Gazette
Southern Calvert
May 2010
Priceless
Everything Solomons, Lusby, Dowell, and St. Leonard
‘To Hell’s Angels and Back’ WWII Pilot Still Takes to the Skies PAGE 12
New Sanctuary Regulations for Oysters Story Page 6
First-Ever Fallen Firefighter Memorial Story Page 4
Patuxent Girls Reach Regional Final
Story Page 19
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New Summer Hours Monday Thru Saturday 6:00am to 9:00pm Sunday 7:00am to 7:00pm
Now Located In Woodburns • New York Style Bagels • Complete line of Scratch Baked Goods • Made To Order Sandwiches 2
Thursday, May-2010
Should The State and Federal Government Move Forward With a Plan to Replace The Thomas Johnson Bridge? “They should because the thing is dangerous, it’s got cracks in it and everything, and one of these days it’s going to fall down,” said Carol Koehn, of St. Leonard. “And you know what? It’s the only exit we have if anything happens at that power plant, it’s the only way out.” Karen Murphy, of Lusby works at Naval Air Station Patuxent River in St. Mary’s County, having to commute across the Thomas Johnson Bridge six days a week. “Traffic can be backed up so far in Calvert that you’re better off having breakfast in Solomons and waiting it out,” Murphy says. “If we ever needed to evacuate southern Calvert, the bridge definitely cannot meet the need - even if both lanes were made available for traffic, evacuation would not be fast enough,” she says. “Another span of the bridge is necessary.” “I’ve been coming down here since ’83. The bridge was wonderful back then but it doesn’t work for either county anymore. It only has two lanes to handle the amount of people brought by the base,” said Carla Provenzano of Drayden. “We are over here a lot. We do a lot of shopping and dining out,’ she said. “If there’s an accident, typically we’ll turn around and stay in St. Mary’s County. We’ll go to Lowes and then go back home … We then spend money on that side, rather than this side.”
On T he Cover
Richard Johnson, 88, stands in front of his 1946 Piper PA-12, near his home in Deale.
Also Inside
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local news
During the first-ever Fallen Fighters Memorial Service at Chesapeake Highlands Memorial Gardens in Port Republic, on May 22nd, firefighters place white roses in a fireman’s boot to honor those who died. SEE PAGE 4. The Most Rev. Donald W. Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington, along with other priests and deacons, joined Our Lady Star of the Sea’s Father Richard E. Gardiner in dedicating the open of the parish’s new church on May 16. SEE PAGE 14.
out & about
community
FOR EVENTS HAPPENING IN YOUR AREA, CHECK PAGE 20 IN OUT AND ABOUT
land s I s n o Solom eport Tide R
Three fire tugboats in the Patuxent River sprayed streams of water high in the air during the 17th annual Waterman’s Memorial Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Waterman’s Memorial on the Solomons Island boardwalk on Sunday morning, May 23. SEE PAGE 9.
