceded her in death in 1984. She is survived by her children Mary Readmond of Hollywood, MD, Raymond C. Harding of Newburg, MD, Elizabeth Greenwell of Hollywood, MD, Johnny Harding of Mechanicsville, MD and James Harding, Sr. of Mechanicsville, MD as well as 20 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and 1 great-greatgrandchild. She was preceded in death by her son Kenneth Harding, one sister and four brothers. Mrs. Harding was a

lifelong resident of St. Mary’s County and was a homemaker. The family received friends on Wednesday, August 12, 2009 from 5:00 – 8:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home Chapel, where prayers were said at 7:00 PM. A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, August 13, 2009 at 10:00 AM in Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, Mechanicsville (Laurel Grove), MD with Rev. Ann Strickler officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Pallbearers will be John Readmond, Andy Harding, Brian Harding, James Harding, Jr., Charles Greenwell, Jr., and Scott Greenwell. Contributions may be made to the Mechanicsville Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 15, Mechanicsville, MD 20659. Condolences to the family may be made to www.mgfh.com. Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A.

Walter “Sam” Hill, Sr. 84 Walter “Sam” Hill, Sr. 84 of California, MD died August 5, 2009 at St. Mary’s Hospital, Leonardtown, MD. Born December 11, 1924 in Wilmington, NC, he was the son of the late Samuel C. and Allie Knowles Hill. Mr. Hill served in the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1945 during WWII; he owned and operated his own company from 1963 until 1990 when he retired. He was past President of the Maryland State Master Plumbers Association. He was also the past president of the Anne Arundel County Master Plumbers Association, and Washington Suburban Master Plumbers Association and a 50 year member of Lions Club International in both College Park, Maryland and Hollywood, Maryland. Mr. Hill was preceded in death by his wife the late Emily E. Roche Hill. He is survived by his children; Marguerite Hill of Rockville, MD, Rachel Hill Berti, (Fred), Walter S. Hill, Jr. of Oro Valley, AZ and Thomas E. Hill, (Judi), of Dowell, MD, one brother Jack V. Hill of Fayetteville, NC, two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents and wife Mr. Hill was preceded in death by two brothers and one sister. Family received friends on Sunday, August 9, 2009 in the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., A Funeral Service was conducted on Monday, August 10, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. in Mt Zion United Methodist Church, Mechanicsville, MD with Reverend Ann Strickler officiating. Interment followed in the church cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Hollywood Lions Club, P.O. Box 233, Hollywood, MD 20636. Condolences to the family may be made at www.brinsfieldfuneral.com. Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD 20650.

Mary Josephine Johnson, 73 Mary Josephine Johnson, 73, of

The County Times

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Continued Lexington Park, MD died on August 4, 2009 in Solomons Nursing Center. She was the loving wife of the late William Richard Johnson, Sr. She is survived by her children; Joseph A. Johnson of Lexington Park, MD, William R. Johnson, Jr. of Lewisport, KY, Rose Marie Johnson of Hollywood, MD and Debra L. Johnson of California, MD as well as three grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. She is also survived by her siblings, Ann Misamore of FL, Sue Beatty of Virginia Beach, VA and Michael Huntington of Mechanicsville, MD. A lifelong resident of St. Mary’s County, she was a homemaker who enjoyed being with her family and friends, listening to country and blue grass music, playing bingo and arts and crafts. A Memorial Service was held on Tuesday, August 11, 2009 at 11:00 AM in the MattingleyGardiner Funeral Home Chapel, Leonardtown, MD with Deacon Bill Nickerson officiating. Interment followed in Charles Memorial Gardens, Leonardtown, MD. Contributions may be made to Hospice of St. Mary’s County, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650 and/or Hospice of Calvert County, P.O. Box 838, Prince Frederick, MD 20678. Condolences to the family may be made to www.mgfh.com. Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A.

Willie “Budd” Joseph, Jr., 62 Willie “Budd” Joseph, Jr., 62, of Lexington Park, MD, formerly of Marietta, OH passed away Sunday, July 26, 2009 at Washington Hospital Center. He was born May 10, 1947, to Willie and Edith Collins Joseph in Ironton, Ohio. He graduated from Marietta High School in 1965. He was a pipefitter/welder and member of the Plumbers and Pipefitters Union 10 of Richmond, VA for 35 years. Budd is survived by his wife Susan Traynham Joseph, whom he married in July 1995; daughters, Tiffany BetzingGorham (Rick) and Autumn Joseph; grandchildren , Aaron and Haley Betzing, and Abigail Turner, all of Marietta, OH and Darrin Turner (Abigail’s dad), whom he thought of as a son; brothers, Carter (Liz), Bill (Lauri), Rick (Kathy), and John; sisters, Mary Wells, Betty Nabb (Joe) and Becky Blondeaux (Robin); and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Garnet Grady and Peggy Fish; and brother Craig Joseph. Budd enjoyed fishing, golfing, gardening, and making metal sculptures. He was a devoted lifelong fan of the Cleveland Browns. A celebration of Budd’s life will be held on Sunday, August 16, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. at his residence. Condolences to the family may be

made at www.brinsfieldfuneral.com.

Joseph Wilbert Lloyd, Sr., 89 Joseph Wilbert Lloyd, Sr., 89, affectionately known as “Pop” or “Poppa Joe” of Mechanicsville, Maryland, was called home to Our Lord on Satruday, August 8, 2009 at the Washington Hospital Center. He was preceded in death by his wife Margaret Marie (Perrie) Lloyd. Pop lived a long and colorful life. He was born on April 14, 1920 in Wayside, Maryland, the only child of Wilbert Wade and Ethel Berta (Johnson) Lloyd. When his father died, Pop was only three. His mother then moved back to the Johnson Farm in Oraville, Maryland. Pop attended St. Jospeh’s Catholic School and St. Mary’s Academy, graduating in 1939. After graduation, Pop worked for Safeway in Bladensburg and then for the Power Factory at Indian Head, MD. He entered the Army in 1944 whereupon he served in Italy at the 1st Batt. 473rd Inf. Under Gen. Mark Clarke. After the war he worked at the newly constructed Patuxent Naval Air Test Center as the head civilian Supply Officer until his retirement in April 1975. He received the Civil Service Meritorious Award, the highest civil servant award. Thereafter he worked the family farm, was an avid reader, knowledgeable on many subjects, and enjoyed the company of fam-

ily and friends. Pop married Margaret Marie Perrie on August 3, 1946 at Holy Comforter Catholic Church, Washington, DC. He and his wife raised three children. He is survived by Deacon Joseph Lloyd, Jr. and his wife Dale of Mechanicsville, MD, Michael Walter of Waynesboro, PA and Cheryl A. Lloyd and her husband James Amerault of Beltsville, MD. He is survived by his four grandchildren; Emily Hamilton, Martin W. and Erich W. Lloyd, and Karin R. Wittig. Also surviving are six great-grandchildren. Pop is survived by his loving companion Eleanora Wood. They shared many special interests and many happy moments together. Her children thought of him as their loving “Poppa Joe”. The family will receive friends Thursday, August 13, 2009 from 5:008:00 PM at Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home in Leonardtown, where prayers will be recited at 7:00 PM by Deacon Joseph Lloyd, Jr. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, August 14 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Morganza at 10:00 AM, with the Rev. Keith Woods officiating. Interment will follow at the church cemetery. Pallbearers will be Karin Wittig, Cheryl A. Lloyd, Cheryl Knott, Debbie Noble, Laffy Buckler, Glenn Buckler, Erich Lloyd and Michael Lloyd. Honorary pallbearers will be John S. Russell, Brenda Tucker, Karen Buckler, Minor Buckler, Bernard M. Johnson, Joseph B. Johnson and Mark Buckler. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph’s Church Restorations, P.O. Box 175, Morganza, MD 20660 or Mechanicsville Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 15, Mechanicsville, MD 20659. To leave a condolence for the family please visit www.mgfh. com. Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A.

John Romer, 68

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

Granite & Bronze Monuments & Engraving Pet Cemetery and Memorials

Charles Memorial Gardens, Inc. Perpetual Care Cemetery

26325 Point Lookout Road • Leonardtown, MD 20650

301-475-8060

charlesmemorialgardens.com

John Romer, 68 of Hollywood, MD died Thursday, August 6, 2009 at the Baltimore Washington Medical Center in Glen Burnie, MD. Born January 25, 1941 in Pittsburgh, PA, he was the son of the late John Joseph Romer and Frances Bielewicz Romer. He was the husband of Joanne Romer, whom he married May 26, 1962. Mr. Romer was employed as the Public Affairs Officer at Patuxent River Naval Air Station. Mr. Romer is survived by his wife and four children, Denise Snead, (Allen), John Joseph Romer, II, (Leah), Danielle Ralston, (Ed) and Christian Romer, (Rebecca); seven grandchildren, Jordan and Rachel Snead, Kyle and Zachary Romer and Garrett, Gavin and Riana Ralston; two sisters, Frances Irvin, (Duane) and Jean Richardson, (Morris). In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Carl Romer. The family will receive friends at the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD on Wednesday, August 12, 2009 from 5pm to 8pm, with prayers at 7pm. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, August13, 2009 at 10am at St. John Francis Regis Catholic Church, Hollywood, MD with Reverend Eamon Dignon officiating. Interment will be private.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Chesapeake, Philanthropy Department, 445 Defense Highway, Annapolis, MD 21401 and/or the American Cancer Society at www. cancer.org; please specify lung cancer as the preference. Condolences to the family may be made at www.brinsfieldfuneral.com Arrangements provided by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD

Alvin Francis Via, “Al”, 86 Alvin Francis Via, “Al”, 86 of California, MD passed away August 3, 2009 at St. Mary’s Hospital. Born July 22, 1923 in Alexandria VA, he was the middle child to the late Samuel and Lillian Thorpe Via. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Shirley Brewer Via; father of son Steven and his wife, Judy Via of Manassas, VA and daughter Kimberley and her husband, Kim McEligot, of Leonardtown, MD. He is survived by grandchildren Ashley Via of Bristow, VA; Trevor Via of Manassas, VA; and Kevin, Christopher and Colin McEligot of Leonardtown, MD. He is also survived by his brother James and his wife, Esther Via of Culpepper, VA. He was predeceased by his sister, Miriam Ray. He attended George Washington High School in Alexandria and then enlisted to serve in the U.S. Army during WWII, where he landed in the second wave at Omaha Beach. He made his home in Arlington, VA and was employed by Sealtest, High’s Dairy and then the Southland Corporation before retiring and relocating to Virginia Beach. In October 2008, he and his wife moved to Saint Mary’s County to be closer to family in Maryland and Virginia. Wherever Al lived he had a way of enjoying life to the fullest. He enjoyed hunting, visiting friends, time outdoors through gardening, biking and sunning. He was an avid fisherman and spent many days fishing the Potomac, Little Island, the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean. He was always on a quest for the best catch, the perfect tomato, a sweet ear of corn or the heaviest steamed crab. One of his favorite adventures was when he traveled with is son-in-law, Cdr. (Ret.) Kim McEligot aboard the USS George Washington for the 50th anniversary of D-Day. He made fast friends with fellow WWII veterans and active duty members of the U. S. Navy. He enjoyed sailing beside the Queen Elizabeth II from England to Normandy, where he met President Clinton. He demonstrated strength and perseverance to his family and friends as he overcame many physical obstacles. He was an example of “The Greatest Generation” and those who knew him knew that they had a generous friend for life that would always be there for them. Family will receive friends for Al’s Life Celebration on Saturday, August 15, 2009 from 12:00 p.m. until 1:00 p.m. in the Brinsfield Funeral Home, 22955 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650. A Memorial Service will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. Interment will be in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 452500301, the Leonardtown Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 299, Leonardtown, MD 20650 or the Lexington Park Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 339, Lexington Park, MD 20653. Condolences to the family may be made at www.brinsfieldfuneral.com. Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

un Fact

The County Times

The average four year-old child asks over four hundred questions a day.

Know

In The

Charter School Opening to More Students Funya Appointed as Educational Director

By Andrea Shiell Staff Writer

two weeks earlier than other schools in the county, and students would be dismissed for summer vacation two weeks earlier as well. Changes were also made to the school’s calendar and approved by the Board of Education at their last meeting to better allow for narrative report cards and teacher work days, For more information on calendar changes and student supply lists for Chesapeake Public Charter School, go to http://schools.smcps.org/cpcs/.

Education

Meeting Scheduled About Visitor Center

The Capital Design Advisory Committee of St. Mary’s College of Maryland and Historic St. Mary’s City will host an open house on the SMCM Campus in Glendening Annex on Thursday, Aug. 13. Community members are invited to visit from 4 to 7 p.m. SMCM and HSMC staff will be present to talk with visitors about plans to replace Anne Arundel Hall and the construction of the new Historic St. Mary’s City Maryland Heritage Interpretive Center, a visitor center. Initial site selection concepts will be displayed. In addition to the open house, the CDA will hold a public meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 19 at 7 pm in Auerbach Auditorium of St. Mary’s Hall to review the feedback from the open house to the college and HSMC staff. Two construction projects are currently in the planning phase. The Anne Arundel replacement will include modern archaeological curation facilities for HSMC and academic space for the college’s programs in anthropology, museum studies and language/cultures. HSMC’s new interpretive center will replace the visitor center in the blue barn off Rosecroft Road.

