Southern Calvert Gazette - Sept. 24, 2009 by David Noss

Gazette

Southern Calvert

September 2009

Priceless

Everything Solomons, Lusby, Dowell, and St. Leonard

WAtErmEn DEfinE CAlvErt’s HEritAGE PAGE 14

Quantum Knows The Mechanics Of Business Story Page 16

Photo by Sean Rice

Wounded Warriors Treated To Fishing Trip Story Page 5

New Owners Looking At Guido’s Restaurant Story Page 6

Your Paper... Your Thoughts September 24 till October 1 2009

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What are your feelings on the health care debate before Congress? “It irritates me so I haven’t been paying much attention to it,” said Heather Zickefoose, of Lusby, who is currently without health insurance. “I guess overall it’s just a joke, and the one person who would push it through is gone,” she said, speaking of Senator Ted Kennedy, adding that she does not have much faith in the current Congress without Kennedy.

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“We definitely need some type of health care,” said Jim Bliss, of Lusby. “I’m on Medicare, so it’s not so bad on me, but I’ll stop my the drug store and see people getting a half- or quarter-order of a prescription because they can’t afford to get it … we’re too wealthy of a country to make people go through that.”

“Something needs to be done, I just don’t know what they can do,” said Beth Hamm, of Lusby. “We need better care and they have to lower costs.”

Thursday, September-2009

“I’ve always thought that socialized medicine was a good idea. I’ve lived in Australia, so I’ve benefited from socialized medicine before,” said Ashley Brien, who recently moved from Solomons to Lexington Park. “They need to work out something with insurance … I know a lot of people without insurance.”

On T he Cover

Tommy Zinn, left, president of the Calvert County Watermen’s Association, and Sonney Forrest, president of the Solomons Charter Captains Association, organizers of the Calvert County Waterman’s Festival.

Local News

Patuxent High School NJROTC students placed well in their first meet of the year at Huntingtown High School, where they competed against students from all over the region. SEE PAGE 8

Kellie Pickler, former American Idol contestant, opened up for Alan Jackson at St. Leonard’s Bayside Toyota Pavilion on Sunday. SEE PAGE 9

EVENTS

FOR EVENTS HAPPENING IN YOUR AREA, CHECK PAGE 26 IN OUT AND ABOUT

community

Capt. Robbie Robinson, right, took a group of wounded veterans out for a day of fishing, followed by a fish fry at the American Legion Post 274 in Lusby. SEE PAGE 5

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Also Inside

Local News Delegate Column Education Community Letters History Locals Cover Story Business Obituaries Business Directory On The Water Sports Bon Appétit Restaurant Directory Out & About Entertainment

ow September 25- September 27 2009

High & L Tides

Does the idea of completing the Great Commission by establishing churches worldwide, and doing missions work such as communications, medical work, translation, and aid for relief and development - interests you? Are you interested in building a new community of faith in Lusby which is committed to living this call?

October 2- October 3 2009

If so come on September 26, at 6:00PM to the Theatre Conference Room at the Holiday Inn Solomons, 155 Holiday Drive, Solomons, Maryland, to find out more about the world wide ministry of The Christian and Missionary Alliance. What started as a five-member team in Congo, has now expanded to missionaries in over 58 nations, and churches in 81 countries. Find out more about The Alliance in Lusby by going to www.cmamad.org/Lusby

Thursday, September-2009

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Thursday, September-2009

embers of the local media and other guests recently received a special sneak preview of new Center for Breast Care at Calvert Memorial Hospital. Beginning in November, the Center for Breast Care in the new Calvert Medical Arts Center will be in full operation, offering local women a one-stop shop for breast health without the need to travel out of the area for top notch care. “A lot of people, even doctors, really didn’t know this was here, people were driving right up Route 4 past us, while everything really is right here,” said Dr. Sheldon Goldberg, a Calvert Memorial Hospital surgeon since 1982 who’s focus is breast cancer. “With everything here there really is little reason to have to leave the county for most patients.” The center brings together a team of breast health experts to provide comprehensive and coordinated care for women – from outreach and screening to diagnosis, treatment and survivorship. A new “patient navigator” will help answer patients’ questions and coordinate services every step of the way. The navigator will stay with the patient to answer questions, schedule appointments, advocate for the patient and connect them with resources. The center features new state-of-the-art imaging systems – like PET/CT, digital mammography, stereotactic biopsy and breast MRI. “I really think this will have a positive ripple effect on the whole community,” said Dr. Arati Patel, medical oncologist at the hospital. This year, proceeds from the Calvert Memorial Foundation’s annual Harvest Ball will go toward purchasing equipment at the new Center for Breast Care. Dubbed the Galaxy Ball this year, the 21 annual Harvest Ball will move to a new location at the Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro on Nov. 14. There are a number of sponsorship opportunities which come with tickets to the event and many with

Photo By Sean Rice Dr. Kathleen Settle, radiation oncologist, and Dr. Sheldon Goldberg, breast surgeon, at the media event to unveil the new Center for Breast Care.

an additional invitation to the “Lift-off” VIP reception. Tickets are $475 per couple or $250 per person, and are available for purchase on the foundation’s Web site: www.calverthospital.com/foundation/HarvestBall.html. The evening will be highlighted with valet parking, dining by Nage Catering of Washington DC and Rehoboth, dancing to the sounds of Radio City, a silent auction and jewelry raffle.

With Solomons Plan Complete, Other Town Centers Are Next

ollowing the completion and approval by the Calvert County Board of County Commissioners of the updated “Solomons Island Town Center Master Plan” in late August, the board last week approved an overhaul of the Solomons Town Center Zoning Ordinance, which was designed to compliment the master plan. Residents can review the updated plans, zoning laws and map on the county Web site [www. co.cal.md.us/business/planning] by following the link to “Town centers.” Greg Bowen, director of Planning and Zoning, said the county commissioners and Planning Commission will soon be moving on to updating the county’s other town center master plans, starting with

St. Leonard, followed by Lusby. A draft update for the St. Leonard plan has been on file since early summer, and Bowen said he expects public meetings to begin on that topic in October. The St. Leonard Vision Group, a non-profit civic organization, held a joint meeting this summer with members of the civic associations from neighboring Long Beach and Calvert Beach to develop a proposal for the county to consider when crafting the updated St. Leonard Master Plan. The group’s goal with the master plan is to amend the plan to allow for business growth as well as residential growth. At present, St. Leonard is treated like any other rural area in the county, with the same regulations, such as tight rules on “transferable devel-

opment rights,” according to St. Leonard Vision Group President Tim Grover. “If your trying designate a growth area and trying to keep your rural areas rural, then you’ve got to do a better job of getting your people to want to live in their town centers,” Grover told The Southern Calvert Gazette. “In St. Leonard, we want to be able to contribute to the idea that the town centers were developed essentially to be the designated growth areas for residential and commercial,” Grover said. “We’re trying to get sewer in the town, because hardly anything in the master plan can be done without public sewer.” BY SEAN RICE (SCG) info@ somdpublishing.net

Local Captain Takes Wounded Warriors For a Day of Fishing

LOCAL NEWS

Southern Calvert Police Blotter Group Arrested on Marijuana Charge

Photo By Sean Rice

ive wounded veterans from Walter Reed Medical Center received a much-deserved VIP treatment on Friday, Sept. 18, when Capt. Robbie Robinson took the group on a free charter fishing trip in the Chesapeake Bay aboard the Miss Regina II. Capt. Robinson, a former member of the Army National Guard, joined the Lusby American Legion Post 274 just a few months ago. “He no more got into the Legion and he said, ‘you know what I would like to do? I want to take some vets fishing. I want to donate a fishing trip for them,” said John Tierno, a member and past commander of Post 274, who organized the event.

Pictured from left is Master Sgt. “Spanky” Gibson, U.S. Marine Corps, James Harriington, Calvert County American Legion Commander, Sgt. Dennis Hollimon, U.S. Army, Jim Mayer, U.S. Army, Sgt. Jack Schumacher, U.S. Army, Staff Sgt. Anthony Mascher, U.S. Army, Post 274 past commander John Tierno, Post 274 Commander Jay Bolles and Capt. Robbie Robinson. The group shoved off from Bunky’s in Solomons Island Sept. 18 for a day of fishing with Capt. Robinson.

“It was all Capt. Robbie’s idea, and I’m just carrying the ball,” said Tierno. “This is the pilot to see if maybe this thing will blossom into bigger things, we don’t know yet.’ The Legion Post 274 ladies auxiliary helped prepare a fish fry lunch for the soldiers upon returning to the Post, where they also met with local politicians and legion members. Post 274 commander Jay Bolles said there are many local Legion members who are also captains, and hopefully this will turn into a regular event.

Southern Calvert Real Estate Transactions The following real estate transactions for home sales were recorded in early September and are on file at the Calvert County Circuit Court: • Robert J. and Joanne F. Boxwell purchased 245 Elkins Lane, Lusby, from Roland L. and Ruth Reichert Kester for $273,000. A first-time home buyer affidavit was signed. A mortgage was secured for $268,055 from PNC Mortgage, LLC. • Gary S. Robinson purchased 611 Twin Cove Lane, Dowell, from James D. Blackwell Jr. for $205,000. A first-time home buyer affidavit was signed. A mortgage was secured for $184,500 from Union Mortgage Group, Inc. • Randall S. Utz and Sarah N. Peck purchased 1260 Coster Road, Lusby, from the estate of Barbara Jean White for $228,000. A first-time home buyer affidavit was signed. A mortgage was secured for $232,560 from Bank of America, NA.

• Katie Lyn Finnecy purchased 330 Pilot Way, Lusby, from Lester W. and Eileen Flo Myers for $184,500. A first-time home buyer affidavit was signed. A mortgage was secured for $188,263 from 1st Mariner Bank. • Christopher P. Joy purchased 11590 Sidewinder Lane, Lusby, from Citimortgage Inc. for $169,900. The property was listed as a previous foreclosure. A firsttime home buyer affidavit was signed. A mortgage was secured for $166,822 from 1st Mariner Bank. • Cynthia L. Wood purchased 8340 Swallow Lane, Lusby, from Wells Fargo Bank for $149,000. A firsttime home buyer affidavit was signed. A mortgage was secured for $119,200 from Suntrust Mortgage.

At 3:50 p.m. Sept. 10. Calvert County Sheriff’s DFC John Harms responded to the area of Field Road in Lusby for an initial report of a stabbing. After walking down a path into a wooded area he observed several subjects standing together, one of them holding a plastic baggie observing the contents. As the subjects became aware of DFC Harms, they scrambled and tossed the baggie to the ground. DFC Harms advised the subjects to lie on the ground. Dep. Jason Dean arrived to assist. Five subjects were arrested and charged with possession of marijuana. Jeremy Adam Lake, 19, Darell Levi Jackson, 21, and three juvenile males, a fifteen-yearold and two 17-year-olds, were all charged. The juveniles were released to a parent after being charged on youth reports. All subjects are from Lusby.

Vehicles Burgled Overnight

One locked and one unlocked vehicle were both entered while parked outside a home on Senora Lane in Lusby overnight between Sept. 10 and 11. The victim advised that one of the vehicles had a wallet and other property worth $120 stolen from within. Calvert County Sheriff’s DFC John Harms is investigating.

Disorderly Arrest

At 6:56 p.m. Sept. 12, Trooper First Class C. Dawson responded to Hallowing Point Park for a report of disorderly conduct. Michelle K. Penn-Cook, 39 of St. Leonard, was arrested and was taken to the Calvert County Detention Center for processing.

Shoplifting Charge at Peebles

At 8:15 p.m. Sept. 13, Calvert County Sheriff’s DFC Mark Robshaw responded to Peebles Department Store in Prince Frederick for a shoplifter in custody. Employees of the store advised that a female had attempted to exit the store and the alarm sounded. After checking the suspect’s bag, it was noted that she had over $480 worth of items inside it that she did not pay for, police report. DFC Robshaw arrested Ashley Marie Tilch, 21 of St. Leonard and charged her with theft less than $500.