May 28-30 2010 Day
F 28 28 28 28
High Tide Height Sunrise Moon Time /Low Time Feet Sunset Visibl High Low High Low
% Moon
2:53 AM 2.2 5:46 AM Set 5:59 AM 10:13 AM 0.4 8:21 PM Rise 9:27 PM 3:03 PM 1.2 8:33 PM 0.3
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Sa 29 High 3:37 AM 2.1 5:45 AM Set 6:54 AM 99 29 Low 10:57 AM 0.5 8:21 PM Rise 10:17 PM 29 High 3:51 PM 1.3 29 Low 9:20 PM 0.4 Su 30 High 4:20 AM 2.0 5:45 AM Set 7:53 AM 96 30 Low 11:37 AM 0.5 8:22 PM Rise 10:59 PM 30 High 4:39 PM 1.3 30 Low 10:08 PM 0.4
June 4-62010
Day
High Tide Height Sunrise Moon Time /Low Time Feet Sunset Visibl
% Moon
F 4 Low 1:56 AM 0.8 5:43 AM Rise 12:57 AM 4 High 7:51 AM 1.5 8:25 PM Set 12:48 PM 4 Low 2:31 PM 0.5 4 High 8:56 PM 1.6
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Sa 5 Low 3:08 AM 0.9 5:43 AM Rise 1:20 AM 5 High 8:36 AM 1.5 8:26 PM Set 1:45 PM 5 Low 3:06 PM 0.4 5 High 9:50 PM 1.7
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Su 6 6 6 6
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Low High Low High
4:22 AM 0.9 5:42 AM Rise 1:44 AM 9:23 AM 1.4 8:27 PM Set 2:43 PM 3:43 PM 0.4 10:41 PM 1.8
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On The Water
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Thursday, May-2010
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LOCAL NEWS St. Leonard Vision Group Annual Meeting Set
County Celebrates First-Ever Fallen Firefighters Service Calvert County’s volunteer fire companies and EMS squads, along with local elected officials attended the first-ever Fallen Fighters Memorial Service on May 22nd at Chesapeake Highlands Memorial Gardens in Port Republic, the home of the soon-to-be-completed Fallen Firefighters Memorial. The service memorialized the three firefighters who have died in the line of duty in Calvert County: Larry Cox on April 7, 1970, Donald A. Bowen on Jan. 12, 1980 and W. David Gott on Dec. 8, 1988. The service also recognized rescue volunteers who died of natural causes in 2009. Firefighter Michael Bowen, pictured next to the Calvert County flag emceed the event. In the second photograph, firefighters place white roses in a fireman’s boot to honor those who died. The is planned to be held every year, with the stone memorial scheduled to be completed before next year’s event.
By Tim Grover The St. Leonard Vision Group is holding the Annual Meeting of the Membership at 7 p.m., Monday, June 14, 2010, at the Dowell House in St. Leonard, Md. Everyone having an interest in St. Leonard is invited to attend. The goal of this meeting is to briefly bring our fellow friends and neighbors up to date regarding many activities during the past year, present plans for the coming year and to share ideas to help make St. Leonard a better place to live. Important issues such as the ongoing updating of the St. Leonard Town Center Master Plan and Zoning Ordinances are currently hot topics you may want to learn more about. By attending the meeting you will be able to ask questions to familiarize yourself with the still under development goals and issues of these important documents. A county representative of the Planning and Zoning Department plans to attend. Accurate information will be provided to move toward informed choices. Jenny Plummer-Welker, a rural planner for Calvert County Department of Planning and Zoning (DPZ), is scheduled to attend the meeting to answer questions about the Master Plan. Miriam Gholl, a DPZ zoning planner, will be at the meeting to answer questions about the Zoning Ordinance, and Patricia Haddon, Transportation Principal Planner for DPZ, will be at the meeting to present a proposal to move the bike trail/path from Route 2/4 to Route 765 to pass through the Town Center to make it more pedestrian friendly and to help increase the visibility of the Town. To view documents associated with the proposed Master Plan update for St. Leonard, visit; www.co.cal. md.us/government/departments/planning/towncenters. Meanwhile, members of the St. Leonard Vision Group will be presented with an opportunity to vote and elect members to the St. Leonard Vision Group Board of Directors – the governing body of the organization. Refreshments and snacks will be provided. Please plan to attend, meet your neighbors, and help to continue to improve St. Leonard Town Center and the greater community of St. Leonard. The Dowell House (a great community asset) is located at 4889 Calvert Drive at the intersection with Leonard Avenue. Public parking is available in the gravel lot across Calvert Drive from the Dowell House. Tim Grover is the current president of the St. Leonard Vision Group.
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BGE Rates Decrease Beginning June 1, Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) announced that customers will receive lower utility bills, with rates dropping about 8.4 percent. For a household using 1,000 kilowatt hours and paying $158 a month, the savings will be about $13 for each billing period, or $156 annually. BGE says the rate decrease was made possible because the price it pays for energy to distribute to its customers has gone down. Fuel costs have decreased, but lower usage is also a contributing factor. In responding to BGE’s announcement, Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley said, “Part of it also has to do with changes we made at the Public Service Commission to smooth out the sort of outrageous increases we saw in the past.” BGE customers have seen their bills skyrocket since rate caps for utilities were removed in 2006. The company says the new lower rates will remain in effect for at least a year.