Superintendent Michael Martirano announced the administrative appointment made by the Board of Education at its meeting on August 5, designating Angela Funya as the educational director at the Chesapeake Public Charter School where she has served as the acting educational director for the past year. At the school’s open house, which was held Tuesday, Funya said she was excited to see students The College of Southern Maryland announces the selection of Tony R. Jernigan returning from their summer vacations. as its vice president of financial and ad“Today we’re excited to have our kids ministrative services. Jernigan brings 23 coming back in and meeting their teachers, years of leadership in private and public college administration including experi- and we’re looking forward to them coming ence in finance, budgeting, human re- back to school tomorrow … we have a lot sources, investments, facilities, strategic of new students coming in because we’re a planning and auxiliary services. growing school,” she said, explaining that 40 new students had enrolled this year. The physical expansion of the school will have students and teachers taking over more of the leased space as they continue to add grade levels. “We’re taking over the middle portion of the building, which will include a gymnasium, another science lab, middle school classes and some office space,” she said, adding that there are no more physical expansions on the horizon for the school’s future. “This is it, we can’t physically expand anymore in the building so this will be the Photo by Andrea Shiell last phase of any construction for us,” said Funya. “But when we’re fully filled out, we Returning students meet their teachers and view their classrooms at an open house will be a K-8 school with two classes per at Chesapeake Public Charter School in Lexington Park. grade level.” Along with the addition of students, CPCS has also Gov. Martin J. O’Malley has appointed added staff members. Lois DiNatale to the College of Southern “We have added two new classroom teachers this Maryland Board of Trustees. A lifelong resident of Charles County, she attended CSM year, we’ve added an academic dean to help us fill out as an undergraduate, receiving Bachelor’s our middle school, and we’ve increased our P.E. teacher and Master’s degrees in environmental management from the University of Mary- to full time,” she said. Sandy Imbriale, the curriculum and instruction speland. She works for the Naval Ordnance Safety and Security Activity as a senior cialist for CPCS said that the school would be starting Navy environmental expert. By Andrea Shiell Chaptico Creek, and continued improveStaff Writer ments are also being made to Chancellors Run Road, which may cause delays. St. Mary’s County Public Schools are Officials have said that despite the th The 4 District Chaptico Optimist Club is West Va., majoring in Business Administration, preparing to open for the 2009-2010 school opening of Evergreen Elementary, changpleased to announce the award of the 2009 Chap- Marketing and Music. year on Wednesday, Aug. 26, with some es made to bus routes this year have been tico Optimist Club Scholarships. Each recipient • Maura Kovalcik, a 2009 graduate of St. changes to the busing schedule and meal minor. listed below was awarded $1,000 to be applied to Mary’s Ryken High School, will be attending prices. “There weren’t major changes,” said their college expenses. Stevenson University, Owings Mills, Md., purPrices for meals offered at the coun- Joe Longobardi, coordinator of transporta• Genevieve L. Hatcher, a 2009 graduate suing a degree in Visual Communications and ty’s schools have risen slightly this year, tion logistics for the school system. from Leonard Hall Junior Military Academy, Photography. with the cost for breakfast for elementary He said that the school system has yet will be attending Concord University, Athens, • Chas Guy, a 2008 graduate from Choptistudents going up to $1.15, and $2.10 for to update its bus routing software, as was con High School, will be entering his sophomore lunch. Middle school meals will now cost recommended by the legislative audit comyear at the University of Maryland, College Park, $1.25 for breakfast and $2.30 for lunch. pleted in October, but they may be looking Md., majoring in Journalism. Adult lunches will be sold for $3.50, and into new routing programs in the future. • John R. Brewer, a 2008 graduate milk will cost 50 cents. “If we do go through new software, from St. Mary’s Ryken High School A statement released by the Depart- it’ll probably produce bigger changes next will be entering his sophomore year ment of Transportation Services said that year,” he said. at Salisbury University pursuing a for the first two weeks of school, students All requests to add or change bus degree in Mathematics and Comare encouraged to get to their bus stops 10 stops can be made through the Departputer Science. minutes early. During the school year stu- ment of Transportation by obtaining a The Chaptico Optimist dents are to be at the bus stops five minutes copy of the request form at the student’s would like to congratulate prior to pick up times. school, or from the department’s Web site these recipients and wish them Parents and students are being advised at http://www.smcps.org/offices/dss-/busgreat success in their endeavthat there are road construction projects that routes/. Bus Stop Request Forms can be ors. To learn more about future may cause adjustments to bus stop times, sent by fax to (301) 475-4239, by e-mail to scholarship opportunities or including construction at St. Clements BusStopRequest@smcps.org, or by mail to membership, please call (301) Creek, which will close Dr. Johnson Road 27190 Point Lookout Road, Loveville, MD 884-5637. to through traffic. Budds Creek Road will 20656. Photo Submitted also expect delays as a result. MechanicsBus schedules for each school can be ville Road will be closed south of Harrow viewed by visiting http://divisions.smcps. Hills Court with the major construction at org/dss/transportation/school-bus-stops.

Schools Make Changes to Bus Routes, Meal Prices

Chaptico Optimist Club Awards Scholarships

The 4th District Chaptico Optimist Club has awarded scholarships to four college-bound students. Pictured front, left to right, are Genevieve Hatcher and Maura Kovalcik and back, left to right is Chas Guy and John Brewer.

The County Times

Thursday, August 13, 2009

The County Times

Breton Bay Fire Ruled Arson

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer

A man who Maryland State Fire Marshals say is a person of interest in an arson at his home near Breton Bay is still being held at St. Mary’s Hospital for an emergency evaluation. Deputy Chief Fire Marshal Duane Svites said that the investigation into the fire is on hold until they can get more information from Blake Oppelt, 22, about the two alarm fire on Aug. 6. “The investigation is continuing, he’s still being evaluated at the hospital,” Svites said. “It’s been labeled an arson.” According to information from Svites, Oppelt was involved in a domestic dispute over the use of prescription drugs with his mother, Keiko Oppelt, in their home that turned injurious after the mother left in an attempt to relieve the hostility. “It was reported that she had some medications missing and she confronted him about it,” Svites said, adding that fire-

fighters later found the house ablaze. “The firemen found him at the rear of the house digging a knife into his forearm.” Svites said. “He was the only one we’re aware of who was in the house, he’s obviously the most important person we need to talk to.” Firefighters were called to their residence on Hawk Court at about 10 p.m. Aug. 6 to fight the fire and it took 50 volunteers about 90 minutes to get control, information from the fire marshal’s office stated. Firefighters from Leonardtown, Hollywood, Mechanicsville and Seventh District volunteer companies answered the emergency The estimated loss from the structural blaze and contents lost totaled up to $275,000, fire marshal’s estimates stated. No charges have been filed in the case so far, Svites said. “We don’t want to assume anything until we have all the facts,” Svites said.

Police Investigate Dead Body In Lexington Park

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer

Police have taken a badly decomposed body found in the woods in the area formerly known as Lexington Manor in Lexington Park to Baltimore for autopsy and possible identification after it was found there the evening of Aug. 9. Police continued to interview local residents and canvass the area in search of information for clues to the identity of the deceased, said the county’s top detective. Capt. Rick Burris, commander of the Bureau of Criminal Investigations, said that the body was so badly decomposed that detectives could not determine the sex. Police were called in to the scene at about 6:30 p.m. Sunday after they received information from pedestrians walking through the woods in the area that they had found the body. The body was discovered in a patch of dense woods and brush, police reports stated, that looked to be a makeshift camp. Burris said that there were no signs of foul play at the scene, and the deceased could have been homeless and died of natu-

ral causes. The Lexington Manor area, where housing known as the “flat tops” used to stand before it was demolished, has long been an area for homeless people to make small campsites. Burris said that there was no identification on the body, though it appeared that the body had been clothed at the time of death. The clothing, however, had also deteriorated significantly, he said. Burris estimated that the body had been in the wooded area for about three to four months. Lanny Lancaster, director of the nearby Three Oaks homeless shelter, said that the news of the body found close by was disturbing, since most deaths like that occurred during the winter from exposure to the cold. “We’re trying to think of people we haven’t seen in a long time,” Lancaster said. “But we’re not aware of anyone that fits that profile. “I just hope it’s nobody we know,” he added.

Fire Marshals Seek Witnesses To Fire Near Hula’s

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer

Investigators with the State Fire Marshal’s Office say they need citizen information about a case of arson that destroyed a mobile home on St. Claire Road in California. The mobile home, which is behind Hula’s Bungalow night club, sustained about $8,000 in damage, according to fire marshals’ estimates, and took 25 firefighters about 45 minutes to get under control. The fire, which was discovered by a customer in the parking lot of the establishment, was unusual in view of the number of people at

the bar that night. “It’s unusual to have a fire at that time next to a place that’s so crowded,” said Deputy Chief Fire Marshal Duane Svites. “That’s pretty arrogant.” Svites said that it was highly likely that any number of the patrons at Hula’s that night could have seen something that could help the investigation. “Those are key witnesses and they need to come forward,” he said. Anyone with information about the mobile home arson can call investigators at 443550-6830.

Crime&

Punishment Briefs

Police Arrest Burglary, Assault Suspect

On August 6, 2009, Bureau of Criminal Investigations detectives executed a search and seizure warrant at the residence of James E. Bowles, age 50 of Avenue. Bowles was arrested and charged with first-degree burglary and second-degree assault. The arrest was the result of a Bureau of Criminal Investigations inquiry into the July 18, 2009 burglary of an occupied home in Avenue, where an 85-year-old female was assaulted. Detectives are investigating other burglaries and additional charges are pending review with the State’s Attorneys Office. Bowles was incarcerated at the St. Mary’s County Detention Center.

Woman Arrested At Bar For Disorderly Conduct

On August 8, 2009, deputies responded to a call at Donovan’s Pub in California for a report of a disturbance. Investigation revealed Elizabeth Parish Dorr, 42, of Leonardtown was asked to leave the business several time but refused. Dorr was outside in the parking lot waiting for a ride when she allegedly became belligerent with the deputies on the scene. Dorr was asked several times to stop yelling and calm down, which she refused. Several patrons of the business began watching her disorderly behavior. Ms. Dorr was arrested and charged with failing to obey a lawful order of a police officer and disorderly conduct.

Police: Woman Stole Cash From Register For Weeks

On August 6, 2009, Dfc. J. Maletto responded to the Wal-Mart for a report of a theft. Investigation revealed Lawanda Bernita Ford, 33, of Lexington Park allegedly stole over $3,000 between July 15, 2009 and August 5, 2009 from the cash register she was assigned to work. Ford was arrested and charged with theft over $500, theft under $500 and theft scheme.

Woman Charged With Threatening Victim With Knife

On August 8, 2009, deputies responded to a threats complaint in Mechanicsville and investigation revealed the victim was in a verbal altercation, which escalated into a physical assault when Victoria Marie Hunt, 2,1 of Mechanicsville allegedly took a kitchen knife, raised it above her head and threatened to stab the victim. The victim fled the residence. Hunt was arrested and charged with second-degree assault.

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

Cover On The

The County Times

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Unmanned Technology Puts Webster Field at Leading Edge

By Virginia Terhune Staff Writer

What’s New More than a dozen companies had live demonstrations of unmanned aircraft and vehicles at Webster Field on Monday, and another dozen set up exhibits nearby, a sign that the international event continues to grow. • A total of 79 media representatives and 15 broadcast news operations signed up to attend, more than many international air shows. • This year for the first time, six unmanned aerial vehicles were in the air over the event at the same time, which was no easy task, because much preparation had to go into making sure their frequencies didn’t overlap. • This year for the first time, robots on the ground detonated explosives in simulations of how they would blow up improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Iraq and Afghanistan. • Boeing took the occasion to announce it had won a $500,000 contract with the Marines to demonstrate that its Hummingbird A160T, a UAV designed to resupply convoys from the air, could deliver at least 2,500 pounds of cargo for three consecutive days. • L-3 Communications scheduled the first public flight of its Mobius aircraft, which can stay in the air for 24 hours while carrying 1,000 pounds of instruments and sensors, plus fuel.

On Monday morning, what looked like a model plane hovered in the air above the mock village at Webster Field in St. Inigoes, tracking the movements of vehicles and people below with pinpoint accuracy while relaying the real-time images to a jumbo TV screen near the runway. Later a vehicle without a driver cruised slowly through the narrow streets of the simulated village, its sensors keeping it clear of painted, moving figures as it checked out the clay-colored houses for evidence of terrorists. “If it’s dull, dumb, dirty or dangerous for a man to do, a UAV can do it,” said Jim Carter, director of business development for Proxy Aviation Systems in Germantown about the capacity of unmanned aerial vehicles to take the place of people, trucks and Photo by Frank Marquart more expensive planes in dangerous An Aerosonde Mark 4.7 by AAI Corporation is launched. The quiet, lightweight aircraft is ideal for covert maritime situations. Proxy was one of more than two operations. dozen companies that displayed their development. is emerging as a “center of excellence” products for thousands of visiting miliThe Washington Post reported Tues- in unmanned vehicles, partly because of tary, government and civilian visitors at day from the conference that Virginia- the expertise of local people who are althe Unmanned Systems Demonstration. based Teal Group estimates the unmanned ready working on them, he said. Held every two years at Webster airplane market alone will be worth $62 “It’ll help position the talent we Field, the day-long event was hosted by billion over the next decade. have here, we can leverage that talent,” the Navy’s Executive Office of Unmanned Local officials say more Department he said about work so far on projects that Aviation and Strike Weapons at Patuxent of Defense money for unmanned vehicles include the ship-based RQ-8 FireScout River and the Association for Unmanned is also a potentially promising and profit- unmanned helicopter, which was tested several years ago at Webster Field. The FireScout will be deployed this fall aboard the USS McInerney to tackle the narcotics trade in the Caribbean. Still under way are the RQ-4N BAMS UAS (Broad Area Maritime Surveillance Unmanned Aircraft System), a derivative of the Global Hawk developed for the Air Force, and a new demonstration program, the X-47B UCAS (Unmanned Combat Air System), which Photo by Frank Marquart can be launched from an aircraft carrier. Steve Hall, left, and R.J. Claus of Aurora Flight Sciences The goal of the UCAS program is to see a GoldenEye 80 unmanned aircraft off the runway if the unmanned aircraft can work in an pull after a demonstration Monday. environment with other aircraft. The UCAS and BAMS programs sum of its parts. are still in the early stages, but as they “We can bring in a small company move along, Webster will be in a good position to capitalize on that develop- like Defense Technologies together with a company like Northrop Grumman, find ment, Schaller said. “Years down the road, it could lead out what’s missing, find out who’s doing to more work here and more contracts as what, where we’re strong, where we’re weak and get the collective thoughts of a result,” he said. Partly as a result of the Monday dem- those involved,” Schaller said. Down the road, if the military need onstrations, Schaller said he hopes to convene a roundtable of local companies, for unmanned systems dips, there may Photo by Frank Marquart both large and small, that are working on still be chances to market that expertise Boeing’s new A160T Hummingbird unmanned rotorcraft was on display. unmanned vehicles and the systems that to foreign governments and to companies operate them with the intent of further for additional applications. The unmanned vehicle technology building St. Mary’s reputation as a techcan be used commercially to do everyVehicle Systems International, kicking able trend for St. Mary’s County. nology hub. off AUVSI’s conference in Washington, “Years down the road, we may get The goal is to not only appeal to the thing from tracking drug dealers to monD.C., earlier this week. more work here and more contractors as a Navy and other military services, but to itoring highway traffic to surveying gas Unmanned vehicles are already being result,” said Bob Schaller, director of the other customers as well, as a means to pipelines. “We want to position contractors used in Iraq and Afghanistan – a Preda- county’s Department of Economic and further diversify the county’s economy, tor drone recently f lew over Pakistan and Community Development. which is heavily dependent on Naval Air so they can do more of that, and also do that work here,” said Schaller about the reportedly killed a high-ranking Taliban The Navy already considers Naval Air Station Patuxent River. leader – and the future bodes well for Station Patuxent River a “center of excelOrganizing the roundtable will be county’s interest in attracting more light them, with additional money proposed in lence” for fixed wing and rotary wing air- like pulling pieces of a puzzle together, manufacturing operations. “We’re on the leading edge,” he said. the fiscal 2010 defense budget for their craft, and the base’s Webster Field annex he said, to make a whole greater than the

The County Times

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Chinese Takeout Adds to Choices at Ridge Market tmarina.com ou

16244 Miller’s Wharf Rd. Ridge, MD 20680

pointlo ok

Transcients welcome, full service department & Spinnaker’s Waterfront Restaurant on site.

301-872-5000

Ridge Market has been serving the Southern St. Mary’s County area for many generations. In its previous incarnation, the store known as Raley’s was famous for it’s Southern Maryland stuffed ham. Today Ridge Market still serves stuffed ham, but now you can also get that regional treat served as a stuffed ham egg roll. Ridge Market, which is located right next to the Ridge Post Office, recently got new owners. Robert Chan, who has owned and operated several businesses in Calvert and St. Mary’s for more than 23 years, says that he has expanded the store and widened the choices available so that someone who shops at his store doesn’t

need to go anywhere else to get what they need. If your shopping list has work gloves, diapers, and hand-cut meats on it, you can find it all there. The produce section has fresh regional produce, along with tropical favorites such fresh mangoes, pineapple and coconut. There are enough grocery choices available in the store so that even a gourmet cook would be able to find everything they would need to make a great feast. If you don’t feel like cooking, the Ridge Market offers Chinese and American food for takeout. The Chef’s Special is offered daily Monday through Friday, and you can get a one entrée meal, served with your choice of either

13210 Pt. Lookout Rd. Ridge, MD 20680 Ph. 301.872.0444 Fax 301.872.0445

16040 Woodlawn Lane Ridge, MD 20680

Bill Stiles and Robert Chan.