Thursday, September-2009

LOCAL NEWS SMECO Line Upgrade Permit Approved

fter 10 months of consideration, the Maryland Public Service Commission issued Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative approval for its application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) to upgrade the current high-voltage transmission line through Calvert County. The permit allows SMECO to begin the $110 million “Southern Maryland Reliability project,” which will upgrade the existing 69kilovolt lines to 230 kilovolts. The new lines will run in the existing rights-of-way. When the project to upgrade Calvert’s high voltage line is completed by 2015, the result will be a fully “looped” 230 KV power system in SMECO’s entire service area, which includes Charles, St. Mary’s and Calvert counties. That means more dependable power and a safer system to operate, said SMECO spokesman Tom Dennison. The project is needed, Dennison said, because during the past 30 years, SMECO’s customer base has tripled, and the amount of energy used is five times greater and expected to continue to grow. “The numbers speak for themselves,” he said. “The thing to remember is, that as that population has increased, the houses have gotten bigger and the use of electronic devices has gone exponentially higher than what they were 30 years ago” Construction not expected to start until 2012. In the mean time SMECO needs to work out the rightof-way access plan, line up contractors, order equipment and complete detailed engineering. The Army Corps of Engineers will be involved in the last segment of the project, tunneling a line under the Patuxent River to connect with a substation in St. Mary’s County. “What the CPCN confirms is that [the project] is needed and necessary to meet the needs for our residents in Calvert County and Southern Maryland, and by using existing right of way it’s going to mitigate any environmental impacts,” Dennison said. “This was certainly a big day for SMECO and its members to receive the approval for this needed project.” BY SEAN RICE (SCG) info@ somdpublishing.net

That Dog Gone Tiki Bar …

olomons Island will be buzzing with activity on Sunday, Oct. 11, as “That Dog-Gone Tiki Bar Family Pet Day” coincides with the Patuxent River Appreciation Day and the final day of business for the season for the Tiki Bar. The Dog Gone Tiki Bar event is a fundraiser for the new low cost spay/neuter Calvert Well Pet Clinic in Huntingtown, run by the Patuxent Animal Welfare Society (PAWS). The festivities run from noon to 6 p.m. and promises to be chocked full of events, demonstrations, a silent auction and raffles. There will also be alt least seven animal rescue group in attendance with pets that need loving homes, including: PAWS, Greyt Expectations, Humane Society of Calvert County, Beagle Rescue of Southern Maryland and St. Mary’s Animal Welfare League. There will be live music with Charlie Bezilla, pet contests, agility and search and rescue demonstrations, a GAMES-2-U van, food and more, says Mary Beth Gates of Pepper’s Pet Pantry, who is helping organize the event. Some of the raffle prizes and silent auction items include gift certificates and items from: Vincenzos, Spyros, CD Cafe, Interlude Kennels, Creative Memories, Doggie Stylez, DogWatch, Just One More Tack Shop, Tiki

Photo By Sean Rice Tamiko “Tammy” den Hartog, of Underground Tattoo in Lexington Park, works on a sign for the “That DogGone Tiki Bar Family Pet Day”

Bar, Nature’s Way to Health, Lord Calvert Bowling Center, Dominos, Midnight’s Dog Training, St Leonard Collision, Bag O Beads, Radio Shack, Outback and Pepper’s Pet Pantry, Addictive Inks Tattoo and Maertens Fine Jewelry.

Raffle tickets are available now at Pepper’s Pet Pantry (410) 326-4006 in Solomons and Doggie Stylez (443) 295-7831 in Prince Frederick. BY SEAN RICE (SCG) info@somdpublishing.net

Guido’s Looked at For New Restaurant

he owners of The County Filling Station in Lusby are considering purchasing the former Guido’s restaurant on HG Truman Road, The Southern Calvert Gazette has learned. The sounds of power tools could be heard last week coming from the open front door of the former restaurant, which has been closed since being damaged by fire last year. James Nickerson of The County Filling Station confirmed that they are in negotiations to buy the business, but the previous owner is still having repairs completed from the fire damage. If things move forward as hoped, they would reopen the restaurant under a different name, Nickerson said. “We’re looking at it, but I really don’t want to put the horse before the buggy,” Nickerson said.

he Maryland Public Service Commission conducted five days of hearings last week on Constellation Energy’s proposed sale of 49 percent of its nuclear energy business to France’s EdF Constellation says the joint venture with EdF would enable it to build a third nuclear reactor at Calvert Cliffs, which is needed to meet future electricity demand. But if the deal isn’t approved, EdF executive John Morris said in written testimony, the company won’t build a third nuclear reactor at Calvert Cliffs, the Associated Press reported. Constellation, which contents the Public Service Commission does not have authority over the deal because it does not affect BGE, had planned to complete the $4.5 billion deal by Thursday. A final decision from the PSC isn’t expected until mid October. BY SEAN

BY SEAN RICE (SCG) info@somdpublishing.net

Thursday, September-2009

Constellation Deal Under Microscope

RICE (SCG) info@somdpublishing.net

Photo By Sean Rice

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Below are adjusted excerpts of letters recently sent from my office as House Minority Leader, along with House Minority Whip Delegate Chris Shank, calling for a formal investigation in Maryland of the group ACORN and its affiliates. The letters were sent to the U.S. Attorney for Maryland, the Attorney General of Maryland, and the state’s Attorney for Baltimore City.

video was released recently appearing to show employees of the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) in Baltimore, Maryland instructing a purported prostitute and pimp in techniques and methods by which the two can engage in apparent criminal activity while maintaining a false front of legality. This activity appeared to be centered on obtaining housing for conducting significant criminal activity, possibly including tax evasion, prostitution, and trafficking in the human sex trade with minors from abroad. A second video, similar in nature apparently from the Washington, D.C. office of ACORN emerged on national media the following day. Additional similar videos from New York and two from California have since been published. There is a disturbing pattern of conduct in these housing assistance arms of ACORN’s regional offices. These activities are very concerning considering the fact that a subsidiary of ACORN, ACORN Housing Corporation, is listed as a housing foreclosure counseling resource on the official State of Maryland Office of the Attorney General’s consumer protection program web site. ACORN Housing Corporation is also listed as a housing foreclosure counseling resource on the Governor’s official state funded web site at www. mdhope.org. The video appears to provide evidence that ACORN’s employees seem to engage in acts of potential criminal conspiracy, by freely aiding two persons

apparently believed by the employees to be planning the establishment of a brothel, specializing in the trafficking and abusive manipulation of minor girls illegally brought to the US. These persons appeared to have asked for, and received, advice on how to engage in racketeering, fraud, and the systematic sexual abuse of children. As a result of the justifiable public outcry, newspaper accounts report that these specific employees were terminated from employment with ACORN. However, none of the ACORN representatives in the videos appeared to show any compunction about offering the advice and aid, even after they were made aware of the nature of the proposed “business”. It seems reasonable to infer that there may be other instances of similar advice having been provided to genuine aspiring criminals. ACORN has been the recipient in the past of multiple grants of public funds. Therefore, further investigation is required to determine what, if any, taxpayer funds have been distributed to ACORN that may have been misused. The manner in which ACORN receives its public funds is circuitous and confusing at best. There is little if any transparency with respect to taxpayer funds, either federal or state or local, provided to ACORN or its affiliate organizations. Without a directed effort and investigation, it may be impossible to determine the nature and source of the funding that supported the activities described above. The law-abiding citizens of Maryland have a vested interest in ensuring that not only are so-called altruistic organizations not conspiring in criminal activity, but moreover, that their tax dollars are not being distributed in such a manner as to support it. Additionally, we should fully expect and be confident that tax exempt non-profit organizations are not suborning criminal activities in our state. These video releases, if accurate, give us serious concern that this is not so. We consider these video releases to be of a very serious nature deserving a full and thorough formal investigation and report to the citizens of Maryland.

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Thursday, September-2009

Spotlight On

$4.8 Million for Calvert Schools Won’t Fill All Needs

ederal money to help make up for cuts in state aid earlier this year to Calvert County’s public schools should be in completely by the end of this fiscal year, but that $4.8 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds won’t solve all of the system’s problems said its chief budget official. “It certainly will not be covering all of our needs,” said Tammy McCourt, chief budget and business officer for Calvert public schools. “We can’t provide for any salary increases to the extent we would like.” About half of the federal money, which will make its way through the state to Calvert schools, will be used to shore up deficiencies like extra library and text books as well as testing materials and supplies for STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) courses. Those “undesignated” funds will also go towards teacher training, she said. The rest of the money “designated” for

special education programs and Title I students, those deemed to be living in poverty and thus at risk for being left behind educationally, must be used in those categories, McCourt said. Some of that special education money will be used to buy “smart boards” in all special education classrooms, McCourt said, to facilitate learning as well as fund more instruction before and after school and on weekends for students with learning disabilities. Recent budget cuts from the state passed on to the counties has taken several million dollars from the county government’s budget, but that has not yet affected the school system, McCourt said. But the possibility still looms, she said. “The most recent cuts have not affected education,” McCourt told The Southern Calvert Gazette. “But the potential is there if the economy continues as it is.” BY GUY LEONARD (CT) guyleonard@countytimes.net

Patuxent HS Ranks at Top of NJROTC Meet

he Patuxent High School Naval Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps unit had a busy – and winning – weekend going to Huntingtown High School to compete for top honors in their first field meet of the year. The meet, which was held in the stadium behind Huntingtown High School on Saturday, gave the cadets a chance to flaunt their skills on the field in a number of different events against 10 other high schools from the mid-Atlantic region, which includes schools in Virginia, West Virginia, Washington D.C. and Maryland. C o m mander Michael Dvorsky said that this was their sixth year competing. “There were team curlups. Sixteen people did that, eight males and eight females, and the

same thing with pushups,” he said. Then there was an 8-person (200 meters each) relay, a 16-person (100 meters each) relay, and an Australian trolley, which was a team exercise in which 10 people walked on a 12-foot-long, two-by-four. Dvorsky said the team also competed in a tug-of-war competition. Patuxent High School ranked first place in curlups, pushups and the 8-by200 meter relay, and third place in the Aust ralian trolley and the 16-by-100 meter relay. Dvorsky said this was but a first step in the team qualifying for the regional championship, which will be held in March in Norfolk, Va. Qualifying rounds are set Submitted Photo up to measure drill, physical fitness and academics. BY ANDREA SHIELL (CT) info@somdpublishing.net

Submitted Photo Patuxent High School Naval Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps competed Saturday, Sept. 19 in Huntingtown.

Thursday, September-2009

Alan Jackson Plays to Packed House A Gift For Active Duty Personnel

Photo By John Hunt

Alan Jackson

he St Leonard Volunteer Fire Department ended the summer calendar with a show that produced what might be the largest concert crowd that has ever seen a show in Calvert County. Alan Jackson and Kellie Pickler performed on a stage that was specially made for this show in front of “just a few tickets shy of 6,000” according to Roberta Baker, chief fundraiser for fire department. Baker also stated that “having an act of this magnatude here, led to many special challenges,” but, she was very happy that the concert “ went off without a hitch, Hunt hn and the crowd was just awesome.” Jo The weather was perfect with sun- to By shine and temperatures around 70 degrees as Kellie Pickler, the former Kellie Pickler American Idol star took the stage delighting the audience with her hits including “Here In California” and finishing her part of the evening with the number one country smash “Red High Heels”. As the evening cooled temperatures, Alan Jackson arrived in front of three large video screens that projected a countdown of the final three minutes before he waltzed onstage. The capacity crowd, filled with everything from suits and polo shirts to tank tops and cut off jeans, went wild as he started off with “Country Boy” and worked his way through many of his country hits including, “Little Bitty”, “Remember When” and his 9/11 anthem, “Where Were You When The World Stopped Turning”. The group also enjoyed when Jackson sang he was “Looking for a hot St Leonard Woman” and mentioned “the small town Southern Maryland man” in two of his songs. He finished the night asking the crowd to sing along with him as he took them “way down yonder in the Chatahoochie, where it gets hotter than a hoochie coochie…” No concerts have been chosen yet for next spring and summer, but the St Leonard Volunteers are looking forward to keeping up the tradition of bringing great musical acts to Calvert County, Baker said. BY JOHN HUNT (SCG) info@somdpublishing.net

he people and places of Calvert County can have a powerful hold on the memories of those who have lived and grown up here. Those memories can be especially acute for active duty military personnel stationed far from their homes. The Calvert County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) wants to share a small token of Calvert County with its sons and daughters serving their country. The county is making available a special CD of images from the recent Focus on Calvert Photo Contest. The collection features images of the county’s bucolic scenery and affable citizens taken by local shutterbugs. The Department of U.S. Marines and Lusby natives Jeremy Gott, left, and Michael W. Pitcher, are shown holding Economic Development is the Calvert County Flag while stationed in Iraq in 2008. administering the project and needs help in identifyService member information of their loved ones or request a CD ing local active duty military per- of images. Photo collections sent or CD requests may be e-mailed sonnel. Friends and family of those by the department will include a to info@ecalvert.com. serving can e-mail the department letter of thanks for the recipients’ to pass on the names and addresses courage and dedication.