All residents have the option of choosing a different residential electricity supplier and purchase power from a company other that the company that deliver that power to your door. Here’s how it works: • In most cases, your local utility company will still deliver electricity through their equipment to your home and bill you, but you can choose to buy your electricity from another company and compare rates. • To evaluate the price being offered by an electricity supplier, you will want to compare the supplier’s rate to the current rate being charged by your electric company. • Electric companies in Maryland post their rates for residential customers on their web sites. To find out about the rates offered by electricity suppliers in your area, you’ll need to contact those suppliers directly. The Maryland Public Service Commission maintains a list of licensed electricity suppliers at: http://webapp.psc.state. md.us/Intranet/SupplierInfo/searchSupplier.cfm.
Calvert Earns Strong Bond Ratings Three independent credit rating agencies are giving Calvert County strong credit ratings. Moody’s Investor Service increased its rating for Calvert County from Aa2 to Aa1 and Fitch Ratings increased its rating from AA+ to AAA. The county’s rating from Standard and Poor’s Ratings Services remains at AA+ while the agency revised its outlook on the county’s outstanding debt from stable to positive. The ratings are assigned to Calvert County’s 2010 issue of consolidated public improvement bonds totaling $21.3 million. The ratings also follow presentations in April made to the rating agencies in New York City by several commissioners and county staffers. Strong bond ratings typically ensure lower interest rates on county bond issues, resulting in lower financing costs and
substantial savings of taxpayer dollars. This held true on May 11 as the board of county commissioners voted to accept bids on the 2010 bond issue for a total true interest rate of 2.66 percent, a press release states. A percentage of the bond proceeds will refund a portion of the county’s 2002 bonds and will result in the county saving more than $250,000 in interest. The remaining proceeds will fund the construction of the new Calvert Middle School and the Marley Run wastewater treatment plant, renovation of the county’s work release facility and transportation projects including work on Boyd’s Turn Road in Owings, Fairground Road, and the Prince Frederick Loop Road.
County Upgrading Emergency Notification System The Calvert County Department of Public Safety is implementing upgrades to the county’s emergency notification system that will allow residents to receive urgent messages by e-mail and text message in addition to the telephone calls that have been the primary method of notification. The CodeRED emergency notification system allows public safety officials to directly contact Calvert County residents in the event of emergency situations such as weather threats, missing children and water/sewer service disruptions. The Calvert County Department of Public Safety and the Sheriff’s Office urge county residents to sign up for the service by providing home telephone numbers, cell phone numbers and e-mail addresses. Those who previously signed up for CodeRED notifications can update their information at any time. Businesses may also register
for the free service. “The new upgrades to Calvert County’s emergency notification system will enable residents to receive urgent messages regardless of where they may be located,” Jacqueline Vaughan, acting director of the county Department of Public Safety said in a press release. “We realize many residents commute outside of the county daily and these new options can help them stay informed.” “CodeRED has served the county well as an efficient way to notify citizens of law enforcement actions, severe weather and other events,” said Calvert County Sheriff Mike Evans. “The addition of e-mails and text messaging will expand our reach. These enhancements are part of our ongoing effort to improve services to the community.” The Department of Public Safety planned to send a message about the
system upgrades on May 19 to all residents currently registered in CodeRED. This message will include guidance on how residents can update their information with text message contacts and e-mail addresses. The Department of Public Safety and the Sheriff’s Office remind residents that CodeRED call notifications may include up to a five-second delay before messages begin. They urge them not to hang up until the message has played. Citizens with caller ID will see the CodeRED phone number listed as 410-535-1600. To register for the free CodeRED emergency notification system or to update contact information with text message and/or e-mail addresses, go to www.co.cal.md.us and click on the CodeRED Emergency Notification System link.