301.872.0555

www.woodlawn-farm.com

The Glass Garden shoppe

theglassgardenshoppe.com

Convenience Store

301.872.0033

Chesapeake Bay Charter Boat Fishing

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

www.captdavesfishing.com

& Do Dah Deli 16591 Three Notch Rd. Ridge, MD 20680

pork fried rice or steamed rice with a soda for under $5. For bigger appetites, they offer the two and three entrée meal choice for only a dollar more for each. If you are watching your calories, the market offers a large fresh salad bar, with more than 30 choices on it, which is prepared daily. Chan is most proud of the expanded choices that he now offers in the liquor department of his store. The store features a large section of imported and domestic beers, and wines from around the world. Chan can advise someone on which wines may be appropriate for any special occasions, and if you decide to purchase from him in bulk, he will give you a 10-15 percent discount on what you choose, depending on how large your order is. If you are passing through on your way to a fishing or camping trip at Point Lookout, The Ridge Market offers everything that you would need for the weekend, including fishing and crabbing supplies, ice, and propane. “My goal is to make my store convenient for the customer,” Chan said. “We have everything that you would need here in one store.”

13270 Point Lookout Road, Ridge, MD 20630. 301-872-5121.

With Capt Dave Bradburn Aboard the “Ruth D” A 42 foot Bay Built Boat Located at Drury’s Marina 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

BAYMART

hop pat’s Speed

Speed equipment HigH perFormance tuning 24/7 towing

p.o. Box 60 • rte. 5, Snowhill rd. park Hall, md 20667

(301) 863-2111

Fax: (301) 863-5531

49675 Buzz’s Marina Way Ridge, MD 20680

Storage, bait, chum, gasoline, ice, ramp www.buzzsmarina.com

301-872-5887

Ridge MaRket 13270 Pt. Lookout RD, MD 20680 (Rt. 5)

Phone (301) 872-5121

• Chinese Food • Liquor & Wine Selection • Bait

Store Hours:

Monday – Thursday: 8am – 9pm Fri – Sat: 7am – 9pm • Sunday: 7am – 8pm

We Gladly Accept Food Stamps and Independence Cards

Drury’s M

arina

& Fishing Center

301-872-4480 drurymarina.com 49768 Airedele Rd. Ridge, MD 20680

The County Times

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Overcoming Learning Disabilities a Team Effort Though kids might initially dread their annual autumn return to the classroom, once they arrive on school grounds and start clowning around with friends, that dread quickly transforms into excitement for another school year. Parents, too, might want to keep the kids around the house longer, but also enjoy seeing their kids dive back into school work. Some students, however, fear the return to school. For students with a learning disability, going back to school is often

A part of many studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; lives, learning disabilities can be overcome with the help of parents and teachers.

difficult. Coupled with the typical fears of fitting in socially, students with learning disabilities have the additional fear of handling their coursework and excelling in the classroom in spite of their learning disability. Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more, in such cases, students might be silently battling an undiagnosed learning disability. According to the Learning Disabilities Association of America (LDAA), many students with learning disabilities are of average or above average intelligence. While learning disabilities have no cure, with support and intervention, many people with learning disabilities have gone on to realize their full potential. Of course, the first step in overcoming a learning disability is recognizing its presence. Certain learning disabilities, such as dyslexia, are widely known to parents and educators alike and can be easier to detect. However, others, such as Central Auditory Processing Disorders (CAPD), can prove to be more of a mystery. Often part of another learning disability, CAPD is a physical hearing impairment, one that affects a personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ability to separate a spoken message from background information. In certain instances, a person with CAPD might be asked one question but answer another. Such confusion can make communication, be it with teachers or fellow students, very difficult, and negatively influence a studentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s education. That places a greater responsibility on the parents and educators to recognize possible symptoms of CAPD. Those symptoms can include: â&#x20AC;˘ processing thoughts and ideas slowly and difficulty explaining them â&#x20AC;˘ confused by figurative language, such as similes and metaphors, or misunderstanding puns and jokes because words are taken too literally â&#x20AC;˘ misspelling or mispronouncing similar sounding words,

or confusing like-sounding words, such as celery/salary, belt/ built, etc. â&#x20AC;˘ easily and frequently distracted by background noises â&#x20AC;˘ difficulty focusing or remembering presentations or lectures Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important for parents, teachers and, perhaps most importantly, students to recognize that people with diagnosed learning disabilities often excel in the classroom with a few adjustments. For people with CAPD, parents and educators are integral in ensuring they make the most of their talents and intellect. â&#x20AC;˘ Show rather than explain: Because students with a CAPD can experience difficulty processing language, it is often easier for them to grasp a concept if they see it unfold rather than have that concept simply explained to them. â&#x20AC;˘ Reduce directions: The longer a spoken direction is, the more likely a student with CAPD is to have those directions drowned out by background noises. Keep directions short, or space them out to lessen the amount the student has to process all at once. In addition, consider rewording directions that could potentially prove confusing. â&#x20AC;˘ Allow more time for a response: A student with CAPD might take longer to process a question and decipher what was asked. Allow such students more time to give their response. â&#x20AC;˘ Use supplementary materials: Educators can use things such as handouts to supplement a lecture that a student with CAPD might have trouble focusing on or remembering. â&#x20AC;˘ Vary pitch and tone of voice: Place a greater emphasis on key words in an effort to aid a studentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s memory of important points. Learning disabilities are a part of many studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; lives. However, as students across the nation continue to prove each day, with proper support and intervention learning disabilities can be overcome.

!"#$#%% & ' ' ( )

( *+ ' , $

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Don’t Let Busy Schedules Compromise Healthy Lunches

The County Times

Greening Your Dorm Room

It’s the time of year again when the kids get ready to head back to school and the slow-going, lazy days of summer come Come the back-to-school season, parents may have to an end. Families often fall into mixed emotions about sending their child off to college. a pattern of slowdown during the It’s a bittersweet moment, one in which a parent is proud school break, and it can often and accepts their son or daughter is ready for indepentake some time to get used to the dence. It is also a time when parents worry about what the school morning rush once more. next few months will bring. During time-crunched Shopping for college dorm supplies is one way to mornings, brown bag lunches bond while parents and students count down the days to sent with children to school may the start of the semester. When purchasing necessities not be packed as diligently and and extras, think about making eco-friendly choices. with the healthy foods they should Many of the items college students need or want contain. To ensure lunches don’t for their school dorm can be substituted with greener pay the price of busy schedules, options. consider these tips. • Choose all-natural, organic linens for the bed and • When doing the weekly or bath and skip synthetic comforters and the like. Today it’s monthly shopping at the grocery possible to find inexpensive, natural fiber options right store, make a list of nutritious and next to the less earth-friendly ones. quickly-prepared lunch foods. • Skip the fire hazard halogen lamps in lieu of light Also, think about what dinner foods can be transformed into lunch the fixtures that can accept compact fluorescent bulbs. next day as leftovers (chicken cutlets can be cut up to top fresh salads). • Invest in a power strip so that the myriad electronPackaged kids’ lunches from the refrigerated section of the grocery store ics students rely upon can be turned off in one step. This certainly are convenient, but they may be packing more sodium and caloeliminates phantom loads -- power being used even when ries than a child needs. Instead, stock up on crackers, sandwich rolls, lowdevices are in the off position. calorie, low-sodium lunch meats, pre-cooked low-fat chicken nuggets, • This may be a student’s first foray into laundry and even yogurts for fast and nutritious lunch options. duty. Stock up on “free and clear” laundry products. Equip your dorm room with eco-friendly products that en• Variety is the spice of life, and no child wants to go to school with Also, give lessons about washing in cold water to con- able you to go green at school. the same old peanut butter and jelly sandwich every day. Find out the serve on energy. child’s favorite foods and always keep the pantry stocked with some of • Skip the chemical-laden air fresheners for all-natu- nience snacks. For a coffee pick-me-up, suggest fair trade these items. Send him or her to school with interesting things, such as a ral options like regular baking soda to combat dorm-room coffees. pita bread shell, tomato sauce and shredded cheese for a fast and nutriodors. For students who are responsible enough to have • Instead of stocking up on bottled water, invest in tious pizza. Fruit threaded on a skewer mixed with cheese makes healthy candles in their room (and if the dorm allows), choose a table-top water filter that can be used to filter tap water kabobs for students who don’t have access to a microwave or other way to beeswax candles scented with essential oils over paraffin for drinking. heat lunches. Keep a pitcher of homemade smoothies in the refrigerator so candles with artificial scents. • Try buying as many products as possible locally your son or daughter can take a filling shake to school for lunch. Smooth• Stock up on houseplants that filter the air and can near the school campus. This eliminates the need to ship ies can be as easy as blending together a banana, a couple of scoops of beautify bland dorm rooms. Plants especially effective at or transport the supplies, wasting gas and creating a biglow-fat vanilla yogurt, frozen berries from the freezer section, and a cup filtering the air and providing balanced indoor humidity ger carbon footprint. of fruit juice. include areca palm, Boston fern, English ivy, Peace lily, • Instead of buying everything new, don’t be shy • Take advantage of school lunches once in a while. Many school disand a Rubber plant. about accepting hand-me-downs or gently used items tricts have revamped their lunch menus in recent years, offering more and • Dorm food is rarely the healthiest, and late-night from friends and family. Be creative about recycling more healthy options for students. For example, in the past year Medford junk food runs are the staple of many a co-ed’s diet. How- some items into new ones. For example, old blankets or public schools outside of Boston, MA hired a systemwide chef as part of ever, instill lessons in choosing whole foods free of pre- sheets can be used as pillow covers or even curtains on its initiative toward healthier lunches. New recipes have been introduced, servatives instead of chemical- and calorie-laden conve- the cheap. the staff has been trained in nutritional cooking, and processed foods have been removed. When time is especially of the essence, send your child to school with a few dollars for cafeteria lunch. Even if you don’t regularly partake in school lunches in your household, it pays to have the lunch menu posted for the days when cafeteria food is your saving grace. Chances are there will be something on the menu that appeals to your grade schooler or even middle schooler. French bread pizza day is always a favorite. • Introduce diverse foods. Chef Ann Cooper doesn’t think the learning process should stop in the cafeteria. “Teach kids about diverse foods by encouraging them to understand and ask questions about what they are eating. Introduce kids to seasonal, regional foods so they will understand that different foods grow at different times of the year,” she says. You may find that other cultures rely on foods that make convenient lunchtime offerings. For example, bagel chips or pita wedges dipped in hummus can be nutritious and a fast lunch for families on the go. • Involve the kids with lunch preparation. There’s no reason why an older, capable child can’t be put FiĞy $35 electric bill credits in charge of his or her lunch --freeing up Mom or Dad’s time for other Two $500 U.S. Savings Bonds morning tasks. Have a talk about One $1,000 U.S. Savings Bond what foods you’d like to see eaten at lunch, and then leave it up to your One well-traveled SMECO vehicle child to take on the task of lunch preparation.

Join us at the Ball Park!

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Blue Crabs Regency Furniture Stadium

Prizes:

Free Ice Cream and Soda!

Ball Park Food for Sale!

Heal h

The County Times

Pediatric Cancer Fast Facts Though no parent ever wants to imagine their child suffering from cancer, according the Pediatric Cancer Foundation each year witnesses more than 10,000 new diagnoses of cancer among children under the age of 15. Fortunately, 80 percent of such cases have a survial rate of 5 years or more. To understand the scope of pediatric cancer, consider the following facts and figures courtesy of the Pediatric Cancer Foundation. • For children between the ages of 1 to 19 years, cancer is the fourth leading cause of the death, and the leading cause of diseaserelated death. In fact, more children between the ages of 1 to 19 will die from cancer than will diabetes, asthma, cystic fibrosis and AIDS combined. • The incidence of melanoma, a typically malignant tumor associated with skin cancer, is increasing among children at a rate of 1.5 to 3 percent per year. • The overall survival from pediatric cancer is estimated to be 75 to 80 percent, the majority of which are considered to be cured. On the contrary, in the 1950s less than 10 percent of pediatric cancer patients survived. • The most common childhood cancers include leukemia, tumors of the brain and nervous system, cancer of the kidneys, bones and muscles, and cancers of the lymphatic system. • Estimates suggest 1 in every 450 adults is a childhood cancer survivor. To learn more about pediatric cancer, visit the Pediatric Cancer Foundation Web site at www. pcfweb.org.

Everything Amish Everything Indoor • Everything Outoor • Everything Amish

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Don’t Forget the Sunscreen As the summer approaches and you look to soak up the sun, Dr. Arpana A. Shah, a diplomate of The American Board of Dermatology, Inc., and member of the Medical Staff at St. Mary’s Hospital, warns Southern Marylanders to take caution and lather on the sunscreen. Here is what Dr. Shah has to say about skin protection in part one of this two-part series. Q: How should people protect themselves against the sun? A: Protection from the sun should be second nature, as routine as brushing your teeth. It’s easiest to incorporate a moisturizer with an adequate sunscreen into one’s normal routine of grooming. Most sun exposure is casual exposure that accumulates over the years — driving to and from work, sitting by a window, or running daily errands. Yes, you can get a sunburn through a window. The classic example I show patients is that of a schoolteacher who sat by a window for 30 years. The sun-exposed side was much more aged than the non-sun-exposed counterpart. Similarly, we see many patients with more skin cancers and precancers on the left side of their faces and arms. Apply a daily sunscreen with both UVB and UVA protection. In addition, look for ingredients such as Mexoryl or Helioplex. These are found in La Roche-Posay and Neutrogena products. Mexoryl covers the gap that is not covered by most conventional sunscreen. It has been around in France for over 10 years. The FDA finally approved it two years ago. Unfortunately, it is hard to find and can be purchased through participating doctors’ offices and CVS pharmacies. The protection is unbeatable. Another alternative is Neutrogena sunscreen with Helioplex. Another problem with chemical sunscreens is that they are very unstable when exposed to sun. So they become inactive quickly, sometimes even after 15 minutes. Helioplex stabilizes the sunscreen and makes it last 3-4 hours. Of course, reapply after heavy sweating or swimming. Apply about one tablespoon for the face and the amount that could fill a shot glass for the body. Q: Why is it necessary to stay protected from the sun?

Stop By and See Our Featuring Quality

Showroom

Handcrafted Furniture

A: According to a study from the National Cancer Institute, from 1980 to 2004, there was a 50% increase in the rate of melanoma in 15-29 year olds. Another study reported 20% of those questioned visited a tanning bed and found that tanning before the age of 35 had a 75% increased risk of melanoma. Also, people with non-melanoma skin cancer had a higher risk of developing melanoma or breast, lung or colon cancer. Q: What are commonly unknown tips about sun exposure and skin damage?

IF IT AIN’T DUTCH IT AIN’T MUCH

A: UVA rays also cause aging of the face and neck. Genetic studies show that while tanning, genetic mutations are occurring at the level of the DNA. All tanning is a sign of sun damage. Most is repaired, but eventually injury accumulates. Apply the sunscreen before you go outside. The chemical in the sunscreen takes time to adjust to the skin and reaches optimal activity at 30 minutes. Q: What is SPF?