Calvert Sailing Association Open House Hospice he Southern Maryland Sailing Association in Solomons is holding an Open Offers Fall House followed by a Seafood Dinner on Saturday, Sept. 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Open House will feature tours of the Bereavement clubhouse; boats on display from club dinghies to members’ large keelboats; and member-leaders to questions about racing, cruising, education, Program answer the SMSA bar and having fun! Refreshments will

Calvert Hospice will offer “Bridges”- an eight session grief support program designed to address the needs of families who are grieving the loss of a loved one. Children 3-18 and adult family members are welcome to attend together. This program will be held Oct 1st – Nov 19th on Thursday evenings 7:00 - 8:30 PM. Time to Heal- Death of a Spouse support group will be on Tuesdays starting Oct. 20th – Dec 8th. For more info or to register for either program call (410) 535-0892 or (301) 855-1226. All Calvert Hospice bereavement programs are available to Calvert County residents at no charge.

www.calverthospice.org

be served. Any one who is interested in sailing and interested in doing more of it is urged to stop by! The clubhouse is located across the street from the boardwalk gazebo on Solomons Island. This Open House will be followed by “Capt. Smith’s Seafood Boil Dinner” beginning at 4pm. This features a variety of fish, shelfish, corn and potatoes all cooked together with Capt. Smith’s seasoned recipe. SMSA is a membership club but visitors are invited to come check it out for this event. Please sign the guestbook when you arrive. Tickets are $17 per-person and are available only in advance. Call 301-481-7474 for ticket info or write to seafoodatsmsa@gmail.com. Find out more about the Southern Maryland Sailing Association at smsa. com.

Thursday, September-2009

By Joyce Baki

g in t o Fa l l !

unday, Sept. 27, the best boat captains on the Chesapeake Bay will battle for cash prizes, trophies and bragging rights at the 8th Annual Watermen’s Festival. Captains from as far away as Tangier Island and Rock ight-year-old Joshua Bayer of La Plata has written a Hall will compete with cap16-page children’s book to sell to benefit Southern tains from Calvert County in Maryland animal rescue groups. Bayer was at Pepper’s docking contests and a men’s Pet Pantry in Solomons last weekend for a book signing. and ladies’ anchor throw conThe book, titled M-M-M-Monsters !!!, tells the story of a test. Visitors can enjoy local family that saves – rather than harms – a family of monsters that delicacies, children’s activities takes over their house, despite initially being scared of the noises and face painting. There will be emanating from their yard. a live performance by our own According to Josh, the family’s change from initially being Deanna Dove, whose passion of scared and wanting to harm the monsters to accepting and living the Chesapeake Bay comes out in with them is the result of just trying to understand and be kind to her songs. The festivities begin at them, a lesson he hopes people who read his book will apply to noon at Watermen’s Dock in Soloanimals. mons. Admission is free and the Although Josh had some help from his parents in working event will be held rain or shine. with local printers and financing the initial print run, he completed Calvert County’s long agricultural all other work on the book himself, from writing and illustrating heritage and history are celebrated each the story to typesetting and laying out the narrative. year with an old-fashioned county fair. The organizations that Josh selected to be recipient of all proBeginning Wednesday, Sept. 30 and runceeds are the St. Mary’s Animal Welfare League (SMAWL), The ning through Sunday, Oct. 4, the Calvert Charles County Humane Society, and ASPCA, the national orgaCounty Fair offers something for everyone in nization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty. the family. See farm animals, displays of all “Josh is a very mature young man,” said Barb Whipkey, Preskinds, projects done by our own 4-H Clubs, demident of SMAWL. “Not only is he doing a very generous thing onstrations, enjoy delicious Southern Maryland by donating the proceeds, but he also is helping to educate other cooking and thrill at the carnival rides. This year children through his art.” marks the 123rd anniversary of the Calvert County The book is for sale in Southern Calvert County at Peppers Fair. For more information visit their website - www. Pet Pantry, and on-line at www.bayerhouse.com/monsterjoshPhoto By Sean Rice calvertcountyfair.org. The Calvert County Fair is chalJoshua Bayer book. BY SEAN RICE (SCG) info@somdpublishing.net lenging the attendees to build a mountain of food to help feed the hungry in Calvert County. Bring a can of food with you, which will be donated to the Calvert County Food Pantry. Solomons and oysters go together – and the Solomons Business Association is sponsoring an event to celebrate both. On Saturday, Oct. 3 enjoy the first ever Solomons Island Oyster Scald & Pub Crawl. Visit local restaurants and pubs to discover just how many different ways there are to sample the illustrious oyster, and pick up a special drink to help chase it down. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets for the Solomons Island Oyster Scald & Pub Crawl may be purchased at any participating businesses; the cost is $4 per food ticket and $3 per drink ticket. Each ticket is good for one sample. For more information on participating businesses, visit www.solomonsmaryland.com. There will be free trolley rides available on the Island throughout the day to help you move from place to place. Parking will be available across from the Calvert Marine Museum. If your interests run to the more artistic, Annmarie Garden opens their exhibit, ECHO. A small group of artists have put to together an exhibit using repetitive elements and motifs to create large scale installations in the Main Gallery. Opening night, Friday, Oct. 2, is Date Night. Bring that special someone and enjoy the art, tasty treats, and entertainment. Date Night runs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. so add dinner at one of our great restaurants in Solomons or Lusby. For details, check their website www.annmariegarden.org. Echo will run through November 8. On Saturday, Oct. 3, the historic Lore Oyster House which has been closed for renovation will reopen to the public for the first two weekends in Photos By Andrea Shiell Oct.. Take a peek at the new exhibits showing how oysters were processed during Solomons Island’s heyday. And while you’re on the island, visit the many gift shops where unique gifts are available for every age and interest. Don’t forget to put the Patuxent River Appreciation Days on your calnnmarie Garden was swarming with art enthusiasts over the weekend for ArtsFest 2009. endar – Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 10 and 11! For more information visit The festival was established in 1993 as a juried art show organized by Annmarie Garden www.pradinc.org. and has since become one of the region’s best outdoor arts festivals. Entertainers this year included Captain John, Patuxent Voices, the Zekhia Swamp Cats Band, Acoustic Stew, the COSMIC Flute Choir, the Calvert Brass Consortium and the Dimitri Nassar Trio. In last issue’s tourism column, the article incorrectly stated that Members of the Calvert Artist Guild, the Calvert Arts Council and more than 170 other individual the Calvert County Waterman’s Festival will include a soup cookartists displayed and sold their work during the event. off. The festival on Sept. 27 will not feature a soup cook off this year, due to lack of space.

8-Year-Old Writes Book to Benefit Animal Rescue

v in

ArtsFest 2009 Brings Creativity to Calvert

Thursday, September-2009

CORRECTION

Editor

TE ET to thR e

Governor Trying to Torpedo Plant Expansion

By the Calvert County Board of Commissioners

he Calvert County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) has gone on record numerous times in support of the proposed expansion at Constellation Energy’s Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant. We take the decision to support the expansion seriously. We have weighed the impact of the project on our community based upon the plant’s 30-year safe operating history, and we have considered the energy issues facing the state of Maryland and the nation. The BOCC testified before the Maryland Public Service Commission on Sept. 2 and 17, 2009 in support of a proposed joint venture between Constellation Energy and Electricité de France (EDF). Through the joint venture, EDF would acquire 49.99 percent of Constellation Energy’s nuclear subsidiary which operates five nuclear units in New York and Maryland. EDF’s investment is critical to ensuring the economic viability of a new nuclear unit at Calvert Cliffs. The joint venture would potentially be a catalyst for an investment of billions of dollars in the new plant that will create more than 4,000 construction jobs and approximately 400 new permanent jobs. The deal sets the stage for one of the largest economic development projects in Maryland’s history. Governor O’Malley does not share our enthusiasm. In fact, he has worked to torpedo the deal and denigrate Constellation – the state’s second largest taxpayer and employer of more than 6,700 Marylanders. O’Malley maintains that the joint venture holds no benefits for the ratepayers of BGE, a subsidiary of Constellation. He has called into question the company’s motives and has resorted to pseudo-populism in an unseemly bid to wring concessions out of the company. We feel compelled to respond. The EDF transaction is unrelated to BGE and its operations, and will not provide EDF the power to exercise substantial influence over BGE. Why? Because the transaction does not grant EDF any management interest, nor does it provide EDF with the power to exercise substantial influence over BGE’s utility operations. In fact, the deal gives EDF only one seat on Constellation’s 11-seat board of directors. O’Malley’s myopic focus on BGE ratepayers is curious. In 2008 his administration squeezed $187 million in customer rebates from the utility, yet he continues to sound the alarm on further “risks” that the joint venture holds for BGE customers. The governor neglects to point out that BGE rates are the same or lower than other Maryland utilities’ rates and that BGE ratepayers were among the last in the state to transition from frozen and artificially reduced rates. Constellation’s rebates last year were certainly good news for BGE ratepayers, but they and the state’s other one million electricity customers are facing an uncertain energy future made even more precarious by the governor’s defiance. If the joint venture does not occur, Maryland may lose sorely needed investment in new electricity generation. All Maryland ratepayers face very real risks if the state does not address impending energy shortages. A third reactor at Calvert Cliffs could potentially reduce Maryland’s electricity rates by 12 percent and significantly increase generation capacity, a critical contribution given that the state imports over 25 percent of its electricity. EDF’s investment could help solve Maryland’s current energy needs, provide emissions-free power and reduce grid congestion – all key goals of the O’Malley administration. The failure of the joint venture also holds huge financial risks. Maryland would lose a windfall of $130 million in income taxes from the transaction that could help offset the state’s current budget deficit. Maryland would also lose the U.S. headquarters of EDF to a friendlier state; would forego an EDF investment of $36 million in the Constellation Energy Foundation supporting statewide charitable endeavors; would wave goodbye to a $20 million investment in a new visitor and environmental center at Calvert Cliffs; and would forever relinquish the state’s position as a leader in the renaissance of nuclear power generation in the United States. We do not want to see that happen. EDF’s investment is not only the foundation for a new nuclear unit at Calvert Cliffs, it is an investment in a better energy and financial future for all Marylanders. We will continue to stand by Calvert Cliffs and Constellation Energy as we have in the past. Let us cast aside political differences and work together for the benefit of all the state’s citizens. It is our hope that the PSC recognizes that the EDF transaction is unrelated to the financial stability of BGE and ultimately supports this critical investment for Maryland.

Gazette

Southern Calvert

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This page is your page. and we invite you to submit letters for publication here the first and third Thursdays of each month. Share your thoughts about the things that concern you around the Southern Calvert community. Just as important, share with your friends and neighbors community well wishes and positive thoughts. This space is reserved for you to give Southern Calvert a “shout out”. The Southern Calvert Gazette also welcomes pictures and announcements from you and your family to be published as space allows in our Community sections. So send us your stuff. Letters and pictures must be received no later than the Friday prior to the Thursday publication date. All items received after Friday will be considered for the next publication.

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Contributing Writers Tony O’Donnell Joyce Baki Gerald Clark J. Brown

Southern Calvert Gazette P. O. Box 250 . Hollywood, MD 20636

Southern Calvert Gazette is a bi-weekly newspaper providing news and information for the residents of Southern Calvert County. The Southern Calvert Gazette will be available on newsstands every other Thursday of the month. The paper is published by Southern Maryland Publishing Company, which is responsible for the form, content, and policies of the newspaper. Southern Calvert Gazette does not espouse any political belief or endorse any product or service in its news coverage. Articles and letters submitted for publication must be signed and may be edited for length or content. Southern Calvert Gazette is not responsible for any claims made by its advertisers.