Cash Available For Training Employees The Tri County Council for Southern Maryland is announcing that there $238,414 in funding available in Southern Maryland for training through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. A key provision of the ARRA is increasing the availability of training for workforce system customers and expanding the availability of existing training courses and curricula to meet local needs in Southern Maryland. The ARRA allows the local Southern Maryland Workforce Investment Board (SMWIB) to contract with institutions of higher education, such as community and technical colleges or other eligible training providers. Direct contracts with institutions of higher education and other eligible training providers also allow SMWIB to quickly design training to fit the needs of the job seekers and employers in the Southern Maryland region. Funds will support short term training activities that result in a certificate or recognized credential. This program is designed to assist local employers who are currently recruiting for positions within their companies better align the skills of their applicants with the needs of the job. As a result of the economy, many highly skilled workers who are ready to transition to new industries and careers will
benefit as applicants. “The success of this program will be measured by our ability to turn more job applicant’s resumes into suitable new hires,” Ellen Flowers Fields, Director of Regional Economic Development at the Tri County Council said in a press release. “Employers are seeing highly qualified applicants who lack direct experience in their industries. This disconnect often results in the application not being considered.” The SMWIB’s contract training program will pay for the cost to train that new hire in the specific areas needed to help the individual secure that job. This program can help an individual that has been an insurance agent for most of their career, enhance and translate those highly developed analytical skills to the needs of an employer who might be looking for an accountant. “This type of occupational matching addresses both the needs of the job seeker and the employer, aiding in helping local people secure local jobs and in business growth and sustainability,” said Gerald W. Clark, Chairman Tri County Council. Employers and HR directors interested in finding out how to access these recruitment services can contact their county business services representative. In Calvert County, contact Barbara DeHenzel 443 550 6753.
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LOCAL NEWS
commissioners Taxes Are Not Being Raised
By Susan Shaw, County Commissioner I have recently been asked if Calvert County is raising property taxes by 4.1%. The question arises from an ad that the commissioners had to publish in local newspapers. The quick answer is a resounding NO. Calvert County’s property tax rate remains at $ .892 per hundred dollars of valuation and has since 1987. Absent a tax rate reduction to achieve constant yield, the state mandates that we run the ad, as well as its size, wording and font is dictated by the State. The ad is misleading because it refers to the “constant yield” which is not a commonly used term, implying that taxes are about to be raised by 4.1 percent. This is not the case. Constant Yield: This term refers to the amount of tax collected in a fiscal year, comparing one year to the next. If the “yield” from tax collection (or the amount collected) is the same one-year to the next, then the amount collected (yield) is level or “constant.” The total value of property on which tax is collected normally increases from one year to the next. Even though the tax rate is unchanged, the total amount of tax collection will increase with new growth added to the tax base. This is not “constant yield” because the amount collected is more than the previous year. The tax rate would have to be cut in order to achieve a “constant yield.” New houses, new businesses and new development, including business expansion, require county services including public safety, education, planning and zoning, recreation, general services, economic development, personnel, community development, public works, technology and finance. Additionally, there are increases in expenses that the County has little or no control over such as insurances and cost of utilities. Going to a constant yield scenario would result in a loss of services provided to County residents. If the value of a property increases, the tax increases. If the value of a property decreases, a commensurate decrease in property tax will occur; the timing of which could depend on the property owner’s homestead credit. The property values are determined by a State property assessment, which occurs every three years, on a rotating basis in each of the three Calvert County election Districts. Any statement that the Board of County Commissioners is raising taxes is inaccurate. Rather, we are continuing to practice sound fiscal management and making wise use of your tax dollars.