STOP BY TODAY & COMPARE! WE HAVE EXCELLENT PRICES! HOURS: MON. - SAT. 9-6 • SUNDAY 10-5

301-932-4164

7700 Leonardtown Rd. • Hughesville, MD 20637 1/2 Mile North of Hughesville Bypass

A: SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. It measures the ability of the UVB part of the sun spectrum. UVB is the type of ray associated with burning of the skin. UVA, on the other hand, has more to do with aging, fine lines, wrinkles. It penetrates windows and goes deeper than the UVB rays. PFA is the new system to determine the protection from the UVA rays. This system is still under consideration by the FDA. Stay tuned for part two on skin protection, which will examine the myths on sun exposure, who is most at risk for skin cancer and tips on skin protection in Southern Maryland.

The County Times

Thursday, August 13, 2009

A Journey Through Time The

Chronicle

By Linda Reno Contributing Writer Charles Norman Raley, son of James Thomas Morgan Raley and his wife, Julia Ann Blackistone Hammett, was born in St. Mary’s County, December 17, 1869. At the age of 14, he entered the seminary and in 1901 was ordained a priest in the Society of Jesus. Father Raley had a long and successful career. He was a professor and later vice president at Georgetown University; a Chaplain in the Navy during World War I; and then afterwards was sent to California where he served several congregations until his retirement in 1950. Throughout the remainder of his life, he maintained his relationship with the U.S. Navy. The parish at Wilmington, California said “It was this association with the Navy that aided Father directly and the people of the parish indirectly for when the men of the fleet saw the disrepair; it was the sailors who put the first electric lights in the rectory. This led Father Raley to say and repeat on many occasions, what God does not provide for me in Wilmington, the U. S. Navy will.” Suffering with crippling arthritis, Father Raley entered St. Francis Hospital in 1953 where he remained until his death on July 15, 1962. He is buried in the Jesuit Cemetery at Santa Clara University. But this story isn’t really about Father Raley’s career, but rather what happened to him and some of his fellow students from Woodstock College in 1891. At that time, the Jesuits owned a large house called St. Inigoe’s Villa near the current church (just outside Webster Field) and used it for retreats and/or vacations. Pete Himmelheber tells me that what little of this house is left “is now falling into the St. Mary’s River.” At the Villa on the evening of July 3, 1891 a storm struck and blew down a tent. “Seeing that the tent was about to be blown down, a number of the scholastics ran to the ropes to save it, but the guy ropes and poles supporting the tent were snapped like pipe stems and the students who were struggling with the tent were lifted from the ground and dashed among the torn and broken remnants of the tent. Then, as if satisfied with its work of destruction, the storm quickly subsided, and by 8 o’clock the stars were shining brightly and not a cloud could be seen.” While it was unnerving, no one was hurt. By 10 p.m., everyone was in bed for the night, or so they thought. Another storm struck--this one much worse than the first. “The windows were open and a refreshing breeze contributed to the enjoyment of the night. Like the breeze of the

Photo Courtesy of Georgetown University Library

Father Charles Raley, 1904.

early evening, it was the forerunner of a storm, which came on rapidly, and soon the rain drops that commenced to patter on the roof increased in number and volume until water was coming down seemingly in bucketfuls. At the same time it began to drive in at the windows which had been left open, wetting the beds which stood beneath and arousing their occupants. The rays from a single oil lamp threw a dim light over the room.” “The students endeavored to move their beds to a dry place. The storm was accompanied by very little lightning and thunder, and no danger was apprehended, as the scholastics stood around the room in groups quietly talking. While thus engaged there came a blinding flash of lightning and a crash of thunder. For an instant the whole interior of the room was made light as day and then enshrouded in darkness. The concussion was so great that the light in the lamp was extinguished. It was relighted, and those who first recovered from the shock began to investigate the damage.” Lights were taken up to the dormitory where were found six students all lying on the floor in different parts of the room. One of them was Charles Raley, but he was one of the lucky ones. Three students were instantly killed and another, burned badly on his body and arms, required hospitalization. One of those killed was initially missing but several hours after the storm his body was found “close up under the eaves.” One of the injured students said he felt as if he had been struck a heavy blow; that he was lifted into the air, thrown backward, and then hit the floor head first. The lightning tore a hole about two feet long in the roof and the current passed into an iron rod running the length of the room. The killed and injured were in different parts of the room. “The scholastics were standing in groups and strange to say, one man from each group was the target of the lightning, the others escaping unhurt.” Those killed were buried that Sunday at St. Ignatius Church, St. Inigoes. Their bodies could not be returned to their families because “[they] were so horribly burned as not to be able to keep them.”

Cintas Delivers

/ Àii LÕÌÌ Ê V i V> Ê` Ã«i ÃiÀ

Offering a variety of services to ﬁt the needs of your business. UÊ >ÃÌ]Ê V> Ê-iÀÛ ViÊ Ê > ` ÛiÀ]Ê

UÊ1 v À Ê*ÕÀV >ÃiÊ*À }À> ÃÊÃVÀii Ê Ê «À ÌÊ> `Êi LÀ `iÀÞ® / Àii LÕÌÌ ÊÀiÃiÀÛ À

UÊ1 v À Ê,i Ì> Ê*À }À> Ã }iÀÊ ÃiÊv ÀÊ ` Ã«i Ã }Ê Ì Ê LÕV iÌÃÊ ÀÊÃ ÃÊÊ

UÊ >ÌÊ> `Ê/ Üi Ê-iÀÛ Vi UÊ,iÃÌÀ Ê> `Ê Þ} i iÊ-Õ«« iÃ UÊ,iÃÌÀ Ê i> }

Sanis Cleaning Chemical System The correct dilution every time. Ê-> ÌâiÀ Ê Ã viVÌ> Ì] - Glass Cleaner Ê ÀÊ i> iÀÉ i}Ài>ÃiÀ Web: www.cintas.com Phone: 828.681.1962 or 800.849.4680

UÊ i> }Ê i V> Ã

The County Times

have hit on a winning combination with Mike Burns on lead guitar (who criticizes himself for tapping the frets like Eddie Van Halen too much, while his band mates criticize him for not doing it enough), Shane Khoury on keyboard and rhythm/lead guitar (a young Iron Maiden enthusiast who actually started playing guitar because he couldn’t stand the sight of his family’s acoustic collecting dust in a forgotten corner of the living room), Vince Telly Photo Courtesy of www.toomanymikes.com. on bass (who decided to pursue a spot in the rhythm secToo Many Mikes offer one of their thunderous sets at Calypso tion after noticing that, like there being too many Mikes in Bay in Solomons. the world, there were also too many guitarists), and Dave Fox (formerly of Vagrant, For Pete’s Sake and The Roof few flourishes and a short solo). Dogs) keeping a steady pulse on the drums. But it IS a fact that there is a Michael born every 20 It’s hard to deny that they have a loyal following minutes. And you can’t dispute the math here, either. If (complete with T-shirts), and rightly so. After all, few you look at the average number of Michaels born over the cover bands would dare attempt Guns N’ Roses’ “Wellast five years (about 22,756 Mikes per year) and crunch come to the Jungle,” much less make it sound good, and the numbers accordingly, it equals about three born every the quintet also tears through a set list spanning an eclechour, officially making for too many Mikes in the country tic selection of hits by the likes of Cheap Trick, Ratt, Van … and that’s to say nothing of worldwide statistics. Halen, AC/DC, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and even the Red Hot This amusing factoid may have been the crux of Too Chili Peppers, Bush, Green Day, Incubus, 3 Doors Down Many Mikes’ band name, or it may have just been a joke, and Nickelback. since there were four Mikes in the band when they first The only nit-picking critique this reviewer has is that started out. with their great musicianship and stage presence, it almost “Every time I’d say, ‘Hey Mike,’ they’d all say, seems a waste for them to stick so rigidly to the rock cover ‘What?’ so there were too many Mikes in the band,” said formula and not expand to include more original material. front man Joe Henry. They’ve certainly proven they can master the masters, so “Now we’re down to one, and that’s still too many,” it would be exciting to see what masterful elements they he added, laughing. can blend on their own. Joe, a rock veteran who got his start singing Led ZepSo there may be too many cover bands on the planet, pelin at karaoke nights (winning competitions in the pro- just as there are certainly too many Mikes, but since these cess), started the band by placing ads on somd.com, and guys do what they do so well, it’s easy to forgive them, and after spending four months deployed in Afghanistan, he Southern Maryland seems ready to sing along. came back ready to rock and roll. The band is playing at Vera’s White Sands Beach He explained that flaring personality conflicts have Club in Lusby on Saturday Aug. 15 and at Toot’s Bar in changed the band’s lineup several times since they first Hollywood on Sunday Aug. 16. For more information and started in 2006, but they seem to performance schedules, go to www.toomanymikes.com.

ary’s M

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

• G-Force PG, 90 min

• Orphan R, 123 min

• District 9; R, 113 min; Starts on Fri, Aug 14

• G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra; PG-13, 118 min

• Funny People R, 136 min

• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince PG, 153 min

• The Time Traveler’s Wife; PG-13, 108 min; Starts on Fri, Aug 14 • The Ugly Truth R, 96 min

John Hughes Deﬁned a Genre and a Generation By Christie Lemire AP Movie Critic

by A ndr ea S

Rock music theorists like yours truly believe there’s a cover band born every 20 minutes in the United States of America, since it takes about that long to learn the guitar tablature for one average-length rock song (give or take a

From left to right: Shane Khoury, Dave Fox, Vince Telly, Joe Henry and Mike Burns. Photo

By Andrea Shiell Staff Writer

hi e

Too Many Mikes? … Or Just Enough?

Thursday, August 13, 2009

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.

“Saturday, March 24, 1984. Shermer High School, Shermer, Illinois, 60062. “Dear Mr. Vernon: We accept the fact that we had to sacrifice a whole Saturday in detention for whatever it was we did wrong. And what we did was wrong. But we think you’re crazy to make us write an essay telling you who we John Hughes think we are. What do you care? You see us as you want to see us.” Those are the [closing lines] from “The Breakfast Club,” voiced by Anthony Michael Hall, accompanied by Simple Minds’ “Don’t You [Forget About Me].” And even though it’s been nearly a quarter-century since John Hughes’ seminal high-school drama came out, I still know them by heart. I probably still know the entire movie by heart. Any self-respecting child of the 1980s does. As a film critic, I am often asked what my favorite movies of all time are. That’s a tough one to answer, because the list is constantly changing. But alongside Fellini’s “The Nights of Cabiria” and newer classics such as “Fargo,” I always end up mentioning “The Breakfast Club” and “Sixteen Candles.” They may not qualify as the greatest movies ever, but we’re talking favorites, the ones that still engage you no matter how many times you’ve seen them. And so the news that Hughes died Thursday of a heart attack at 59 will, for many, strike the same sort of cultural chord that Michael Jackson’s did. It prompts not only more than just a passing feeling of nostalgia but also an active longing for a happier, more prosperous time. As both a writer and director, Hughes defined not just a genre but a generation. His movies didn’t exactly represent high school as it was (seriously, who ever went to a blowout bash at a mansion like Jake Ryan’s in “Sixteen Candles” or got away with as much as Ferris Bueller?) but rather, high school as we wished it could have been – funnier, weirder, sweeter, full of kids who have just the right zinger or poignant thing to say: “Does Barry Manilow know that you raid his wardrobe?” “How about a nice, greasy pork sandwich served in a dirty ashtray?” “Blane? His name is Blane? That’s a major appliance, that’s not a name.” “I can’t believe I gave my panties to a geek.” After watching “The Breakfast Club” with me on cable for the millionth time when I was a chubby 13-year-old, my mom suggested that we go to the video store and rent the teen-angst movie of her generation: “Rebel Without a Cause.” I would like it, she said – they were similar. And she was right in that they both captured the frustrating feeling that nobody understands you when you’re young, that your problems are unique and insurmountable. Hughes took that raw energy and made it ironic and idiotic, self-referential and self-deprecating. Every teen movie that’s come out since the mid-1980s owes a debt to John Hughes. He was that influential. Some acknowledge this willingly, as director Nanette Burstein did with last year’s “American Teen,” which was essentially a documentary version of “The Breakfast Club.” Bill Paxton has said that of the dozens of character roles he’s played over his lengthy career, he’s still best known as Chet, the bullying older brother from 1985’s “Weird Science.” And “Some Kind of Wonderful” (which Hughes wrote) plays a pivotal part in the recent romantic comedy, “He’s Just Not That Into You.” Others have parodied him endlessly in such varied settings as raunchy Kevin Smith comedies, the spoof “Not Another Teen Movie” and the animated TV series “Family Guy.” And so there’s nothing wrong with wallowing in some unabashed ’80s nostalgia upon the passing of John Hughes. As Ferris Bueller himself might have said at a time like this, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Thursday, August 13 • Fair Warning Irish Pub Band CJ’s Backroom (Lusby) – 5 p.m. • David Norris Corbel’s Fine Dining & Spirits (Leonardtown) – 5 p.m. • BBQ Night VFW Post 2612 (California) – 5:30 p.m. • Auditions for Sotterley Ghost Walk Sotterley Plantation (Hollywood) – 6 p.m. • Drop-In Salsa House of Dance (Hollywood) – 6 p.m. • Computer Game Workshop Charlotte Hall Library – 6 p.m. • Archaeology Speaker Series: Silas D. Hurry Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum – 7 p.m. • Ladies Night Fat Boys Country Store (Leonardtown) – 7 p.m. • Karaoke Cadillac Jack’s (Lexington Park) – 9:30 p.m.

Friday, August 14 • Fair Warning Irish Pub Band Donovan’s Pub (California) – 5 p.m. • Fry Night VFW Post 2612 (California) – 5:30 p.m. • PHS Marching Band Preview Show Patuxent High School (Lusby) – 6 p.m. • David Norris D.B. McMillan’s Irish Pub and Grill – 6 p.m. • Special Olympics No Limit Tournament Center for Life Enrichment (Hollywood) – 7 p.m. • La Plata Summer Concert Series: Southern Maryland Concert Band La Plata Town Hall - 7 p.m. • Sea Loves Me Naut Murder Mystery Dinner Theater Living Hope First United Pentecostal Church (Lexington Park) – 7 p.m. • Patuxent Playhouse Presents: School House Rock LIVE! St. John Vianney Family Life Center (Prince Frederick) – 8 p.m. • DJ Red Dog and Karaoke Cryer’s Back Road Inn (Leonardtown) – 9 p.m. • Karaoke Cadillac Jack’s (Lexington Park) – 9:30 p.m.

The County Times

Saturday, August 15 • Community Yard Sale St. Mary’s Square Shopping Center 7 a.m. – 1 p.m. Community Yard Sale, Vendor Sale, Produce & Craft Sale. Contact Tina at 240-577-0955 for additional information regarding space availability or email: sms_merchant_assoc@yahoo.com.

• La Plata Screen on the Green: Wall-E La Plata Town Hall Lawn – 8:30 p.m.

• Basket Making - Pine Needle Basket Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum – 10 a.m.

• Karaoke Applebee’s (California) – 9 p.m.