Thursday, September-2009

P ages P

ast

A Fair Bit of History By Joyce Baki

alvert County’s long rich agricultural history can be viewed each year at the Calvert County Fair. The first Calvert County Fair was held in 1886 on the farm of Dr. Talbott in Smithville, now known as Dunkirk. The event began as a display of cattle and tobacco, a way to get the men of the county together. In these early days, horse racing was also a popular part of the event. Basically social events, it is believed that the gatherings continued during the early years of the century. In the early 1900’s Mr. John Drury started what is now known as the Extension Service in Calvert County. The fair grew more popular as people wanted to see the results of new methods to raise livestock and crops. But with World War I, the area came upon leaner times and farming was crucial to the war effort. Little was done to

promote the fairs during those years. In the early 1920’s, a new agricultural agent came to Calvert County. John Morsell saw the need to bring farm families together for educational purposes as well as fun. The Calvert County Farm Bureau was organized. County Agent Morsell showed them that the displays and competition would help bring new and effective methods of farming, which would help build a better cash crop. It was determined the County Fair should be held in the center of the county at the end of summer. This would allow farmers to participate because crops would be, for the most part, completed. The first midcounty fair was held at the Prince Frederick Town Hall with the livestock show on the grounds of Dr. Everett Briscoe’s farm just south of the Hall. In subsequent years it was held in front of the Evans Hotel (now Courthouse Square on Main Street), the Town Hall on Main Street, the “Roberts”

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property and later on the school grounds, now the site of Calvert Middle School. In 1940, several Farm Bureau members including Mr. Morsell, Mr. Ellis Bowen and Mr. Claude Turner, determined that the County Fair needed a permanent home. They contacted a bank for a loan and personally obligated themselves to the purchase of a permanent site for the Fair. Mr. Ellis Bowen, who was then President of the Farm Bureau, resigned this position to become the first Fair Board President. They purchased a 9 acre site from Mr. Duke Brightwell which was located on what later came to be known as Armory Road. As the Fair grew, two more parcels were added, bringing the total acreage to twelve. Cattle and animal buildings were built as well as a larger hall. The cattle buildings later burned mysteriously the night before a Fair but the large exhibition hall survived. These grounds were used until the present location was established in Barstow. The Calvert County Fair Board, Inc., an all volunteer organization, strives each

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year to build upon the work begun by those early Fair organizers. It is the goal of the Fair Board to hold an event that both educates and entertains, that reminds the current generation of its agricultural roots and promotes the importance of the agricultural community in the lives of all. There is something for everyone at the Calvert County Fair. Our County Fair will run from Wednesday, September 30 to Sunday, October 4. Visit the 4-H Building and watch the faces of the children who have entered exhibits see their first ribbon. Tour the Homemakers Building to view some of the finest needlework, home crafts, art and cooking in the country. Enter the pie eating contest, watch the antique tractor pull, place your bid on a cow or pig at the 4-H Livestock Auction. View entertainment throughout the day, including our own “Elvis” Jim Godbold, the Granpa Cratchet Show, and Kachunga & the Alligator. Enjoy the carnival rides and savor great Southern Maryland cooking at one of the many food vendors. See you there!!!

L M

So. Calvert Land Trust in the Business of Protecting Watershed

any of our residents were drawn to Calvert County because of its natural beauty, a mix of farmland, quiet residential neighborhoods, lovely woods, serene waterfront, and an unhurried lifestyle. Seeing many of these features

not interested in accepting these scattered properties into their programs. When the SCLT was established, a specified goal was the protection of these many small properties, and the SCLT is the only land trust in Maryland that targets properties under 25 acres. Most of our lots are under an acre and monitored frequently by our members and supportive neighbors. The SCLT presently owns 79 properties in Calvert County and accepts about a dozen per year. All properties offered for donation are inspected and scored for their suitability as conservation land and, if accepted, have their development rights retired and a perpetual conservation easement incorporated into the deed. The SCLT is an allvolunteer 501(c)3 charity that derives its entire income from membership dues, donations and the proceeds from fund raising events. The southern part of the county has commonownership communities such as Drum Point, White Sands and Chesapeake Ranch Estates. When these areas were platted, little regard was paid to environmental considerations. Some of the lots are unbuildable, others lie in ravines or have steep slopes that make development expensive or unwise. These concerns often make the property impossible to sell and the property owners are faced with taxes and fees on a lot with a dubious future. As evidenced by the vast number of listings in the annual tax sales, owners frequently abandon these lots imposing an administrative and financial burden on the County government with no benefit to the community. The tax-deductible donation of the property to the SCLT relieves the owner of all these financial responsibilities, as well as preserving this valuable open Photo By Sean Rice space for future generations. Carole Purcell The SCLT has protected land in White Sands and threatened or compromised by uncontrolled develop- Drum Point, as well as in scattered areas throughout Calment and poor watershed management practices, a vert County as far north as Chesapeake Beach. Please group of Lusby residents formed the Southern Calvert contact the SCLT by email (sclt@hughes.net) or by mail Land Trust (SCLT) in 2001. The SCLT preserves eco- (SCLT, P.O. Box, 1745, Lusby, MD 20657) if you are logically significant property, particularly watershed interested in donating your property or want to support and waterfront lots, to improve the health of the Chesa- our organization. Memberships start at $25/year and are peake Bay and its tributaries and to help keep Calvert fully tax deductible. Additional information is availcountry. able at www.southerncalvertlandtrust.com. Because much of the non-agricultural land in BY CAROLE PURCELL, TREASURER, AND KENNETH SPRING, Calvert County was platted as small recreational and SECRETARY, OF THE SOUTHERN CALVERT LAND TRUST residential lots, the major land trusts in the State are

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Killing is Not the Answer to Over-Population By Jean Radeackar

he second step for the No Kill Alternative is high volume/low cost spay and neuter. Spay/ Neuter for dogs and cats is the only answer to pet over-population in Calvert County. Each day the Tri-County Animal Shelter (TCAS), serving Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s Counties, is forced to deal with the pet over-population by euthanasia. All of the rescue groups in the county have to deal with many more calls for rescue that adoption. There are three good solutions for spay/neutering in Calvert County. The first is the local veterinarian’s office. All of the county vets do excellent surgery and are recommended by all of the rescue groups. For healthy pets four months to six years, there are two more alternatives. The second is the Pet Taxi. It books appointments at 410-326-1616 for every Wednesday morning at 7:30. Pets and their owners meet at a parking lot in Prince Frederick, the paperwork is signed, and the pet is logged aboard the Taxi for the ride to Charles County Humane Society Spay/ Neuter Clinic at low-cost prices. (For instance, a cat spay is $65; the

required vaccinations are $24.) The third alternative is the Promise Wagon, a fully-licensed mobile spay/neuter clinic. It is scheduled monthly by PAWS at the Calvert Animal Welfare League (CAWL) shelter. The next date is Sunday, September 20. Call 410-586-1332 for an appointment for low-cost spay/neuter or vaccinations and testing. The clinic is additionally staffed by PAWS, FoF, Calvert County Humane Society, and CAWL volunteers. If the low-cost is still too expensive for families, they can call Stop Pet Overpopulation Thrift store (SPOT) at 410-562-6516 to request a grant. SPOT operates a thrift store in St. Leonard at 5151 St. Leonard Road and uses the profit to fund spay/neuter grants. Please shop there and donate your unneeded items to SPOT. The store number is 410-586-8458. Coming, hopefully in October, will be a local low-cost spay/neuter/wellness clinic in Calvert County. PAWS has purchased an historical house at 2240 Solomons Island Road in Huntingtown. Volunteers are currently working diligently to convert it into a clinic. Help is needed, especially a carpenter and a plumber. Pls call 410-326-1616 to volunteer time, supplies, or money. And watch for the opening!

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Thursday, September-2009

Cover Annual Waterman On The

Submitted Photo

Photo By Sean Rice Captain Sonney Forrest demonstrates the anchor toss.

olomons Island was literally built on oysters. Figuratively, it was built on the backs of hardworking watermen. Thousands of spectators are expected to come to Solomons this weekend to celebrate the tradition that made Southern Maryland what it is today – at the 8th annual Waterman’s Festival on Sunday, Sept. 27. Experienced charter and workboat captains will be in from all over the Chesapeake Bay for this free event at Waterman’s Wharf, which is known to be one of the top events of its kind, according to organizers. The signature event is the boat docking competition, in which captains compete for trophies, cash prizes and bragging rights. “The money’s important, don’t get me wrong, but when you go to these fellas’ houses, you’ll see a dedicated area for where, over the years, they’ve won these different trophies. They become very competitive – it’s about bragging rights,” said Sonney Forrest, president of the Solomons Charter Captains Association, who co-or-

Thursday, September-2009

ganizes the event with Tommy Zinn, president of the Calvert County Watermen’s Association. In the docking event, which is split into divisions for charter boats and working boats of varying lengths, the captains start from a parked position and then quickly navigate around a set of pilings, stop, throw the boat in reverse and back up as fast as possible between four large wooden pilings and quickly stop before hitting the seawall. Lastly, the captain scurries around the boat to lasso a rope around each of the four pilings – while two judges hit the stopwatches to mark the time. With more than $12,000 in prize money to be had, the competitors get pretty serious about the event. “It’s pretty competitive and it gets down to tenths of a second, and moneywise it can mean three grand, two grand or a thousand,” said Zinn. “It’s sort of like a shootout, and that’s where they pull all the plugs out, anything goes and they’re wide open.” The bleachers for the crowd are only a few feet from the seawall, and the boats

On The Cover man’s Festival Promises to be a Hard-Driving Good Time racing in reverse kicks up a wall of water that may send a mist over the crowd if the wind is blowing right. There will also be games and crafts for children, music, seafood, pulled pork sandwiches, beer and kettle corn. One of the only rules is the organizers ask visitors not to bring coolers. “It’s a family event. It’s like an old-town celebration, which are few and far between,” Zinn said. “In eight years, we’ve only had one incident where we’ve had to ask somebody to leave, and that was a family issue that started before the event.” The well-known local singer Deanna Dove will be returning this year, as will the infamous Erik Emley, aka “Flea”, a comedian/announcer who calls several of the half dozen waterman’s festivals that occur on the Bay each year. As the event (beginning at noon) winds down at about 4 or 5 p.m., one of the last events is the his and hers anchor toss – and whoever can heave his or her anchor farthest into the water is the winner. There is a similar

event for kids. “This is really spreading to be a large, wellknown event,” Zinn said. “When we first started out, the first year we had three boats in it, two charter boats and a workboat.” This year, if it gets too crowded with out-of-town charter boats, Zinn said they might decide to limit the charter boat competition to only local captains. Unlike other watermen’s festivals, which charge as much as $15 for spectators, the Solomons event remains free thanks to the generous support of local businesses. “And I’ll tell ya, things are tight,” Zinn said. “They can talk all they want about the economy, but when I go to these businesses and they tell me they’re struggling and they can’t give, I believe them.’ Zinn said they will gladly accept any donations from a dollar on up, but $300 qualifies the giver as an Submitted Photo event sponsor, which results in a free shirt, special Winners pose from the 2008 Waterman’s Festival. seating, recognition during the event, free drinks and a tax write-off letter for the donation. Larger sponsors get more perks, including a Holiday Inn Solomons, Fast Stop Food Stores, Carruth & seat on the VIP boat and free food. All sponsors are also So, Geico, and Chesapeake Energy Services. thanked with a gift of fresh oysters and a “thank you” letter “And this started out, and it is to this day, that we never near Christmastime. intended that we would do this to make money, we’re doing Zinn said they will “accept donations right up until this to pay back to the community,” Forrest said. “It’s to kickoff, heck even after kickoff.” show the professionalism of the watermen and their tradiSome of the sponsors that have been there year after tional heritage. We don’t want to loose sight of where we year, and major sponsors this year, include: Prince Fredcame from and why we’re here.” BY SEAN RICE (SCG) info@ erick Ford, McCready Railway, Weems Custom Building, somdpublishing.net