Thursday, May-2010
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LOCAL NEWS
Governor Announces New Oyster Sanctuary Regulations
New regulations proposed by Gov. Martin O’Malley’s administration call for a major increase in the size of oyster sanctuaries in Maryland waters as well as 600,000 acres for aquaculture enterprises. The administration announced the proposed regulations last week and stated that they would help implement the governor’s strategy unveiled in December to revitalize the state’s dwindling native oyster population. The General Assembly’s Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review will be the next body to examine the new regulations, according to an administration press release, and they will be available for public comment for six weeks starting July 2. The regulations would take effect in September if approved, the release stated, just before the October oyster season. “After decades of doing the same thing year after year, the citizens of Maryland are becoming united the view that we need to change course and take bold action to rebuild our oyster population — both for their ecological value and for the jobs and economic impact that an expanded aquaculture industry will provide for Maryland families and generations to come,” O’Malley (D) said last week. While the administration and authorities at the Department of Natural Resources have praised the idea of increasing the size of oyster sanctuaries, watermen have denounced the idea as putting more restrictions on an already strained industry. Tommy Zinn, president of the Calvert County Watermen’s Association, said that while the percentage of the fishery taken for sanctuaries would grow
from 9 percent to 25 percent, the administration was actually proposing taking 75 percent of bottom that was productive. “I don’t see how they [watermen] could operate on 25 percent of their income because they’re struggling on what they’re making now,” Zinn said. Zinn said the new regulations were designed to force watermen into state-approved aquaculture, which could mean a more controlled source of revenue. But most watermen could not afford such a venture. The massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico opened up an opportunity for Maryland watermen to get much better prices for their oysters this coming season, Zinn said, since the oyster industry around Florida and Louisiana faced serious damage. But that opportunity was quashed with the sanctuary proposal, Zinn said. “You’d think he [O’Malley] would hold off on this for a while,” he said. Robert Brown, president of the St. Mary’s County Watermen’s Association, said that part of the administration’s plan to take some of the southern waters of the St. Mary’s River for a larger sanctuary would damage their business prospects. Brown said watermen had been in negotiations with the administration to take waters farther north that would still allow watermen to keep some bottom to fish but so far there has been no compromise. “Our lid on our coffin is pretty much nailed in,” Brown said of the coming regulations to the St. Mary’s River and other water body’s. “There’s a tremendous amount of oysters there.” By Guy Leonard (CT) info@somdpublishing.net
Navy Plans to Open up Land at Solomons Rec Center The U.S. Navy is proposing to take some of its own little-used real estate at the Navy Recreation Center Solomons and have a private developer come in to modernize its aging facilities. According to information from the Naval District of Washington, the federal entity pushing for the Enhanced Use Lease (EUL), the redevelopment project could also open up the Solomons annex of the Naval Air Station Patuxent River for use by the general public for a fee. The Navy is also touting the possibility of greater economic benefits for the southern Calvert community through providing a greater market for support of the EUL outside the facility’s gate, which in turn could increase property and real estate taxes through the subsequent supporting development. The Navy is considering EULs elsewhere in the region including across the Thomas Johnson Bridge at the main base of Naval Air Station Patuxent River, where the proposed project has met with stiff resistance from government officials and business interests who believe that the Navy’s mixed use office space plan could draw away demand for business outside the gate and hurt the local economy. Naval district information on the plan also stated that is too early in the process to know whether the developer who could come in to complete the project would rehire the staff already working at the