• Auditions for Sotterley Ghost Walk Sotterley Plantation (Hollywood) – 10 a.m. • Festival & Dinner The Knights of St. Jerome sponsors their annual august Festival & Dinner at The Knights of St. Jerome’s Hall Rt. 235 Dameron starting at 1 p.m. Dine in or Carryout available. For more information call 301-872-4566. • Park Hall ES Back to School Picnic 20343 Hermanville Road (Park Hall) – 2 p.m. • No Limit Texas Hold’Em Bounty Tournament St. Mary’s County Elks Lodge – 3 p.m. • Gospel Concert: The Royal Harmoneers of Washington, D.C. St. Mark UAME Church (Valley Lee) – 5 p.m. • Exhibition Ball Game Chancellors Run Park – 5 p.m. • Steak Night VFW Post 2632 (California) – 5:30 p.m. • Astronomy Club of Southern Maryland Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum – 6:30 p.m. (dusk) • Sunset Cruise Calvert Marine Museum – 6:30 p.m. • Swing and Ballroom Dance St. John’s Church (Hollywood) – 7 p.m. • Nuttin’ Fancy Band Toot’s Bar (Hollywood) – 7 p.m. • Captain John D.B. McMillan’s Pub and Grill – 7 p.m. • Pool Tournament Cadillac Jack’s (Lexington Park) – 7 p.m. • Patuxent Playhouse Presents: School House Rock LIVE! St. John Vianney Family Life Center (Prince Frederick) – 8 p.m. • The Wanderers Cryer’s Back Road Inn (Leonardtown) – 8 p.m. • Idle Americans / Open Blues Jam Fat Boys Country Store (Leonardtown) – 8 p.m.

n O g Goin

What’s

• Bent Nickel Anderson’s Bar (Avenue) – 8 p.m.

• Karaoke at Phil’s Place w/ DJ Kaycee 5826 Gallant Green (Hughesville) – 8:30 p.m.

• TooManyMikes Vera’s White Sands Beach Club (Lusby) – 9 p.m.

Sunday, August 16 • Pet Adoptions Pepper’s Pet Pantry (Solomons) – 12 noon • Brain Freeze Sundays Fat Boys Country Store (Leonardtown) – 12 noon • Operation Homefront Concert (5 bands) Toot’s Bar (Hollywood) – 1 p.m. • Lusby Sing Off CJ’s Backroom (Lusby) – 1 p.m. • Partylite Open House Hampton Inn (Lexington Park) – 2 p.m. • Scott Kirby Concert SMSA Clubhouse (Solomons) – 4 p.m.

Monday, August 17 • Margarita Mondays Fat Boys Country Store (Leonardtown) – 12 noon • Democratic Club Meeting Lenny’s restaurant at 7 p.m.. The speaker will be Dr. Nancy Briggs, discussing Health Care Reform Legislation. Contact Cindy at 301-737-7978. • No Limit Texas Hold’Em Tournament St. Mary’s County Elks Lodge – 7 p.m.

Tuesday, August 18 • Nature Time at Greenwell Greenwell State Park (Hollywood) – 10 a.m.

Wednesday, August 19 • Little Minnows: Beaks and Feet Calvert Marine Museum – 10 a.m. • Why Snooze when you can Crooze Arbys Restaurant Parking Lot (Leonardtown) – 5 p.m. • Special Olympics No Limit Hold’Em Tournament Bennett Building 24930 Old Three Notch Road (Hollywood) – 7 p.m. • Karaoke Cadillac Jack’s (Lexington Park) – 7:30 p.m.

L ibrary Items • Movie musicals Friday afternoon movie musical at Lexington Park features Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds, 2 p.m. On Aug. 21 a PG movie about good girl Sandy and bad boy Danny who find their summer romance is changed by the cliques in their 1950s school. Movies are free, snacks provided. • Word, Excel Two introductory computer classes at Charlotte Hall: Word 2007 on Aug. 17, 10 a.m., and Excel 2007 on Aug. 20, 10 a.m. Basic computer skills required; registration required. • Free ice cream Children, ages 5-12, can still pick up a Celebrate 375! Adventure Passport at any library and explore five of the 10 sites listed to earn a coupon for free Bruster’s ice cream and a chance to win a copy of Sally Walker’s book, “Written in Bone.” They earn an extra chance for each additional site they visit. A book will be given away at each branch. The passport admits the child free to the sites. Program ends Aug. 31. • Teen activities Movie about seniors at East High who put on one last musical before they go their different ways at Leonardtown on Aug. 14, 2 p.m. Snacks provided. Workshop to create a computer game using Scratch on Aug. 22, 10 a.m., at Charlotte Hall. Workshop to create a simple arcade game using Gamemaker software on Aug. 26, 2 p.m., at Charlotte Hall. Registration required. • Book discussions E.L. Doctorow’s “The March” on Aug. 20, 7 p.m., Leonardtown; Audrey Niffenegger’s “The Time Traveler’s Wife” on Aug. 31, 7 p.m., Charlotte Hall; John Matteson’s “Eden’s Outcasts: The Story of Louisa May Alcott and Her Father” on Sept. 14, 6 p.m., Lexington Park.

Kiwanis Club Donates to D.A.R.E. The Kiwanis Club of St. Mary’s County invited Sheriff Tim Cameron as a guest speaker to one of their member meetings earlier this year and presented him with a donation to the Sheriff’s Office for $200 to be used for programs supporting children and families in St. Mary’s County. From left: Bob Owen (Kiwanis President), Sheriff Cameron, and Mary Lynn Whetstine (Kiwanis Treasurer). The funds went to support Camp D.A.R.E. which is a day-camp for 5th and 6th grade students organized free of charge through the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office. Campers are taught important health, safety, and decision-making lessons, while participating in arts and crafts, recreational competitions and public safety-related demonstrations.

Cuisine

The County Times

Enjoy & More Summer’ s

On The Menu

Bounty

ZUCCHINI AND RICE GRATIN

Start to finish: 1 hour (30 minutes active) Servings: 6 to 8 2 strips bacon, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch pieces 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme 1 1/2 teaspoons salt 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper 3 or 4 medium zucchini, cut into 3/4-inch chunks (about 2 cups) 1 cup chicken broth 1/2 cup heavy cream 3 cups cooked rice 2 large eggs, lightly beaten 3/4 cup unseasoned dry breadcrumbs 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese 2 tablespoons olive oil In a large, deep skillet over medium-high, cook the bacon for 2 to 3 minutes, or until slightly browned but still tender. Add the onion, garlic, thyme, salt and pepper, then cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the zucchini and cook for another 5 minutes. Add the chicken broth and cream, then bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes. Reduce the heat if the mixture bubbles too rapidly. Remove the skillet from heat and set aside to cool for about 15 minutes. Heat the oven to 350 F. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled zucchini mixture with the rice and eggs. Transfer the mixture into an 8-by-12- or 9-by-13-inch rectangular bak-

ing dish. In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese and olive oil, then sprinkle the mixture evenly over the top of the zucchini. Bake the gratin for 30 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden. (Recipe from Donald Link’s “Real Cajun,” Clarkson Potter, 2009)

Healthy Bites Shedding a few pounds often boils down to doing battle with hunger. If you want to win, whole grains make great allies. Besides having more complex flavors than their processed counterparts, whole grains also are rich in healthy nutrients and dietary fiber. And high-fiber foods provide greater volume and take longer for your body to digest. Which is to say, you feel full longer. Good choices include whole-wheat pasta, wholegrain breads, oatmeal and whole-grain cereals. Other whole grains such as barley, wheat berries and bulgur work well in side dishes, pilafs and salads. Look for them in the natural food markets or in the natural food section of larger supermarkets. Another whole grain that has been gaining in popularity is quinoa (pronounced KEEN-wah), a mild-flavored South American grain. Quinoa is lower in carbohydrates than most grains and is an excellent source of protein. It also is a good choice for anyone on a gluten-free diet. Look for it alongside the rice and other grains. Nutty, chewy quinoa is a satisfying alternative for pasta in this delicious and filling asparagus quinoa salad from “College Vegetarian Cooking: Feed Yourself and Your Friends.” If the quinoa you buy isn’t labeled as prewashed, be sure to rinse the grains before cooking to wash

ASPARAGUS QUINOA SALAD

1 cup uncooked quinoa 12 spears asparagus, tough ends removed, cut into 1-inch pieces 1/2 cup pitted Kalamata olives, thinly sliced 1 large tomato, seeded and cut into 1/2-inch dice 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest 3 tablespoons lemon juice 1 tablespoon olive oil Salt and ground black pepper, to taste 4 ounces crumbled feta cheese Cook the quinoa according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan bring 1/2 inch of water to

BETTER TOGETHER: What to Drink with Zucchini By VICTORIA BRETT For The Associated Press Zucchini is the summer vegetable that keeps on giving. Anyone with a summer garden usually harvests more zucchini than they know what to do with. Luckily, zucchini is versatile. Ratatouille, zucchini bread and grated zucchini are obvious choices. But with so many possibilities, pairing drinks could be a chore. Which is why Food Network host Claire Robinson comes at it from another angle, using the zucchini to make a drink she calls the zucchini tini. “Zucchini is an awesome vegetable, and it actually contains quite a bit of water,” she says. “I love to extract the delicate flavor of zucchini water and add it to cocktails when serving zucchini. This carries the vegetable’s notes throughout a meal.” To make zucchini water, Robinson grates a large zucchini into a fine mesh strainer set over a bowl. She then tosses the grated zucchini with a pinch of coarse salt and allows it to sit for 15 minutes. The grated zucchini then can be pressed (using hands or the back of a sturdy wooden spoon) to extract the water. Robinson’s cocktail also includes gin and unfiltered sake, which is “wonderfully sweet and starchy, as it is made from rice, and pairs amazingly well with zucchini water. Gin has the flavor of juniper berry and ties everything together perfectly.” Another good pairing with zucchini is mint. Robinson says if you want to save your zucchini for the meal, serve up a classic mojito.

Start to finish: 5 minutes

away the bitter resin that defends the plant against insects.

On The Vine

ZUCCHINI TINI

By JIM ROMANOFF For The Associated Press

Start to finish: 30 minutes (15 minutes active) Servings: 6

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Servings: 1

1/2 ounce (1 tablespoon) zucchini water (see note above) 2 ounces unfiltered cold sake 1 ounce gin 1 thin slice of zucchini, for garnish In a cocktail shaker, combine the zucchini water, sake and gin. Fill the shaker with ice, then shake well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with the zucchini slice. (Recipe from Claire Robinson, host of Food Network’s “5 Ingredient Fix”)

a boil. Add the asparagus and blanch until barely tender, about 3 minutes. Drain the asparagus and rinse under cold running water for 1 minute to cool. In a large bowl, stir together the cooked quinoa, asparagus, olives, tomato and lemon zest. In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice and olive oil, then pour over the quinoa mixture. Toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper, then serve topped with the feta cheese. (Recipe adapted from Megan Carle and Jill Carle’s “College Vegetarian Cooking”, Ten Speed Press, 2009)

The County Times

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Wanderings of an Aimless

Min

Seafood Heaven By Shelby Oppermann Contributing Writer One of the greatest things about being in a county surrounded by water is the seafood, though some people might say it’s the boating or sailing. St. Mary’s County is seafood heaven. It is breakfast time now, and I am thinking about steamed hard crabs, with maybe a few dozen oysters on the side. I feel like I am way behind on my crab quota this year – I think we have eaten crabs once, maybe twice so far. I hope, towards Fall, we will make up this discrepancy. We are blessed with an abundance of fantastic seafood restaurants and markets in St. Mary’s County both on the water and off. I grew up one mile from Sam’s Crab

House in Clinton, but never ate there once. It seemed that most PG County seafood lovers drove down to Popes Creek to eat. My Father always saw many friends there. When my Mother and I had crabs it was usually at large crab feasts for her work held at The German Orphan’s Home near Upper Marlboro. Some of you may remember it being off of Prince George’s county’s well-known “Thunder Road”. When eating crabs at crab feasts or in a large group of people, there is always a small bragging war about the proper way to pick crabs. There are even placemats that give step-by-step directions on this particular art. And one adult is sure to try and teach any children or novices in the group “their” way. I, of

Creature Feature Blue-footed Boobies

By Theresa Morr Contributing Writer Can you imagine having blue feet? Well, if you were a blue-footed booby and could talk, you might say, “Hey sweetie, check out my gorgeous blue feet!” Blue-footed boobies are tropical seabirds with long wings, thick necks, and tapered tails. They are known mostly as Galapagos Island residents, where early explorers to this island off the coast of Ecuador discovered the birds. Their name comes from the Spanish word “bobo” meaning “stupid fellow” because the explorers found the birds easy

Blue-footed Booby

to tame, not too smart, and clumsy on land. These unusual birds also hang out along the western coasts of Central and South America and parts of southern California. Boobies live and nest in colonies among

the rocks. But at sunrise, they fly out to sea in search of a meal. Although wobbly in their take-offs and landings, these guys are fantastic flyers once in the air. Their eating preference is for small fish and squid and when spotting a school of, say, sardines or anchovies, the boobies become like streamlined torpedoes. They fold their wings back around their bodies and dive-bomb straight into the water at about 60 mph. Whew! And up they come with a fish dangling out of its long beak. Boobies have permanently closed nostrils for diving, so water up the nose isn’t a problem for these flyers. They just breathe through the corner of their mouth. Both male and female boobies have webbed feet but males with the bluest feet are more in favor as prospective mates. The male booby tries to impress the female by flaunting his blue feet, along with performing an exaggerated high-stepping strut; spreading his wings; and presenting the female with nesting materials. After this brief courtship display, the birds dance together and point their bills toward the sky as the male spreads his wings once again and lets out a loud whistle. It’s all part of Mother Nature’s mating ritual. Females lay two or three eggs and both parents take turns in incubating them. They also use their webbed feet to cover the young chicks to keep them warm. Blue-footed boobies are about the size of a goose and weigh around three to four pounds. They have white chests and throats; wings and feathers on their back are brownish; and their face is a greenish-blue with a large grey beak. These seabirds have a life span of about 17 years. For more cool stuff and pictures of blue-footed boobies, surf over to http://kids. nationalgeographic.com/Animals/CreatureFeature/Bluebooby. And guess what? There are also brown and red-footed boobies, too! Check them out on the Internet. Comments to Kikusan2@Verizon.net.

course, have “my” way, which I feel is the easiest. Many people use their knives easily - just like an extension of their hand, some are ardent crab knockers that beat the heck out of the crab before taking out the meat. Maybe they are worried the crab isn’t completely dead yet. I use my nails like a knife. I’ve always wondered about eating the spongy devil’s fingers inside a crab. Do they really make you sick? I know a friend who loves the “mustard” inside. I try to eat every speck of crabmeat. Invariably you will see crabs that have not been picked clean, and I want to say to the other diners, “You aren’t going to throw that out are you?” But, I don’t. I feel like the crab gave it’s life to be on that table and we should at least finish what has been provided. And it is hard to fill up on crabs, how can you leave any? You work so hard to get to the meat which blocks out anything else going on in the world. Eating crabs is so relaxing, my husband and I don’t talk too much through out the process. He even says, much to my dismay, that it is the only time I am completely quiet and focused. I’m surprised he has not taken me out for crabs more often then. My husband and I don’t order the female crabs, we tend to think that we are lowering the future crab population. I didn’t even think of this as a concern when I was younger, but now after hearing about the declining crab hauls, I worry. Maybe the females sold are past their productive years. I still couldn’t eat them; I would feel to empathetic towards their mid-life plight. I can hear them as they are caught, “I just get through raising all those kids, ready to swim by myself, maybe get into a little rough water, and then I let my cravings lead me into this metal trap!”