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Thursday, September-2009

Spotlight On

BUSINESS Quantum Knows The Mechanics of Business S

Clarke McKinney

ales of new boats have dropped during the recession, and so have sales of new sails. But in Solomons, Quantum Sails has managed to stay on course by staying focused on sail repairs and custom canvas work. “We’ve been able to maintain the business, the sun keeps shining,” says Clarke McKinney, part owner of the Quantum loft on C Street. The loft is an independent sales and service business affiliated with the Quantum Sail Design Group, a worldwide company that got its start Annapolis and is now based in Michigan. The Quantum office in Solomons doesn’t manufacture sails – most of that is done overseas today – but it sells and repairs them. The business also custom makes “canvas”, a broad term that includes anything made out of material on a boat, from cushions to sail covers. On that list are biminis, which are covers (named after an island in the Bahamas) used to protect people and wood from the sun. Quantum also makes dodgers, which are covers designed to provide shelter and prevent rain and spray from entering the cabin. “We help translate what customers want, help them fine-tune

their ideas,” says John Hervig, an employee of 11 years who uses a machine to work the canvas, which today is often made from a synthetic material. McKinney got his start in the business in the late 1970s not long after graduating from St. Mary’s College of Maryland, which today has a championship sailing team, but which at that time was just starting its program. “I got into one of the bathtubs and won the first race I ever sailed in,” he said, recalling the early boats and his first stab at competition. After college he got a job rigging boats at Zahniser’s Yachting Center in Solomons where he learned that the then-named Leonard Sails had set up a related repair business that was so overloaded with work that it considered closing. McKinney saw an opportunity and decided to give it a try, joining first as a manager. “No one was doing what it was doing,” he said. “Word quickly spread, and the business grew with the public need.” McKinney later became a partner in the business which later affiliated with Sobstad and then most recently with Quantum. The first loft was a 16-by-16-foot space. “We were in a closet,” said McKinney, who moved to bigger quarters at the Zahnhiser’s site before moving two years ago into its present 64by-34-foot space with an entrance on C Street. McKinney now employs three full-time people and several part-time people, serving marinas and other customers in a sales territory stretching from the Northern Neck peninsula of VirWe have mulches, ginia north to Chesapeake Beach top soils, humus, in Anne Arundel County. BY VIR-

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Photos By Virginia Terhune John Hervig uses a sewing machine to make canvas products at the Quantum Sails loft in Solomons.

Thursday, September-2009

t’s time to mark your calendar for the annual Solomons Business Association Community Fundraiser Silent Auction, to be held Monday Dec. 7, 6 to 9 p.m. at the Naughty Gull Restaurant and Pub in Solomons. This event is a fundraiser for the entire community. The money raised from this event is used for the annual Solomons Fourth of July fireworks, The Solomons Christmas Walk, A taste of Solomons, and Solomons Paint the Town. Without your help these fun family events can’t happen. We’re not just asking you for a donation though, we’re going to treat you to heavy hors d’oeuvres of crab, shrimp, and chicken and much more, complementary beer and wine. Save some Christmas shopping for the silent auction, you’ll find plenty of gifts while you’re out for the night. The cost is only $25 per person in advance, and $35 per person at the door. Seating is limited so be sure to make your reservation soon for the Solomons Business Association Christmas Dinner, sponsored by Bozick. Call 410-326-4855.

Theodore N. Blandford, 51 Theodore N. Blandford, 51, of Lothian, Md., passed away on Sept. 2, 2009, at Prince G e o r g e’s Hospital, Cheverly, Md. He was born June 20, 1958, in Cheverly, Md., to Lorraine N. Blandford and Theodore N. Henry. Ted, as his family called him, spent his early childhood in Bristol, Md. In 1972, he moved with his family to Suitland, Md., where he graduated from Suitland High School. It was at Suitland High School that he began his career as a DJ eventually working with the well-known band, Trouble. Theodore was also known as “Disco.” After a bout with the law, Ted had a bout with the Lord and attended church regularly. His greatest accomplishment was his beloved daughter, and only child, Tia. His many other accomplishments included completing barber school, developing and managing his own business, the Elbow Towing Company, and working to help others at Second Genesis. Ted touched many lives and accumulated many friends. He was always willing to lend a cheerful helping hand. He was fun-loving and enjoyed playing practical jokes. At the same time, he was compassionate and from childhood, protective of his sisters and a mentor to his brothers. Even though he did not attend college, he was instrumental in encouraging his brother, David, to do so. Ted leaves to mourn his passing his daughter Tia Blandford; mother, Lorraine Collins; father,

Theodore Henry; stepfather, Rev. Charles Collins; sisters, Theodora Henry-Ross (Samuel) and Lornette Henry; brothers, Rodney Stewart and David Collins; grandmother, Lucille Blandford, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and many, many friends. Funeral service was held on Friday, Sept. 11, 2009, at 11 a.m. at Mt. Nebo Church, with Pastor B. Crystal French officiating. The interment was at Chews UM Church Cemetery, Owensville, Md. The pallbearers were Charles Blandford, II, Michael Blandford, Tim Proctor, Alexis Downs, William Thornton and James Proctor. The honorary pallbearers were Anthony Wade, Joseph Perry, Matthew Curtis, Robin Young, Donald Lee and Larry Jackson. Funeral arrangements provided by Sewell Funeral Home, Prince Frederick, Md.

Maurice Brooks, 82 Maurice Brooks, 82, of Huntingtown, Md., passed away on Aug. 27, 2009, at South River Rehabilitation Center, Edgewater, Md. He was born Sept.r 26, 1926, in Calvert County, Md., to the late David and Elizabeth Chase Brooks. Maurice was educated in the Calvert County Public Schools. He joined Young’s United Methodist Church at a young age. Maurice was joined in holy matrimony to Martha G. Brooks. Maurice was very caring and understanding person. He was known to his nieces and nephews as “unck or shorty.” Maurice was

a very soft spoken person and he would give his heart if he could. No matter what you had on your mind or what you did, he would say everything is OK. Maurice was a construction worker and a wonderful farmer. His gardens were always bountiful. He would always plant more than he needed so he could have enough to share with others. He loved to go fishing. His favorite sports were baseball and football (Washington Redskins). Every Sunday morning he would rise to 96.3 WHUR to start his day. Maurice joined the United States Army on Sept. 4, 1945. He served his country for years until he received his honorable discharge. Maurice went on to do various jobs like cleaning, office work, driving the school and public transportation bus. Maurice had a thing for the school bus and the children that would ride to and from school. The stories were uplifting to your heart. The kids didn’t call him Mr. Brooks; they called him Uncle Maurice or Unck. He was preceded in death by four brothers, George Brooks, Herbert Brooks, Claude Brooks, Sr. and Theodore Brooks; three sisters, Ada Rice, Martha Smith and Annie Brooks; one grandson, Jermaine N. James. He is survived by his wife, Martha G. Brooks; daughter Goldie L. Kerrick; Granddaughter, Venus Kerrick; Grandson, Shelby M. Kerrick; Great-grandson, S,I’Ncer J. Wallace; brother, Roosevelt Brooks and host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. Funeral service was held on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2009, at 10:30 a.m. at Sewell Funeral Home, Prince Frederick, Md., with Rev. Tunde E. O. Davies officiating. The interment was at Chel-

tenham Veterans Cemetery, Cheltenham, Md. The pallbearers were members of American Legion Gray Ray Post #220. Funeral arrangements provided by Sewell Funeral Home, Prince Frederick.

Margaret Alice Butler, 73 Margaret Alice Butler, 73, of Saint Leonard, Md., passed away on Aug. 30, 2009, at the home of her dearly devoted nephew, Lee Barnes “Little Man” in St. Leonard, Md. She was born on Sept. 4, 1935, to the late John and Alice Butler. She received her education in the Calvert County Public Schools. She spent over 40 years working for the Kominer family of Bethesda, Md., where she helped to raise their two sons, Abbott and Will. Margaret joined Brooks United Methodist Church at an early age under the leadership of Rev. R. F. Sharperson. She served as Communion Steward and held membership in the United Methodist Women. Her favorite scriptures were Psalm 23 and John 14:1-7, 15-17 and 27. She’ll always be remembered for her kindness, humble ways and laughter. She was a true sports enthusiast; and especially loved to watch Tiger Woods play golf and the Washington Redskins. When they were on, she did not want any phone calls or visitors. She also adored getting visits from the little ones. Her walls were always filled with pictures of her loved ones. Margaret was preceded in death by brothers William Henry Butler “Hooky” and Leroy Butler “Boots.” She leaves to mourn her loss: one son, Merle G. Harris (Butchie) devoted daughter-in law and care giver, Wendy; three grandsons,

Merle Jr. (Jay), Jemiah and Cortney (CJ); one granddaughter, Chantell; one great grandson, Jemiah Jr.; two sisters, Sarah Hutchins and Beatrice Butler; one brother, John Phillip Butler; and two very special kindhearted nephews, Linwood Brown and Lee Barnes (Little Man); a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and a very special friend, Beatrice Washington. Funeral service was held on Friday, Sept. 4, 2009, at 11 a.m. at Brooks UM Church, St. Leonard, Md., with Rev. Jason L. Robinson, officiating. The interment was at Brooks UM Church Cemetery. The pallbearers were Earl Butler, Levi Butler, Fernando Gross, Hosea Butler, Tyrone Butler, and Mark Wallace. The honorary pallbearers were Sylvester Willett and Avon Barnes. Funeral arrangements provided by Sewell Funeral Home, Prince Frederick.

Carmell Wagner Freeland, 80 Ca r mel l Wagner Freeland, 80, of Fort Washington, Md., peacefully departed this life on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2009, at her residence. She was born July 22, 1929, to James Henry and Frankie Hauser Wagner in Midway, N.C. She was a graduate of Dunbar High School in Lexington, N.C., and attended North Carolina Central in Durham, N.C. Carmell spent most of her life as a homemaker and was an avid seamstress, knitter

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and needle pointer. She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Bobby and Horace Lee Wagner. Those left to cherish her memory are: her husband of over 50 years, Malcolm Freeland of the home; son Gregory Freeland (Dana) of Washington, DC; brothers James Franklin Wagner (Lisa) of El Paso, TX; Freddie Wagner (Deloris) and Leroy (Nell) both of Midway; sister-in-laws Maxine Wagner of Lexington, NC; Mildred Ray of Maryland; three grandchildren Denzel, Nicholas, Aaliyah and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. Funeral service was held on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009, at 11 a.m. at Sewell Funeral Home, Prince Frederick, Md., with Rev. Robert L. Conway officiating. The interment was at Ft. Lincoln Cemetery, Brentwood, Md. The pallbearers were family members. Funeral arrangements provided by Sewell Funeral Home, Prince Frederick, MD.