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recreation annex, though the Navy would attempt to keep as many morale, welfare and recreation (MWR) personnel on site as possible. The EUL proposals currently under examination are not done deals, the Navy has stated, and the next step would be to see what developer proposals would turn up to complete the projects at Solomons, Pax River and Indian Head in Charles County. Jerry Clark, vice president of the Calvert County commissioner board, said that little was known in government circles about the Navy’s plans for the annex. “The Navy hasn’t come in to brief us,” Clark said. “There’ve been no work sessions on that over here.” In St. Mary’s County, community information meetings were held May 11 and 20 at the Frank Knox Educational Center just outside the base. An Industry Forum (bidder’s conference) for interested developers will be held Wednesday, June 9, at the new River’s Edge Catering and Conference Center in NAS Pax River. To register, log on to www. indforum.us by June 4. Registration for the forum is $100. For more information see www.navyeul.com or contact Ed Zeigler, Director, Public Affairs, HQ, Naval District Washington at 202-433-2678 or email edward.ziegler@navy.mil. By Guy Leonard (CT) info@ somdpublishing.net
SMECO Purchases Wind Energy
Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative Inc. (SMECO) has agreed to purchase a portion of the energy and associated environmental attributes from the Stony Creek Wind Project located near Somerset, Pennsylvania – just 150 miles north of SMECO’s service area. The project began commercial operation in the fall of 2009 and is owned and operated by a subsidiary of E.On Climate and Renewables. SMECO began taking power from Stony Creek on May 5, 2010. SMECO and Old Dominion Electric Cooperative (ODEC), which provides wholesale power to 11 electric cooperatives and their 500,000 customer-members, have completed separate agreements to purchase the renewable energy generated by the wind turbines for the next 18 years. The 35 Stony Creek wind turbines have a total possible output of 52.5 megawatts (MW). SMECO’s share of the energy produced will provide about 1.6 percent of the Co-op’s total energy load. All utilities in Maryland are required to produce or purchase a certain amount of renewable energy. “We are very excited about the Stony Creek project. We are always working to be good stewards of the environment and to keep our electric rates competitive,” Austin J. Slater, Jr., SMECO president and CEO, said in a press release. “Our customers want us to be involved with renewable and environmentally friendly energy products that don’t add significant costs to our power portfolio or their electric rates. This project helps us to accomplish those goals.” The National Renewables Cooperative Organization (NRCO), which is owned by 24 power supply and distribution cooperatives, facilitated and negotiated agreements between SMECO, ODEC, and E.On Climate and Renewables. Both SMECO and ODEC are founding members of NRCO and their transactions represent the first of many planned renewable energy projects for NRCO and its member cooperatives, the release stated. NRCO and its 24 member cooperatives, which serve 11 million electric customers in the United States, bring together power supply and distribution cooperatives from different regions of the country to access large-scale renewable energy projects located throughout the continental United States. “The SMECO and ODEC agreements represent the execution of NRCO’s mission to evaluate, deliver, and facilitate the negotiation of promising opportunities for its member cooperatives that will help them achieve meaningful participation in renewable energy projects at the most affordable cost. We look forward to continuing success helping other member cooperatives meet their renewable energy goals,” said Amadou Fall, CEO of NRCO.
Delegate Sue
Kullen
District 27B Northern Calvert
Maryland has the distinction of forming the first women’s caucus in the nation. It was established in 1972 and at that time, three women served in the Maryland General Assembly. Today we are 58 strong and represent 31% of the Maryland General Assembly. We are ranked 10th in the nation as the highest percentage of female representation in a State Legislative body. New Hampshire is the highest at 37%, South Carolina is the lowest at 10%. I am proud to be the first woman to represent Calvert County in Annapolis. When I was appointed in 2004, I hoisted Maryland to the number one spot for the highest percentage. At that time we were 39%. After several deaths and several lost races we quietly slipped to 10th. I do not anticipate us taking over, but women represent 52% of the population yet hold less than 25% of elected offices. I visit a lot of schools and Girl Scout troops and am not shy in my encouragement for more women to consider getting into politics. A lot of people ask me why I got into politics. I think my answer surprises many. I never imagined or aimed for a career in politics. I just simply got mad. So when the Tea Party people convene and march on Washington I can relate to the anger. I, like many people, led a very busy life and never really paid attention to politics. My husband and I run a cottage rental business in Port Republic and I run a very successful consulting business that had me traveling around the country and Canada doing best practice consulting in the field of developmental disabilities. When I did pay attention, I was quite surprised by my choices for office. I was disillusioned that not many women were running for public office, especially for higher offices. It is not that I think women do politics better, but I believe that women do politics differently. It is more of a “roll up the sleeves, common sense problem solving” approach that sets us apart. Generally, women are not afraid to ask questions or seek more information. This past year I had the honor of be-