The hardest thing for me to do is pick a pile of crabmeat and save it. I can’t do it. My son Ryan, like his paternal grandmother did before him, can pick several crabs and wait to eat the meat all at once. He knows he cannot get up and go anywhere, or be distracted by evildoers during this process. Someone is sure to snatch a handful when he is otherwise occupied. I can save up enough from one crab in order to make the extreme delicacy of a crabmeat cracker sandwich. The meat must be dipped in the vinegar and Old Bay mixture first. My husband and I almost look forward to our homemade appetizer of saltine crackers dipped in this mixture as much as we enjoy eating the crabs. My all time favorite are the soft shell crabs, lightly dipped, fried and served on toasted bread with all the legs hanging over the side. How does one first learn to eat a dish with fried legs? If I think on this question too much it could possibly bother me. So I try not to think too much. The taste outweighs good sense every time. I know there are people who feel the same way about oysters – if they think on eating them too much; they can talk themselves right out of enjoying the salty, but fresh taste. Well, I guess I’ll read this to my husband now, and talk to him about a few other subjects as well. I don’t think he’s still asleep. He won’t mind a nice early morning conversation. Oh, wow, he just said he’s taking me out for crabs. To each new day’s adventure, Shelby Please send comments or ideas to: shelbys.wanderings@yahoo.com.

The County Times

CLUES ACROSS

Week Of 7/30/09 Week Of 8/6/09

PUZZLE SOLUTIONS

ner

KiddKioer

1. Reject outright 5. Successively in order 9. Sword with a curved blade 14. British nobleman 15. Hannibalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Waterloo 16. 1/6 drachmas 17. Lubricate 18. ____t: separate 19. Move rapidly in music 20. 14th president 23. Released a knot 24. Yeddo 25. ___mania: Australian island 26. Was an indication of 31. Leg joints 35. Blanket shawl 36. Frog genus 37. Brews 38. Staves off 41. Pikas 43. Report on a mission 45. An upper extremity 46. Macaws 47. Having vision

Thursday, August 13, 2009

51. 29th president 56. Island in Bay of Naples 57. N.M. art community 58. Gelled culture medium 59. No. French river 60. Shreck is one 61. Queen of the gods 62. Supplications 63. Weekly Top 40 DJ Rick 64. Paris airport

CLUES DOWN

1. Essence of your being 2. AKA Pleasant Island 3. About metropolis 4. Mixed 5. Subgenus of rhododendron 6. Fast river currents 7. Gulf and Sultanate 8. Twisted boards 9. A human being 10. ____al: away from the mouth 11. A type of pear 12. Other

13. ___ de Janeiro 21. Write bad checks 22. 15th of March 27. N.W. Algerian port 28. Anklebones 29. Fencing sword 30. ____ert: last course 31. W. Romanian city 32. Central area of a church 33. Drawer pull 34. Den of wild animals 39. Personal journals 40. Dried up vegetation 41. Pressed folds 42. H____: Greek poet 44. Outburst of emotion 45. Towards land 48. State and potato 49. African river & republic 50. A tree knot 51. Lament loudly 52. A domed or vaulted recess 53. Ribosomal ribonucleic acid 54. Gov. of Mass. until 1775 55. Between black and white 56. A bottle top

The County Times

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Business

DIRECTORY Call to Place Your Ad: 301-373-4125

www.ProfessorMoneyWise.com

(301) 997-8271

Pool Opening

Pool Closing

P.A. Hotchkiss & Associates Since 1987

WHERE YOUR LEGAL MATTER-MATTERS

Auto Accidents – Criminal – Domestic Wills – Power of Attorney DWI/Traffic – Workers’ Compensation 301-870-7111 1-800-279-7545 www.pahotchkiss.com

Serving the Southern Maryland Area Accepting All Major Credit Cards

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!

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

Mark’s Electronics Inc Serving Southern Maryland Residential Only

New “Business Client” Special!

No hourly Labor charge! Contact us for more details!

www.tsbtechnologies.com

301-475-8711**410-326-4442**301-885-3000

28’x 48’ Doublewide mobile home in Lexington Park. Quite street, 2 Full Baths, 3 Bedrooms, Carpet, Tile Kitchen and Dining Room, Garden Tub in Master Bath, all electric appliances (side by side refrigerator, flattop range), double parking space. Contact Cassie at 301-904-5494. Price: $50,000 OBO. Gorgeous Custom built home is located in park like setting. The many decks, in-ground swimming pool and screened gazebo make it a perfect summer retreat. With its open floor plan, cathedral ceiling sun room and spacious recreation areas, this home was made for entertaining. The house has 3 bedrooms, 2 car garage, 2 wood burning & gas fi replaces, an exercise room and a studio/in-law apartment with separate entrance. School district participates in the NAWC, Patuxent River Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) program. Price: $509,899. Call 301-904-3457 if interested.

Apartment Rentals GREAT Apartment with private entrance is available for rent mid September. One bedroom, one full bathroom, spacious living room, fully equipped kitchen, window blinds, ceiling fans, the apartment includes all utilities except for phone. Pets are negotiable. There is extra storage space in attic. Located in a very quiet and secure neighborhood 2 miles from the bridge to St Georges Island. Call 240-298-0362. Price: $900.

Help Wanted Part-time Physical Therapy Technician positions available in a Lexington Park Outpatient clinic. Must be friendly, outgoing, self-motivated, dependable, and organized with attention to detail. Duties include assisting therapists with patients as needed, cleaning treatment rooms and therapy equipment, laundry, limited front desk duties, and general office upkeep. Please fax resume to Ellie at 301-862-4959 or email to gateaupt@netzero.com.

Sales • Service • Installation Pick - Up & Delivery

Looking for receptionist for a small construction company in Leonardtown, MD. Needs to be able to answer phone calls, filing, copying, and light computer work. Hours would be 7am to 3pm, Mon-Fri. Construction office experience preferred. Wages commensurate with experience. Either fax 301475-5752 or e-mail jlw.associates@verizon.net your resumes.

TV • VCR • Camcorder • Wide Screen TV • Antenas • Dss18’ Sat. Car Stereos • Video Games • Monitors • Home Stereos • Cd/DVD Players

Vehicles

Your Electronics Sales & Service Center

PC Repair Fee: $79-$99

Classifieds

“We Care About You & Your Pool”

301-737-0777

Computer & Network Service/Sales Security Camera Service/Sales

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.

Real Estate

Don’t spend what you don’t have!

Law Offices of

Deadlines for Classifieds are Tuesday at 12 pm.

www.marksrepairs.com

301-863-8466

RTE 235 Esperanza Shopping Center 22652 Three Notch Rd. • Lexington Park, Md. 20653

1980 F100. “Black Beauty” 302 v8, c6 transmission. New tires. $1,000 or best offer. If interested, call Joe at 240.538.1914.

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

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, August 13 Thursday 13, 2009

Announcin

Issued Marriage Applications for July 2009 July 1, 2009

July 9, 2009

July 16, 2009

Francis Michael Harris III 31 Leonardtown, Md Michelle Lee Edwards 36 Leonardtown, Md

Christopher William Wilds 27 Lexington Park, Md Lisa Marie Coltes 28 Lexington Park, Md

James William Dove, Jr. 25 Hollywood, Md Katrina Marie Jordan 24 Hollywood, Md

Keith Bernard Smallwood, Sr. 42 Lexington Park, Md Francine Carter Miller 43 Lexington Park, Md

Alexander Bernard White 23 Washington, DC Jessica Christina Taylor 27 Bowie, Md

July 17, 2009

July 6, 2009

Stuart Ross Hunnicutt 21 Great Mills, Md Katherine Elizabeth Shepard 20 California, Md

Patrick Damien Best 18 Ridge, Md Candice Lee Porretti 18 Ridge, Md

Michael Richard Mulliken 24 Hamilton, New Jersey Jenna Neade Delozier 22 Leonardtown, Md Kenneth Randall Johnson 42 Clements, Md Jennifer Pauline Roberston 32 Clements, Md

July 10, 2009 Brien James Croteau 33 Ventura, CA Jennifer Lynn Thomas 34 Piney Point, Md Ricardo Julian Celestine 41 Temple Hills, Md Vicenta Toribio De La Cruz 25 Temple Hills, Md

July 7, 2009 Justin Michael Shea 22 Mechanicsville, Md Kathryn Dee Leinneweber 22 Mechanicsville, Md Travis Tourneur Butler 28 Great Mills, Md Cheryl Renee Nelson 32 Great Mills, Md

Gregory Adam Machi 31 Lexington Park, Md Lee Anne Payne 30 Lexington Park, Md David Wayne Bentley 23 Virginia Beach, Va Wendy Lynn Harvey 23 Virginia Beach, Va Russell Ottmar Marcus 26 Waldorf, Md Rosezanne Fajardo Dakanay 28 Waldorf, Md Timothy Francis Quade, Jr. 26 Mechanicsville, Md Cynthia Marie Gray 23 Mechanicsville, Md

July 13, 2009 Donald Wayne Burroughs, Jr. 22 Mechanicsville, Md Hannah Gibson Farrell 19 Avenue, Md Leonard Charles Hall, Jr. Huntingtown, Md Heidi Lee Williams 27 Lexington Park, Md

Patrick Andrew Rudman 24 South Portland, Maine Sarah Lynn Steele 25 South Portland, Maine Allen Henry Cohey, III 24 Salisbury, Md Maribeth Lorraine Copeland 23 Salisbury, Md

July 8, 2009 Jean-Louis Fotzeu Fotzeu 31 Great Mills, Md Hortense Fracine Thelma Kamga Fotue 30 Great Mills, Md Daniel Steven Connelly 19 Hollywood, Md Ashley Raquel Barnes 21 California Md

Richard Sylvanes Phelps 35 Waldorf, Md Nichole Shnique Livingston 37 Waldorf, Md

July 15, 2009 Travis Dale Boswell 23 Lexington Park, Md Haley Marie Gatton 21 Lexington Park, Md

Jesse Sean Rose 24 Lexington Park, Md Laura Jean Vaughan 26 Lexington Park, Md Ervin Garnell Reed 39 Mechanicsville, Md Sebrina Shirelle Davis 27 Mechanicsville, Md

Kendol Raynard Dove 21 Fort Hood, Tx Amanda Nichole Benjamin 21 Lexington Park, Md Nathaniel Antonio Taylor 24 California, Md Kelly Lynn Nahaj 22 Great Mills, Md

July 21, 2009 July 29, 2009 James Michael Morgan 23 Mechanicsville, Md Kaitlin Eileen Schoenbauer 22 Mechanicsville, Md Robert Mark Heffron, Jr. 23 Mechanicsville, Md Kelly Anne Martone 19 Mechanicsville, Md

Carlos Lozano 26 Mechanicsville, Md Tonya Marie Howell 27 Mehcanicsville, Md

July 22, 2009

Branden Alexander Alvey 23 Hollywood, Md Catherine Leigh Fagnano 22 Hollywood, Md

Lyle Edson Dewees, III 26 Lexington Park, Md Christinia Marie Krenek 22 Lexington Park, Md

Eric Niles Wilson 30 Lusby, Md Regina Marie Warriner 24 Lusby, Md

James Joseph Bucci, Jr. 48 Hollwyood, Md Julie Christine Branson 32 Hollywood, Md

Alfred Leroy Kessler Jr. 47 St. Inigoes, Md Diane Marie Parker 47 St. Inigoes, Md

Gerardo Dominguez Garcia 50 Port Tobacco, Md Rhonda Lee Lephew 43 Lusby, Md

July 30, 2009

Jeremy Ray Balderson 29 Waldorf, Md Lauren Brooke Cockerham 21 Waldorf, Md

July 23, 2009

Clarence Alfred Goddard, IV 23 Leonardtown, Md Brittany Michelle Wilkerson 22 Leonardtown, Md

Steven Michael Frederick 27 Sykesville, Md Emilie Magadalene Johnson 28 Sykesville, Md Christopher Michael Myers 24 Waldorf, Md Cara Leaf Soderberg 25 Charlotte Hall, Md Jason Thomas Hill 28 Mechanicsville, Md Jennifer Leigh De Angelis 25 Mechanicsville, Md

July 20, 2009 Charles Christopher Morris 29 Clements, Md Andrea Anita Butterfield 25 Clements, Md James Anthony Buckler, Jr. 24 King George, Va Erin Nichole Langley 22 King George, Va

David Michael Brent 31 California, Md Susan Lynn Shultz 34 California, Md James Anthony Tippett, Jr 21 Hollywood, Md Kasey Jo Dunbar 21 Hollywood, Md

July 27, 2009 Charles Patrick Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Donnell 27 Hollywood, Md Loretta Michelle Hutchins 25 Hollywood, Md

July 28, 2009 Francis Bayard Gough, III 47 Mechanicsville, Md Linda Diane Ellie 53 Avenue, Md Terrence Xavier Gross 43 Lusby, Md Claudette Felicia Wallace Lusby, Md

Bruce Wilfrid Goldsmith 50 Mechanicsville, Md Deborah Alice Boss 53 Mechanicsville, Md James Calvin Washington 48 Mechanicsville, Md Betty Lou Townsend 43 Mechanicsville, Md Thomas Charles Maslin 26 Washington, D.C. Abigail Rose Sullivan 26 Washington, D.C.

July 31, 2009 Charles Donald Knott, Jr. 25 Leonardtown, Md April Lynn Pilkerton 24 Leonardtown, Md Kyle William Jensen 29 Alexandria, Va Tara Dominica Leyland 29 Alexandria, Va Anthony Scott Heern 21 California, Md Kayla Marie Pitts 21 Leonardtown, Md

The County Times

Thursday, August 13, 2009

ewsmakers

McCants Receives a Hero’s Welcome 224 Freedom Salute By Andrea Shiell Staff Writer

By Mary Elizabeth Hamilton Contributing Writer Approximately 60 Soldiers from the Maryland Army National Guard’s 224th Area Support Medical Company, who recently returned from an eight month deployment to Iraq, were honored in a formal ceremony known as a “Freedom Salute” hosted by Brig. Gen. James A. Adkins, the adjutant general for Maryland, and other government officials at the Adelphi Laboratory Center in Adelphi, Md. The 224th ASMC was mobilized on March 23, 2008, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. During their time abroad, the 224th ASMC provided direct medical support for U.S. and coalition military forces, contractors, third country nationals and high profile local nationals. Their tasks involved receiving casualties, stabilizing the wounded, immediately triaging and giving emergency care before sending patients to a higher level medical treatment facility. They also conducted basic dental, physiological and psychological care. The 224th ASMC operated at three different locations in the southern half of Iraq, including Forward Operating Base Adder, Camp Echo, and Convoy Support Center Cedar II. The Freedom Salute allows soldiers who were deployed and served in support of the Global War on Terror to be recognized for their hard work and dedication while supporting and helping all Americans. Also, this event enables the Families to be honored for their help during the Soldiers’ deployment. “I would like to thank the brave men and women of the 224th and your Families, you both have sacrificed and you accomplish the mission and saved lives,” said Adkins. “We are immensely proud of this talented and proven group of Soldiers.” Each eligible soldier received an encased American flag, a lapel insignia, a commemorative coin and certificate of appreciation from the Army National Guard. The Soldier’s spouse/significant other received a lapel insignia.