Kevin D. Garrett, Sr., 46 Kevin D. Garrett, Sr., 46, of Saint Leonard, Md., departed this life on Aug. 25, 2009, at Calvert Memorial Hospital, Prince Frederick. Kevin Donnell Garrett, Sr. the son of Mabel E. Johnson and the late Norman J. Garrett was born on July 20, 1963, in Prince Frederick, Md. He was educated in the public schools of Calvert County, Md. He was a part of the Calvert High School class of 1981. Kevin was the owner of Garrett’s Mechanical, Inc., specializing in pipefitting, welding and plumbing. He was united in holy matrimony on July 25, 1998, to Janice F. Rice. Kevin was a big jokester, he loved to tease, instigate and laugh. He also loved to fish, read, make grills, barbeque, listen to gospel music and talk and talk and talk …. He was preceded in death by his father, Norman J. Garrett. He leaves to cherish his memory: wife, Janice, two sons Cortez and Kevin, Jr., one daughter Latisha, sonin-law, Anthony Taylor, II, three grandchildren, Cortez, Jr. Amaya and Anthony Taylor III, mother,

Mabel Johnson, one brother, Ellsworth (Peggy), three sisters, Norma Burnett, Sharon Garrett and Angela Waul (Tyrone), his mother-in-law Elsie Rice, three brothers-in-law, Charles, Albert Jr., and David (Doris), three sisters- inlaw, Elaine, Sylvia and Debbie, three uncles, Enoch and Wilson Johnson, Ford Harris and Sydney Andrews, eight aunts, Charlotte Bright, Iris Harris, Roberta Andrews, Jean Johnson, Josephine Johnson, Ellen Johnson, Mazie Johnson and Marie Johnson, special friends, Charles Elliott, Kevin Brooks, Rice Bourne, Tony Johnson, Darnell Commodore, George Gantt, Craig Fowler and Joseph Henson; a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Funeral service was held on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009, at 11 a.m. at Brooks UM Church, St. Leonard, Md., with Rev. Jason L. Robinson officiating. The interment was at Brooks U M Church Cemetery. The pallbearers were Rice Bourne, Gregg Brooks, Kevin Brooks, Darnell Commodore, Joseph Henson, and Tony Johnson. The honorary pallbearers were Johnson Bright, Melvin Bright, Charles Elliott, and George Gantt. Funeral arrangements provided by Sewell Funeral Home, Prince Frederick.

charged as a Sergeant on Sept. 8, 1952, at Fort Myer, Va. Melvin led a life of determination and generosity. He worked those characteristics into his life as an addiction counselor for numerous years in St. Mary’s and Calvert County. He was also a member of St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Prince Frederick, Md. The family received friends on Thursday, Sept. 17, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the Rausch Funeral Home, P. A., 20 American Lane, Lusby, MD 20657, where prayers were offered at 4 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Friday, Sept. 18, 2009, 1 p.m. at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 105 Vianney Lane, Prince Frederick, Md. Interment followed at Southern Memorial Gardens, Dunkirk, Md. Pallbearers were Thomas Guidotti , George Greenfield , Katelin Welles, Frank Leniek, Patrick Nelson and Abel Johnson. Honorary Pallbearers were William Lilley, Edgar Plotts, Frank Middleton and Andrew Riddile. Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to American Cancer Society, 1041 Rt. #3 N, Bldg. A, Gambrills, MD 21054 www.cancer.org or to Hospice of St. Mary’s, P.O. Box 625, 22699 Washington Street, Leonardtown, MD 20650, www.hospiceofstmarys.org.

Melvin Glenwood Gee, 79

Robert Lee Gross. 66

Melvin Glenwood Gee, 79, of Lusby, Md., departed this life peacefully on Sept. 15, 2009, at Charlotte Hall Veterans Home, Charlotte Hall, Md. Born on Aug. 6, 1930, in Eton, Ga., to the late Mary Louise Justice Gee and David P. Gee. He was the beloved husband of Janet Ann Gee of Lusby, Md. Father of David Gee of Parsons, Tenn., and Gregory Gee of Parsons, Tenn. Step-Father of Gary L. Hardesty of Huntingtown, Md.; Joseph Wayne Hardesty of Prince Frederick, Md., and Richard Paul Hardesty of Prince Frederick, Md. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren and five great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by three brothers and two sisters. Mr. Gee served his country in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict and was dis-

Thursday, September-2009

Robert Lee Gross, 66, was born on Aug. 10, 1943, in Calvert County, Md., to the late Alfred Gross and Etheline Gross Thompson. He departed this life on Sept. 11, 2009, after a courageous struggle with cancer at the Washington Home and Community Hospices in Washington, D.C. Robert Lee was educated at Brooks High School in Calvert County, Md., where he received his diploma. Robert was an athletic basketball player. He was the top of his class. He stood 6 feet, 3 inches tall. Robert Lee moved to Washington, D.C. after graduating from Brooks High School. He lived with his brother Kenneth and sister-in-law Shirley. He worked as a construction worker, bus driver for DC Metro Transit then for Speedy Auto Parts as a driver. He

also delivered for Domino’s Pizza. He was like a GPS; he learned all the back streets and major streets in the metropolitan area. As a child Robert Lee attended St. Lukes Methodist Church in Calvert County. In later years he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Robert Lee and Christian Harris shaped the lives of two children Lisa and Lamont Gross. On July 1, 1967 Robert Lee married Darlene Morris from this union one child was born Tracy Gross and they resided in Washington, D.C. Robert Lee had a special love for his siblings and cousins. He was a devoted father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Throughout his life he was a quiet person, he didn’t like crowds. He did not like to stay in one place for a long period of time. Robert had a heart of gold. He touched many lives; he was a very loving, caring and giving person. If he had one slice of bread, he would give you half. If you knew Robert he was very tall and strong; he used to brag about his strength. In his leisure time Robert enjoyed watching football; his favorite football team was the Washington Redskins. He also enjoyed watching basketball, riding his bicycle and going to family gatherings. He especially enjoyed his last birthday party hosted on Aug. 8, 2009. Robert loved playing Uno with his family. He would brag about always winning. If he lost he would say, “I will win the next game!” Robert’s favorite color was red and his favorite food was potato salad. He leaves to cherish three children: Lisa, Lamont and Tracy Gross; six grandchildren: Selena Taylor, Marvin Gross (deceased), Tarnesa Gross, Kevin Gross, Andre Gross and Remi Gross; twelve great-grandchildren, three brothers: Kenneth, Orlando and Chester Gross; two sisters, Elaine Fowler and Ellen Barnes; three sister-in-laws: Shirley, Carol and Ruth Gross; one brother-in-law, Douglas Barnes; one uncle, Daniel Brown and one Aunt, Evangline Gross. Robert Lee had a host of special nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He had one stepbrother, Peter Thompson (Catherine), two step sisters, Beatrice White and Yvone (Pinkney) Garner. He also had one step brotherin-law, Jeremiah Hutchins. He leaves three very special friends, Wendy Nguyen, Sue Jones and Christian Harris. Funeral service was held on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2009, at

12 p.m. at Sewell Funeral Home, Prince Frederick, Md., with Pastor Herldleen Russell officiating. The interment was at Southern Memorial Gardens, Dunkirk, Md. The pallbearers were Raymond Barnes, Barry Jones, Selwyn Gross, Kervin Gross, Rickey Ray and Howard Wilder. Funeral arrangements provided by Sewell Funeral Home, P.A., Prince Frederick, MD.

Lindale Langston Thomas, 34 Lindale Langston Thomas, 34, of Worton, Md., passed away on Aug. 23, 2009, at his residence. He was born March 14, 1975, in Baltimore, Md., to Stanley and Carolyn Mackall Thomas. He was the second oldest of four children. Lindale was known to many as “Monkey Man.” He received his education in the Prince George’s County public school system. As a child, he attended the Miracle Temple Church in Lothian, Md., under the leadership of the late Elder James Nathaniel Dorsey. In May 1997, Lindale began his career as a loyal employee with the Maryland State Highway Administration. During that time he received his CDL license, acquired various trades with different equipment and was promoted to Tech 3-Paint Crew. He enjoyed working overtime on the paint crew and snow removal during the winter storms. In fact, the Maryland State Troopers would often request his assistance with the set up to catch speeders on Route 50. At the age of 17, Lindale became a father for the first time with the birth of his son, Ronnell Edward McClain. He was married to Jowan Hurley from 1996 to 2003 and within this union they had two sons, Lindale Langston Thomas, Jr. and Jeremiah Lindale Thomas. He was united in 2003 to Christina (Phillips) Thomas and out of this union Lindsay Lindale Thomas was born. Lindale loved his children, Ronnell, Lindale Jr., Jeremiah, and Lindsay; they were the core of his heart. He took great pleasure in spending quality time with his children. Lindale enjoyed many

things such as buying and rebuilding motorcycles, watching movies, riding his motorcycle and drinking his 32-44 oz. cup of coffee. Lindale was also an avid hunter, who enjoyed hunting for squirrels and rabbits for his mom to make squirrel stew. His uncles, Langston and Curtis brought much laughter to him. He also loved going to the shooting range with his Aunt Sharon. For many, his adorable smile and infectious laugh will live on. His loving memories will be cherished by his surviving wife Christina, and four beautiful children: Ronnell, Lindale Jr., Jeremiah, Lindsay; one god-daughter, Daniell Thomas; mother, Carolyn Thomas; father, Stanley Thomas; grandmother, Betty Chew Mackall; two brothers, Jermaine Gross and Daniel Stanley Thomas; one sister Tina Lynette Thomas; beloved conscience, Raysean Dent; two step-brothers, Stanley Thomas and Devon Thomas; step-sister Tamika Thomas; sister-in-law, Kirshia Thomas; nieces and nephews: Briana Culbertson, Danielle Thomas, Daniel Thomas, Jr., Minxia Gross, Jermaine Gross, Jr., Franklin K. Reid, III. He is also remember and loved by 22 aunts and uncles: Charles Jacks, Virginia Dent, Wilford Mackall, Jr., Diane Dorsey, George Mackall, Leroy Mackall, Linda Sharp, Leonard Mackall, Langston Mackall (godfather), W. Curtis Mackall, Juan Denise Mackall, Harlan Mackall, Sharon Childress, Aaron Mackall; Marlene, Marcia, Tommy, Vale, Stanley, Cleo and Elmo; godmother, Kim Gross; more than 35 maternal first cousins; and a host of other relatives, friends and co-workers. Funeral service was held on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009, at 11 a.m. at Mt. Gethsemane Holiness Church, Huntingtown, Md., with Elder Raleigh Medley officiating. The interment was at Mt. Gethsemane Holiness Church Cemetery, Huntingtown, Md. The pallbearers were Sheldon Galloway, Collivin Emerson, Darryl Hawkins, Gavin Randall, Delonte Green and Joshua Mackall. Funeral arrangements provided by Sewell Funeral Home, Prince Frederick, MD.

Joy Rochelle Tyler, 38 Joy Rochelle Tyler, 38, of Prince Freder ick, Md., passed away on Aug. 24, 2009, at South River Rehabilitation Center, Edgewater, Md. She was born May 5, 1971, to Alton L. Tyler and Patsy Tyler in Alexandria, Va. Joy attended the Head-Start Program on Sixes Road, Mutual Elementary and Southern Middle Schools where she excelled in math and science. After graduating from Calvert High School, class of 1989, Joy worked in many positions until her chronic illness would not allow her to work. Joy attended Solid Rock Church of our Lord Jesus Christ in Port Republic, Md. There she sang on the choir and served as an usher among other duties. She attended services regularly always praising God regardless of the tests and trials set before her. On June 5, 1993, Joy was wedded to Michael Quarles. From this union one child, Brianna, was born. Joy worked to become the best mother she could be. Joy enjoyed reading, writing poems, baking brownies and listening to music. In 2005, after serving faithfully at Solid Rock Church, she was led to Bethel Way of the Cross under the leadership of Bishop Darnell Easton. She loved the songs sung by the praise team, especially those led by Brother Terry. Joy will be missed by her mother, Patsy; her daughter, Brianna; brother, Jeff; her aunts and uncles, Julie, Harry (Edith), Tommy (Sheila), Thomas (Edwardine), Bill (Sarah), Martin (Eugenia), William (Audrey), Bertina, William (Ilene), Mary, Joseph (Monica), Robert (Mary), Jeral, one great aunt, Maggie Rice, Godparents, Woodrow Wallace and Dee Johnson; devoted friends James and Diamond Contee, along with a host of cousins and friends. Funeral service was held on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009, at 11 a.m. at Bethel Way of the Cross Church, Huntingtown, Md., with Bishop Darnell Easton officiating. The interment was at Solid Rock Church Cemetery, Port Republic, Md. The pallbearers were Steve Commodore, Scott Commodore, Glenn Commodore, William Weems, Jonathan Weems and

Bruce Robertson. Funeral arrangements provided by Sewell Funeral Home, Prince Frederick.