ing elected to serve as the President of the Women Legislators of Maryland. I was elected by Delegates and Senators, Democrats and Republicans. It was quite an honor for me. I was determined to create success for the caucus and put my planning and consulting knowledge to work. We voted on four top priorities: Woman’s Health, Domestic Violence, Marriage Brokerage, and the Developmental Disabilities Waiting List. We selected issues that are important to women and families in Maryland. We outlined our goals at a fall retreat and strategized the entire year on how to accomplish our four priorities. I worked a lot behind the scenes to meet with leadership and advocacy groups to ensure that people were clear on what we defined as success. I am happy to report that we were successful in all four of our endeavors. We were successful in passing six pieces of legislation achieving three of the priorities and agreed on a clear way forward with the administration in resolving the waiting list issue. It will take our continued involvement and several years of progress in order for families to feel relief but establishing a way forward was the biggest hurdle. My reward was to be elected to serve an unprecedented second term as President! So I start the cycle again. Our caucus already voted for our priorities for next year and agreed that we will be working on another Women’s Health issue, curbing unintended pregnancies, improving Mental Health Services, improving Juvenile Services for girls, and curbing infant mortality rates in Maryland. We have our work cut out for us. It is a pleasure to serve with women who are so outcome oriented and are willing to tackle hard problems. When we work together there is nothing that we cannot do. I will end by encouraging any woman reading this to think about running for elected office. We may not have been raised to think that we could be good at politics but we have experience working together, balancing budgets, juggling a career, raising families, solving problems, and getting along. This is more valuable than any degree in political science!
MD First Lady Declares Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week First Lady Katie O’Malley declared the week of May 24-28 as Maryland Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week, while visiting with students and educators at Pikesville Middle School in Baltimore County. During her visit, First Lady O’Malley discussed the importance of preventing harassment and highlighted the state’s recommitment to curtail the harmful effects of bullying on a child’s ability to learn. The efforts of Pikesville Middle School, including the creation of a “bully-free” zone, have worked toward this statewide initiative. “Continued dedication to bullying intervention is an essential element to Maryland’s educational mission and our state’s future,” said O’Malley. “Informing children of harassment’s long term impacts and providing them the tools to take action against it is a vital responsibility of our communities and schools in our effort to prevent bullying.” “All students throughout Maryland’s public schools have the right to a safe learning environment allowing them to succeed academically, free of any form of harassment,” said Nancy S. Grasmick, State Superintendent of Schools. Last school year, the Maryland State Board of Education reported 1,686 incidents of bullying. It is likely that the extent of bullying is underreported because of
the need for victims or parents to take the initiative to file a report. While a little over half of these incidents are committed “just to be mean” or “to impress others,” 24.3 percent were motivated by actual or perceived personal characteristics, such as physical appearance, sex, race, religion, disability, national origin, or sexual orientation. In reaction, the state and counties are taking corrective action to reduce the prevalence of bullying within its schools. First Lady O’Malley in partnership with State Superintendent of Schools Dr. Nancy Grasmick, sent a letter to all local Maryland superintendents asking them to set aside time for the topic of bullying and harassment prevention during this special week. “It is our responsibility, as parents, coaches, mentors, guardians and family members, to ensure that our children have the safest possible environment in which to learn each and every day,” said Speaker Michael E. Busch. During the legislative session this year, Speaker Busch advocated for The Safe Schools Act of 2010, which breaks down communication barriers between school personnel and law enforcement, in order to prevent incidents of bullying and violence in schools. The legislation requires that intervention and prevention programs be identified so that children can be redirected into more positive activities.
For more information about the Women Legislators of Maryland you can go to www.womenlegislatorsmd.org. It is a pleasure for me to represent Calvert County in the Maryland General Assembly! Sue Kullen Delegate 27B Please contact my Annapolis office at 410.841.3231 or e-mail me at sue.kullen@house.state.md.us if I can ever help or answer any questions.