Keia McCants laughed when asked what had prompted her to join the Maryland National Guard, saying, “I was bored!” and smiling at her husband Terrance across the room. The 38 year-old sergeant has lived in St. Mary’s County for three years, having grown up in Prince George’s County before deciding to start a career in the military. “I worked in an office, I was 25 years old, single and bored … but I had a car note, so I had to pay it,” she said. “So joining the military had always been a lifelong dream of mine, and I decided to take a go at it.” Since joining in 1996, Keia said she has definitely relieved her boredom, particularly when she and 60 other soldiers from the Maryland Army National Guard’s 224th Area Support Medical Company (ASMC) were deployed on March 23, 2008, to Iraq, where their tasks involved receiving casualties, stabilizing the wounded, and immediately triaging and giving emergency care to U.S. and coalition military forces, contractors, third country nationals and high profile local nationals. They also conducted basic dental, physiological and psychological care, operating at three different locations in the southern half of Iraq. “When I got deployed, I actually got into a different aspect of medical admin where we had to medivac patients all over the theater, and that can be very complicated at times,” she said. “When a patient’s discharged, we’re responsible for

Photo Courtesy of Mary Elizabeth Hamilton of Dulaney High School

The family of Sgt. Keia McCants of Lexington Park at the Freedom Salute Ceremony recognizing the service of the 224th ASMC which recently returned from Iraq. Back: nieces Dakota and Joelen, Sgt. McCants and mother Evelyn. Front: son Devin and niece Ellie.

getting that patient back to their unit, even to their unit that’s in another location in Iraq, and also patients that had to go to other medical facilities … there were many, many long nights, and a lot of nights where we were told that a plane was going to be there at 7:30 and it would get there like two or three hours late, and sometimes I’d be up till three o’clock in the morning and they’d call and say the plane was cancelled.” Though she said she often came off a shift smelling like jet fuel, she had enjoyed her time there. “It was a unique experience,” she said. Keia said she was only privy to one mortar attack, which happened

in January. “That was actually right after the inauguration, right after Joe Biden was sworn in, we got attacked,” she said, adding that she was thankful to have walked away with no injuries. In February, after an 8-month deployment, Keia came home with approximately 60 other soldiers and was recognized in a “Freedom Salute,” a formal ceremony recognizing soldiers who have served in support of the Global War on Terror. The ceremony was hosted by Brig. Gen. James A. Adkins, the adjutant general for Maryland, and other government officials at the Adelphi Laboratory Center in Adel-

phi, Maryland. Keia said the only painful part of her time in Iraq was being away from her family for eight months, but she was honored to have walked “in the land of Abraham, the first father.” After receiving a battlefield promotion, the Army Medal of Commendation and the Overseas medal, Keia said her greatest reward was coming back to her home in Lexington Park in February. “When I got home, all I did was just sleep from jetlag … my friends expected me to come and visit, and I said, ‘Don’t take it personally, but I just want to cherish home,’” she said, smiling.

HELPING EACH AND EVERY BUSINESS CLIMB TO THE TOP • COMPETITIVE RATES • CREATIVE AD DESIGN SERVICES • PROFESSIONAL SALES TEAM CALL US TODAY TO START MAKING YOUR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN A SUCCESS. CALL US TODAY!

301-373-4125

Mary Elizabeth Hamilton is a senior at Dulaney High School in Cockeysville, Md., and a member of a student journalism program run by the Maryland Army National Guard. P IN

US EY POINT LIGHTHO

Community

The County Times

The Beach Comes to Leonardtown Hundreds of residents and visitors braved the summer heat on Saturday by converging on Leonardtown Square for the annual Beach Party on the Square, featuring live music by Sons of Pirates, a magic show, hula dancers, a rock-climbing wall, volleyball, waterslides and dozens of venders offering local wares and a fireworks display concluding the festivities. The event was sponsored by the Leonardtown Business Association, the Commissioners of Leonardtown, the College of Southern Maryland and the St. Mary’s County Division of Tourism.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

St. Mary’s County Head Huggers Do you knit? Crochet? Sew? Would you like to use this skill to help someone who has undergone chemotherapy? I am creating a splinter Head Huggers group to do just that in our local community and invite you to join me. As you probably know, a frequent side effect of chemotherapy is hair loss. Head Huggers is building a workforce of craftspeople to create caps by knitting, crocheting, or sewing. These caps will be distributed to local hospitals, oncology offices and hospices so that they can readily be available, free of charge, to those who have lost their hair due to chemotherapy. To make it work, we need volunteers to help with the production. Please visit http://headhuggers.org for more information as well as patterns for knitted caps, crocheted caps, and for caps that can be sewn out of fleece. If you need more information or would like to donate, please contact Aimee Llewellyn at 301-481-5410 or aimee.llewellyn@verizon.net.

PRINCESS

“Hi, my name is Princess and I’m a wonderful ten year young female Black Labrador Retriever. I love people, get along great with children but I’d be happier as an only dog. My adoption fee has been reduced for Second Hope Rescue’s Blue Light Give a Dog a Home Adoptathon, going on now until September 30, 2009, so if you hurry, you can adopt me for only $75.00. I’d be a perfect companion for a senior couple or a family with children. I’m up to date on vaccinations, spayed, house trained, crate trained and identification micro chipped. For more information, please contact Second Hope Rescue at katmc@secondhoperescue.org or call 240925-0628. Please Adopt, Don’t Shop!!”

Help by Donating Eye Glasses, Hearing Aids The Hollywood Lions Club continues to help people with poor vision by collecting used eyeglasses and shipping them to places in the United States and overseas. It also collects hearing aids for distribution in the United States. The Hollywood club has set up boxes to accept donations for both glasses and hearing aids in California (Giant Food, McKay’s Food and Drug, Pearl Vision Center, Sterling Optical and at Wal Mart’s customer service area) and in Hollywood (St. John’s Pharmacy and PNC Bank). Lions clubs collect millions of eyeglasses each year, making eyeglass recycling one of the organization’s most popular activities. It costs Lions less than 8 cents to provide a pair of recycled eyeglasses and change someone’s life, and you can help, says the Hollywood club. For children, clear vision means a better education, healthier development and a better quality of life. For adults, it means greater employment opportunity and economic strength. For seniors it means less dependence on others. According to The World Health Organization, 153 million people have uncorrected refractive errors (near-sightedness, far-sightedness or astigmatism). Most of these vision impairments are quickly diagnosed and easy to treat with corrective lenses. Still, millions of people in developing nations are pushed deeper into poverty simply because they don’t have glasses. They can’t learn, because reading is difficult. They can’t work to the best of their ability, because they can’t see clearly.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

The County Times

Great Mills Key Club Student Volunteers Raise Money for Relay for Life Approximately 40 students who are members of the Key Club and/or the National Honor Society at Great Mills High School participated in the St. Mary’s County Relay for Life. The team raised approximately $2,000 for the American Cancer Society, and the Key Club students accrued over 140 service hours in this single overnight event.

Kiwanis Gives Free Bicycle Helmets To K-Kids And The Community (Lexington Park, MD) May 28, 2009 – The & Mental Hygiene, Office of Injury Prevention. Kiwanis Club of St. Mary’s County distrib- Helmets and a variety of educational materials uted over 200 free bicycle helmets to children were purchased with funds from the grant. in May. The first distribution took place at the The Kiwanis Club plans to expand the biannual Kiwanis Health & Safety Fair, and later cycle safety program to a full bicycle rodeo in that month Kiwanis visited their sponsored the future. K-Kids Club at Lexington Park Elementary School Boys & Girls Club and gave away more helmets. At both events, Kiwanis volunteers fitted each child properly with a helmet, and gave a safety briefing to each child on how and when to wear their helmet. The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Department and Cpl. Ronald Gray Maloy assisted at the Safety Fair with the demonstrations. The Health Department mascot, Opie the Otter, was also on hand at both events showing off his own custom-made bicycle helmet and encouraging the children to wear their helmets when riding this summer. The Kiwanis Club and the St. Mary’s County Health Department Cpl. Ronald Gray Maloy and Opie the Otter stand with two were awarded a $3,000 grant from children who received helmets at the Kiwanis Health & Safety the Maryland Department of Health Fair in May.

The Bunny Bailey Studio Of Dance (L-R) are Great Mills High School students: Claire Weber, Elizabeth MacConnell, Danielle Wilkin, and Katie Morgan. The Key Club at Great Mills is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of St. Mary’s County.

21880-A Millison Lane - Lexington Park

FALL REGISTRATION August 15th & 22nd - 9 A.M.-12 Noon

Ages 3 and Up Tap * Ballet * Jazz Pre-Ballet * Show Dance

Dance Supplies At Studio

(L-R) are Great Mills High School Key Club members: Alison Hallock and Emily Rukavina.

Office: 301-884-4712

Since 1959

The County Times

Lathroum Jets to Convincing MACS Win at Potomac By Doug Watson Potomac Speedway BUDDS CREEK –Jamie Lathroum of Mechanicsville scored his second late model feature win of the season in Friday night’s 55-lap, Bobby Allen memorial at the Potomac Speedway. Lathroum’s $5,000 win was his second career MACS triumph and his second consecutive Allen Memorial win at the speedway. Colby Frye and Jeremy Miller lead the field down to the initial waving of the green flag. Miller blasted into the race lead and would control the event’s first six circuits. Meanwhile, Jamie Lathroum reached second by the sixth lap and would make what would be the winning pass on lap 7. Even though Lathroum would lead the final 49 laps of the event, the win was far from easy. Tenthstarting Jason Covert, who had reached second by the ninth lap, then took up the chase on leader Lathroum. The duo would put on quite a crowd-pleasing battle, but Lathroum would prevail to post the win. “The car was really good tonight,” Lathroum said in victory lane. “I saw Covert get along side of me a couple times, but I knew if I kept the car straight and could dodge the holes and not mess up, we’d be all right.” After his disappointment in the Three State Flyers event two weeks ago, Lathroum

was asked what finally changed his luck at Potomac. “I stopped wearing that black driving suit,” Lathroum said with a laugh. “Ever since we got that we haven’t done anything, so we switched back to red.” Covert collected a hard-fought second, Austin Hubbard had a nice run taking third, Doug Horton was fourth and Booper Bare completed the top five. Setting fast time in time trials over the 26-car field was Jamie Lathroum with a one-lap time of 15.063. Heats went to Colby Frye, Jeremy Miller and Lathroum. In the 16-lap street stock feature Kurt Zimmerman was victorious for the fourth time this season. The race featured four different leaders with Zimmerman making the winning pass on Stephen Quade on lap 11. Zimmerman would then go on to post the win over Walt Homberg, who rallied late in the event. Stephen Quade would hang on for a solid third, Point leader Kyle Nelson was fourth and 15th-starting Troy Kassiris rounded out the top five. Heats for the 18-car field went to Homberg and Donnie Smith. In other action Rusty Alton took the win in the 15-lap hobby stock event after apparent winner Bud Pickeral was disqualified for a rule infraction, and in the 20-lap strictly stock main Justin Gilroy scored his first career win in the division.

Late Model Feature Finish 55 laps

(Lap Leaders Jeremy Miller 1-6, Jamie Lathroum 7-55) 1. Jamie Lathroum 2. Jason Covert 3. Austin Hubbard 4. Doug Horton 5. Booper Bare 6. DJ Myers 7. Rod Conley 8. Ross Robinson 9. Harold Dorsey Jr. 10. Colby Frye 11. Ronnie DeHaven Jr. 12. David Williams 13. Dale Hollidge 14. Kyle Lear 15. Roland Mann 16. Larry Ramsey 17. Rick Eckert 18. Chris Cromer 19. Nick Dickson 20. Daryl Hills 21. Ray Kable Jr. 22. Deane Guy 23. Jeremy Miller 24. Scott Cross 25. Matt Quade 26. Jeff Pilkerton

Street Stock Feature Finish 1. Kurt Zimmerman 2. Walt Homberg 3. Stephen Quade 4. Kyle Nelson 5. Troy Kassiris 6. Scotty Nelson 7. Paul Quattro 8. Eric Johnson 9. Josh Williams 10. Dale Reamy 11. Scott Wilson 12. Country Prince 13. Mike Reynolds 14. Chuck Bowie 15. Donnie Smith 16. Kevin Cooke 17. Jason Murphy (DNS) 18. Phil Lange (DNS)

Thursday, August 13, 2009

8/13-19/2009 Thurs., Aug. 13 Men’s Over-40 League Seabreeze vs. Hole-In-The-Wall at Tippett’s Field Tri-County Aire vs. Hobos at Back Road Inn Anderson’s vs. Mom & Pop’s at Fenwick Field Nationwide vs. Clements at Anderson’s Bar Rita B’s vs. Captain Sam’s at Captain Sam’s

Mon., Aug. 17 Women’s League Dew Drop/Two Point Construction/PJ’s Autobody/Bryan Jones Paint vs. Back Road Inn at Back Road Inn, 6:30 p.m. Moose Lodge vs. Xtreme at Chancellor’s Run Park, 6:30 p.m. Captain Sam’s vs. Anderson’s at Anderson’s Bar, 6:30 p.m. Knockouts vs. Bud Light at Chancellor’s Run Park, 6:30 p.m. Coors Light vs. Just Us at Chancellor’s Run Park, 8 p.m. Simms vs. Chesapeake Custom Embroidery at The Brass Rail, 6:30 p.m. Dew Drop/Two Point Construction/PJ’s Autobody/Bryan Jones Paint vs. Chesapeake Custom Embroidery at The Brass Rail, 8 p.m. Women’s Over-30 League Ryce Electric vs. Hurricanes at Chancellor’s Run Park Raley’s Softball vs. Captain Sam’s at Captain Sam’s Hole-In-The-Wall vs. Moose Lodge at Moose Lodge Back Road Inn vs. Rosebuds at Tippett’s Field

Wed., Aug. 19 Women’s League Xtreme vs. Coors Light at Back Road Inn, 6:30 p.m. Knockouts vs. Moose Lodge at Moose Lodge, 6:30 p.m. Dew Drop/Two Point Construction/PJ’s Autobody/Bryan Jones Paint vs. Captain Sam’s at Captain Sam’s, 6:30 p.m. Southern vs. Bud Light at Chancellor’s Run Park, 6:30 p.m. Chesapeake Custom Embroidery vs. Just Us at Chancellor’s Run Park, 6:30 p.m. Simms vs. Anderson’s at Anderson’s Bar, 6:30 p.m. Simms vs. Dew Drop/Two Point Construction/PJ’s Autobody/ Bryan Jones Paint at The Brass Rail, 8 p.m.

The County Times

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Sp rts

County Deputy Shoots for Fun By Chris Stevens Staff Writer For Deputy Cara Grumbles, the sport of shooting has always been a part of her life. “Long before I was a police officer, I was shooting guns,” says Grumbles, a 15-year veteran of the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office. “It’s probably why I became a police officer.” Grumbles, a self-described military brat who moved with her family to St. Mary’s County in 1988, began shooting at targets with her dad at the age of seven. “It was more like a father/daughter activity,” she says. “Whenever he would come home from overseas, that’s what we would do.” As she grew older, shooting became an enjoyable hobby for Grumbles, even with some slight resistance from her male counterparts. “Guys even look at other guys who haven’t handled a gun differently,” she says. “They usually do a complete 180-degree turn when they see that I can handle a gun and shoot it well.” Shooting for sport, whether it’s Cara Grumbles, a 15-year veteran of the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s hunting, target practice or skeet shooting, has become very popular in recent Office practices at the shooting range. years, especially in the competitive realm.