Paul Barnes Van Auker, 95 P a u l Barnes Van Auker, 95, of Lusby, Md., departed this life peacefully on Sept. 8, 2009, at Solomons Nursing Center, Solomons, Md. Born in Ohio on June 6, 1914, to the late Minnie Barnes Van Auker and Jasper Newton Van Auker. He was the beloved father of Joseph W. Van Auker of Lusby, Md., and Paula Gresh of Cartersville, Ga. Step-Father of Joann Theys of Warren, Ohio, and the late James Ricks and Leneah Soltis. Brother of Alfred Van Auker of Los Angles, Calif. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. Mr. Van Auker served his country during World War II and was discharged as a Captain on Dec.17, 1945, at Camp Chaffee, Ark. Paul was a steel worker and worked at Youngstown Sheet and Tube Co. until his retirement in 1967. He moved to Calvert County in 2002 to reside with his son. Paul led a life of determination and generosity. He worked those characteristics into his life as a handyman doing what ever was needed on any of his automobiles or projects around the house, a devoted reader, and a baseball fan. He loved to watch the baseball games on television but he liked to turn down the volume and listen to the game on his radio. He will be remembered for his colorful gardens and to his devotion of his family’s genealogy and their history. A funeral service was held on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009, 11 a.m. at Middleham Chapel Episcopal Parrish, 10210 H. G. Trueman Rd., Lusby, MD 20657. A graveside service was held on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 11:30 a.m. in Green Haven Memorial Gardens, Canfield, OH. Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to Calvert Hospice, P. O. Box 838, Prince Frederick, MD 20657. Donations are encouraged on-line at www. calverthospice.org. Arrangements by the Rausch Funeral Home, P.A., 20 American Lane, Lusby, MD 20657, www. rauschfuneralhomes.com.

Heal h

Safe Solutions to Get a Good Night’s Rest

It’s 2 a.m. and you still haven’t fallen asleep. It’s been a similar situation night after night. Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Every year millions of people report having frequent sleep disturbances, say statistics. Women are generally more apt to having a sleeping problem than men or children. In a search for relief, some people try over-the-counter sleep remedies while others suffer night after night. Others still seek help from their family doctor by the way of prescription medication. All of these remedies have their risks. Doctors generally agree that sleeping pills are a short-term solution to a sleeping problem. In fact, some drugs may have side effects that are troublesome or mask underlying symptoms of insomnia, such as apnea. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has asked manufacturers of sedative-hypnotic sleeping pills to warn consumers and health professionals about potential risks like sleepdriving, anaphylaxis, cooking and eating food, and making phone calls while asleep – all situations that have been documented in recent years. Drugs, even over-the-counter ones, may have a certain measure of dependence or addictiveness. As a result, many women have begun seeking alternative, drugfree solutions to their sleeping problems. They could find that making a few lifestyle changes, such as limiting noise in the bedroom, is all that’s needed to get some rest. Loud noises, be it from barking dogs, morning garbage trucks or the ever-present snoring of spouses, are often at the root of female insomnia. Sleep Pretty in Pink(R) Ear Plugs, for example, have grown in popularity thanks in large part to word of mouth, and doctor recommendation. These ear plugs are tailor made for women’s smaller ear canals and reduce noise by 32 decibels. “I recommend the Sleep Pretty in Pink ear plugs to all of my female patients,” says Dr. Marc Darrow. “These cute little pink ear plugs are a drug-free solution that helps women fall asleep fast and stay asleep longer.” Other natural and healthy ways to combat insomnia include: • Regular daily exercise: As little as 30 minutes of exercise per day can make it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep. While daily exercise can be effective, don’t exercise too late at night, as such a schedule will raise your body temperature, perhaps adding to your existing difficulties with insomnia. • Eliminate nap time: Busy professionals often find a short nap can help them make it through the day. However, such naps can prove too energizing, making it more difficult to fall asleep at bedtime. • Block out light: Light that shines into the room by a street lamp or even cars in the neighborhood could be disruptive to sleep. Install darkening curtains to limit light in the evening and early morning. Sleep Pretty in Pink Ear Plugs are available at grocery, drug and superstore locations nationwide. For more information, visit www.sleepinpink.com.

Thursday, September-2009

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Cute 3 bedroom/1 bath home available for sale or lease to own. Features: 3 bedrooms/1 bath, large fenced-in yard with playground, spacious eat-in kitchen, screened-in front porch, last house at the end of a dead end road, storage shed. Terms: $239,000 - 5% ($11,950) down/$1300 month. Email or call 410-474-7188 for more details. Large, level, corner lot is the setting of this roomy colonial with many features. Pergo in foyer, separate living and dining room with fireplace. Kitchen with upgraded appliances, pantry, and table space. Laundry is easy in this cozy utility room. 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths. Master is large with walk-in closet. New screened porch, shed with electric and phone, concrete driveway, wrap porch, new a/c and heat pump. Room for garage. Call 301-672-0840. $252,500.

Real Estate Rentals Home For Rent - $80000 per Month 1 Large Bedroom w/Living Room/ Kitchen/1 Bath. No pets please - good credit needed. Lusby/Cove Pt. Call Hasan @ 301-373-8873 or 410-474-1885. Charming Home in Drum Point located on private lot has an open floor plan with 2 bedrooms on the first floor and one on the basement level.Open kitchen, breakfast and living area on the first floor, addtional rec area in the basement. Full size deck across the front of house with partial view of water in fall and winter. Updated with new appliances, carpet, bathroom fixtures and lighting in summer 08. Nice home in wonderful neighborhood. Call Vickie at 410-610-3322. Monthly Rent: $1400.

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Very Busy Northern Calvert Auto&truck Service Center, looking for ASE Certified Technician, top pay for qualified technician, Call Art Or Dan 410-257-9165.

Immediate Residential House Cleaning position available for responsible, reliable adult. All applicants must live in Calvert County! No exceptions. No professional maid cleaning experience needed. We will train the right applicants. Applicants should have good problem solving skills, work well in a team, have a positive attitude and be able to handle a schedule with a lot of variety. Your own reliable transportation and valid driver’s license are needed. We do not work nights, weekends or holidays. To apply for cleaning positions complete our on-line application at www.ArtisticFlair.com.

Important The Southern Calvert Gazette will not be held responsible for any ads omitted for any reason. The Southern Calvert Gazette reserves the right to edit or reject any classified ad not meeting the standards of The Southern Calvert Gazette. 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. To Place a Classified Ad, please email your ad to: classifieds@somdpublishing. net or Call: 301-373-4125 or Fax: 301-3734128 for a price quote. Office hours are: Monday thru Friday 8am - 4pm. The Southern County Gazette is published each Thursday.

On the

Water

Musings from the Museum By Sherrod Sturrock

hose of us lucky enough to live in the Chesapeake Bay region readily extol the beautiful scenery, the great seafood, the quaint fishing boats, and the abundant wildlife. It is too easy to look out over the water that surrounds us and forget that the world is a dynamic place that is always changing. We, in our millions, are exacerbating that change in ways never before experienced by the planet. And we will live with the consequences. Each year the Calvert Marine Museum hosts the State of the River Summit designed to focus attention on issues related to the Patuxent River and Chesapeake Bay. Senator Bernie Fowler, the honorary chair, initiated this event four years ago as a way to bring attention to his lifelong commitment to a healthy Patuxent River. This, the fourth summit, will focus on the Local Challenges of Sea Level Rise and Climate Change. The Summit will be held Friday, October 9, immediately preceding Patuxent River Appreciation Days (PRAD), a two day free festival scheduled on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 10 – 11. Climate Change may seem a distant threat to environmental health when we are grappling with the immediate problems of pollution, agricultural runoff, inefficient wastewater plants, acid rain, algae blooms, failing fisheries, and so on. The purpose of the summit is to underscore the fact that it is not nearly as distant as one might think. Temperature rise related to climate change is already

being documented in the Chesapeake Bay, as is rising sea level. Storm intensity is projected to increase. Subsiding lands exacerbate the challenges for waterfront owners. Our world is changing at a far greater rate than has ever happened before as a result of human activity around the planet. Climate Change is affecting the Chesapeake Bay as surly as it is melting Artic ice caps. To lead this discussion about the future of our region, we have invited a number of speakers who participated in the Governor’s Climate Change Commission, including Dr. Curtis Larsen, geologist, anthropologist, archaeologist, expert on the Calvert Cliffs. There will also be a panel discussion on what is being done by local governments, the Navy, and other agencies to plan for the changes climate change will bring. And perhaps most important, we will provide a forum to discuss what future steps we, as a community might take both to do our part to mitigate further degradation of our environment, and to plan for the inevitable changes we face. Please, join us in this important discussion on Friday, Oct. 9, from 1 – 5 p.m. Sherrod Sturrock is the Deputy Director of the Calvert Marine Museum. She can be reached at sturrosa@co.cal.md.us.

Horse Show

Sept 1st thru Oct 30th

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SMSA Small Boat Invitational By Sandra Leitner

he Southern Maryland Sailing Association hosted their annual Small Boat Invitational Regatta this past weekend. The two day race event had 39 boats participate, including sailors and boats from as far away as Canada and Florida. The fleet was separated into four classes: Portsmouth, Buccaneer, Windmill and Laser. Fourteen Buccaneers raced in this regatta as a lead-in for their North American Championships which will be held here in Solomons next June. Over the two day regatta there was a wide fluctuation in wind direction and strength. The shifts and holes made the racing challenging. On Saturday, the race committee ran four races with the wind averaging 10 knots. Sunday the winds calmed down to as low as 3 knots. There were two races on Sunday; the last of which was shortened due to the dying breeze. Twenty volunteers made this regatta run smoothly. Members provided an excellent Race Committee, hosted a delicious dinner on Saturday and ran the Club Bar during race results. Many thanks to all of

you who work behind the scenes to make our events possible. Many of our local sailors did well in the regatta and some took home trophies. Jimmy Yurko placed 2nd and Brian O’Hare took 3rd in the Buccaneer class. David Meiser placed 2nd and Joe Szymanski took 3rd in Portsmouth . The Laser Class was swept by three local sailors. Jeff Moore, Trevor Richards, and Brian King took 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively. For complete race results please go to the website at www.smsa.com and click on the small boats link. If you would like to learn more about SMSA please join us for our 37th Annual Open House on Saturday, September 26, 2009 from 10:00am to 4:00pm. Members will be on hand to answer questions about the club regarding membership, racing, youth programs and educational seminars. Tours of the facility will also be available. Immediately after the Open House at 4:00pm SMSA will be hosting Captain Smith’s Famous Seafood Boil. Tickets are available this Friday from 5:00-8:00pm at the Club House located on Solomons main drag across from the gazebo. Tickets may also be purchased during the Open House if not sold out. Hope to see you there!

H OM E R E MOD E LI N G & CONST RU CT IO N • Additions • Garages • Basements • Decks…Etc. 443-532-1690 410-586-0202 Ed dy R. Re qu ilm an • MH IC

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Thursday, September-2009

Sp rts Panthers Nail Two In a Row After a tough week one loss to Lackey, the Patuxent Panthers football team has turned things around with two impressive victories. On Thursday Sept. 18, Calvert High rolled into Panthers Stadium in Lusby with hopes of an upset in the big county rivalry game. Patuxent ended those dreams early as their powerful offensive line took charge in the first quarter. Running Back Frank Taitano started the scoring with a 1 yard TD run. Calvert came back on their next possession with a 62 yard TD run by Dai’quan Garner. The Panthers then scored 17 unanswered points behind the 2 yard TD run by Taitano and a screen pass from QB Ed Massingill that he took 73 yards for another TD. A Maratta field goal gave Patuxent a 24-7 lead at halftime. Calvert came out of the break with a

long drive capped off with a 32 yard TD run by QB Frank Lanham. Patuxent’s defense was very aggressive, bringing a fierce rush and picking off Lanham 4 times, often giving their offense great field position to begin drives. Taitano added a 10-yard TD run in the third quarter and finished his day with 160 yards and 3 TD’s on 28 carries to go with 3 catches for 75 yards and a receiving TD. In the fourth quarter, Massengill threw a 30 yard TD pass to Justin Handley and Calvert finished the scoring with a FG as Patuxent won 38-17. On Friday Sept. 11, the Leonardtown Raiders made the trip across the bridge after 2 days of rain which made for very sloppy playing conditions. The offensive and defensive lines both dominated this game at the point

BOX SCORES CAL PAX

7 21

0 3

7 7

3 7

17 38

1st PAX 1st CAL 1st PAX 1st PAX

Taitano 1 YD TD RUN (Maratta kick) Garner 62 YD TD RUN (Frazier kick) Taitano 2 YD TD RUN (Maratta kick) Taitano 73 YD TD REC (Maratta kick) 2nd PAX Maratta 30 YD FG 3rd CAL Lanham 32 YD TD RUN (Frazier kick) 4th PAX Taitano 10 YD TD RUN (Maratta kick) 4th CAL Frazier 20 YD FG LHS PHS

Photo by Frank Marquart Quarterback Ed Massengill throws one past a defender.

Thursday, September-2009

0 7

0 21

0 13

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0 41

PHS 1st Taitano 5 YD RUN (Maratta Kick) PHS 2nd Masengill 12 YD RUN (kick failed) PHS 2nd Taitano 12 YD RUN (pass failed) PHS 2nd Hillegas 5 YD REC (Masengill run) PHS 3rd Hillegas 9 YD TD REC (Brand pass) PHS 3rd Taitano 62 YD TD RUN (kick failed)

Photo by Frank Marquart A host of Raiders bring down Patuxent’s Frank Taitano.

of attack as the Panthers rolled to a 41-0 victory. Taitano had another great game finishing with 142 yards on 23 carries, hitting paydirt three times, including a 62 yard TD run. QB Massengill had an impressive night, finishing with 132 yards rushing on 6 carries, scoring once from 21 yards and passing for 69 yards on 7 of 13 passing. TE Brandon Hillegas had two TD’s receiving. Patuxent heads to Charles County to face defensive minded Mc Donough Tomorrow night then comes home to face Northern on October 2nd. Both games start at 7 p.m. BY JOHN HUNT (SCG) info@ somdpublishing.net

St. Mary’s County Elks Lodge #2092 Supports the Wounded Warrior Project

2009/2010

UpCoMing EvEntS:

To Benefit Wounded Warrior Project

th 24 October

November 7th Nov 14th & 15th November 21st Charity Ball Fishing tournament 5K Walk/Run

Location – Cheeseburger In Paradise

oktoberfest Starting at 3:00PM Comics on Duty at 8:00PM Four Comedians

Registration at 7:00 a.m. Start time 8:00 a.m.

All pavement course closes at 9:15 a.m.

$25 entry fee Pre-register at bpoe2092.org

Location – Buzz’s Marina Ridge, Maryland @ buzzsmarina.com Date – November 14th & 15th Times – Dawn to 3:30PM Entry Fee - $125.00 Cash Prizes

(Black Tie Dinner)

Pre-register @ bpoe2092.org Call Buzz’s for more details at 301-872-5887

Dinner: 6:00 p.m. Presentation: 7:00 p.m. Entertainment: 8:00 p.m.

Tickets: $5 entry fee to Octoberfest (food & beverages available) $20 for comedy show

LoDgE # 2092 St. Mary’s County, MD.

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The Greatest Casualty is Being Forgotten... !

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Thursday, September-2009

Bon Appétit

On The Menu

Start With: Recipe Ideas That Use What You Have By VICTORIA BRETT For The Associated Press So you’ve made sauce and pies and muffins and quick breads. You’ve done plenty of snacking and packing them into lunch boxes. Maybe you’ve even offered them up as fodder for fondue. Yet a few spare apples still linger from your picking excursion. “It is the true cook who can look into the fridge and come up with recipes when all that remains in the fruit bin are apples,” says Ruth Cousineau, Gourmet magazine test kitchen director. She suggests several quick and easy ways to use spare apples to give new dimension to your food. • Finely chop an apple, then toss with sliced onion, diced jalapeno and a squirt of lime juice for a zesty salsa that would be excellent with chips or

spooned over grilled fish. • Jazz up an old-fashioned Waldorf salad with leftover chicken, celery, apples and horseradish mayo. • For breakfast or brunch, grate apples into pancake batter with a pinch of cinnamon. Top with a syrup made from chopped apples, brown sugar, butter and cinnamon. Or spoon the syrup over yogurt or ice cream. • For unexpected deliciousness, stick a few slices of apple under some havarti for a great grilled cheese sandwich. And if you can’t resist cranking out another pie, Cousineau suggests using apples that keep their shape, such as Galas, Golden Delicious, Jonathan and Granny Smith. “And while nothing beats a crisp autumn MacIntosh or Macoun for eating out of hand, they mush down when baked, so save them for making apple sauce,” she says.

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Thursday, September-2009

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Thursday, September-2009

Out&About Saturday, Sept. 26

• Lighthouse Adventure Cruise Calvert Marine Museum: 7:30 a.m. Leave the museum dock at 7:45 a.m. and head south on a chartered boat to see the lighthouses of the lower bay by water. Stop over at Smith Island for lunch. The cost is $150 for the day-long trip; lunch is on your own. Register by August 14 and get the early bird special rate of $130. Museum members pay $125. Space is limited and pre-registration required. Call 410326-2042 ext. 41. • Lecture: In the Wake of Chesapeake Explorers Calvert Marine Museum: 7 p.m. By ecologist and Chesapeake historian, Dr. Kent Mountford. Sailing the five masted full rigged ship Royal Clipper, Mountford retraced the route that 17th century Chesapeake explorers followed to the New World. Using photographs and charts, Dr. Mountford will discuss North African and Canaries archipeligo ports of call relevant to the early New World voyages as well as his attempts to reckon position with relatively crude instruments on a rolling deck. Like those adventurers over 400 years ago, the Royal Clipper has her own adventures to relate.

• Village Day Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. No Fee, All Ages. Visit our Indian Village to see what village life was like for the Patuxent people. We will be working on a variety of projects as the season demands: taking care of the longhouses, making and repairing the kinds of tools the Patuxent people might have used, and practicing other daily life activities and skills. For additional information visit the website, www.jefpat.orgrg, or call 410-586-8501. • Astronomy Club of Southern Maryland Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum: Dusk No Fee. Monthly meeting with short talk and night sky observations. For information call 301-602-5251 or email tom_dugan@hotmail.com

Sunday, Sept. 27 • Calvert County Waterman’s Festival Waterman’s Wharf, Solomons: Starting at noon Boat docking contest, food and beverages, crab soup cook-off, men’s and women’s anchor toss contests, raffles and

a Maryland seafood display. Call 410-3263929 for more information. • SIMBC: Skipjack Racing Calvert Marine Museum: 2 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 30 – Sunday, Oct. 4

• It Takes Two Book Discussion: “Flush” by Carl Hiaasen Calvert Library (Southern Branch): 7-8 p.m. Book discussion program for 3rd - 5th graders and an adult. Registration required. Call (410-326-5289).

Friday, Oct. 2

Thursday, Oct. 8

• First FREE Friday! Cavert Marine Museum: 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Don’t miss the special performance of Fishing Gone in the museum auditorium beginning at 6:00 p.m. This public program brings together a playwright, Roger Vaughan, an artist, a director/actor, three additional actors, and the audience to experience the multitude of challenges facing

• Sea Squirts Calvert Marine Museum: 9:30 a.m. – 10 a.m. This Thursday morning drop-in program is for children 18 months – 3 years and their caregivers. In Oct., the theme is Tyke Hike! Look at the world under your feet and each week we will explore a new habitat to see what we can find. Open to Calvert Marine Museum members only.

Saturday, Oct. 3

• Little Minnows: Wetland Detectives Calvert Marine Museum: 10 a.m. Whose tracks are those? Is that a nest I see? What ate that nut? Who made that hole? As we walk through the marsh, we will look for the clues that tell us what animals spend time here. Using magnifying glasses, binoculars, and other tools you can become a wetland detective too. 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The fee is $4 for members, $5 for non-members for children ages 3 – 5. Space is limited and pre-registration required. Call 410-326-2042 ext. 41.

• Native Shelters Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum: noon – 2 p.m. Come help us put together different types of shelters: teepee, longhouse, and even an igloo! No Fee. For additional information visit the website, www.jefpat. org, or call 410-586-8501.

Sunday, Oct. 4 • All About Wool Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum: 2 – 5 p.m. No Fee. Join the Calvert County

FREE ESTIMATES

Thursday, September-2009

Monday, Oct. 5

• Calvert County Fair 140 Calvert Fair Drive, Barstow A fee is required to attend this event. Phone: 410-535-0026 or 410-586-0109 or 410-257-3672. http://www.calvertcountyfair.com/

• Solomons Island Oyster Scald & Pub Crawl Come and enjoy the first ever Solomons Island Oyster Scald & Pub Crawl. Visit local restaurants and pubs to discover just how many different ways there are to sample the illustrious oyster, and pick up a special drink to help chase it down. Tickets are $4 per sampling for food, and $3 for drinks, available at all participating sites. Free trolley rides are available on the island.

410-474-5816

Spinners & Weavers and JPPM staff for a fun and educational afternoon of demonstrations, hands-on activities, and displays all about sheep and wool. For additional information visit the website, www.jefpat. org, or call 410-586-8501.

• Speaker Series- From Boats to Bones: Archaeology is in the Details Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum: 7 p.m. Marine Archaeological Conservation: A Never-Ending Quest for Perfection. Speaker: Paul Mardikian, Clemson University Conservation Center. Conservation of large iron-based composite artifacts from shipwreck sites like the Confederate submarine H.L. Hunley and the Titanic is a complex process. The methods used to research and preserve these important marine cultural resources will be explained. For additional information visit the website, www.jefpat.org, or call 410-586-8501.

Solomons Island’s Own HydraFX Still Going Strong What’s in a name? And more specifically, what’s in the name “HydraFX”? Is it somehow derived from the monster from Greek mythology (killed by Hercules) with nine heads? Are they perhaps talking about one of the moons of Pluto? Or maybe it refers to an effect having to do with condensation over Solomons Island? You could ask where the band HydraFX got the inspiration for their name, and you may get as many definitions of the name as opinions of their music, but their formation and fan base have been the stuff of popular local lore for years. The band started in 1995 when brothers Joe and Greg Barrick began playing drums and guitar together, later adding lead vocalist and saxophone player Kevin Quinn and Sean Reese on bass, and then adding their latest member, Matt Flaherty on rhythm guitar. After competing in band battles, their latest brush with stardom came from making it to the final cut on “Stars Tomorrow”, an American Idol-style competition sponsored by NBC.com that began with 100 groups before whittling down the list of acts to a final few, one of which was HydraFX, but another band took home top honors and the show failed to generate enough interest for television and was eventually relegated to the Web. Still the Barrick brothers and their fellow musicians

seem to have won over a great many locals with their energetic stage show, and their album, “Lose Control,” which was released on July 4 at Hula’s Bungalow in California, one of their favorite venues. The album itself bears the mark of many influences which the band members seem to have polished and made their own. HydraFX seems like what would happen if 311 and Sublime had a lovechild with Rage Against the Machine. A mixture of reggae, rock and rap seems to dominate the album, though “Black Water,” a politically charged indictment of the Iraq War (with a jarring cadence that reminds this reviewer of Rage’s “Guerilla Radio”) breaks the light mood and seems strangely out of place compared with the rest of the album. Though they pull off the angst and politics quite well, the song structure and lyrics aren’t representative of their style as a whole. The rest of the album tends to follow their live formula, which they themselves describe as “party reggae rock,” and the name certainly fits. It may even be fair to say that the album’s title track invokes the spirit of

Sublime vocalist Bradley Nowell, which may be part of the reason so many people sing along with it. Other tracks on the album echo this style, including “Walk Away,” though at times you’d almost expect these guys to pick up double-neck guitars for their solos, which often include metal-inspired guitar harmonies. While the album does them justice, the best showcase of the band’s musical and lyrical talents comes from their live performances, and it’s easy to see how they’ve progressed as far as they have. And though they still don’t have a record label behind them, it’s not hard to imagine that changing in the future. And as for the name, it could be derived from the season of “Lost” featuring the Dharma Initiative’s “Hydra” experiment station, or even the long but dim modern constellation in the southern hemisphere stretching from Virgo to Cancer over the Earth’s equator. In any case the name seems to be working just fine for these guys, so we could just let it be a cool sounding name. For more information and show schedules, go to www.Myspace.com/HydraFX. BY ANDREA SHIELL (CT) info@somdpublishing.net

Kevin Quinn

Photo By Andrea Shiell

Sean Reese

Thursday, September-2009