“I’ve always had that competition thing with my dad and my friends,” Grumbles said about who is the best shot. “It takes a lot of talent and practice to hit a bull’s eye.” It also takes a lot of practice and precautions to become adequate with the weapon. “I would suggest anyone that has never handled a gun before or is afraid of guns take a safety course, learn how to handle and store the weapon properly,” Grumbles said. “It’s a fun hobby but can be very expensive.” A single box of ammunition (25 rounds) by Grumbles’ estimation can cost between $20 and $30, wh ich

could rise with new gun legislation making prices higher. For those interested in joining a sportsman’s club or even finding a place to shoot, Grumbles, who is also an instructor at the Southern Maryland Criminal Justice Academy, suggests making friends with established club members or anyone who’s pretty good with the steel. “I would say find somebody who’s already a member and who knows how to fire the weapon and handle it safely,” she says. “There is also an indoor shooting range in [Prince Georges] County that teaches safety courses.” Grumbles adds that she’s taken her friends, quite a few who had never handled a gun before, to a gun range and helped them learn how to shoot. “[Handling and shooting] takes a lot of practice and a lot of concentration,” she says. Above all else, Grumbles points out that there is a huge responsibility of owning a gun and that it should not be taken lightly. “The saying goes, it’s not the guns, it’s the people carrying the guns,” she said. “Always think ‘safety first.’”

Softball Standings

Games Through Tues., Aug 11

Women’s League Standings Division I 1. CCE 2. Just Us 3. Bud Light 4. Southern

Wins 20 19 18 18

Losses 2 2 3 3

Games Back 0 0.5 1.5 1.5

Wins 16 12 12 10 10 7

Losses 7 9 10 9 11 12

Games Back 0 3 3.5 4 5 7

Wins 4 1 1 0

Losses 19 19 20 22

Games Back 0 1.5 2 3.5

Division II 1. Back Road 2. Knight Life 3. Anderson’s 4. Capt. Sam’s 5. Simms 6. DDI

Division III 1. Xtreme 2. Coor Light 3. Knockouts 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 22 21 21 19 18 17 11 10 7 5 4

Losses 4 5 6 9 9 11 14 18 21 23 23

Men’s Slow-Pitch Standings Wins 1. Chaney’s 28 2. Budweiser 23 3. Back Road 22 4. Pax Bombers 21 5. Wentworth 14 6. Eagles’ Nest 7 7. Book By Blanche 5 8. VFW 2632 2

Losses 4 9 10 11 18 25 27 30

Photos By Frank Marquart

Sp rts

The County Times

BLEACHERS They (Still) Walk Among Us

In her five years at ESPN, Erin Andrews has risen from your typical, hardly-noticed sideline reporter to a bit of sensation among sports fans, particularly those of the male variety. Admittedly she is an attractive woman. Is her physical appearance an asset in a field of work dominated by male customers? Human nature being what it is, of course it is. But make no mistake about it, Andrews is incredibly talented. She knows her stuff cold and is charming, smooth and entertaining in front of the camera. For my money, the short list of sideline reporters, in no particular order, male or female, is Michele Tafoya, Suzy Kolber and Andrews. In fact, I wonder why none of them has had the opportunity to jump into the booth to do play by play or commentary for a major professional sporting event. Kolber has done some studio

work with ESPN and Tafoya is great on radio, but neither has been given a big time booth gig. Maybe conceptually a woman announcing an NFL game is just too radical. Instead, the major networks would rather subject viewers to the apparently endless supply of awful male announcers (I have actually gone to the extreme of muting games). I see their point though. After all, a nation that hasn’t progressed to the point of seriously considering a female candidate for its highest offices or electing a minority president certainly couldn’t handle a woman’s voice in surround sound during a Sunday afternoon or Monday night football game. Oh wait… Video Filmed Through Peephole Erin Andrews might have been the one to shatter these remaining limitations for women in sports broadcasting. There are certainly many talented women in the field, but Andrews’ star was one of the brightest. I say “might have been,” because

The Search for Diamond Jim

A View From The

By Ronald N. Guy Jr. Contributing Writer

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Andrews’ career growth curve has perhaps been permanently altered. Last month some disgusting, perverse “entrepreneur” filmed an unsuspecting Andrews nude in her hotel room. And, like so much crap these days, after a few clicks of the mouse, the grainy video – filmed through a peephole for goodness sakes – was on the Web. Pathetically, but not surprising, a feeding frenzy – one likely dominated by “slave to their testosterone” male sports fans – ensued (do you hear Jimmy Buffet’s song “Fins” too?). Andrews, having been hit by a foul ball a few weeks earlier while covering a Major League baseball game, was on temporary leave from ESPN when the video surfaced and, to my knowledge, has yet to comment on the incident or return to work. Society has undoubtedly made noteworthy progress in disassociating professional opportunity from ethnicity or gender. Too bad then it takes but a single idiot, and many walk among us every day (a frighten-

Seven players from the JETS Elite Girls Lacrosse team teamed with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources July 30. Pictured from left are Catherine Denny, Coach Mac, Claire Ganoe, Joanna Bennett, Kimmy Becher, Shannon Bonnel, Katelyn Blondino, DNR Biologist Amy Batdorf and Madison Carroll. The team was aboard the Patience captained by Tommy Ireland. The girls caught, tagged and released 10 rockfish in the 2009 Maryland Fishing Challenge, “The Search for Diamond Jim.” The program was created to promote recreational fishing in Maryland, recognize angler ing thought), to undo the progressive work of 10 and to remind us how far we have left to travel. The video of Andrews is the latest reminder of the inequities women still face in their professional and daily lives. In fact, a couple years ago an inebriated Joe Namath told the aforementioned Kolber, Andrews’ ESPN colleague, during an interview in front of a national TV audience that he “just wanted to kiss her.” The reality is there are still many sexists males that will never see a female co-worker as their equal. More troubling, there are people willing to videotape a popular, skilled young woman through a peephole for nothing more than a cheap thrill and a couple bucks. Erin Andrews

efforts and inspire natural resources stewardship. “This is a great opportunity to introduce a new generation to one of Maryland’s greatest traditions, the sport of fishing,” said Gov. Martin O’Malley. For more information, go to http://www.dnr.maryland. gov/fishingchallenge. has been violated personally and forever labeled professionally. Unfortunately, now that she’s “the lady in the video” and given the double standard for women in sports broadcasting and beyond, her professional ceiling has likely lowered and the footholds she appeared poised to establish for today’s girls to climb upon may never be set. Hopefully she can rise above this and reclaim her once-promising career. Or at least if she can continue on in spite of the crime committed against her, she can contribute toward a world whose sons and daughters navigate identical seas. Send comments to rguyjoon@ yahoo.com.

Hollywood Graphics And Screen Printing g n i r e ff O W NO • Business T-Shirts • Custom T-Shirts • Banners • Stickers • Graphics/Logos • Vehicle Lettering • ATV & MX Decals

hgx@hollywoodgrafx.com

m o c . x f dgra

o o w y .holl

www

301-769-1177

Thursday, August 13, 2009

The County Times

New Account

Cover-Ups Color/GreyWash Custom Artwork Old + New School Sunday: 12pm - 10pm Thousands of Fonts Monday: Apt Only Tues - Thurs: 12pm - 10pm Black Light Ink Available

SPECIAL

Hours:

Fri - Sat: 12pm - 12am

receive

$100

Walk-ins Welcome Call for an Appointment today!

240-237-8020

www.myspace.com/infinite_ink

HERE’S HOW:

Open your new Credit Union membership** and start with... Checking Account + Net Check Direct Deposit + eStatements

21640 Great Mills Rd. Lexington Park, MD 20653

CALIFORNIA San Souci Plaza 22599-122 MacArthur Blvd. California, MD

PRINCE FREDERICK Manning Building 90 King George Way Prince Frederick, MD

WALDORF Smallwood Village Center 169 A Smallwood Village Center Waldorf, MD *For more details, give us a call or visit one of our branch offices. This offer is valid thru September 15, 2009 and is only available to new members of Educational Systems FCU as outlined above. A $5.00 minimum balance is required for membership. Promotional funds (limit 1 per membership account) will be deposited to your savings account upon receipt of your net check direct deposit. Some restrictions may apply. The deposit of these promotional funds may have tax implications. Please consult your tax advisor if you have questions. **Employees, students and their parents of Prince George’s, Charles, Calvert and St. Mary’s County Public Schools and Prince George’s Community College are eligible to become members. Employees of the College of Southern Maryland, Talbot County Public Schools and individuals who live or work in St. Mary’s County may also join Educational Systems FCU. Please check our website at www.esfcu.org for additional eligible schools and groups.

FOR MORE IN FORMATION :

800.356.6660 • www.esfcu.org PROMO CODE: NPCT0709

The County Times

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Sp rts

Blue Crabs, Maryland Bank Host Toy Drive Aug. 23 Donors Receive Buy-One, Get-One-Free Lawn Tickets The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, along with presenting sponsor Maryland Bank & Trust, will host a toy drive along with the celebration of (Blue Crabs Mascot) Pinch’s birthday on Sunday, Aug. 23, at Regency Furniture Stadium. Fans are encouraged to bring a toy to Pinch for his birthday so he may donate it to a great cause. Before and during the day’s game against the Newark Bears, which is scheduled to start at 5:05 p.m., donations will be accepted at the front gates. All participants who make a donation (toy or monetary) will receive a buy-one, get-one-free lawn seat for the day’s game. The toy drive will benefit the Christmas Connection program of Charles County which is run by the Children’s Aid Society. Several of Pinch’s mascot friends will be in attendance for his birthday celebration, and the first 300 fans through the gate at Regency Furniture Stadium will receive a free cupcake to mark the occasion.

The Christmas Connection toy program is the largest and oldest running program in Charles County that provides toys and gifts for less fortunate children ages 017 living in Charles County. All recipients of this program are prescreened and are currently receiving some sort of assistance through the State of Maryland. The program has been running for 20 years and currently serves 3,000 children living in Charles County annually and grows each year. Since the Christmas Connection toy program is completely donation dependent, they can only give out what they receive, making donations key. This program accepts new toys, new gifts and monetary donations. There is also a need for volunteer help at distribution, which takes place for a week-long period and is held at the La Plata National Guard Armory. Information can be obtained by calling Children’s Aid, e-mailing childrensaid@verizon.net or visiting their Web site at www.childrens-aid-society.org.

Blue Crabs Change Game Times The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs are pushing back the first pitch of two Sunday home games at Regency Furniture Stadium. The Aug. 23 game against the Newark Bears originally scheduled for 2:05 p.m. will now begin at 5:05 p.m. The Sept. 6 game against the Somerset Patriots has also been moved back from 2:05 until 5:05. There are no other changes to the Blue Crabs home schedule at this time. “We hope this minor schedule change will help our fans beat the late summer heat here in Southern Maryland. By holding these two games a

little later in the early evening, we hope the weather will be more enjoyable,” said Blue Crabs General Manager Chris Allen in a press release. “We hope our loyal fans are able to enjoy their Sunday afternoon, and then join us for a great way to wrap up the weekend.” Fans who have planned group outings to these particular games and have questions about the changes in schedule should contact their Blue Crabs group sales representative by calling the front office at 301-638-9788. Any other questions or concerns should also be directed to that number.

Atlantic Baseball League Standings (For games through Tuesday, August 11th)

LIBERTY DIVISION Bridgeport Southern Maryland Long Island Camden

W 18 17 13 12

L 13 13 17 18

PCT .581 .567 .433 .400

FREEDOM DIVISION Somerset Newark Lancaster York

W 20 19 12 12

L 11 12 19 20

PCT .645 .613 .387 .375

.5 4.5 5.5

1.0 8.0 8.5

STREAK LAST 10 W1 5- 5 W1 5- 5 L2 1- 9 W4 7- 3 STREAK LAST 10 L1 7- 3 W1 8- 2 L1 3- 7 L1 4- 6

The County Times

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Sp rts

St. Mary’s All-Stars Split at Little League Softball Regional By Chris Stevens Staff Writer The St. Mary’s All-Stars 12 and under Little League Softball team fell short of their goal of the Little League World Series, but they won two games at last week’s Capitol Region Tournament in Albany, N.Y., and had a good time doing it. “They had a wonderful time and represented St. Mary’s and the State of Maryland very well on and off the field,” said All-Stars head coach Al Ogletree. “The girls had a great time dressing up and attending the Tournament of Champions Banquet.” The All-Stars got off to a flying start Saturday,

Aug. 1, as they blanked host West Albany 12-0, with Diana Cruz leading the way offensively with three hits and pitcher Jasmyn Ogletree striking out 12 batters. They fell to New Jersey Pequannock 6-4 on Sunday, after leaving the bases loaded twice during the contest. Sunday’s 3-0 win over Delaware as the All-Stars did not get an official hit, but four errors by the Delaware defense allowed St. Mary’s to score the runs necessary to win. The All-Stars lost in the championship game later that day 8-0 to Pennsylvania, who went through The St. Mary’s All-Stars 12 and Under Little League softball team had fun at the Tournathe bracket unbeaten and did not allow a run in their ment of Champions Banquet. four games.

From left is coach Al Ogletree, Megan Redman, Coach Jack Buffin, Alison Eichel, Diana Cruz, Rachel Buffin, Jasmyn Ogletree, Ashleigh Head, Hannah Lawrence, Victoria Rice, Jessica Miles, Michaela Young, Coach John Cruz, Jasmyn Berry, Coach Sandi Caouette.

Royals Buy Contract of Blue Crabs’ Pitcher The Kansas City Royals have purchased the contract of Southern Maryland Blue Crabs left-handed starting pitcher Mike O’Connor. O’Connor is the sixth pitcher and eighth Blue Crab to be signed by a Major League outfit this season, according to a press release from the Blue Crabs. O’Connor departs Southern Maryland less than a month after joining the team. In four starts with the Blue Crabs, O’Connor earned two wins with a 3.13 ERA. The southpaw posted 21 strikeouts in 23 innings of work, while giving up 24 hits and only four walks. The Blue Crabs were 3-1 in his four starts. In 2002, O’Connor was drafted in the seventh round by the Montreal Expos, now the Washington Nationals, and spent seven seasons with that organization. In 2006 and 2008, O’Connor appeared in 26 games in the Majors with the Nationals, making 21 big league starts, posting a 4-9 record with a 5.45 ERA. In eight minor league seasons, O’Connor has a 39-35 record with a 3.81 ERA and 588 strikeouts. The Ellicott City, Md., native pitched collegiately at Division I George Washington University in Washington, D.C. O’Connor joins the impressive list of Blue Crabs players to head for Major League organizations this season. Pitchers Matt DeSalvo (Tampa Bay Rays), Jim Ed Warden (New York Mets), John Halama (Atlanta Braves), Kenny Baugh (Houston Astros), and Matt Hensley (Toronto Blue Jays) have each had their contracts purchased in 2009. First baseman Eric Crozier (Baltimore Orioles) and shortstop Travis Garcia (Seattle Mariners) are the two position players also picked up.

THURSDAY August 13, 2009

Hoyer Pushes Health Care at Private Meeting Story Page 4

Optimist Club Hand Out $1,000s in Scholarships Story Page 15

ID of Body Found in Lex Park Still Unknown Story Page 17

TAKING AIM AT SHOOTING SPORTS Page 35