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Annual Garden Party Will Raise Funds For Scholarships In honor of the earth, Annmarie Garden’s annual spring fund-raising gala will feature a paperless online invitation system. The public is invited to purchase tickets for the 3rd Annual Spring Garden Party, to be held Saturday, June 12, from 5-10 p.m. at Annmarie Garden, by visiting www.annmariegarden.org or calling 410-326-4640. The silent auction preview begins at 5 p.m. with the party commencing at 6 p.m. Tickets cost $65 for members and $75 for non-members. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Annmarie Garden Scholarship Fund and the expansion of the Ceramic Studio. A portion of the ticket price is tax-deductible. Party goers will preview the spectacular new exhibit, GREEN: art with the earth in mind and enjoy heavy hors d’oeurves, wine & beer, a special cocktail, live music, a silent auction, and special surprises. Keeping with the theme of the exhibit, Maryland Country Caterers is creating delectable hors doeurves featuring locally-produced ingredients. Guests will also enjoy a special appletini cocktail that incorporates the Solomon Island Winery’s delicious Green Apple Reisling, a press release states. The festivities will take place in Annmarie’s award-winning Arts Building taking advantage of everything the venue has to offer – the unique ambiance of the Arts Building, beautiful and compelling works of art, spectacular views of outdoor sculpture, cocktails on the Hungerford Patio, a stroll down the Wooded Path, and more. While exploring the Wooded Path, guests can search for the more than fifteen handmade fairy houses that make up a new outdoor summer exhibit, Fairy Houses. Each guest to the Spring Garden Party will take home a special gift from the Annmarie Gift Shop. Suggested attire is “festive garden” and hats are encouraged. Proceeds from the event will benefit two projects: • The new Annmarie Garden Scholarship Fund - Ann’s Circle, Inc., has created a Scholarship Fund to ensure equal access to Annmarie Garden programs. The purpose of the
By Marci Kreamer
Submitted Photo
fund is to support people who show an interest in art and/or nature, and due to their economic circumstances are unable to pay program fees. Thus far, the Fund has been used to provide programs for children from the Boys & Girls Club of Southern Maryland, as well as pay the tuition for students interested in classes in the Studio School. • The expansion of the Ceramic Studio - In 2008, the Studio School at Annmarie began offering ceramics classes thanks to the fund-raising efforts of Ann’s Circle, the hard work of Annmarie staff, and the volunteer efforts of Sarah Houde and Ray Bogle. Since then, Sarah and Ray, as well as Tammy Vitale, Parran Collery, Amy Meunier, and Lorrain Humphreys, have taught ceramics classes and camps to students of all ages and backgrounds. With limited work space and room for only five pottery wheels, we have not been able to fully develop our course offerings. Proceeds from the Spring Garden Party will help double the size of the studio, add more wheels to the studio, and expand the catalog to include teen, intergenerational, adult, and special needs classes. To learn more about the Scholarship Fund, and to purchase tickets for the Garden party, visit www.annmariegarden.org.
Run to Help Kids Go to Summer Camp To raise funds to send needy kids to summer camp, Young Life of St. Mary’s County is conducting a 5K run/walk in Solomons Island on Saturday, June 5. The race entry fee is $20.00. The race will start at 8am at Back Creek Inn Bed & Breakfast located at 210 Alexander Street, Solomons Island, MD. In addition to t-shirts for the first 200 registrants, medals will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd for both males and females in the following age categories: 13 and under, 14 to 18, 19 to 29, 30 to 39, 40 to 49, 50 to 59, and 60 plus. Although walking times will not be recorded, all are encouraged to participate. Registration at www.younglife5k.
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blogspot.com is encouraged. Alternatively, participants may pre-register at the Patuxent Presbyterian Church on Friday, June 4, from 11am - 1pm or between 6pm and 8pm. The Church is located at 23421 Kingston Creek Road California, MD 20619. On the day of the race those who have not already registered will be able to register starting at 7pm at the Back Creek Inn Bed and Breakfast. Young Life is grateful for the donations of funds and supplies that make this race possible. Supporters of the race are: Back Creek Inn Bed and Breakfast, Chick-fil-A, Copper Threads, First Saints Community Church Crosswalk, Holly-
Thursday, May-2010
Why Leave Your Family With a Burdensome Task? Consider Pre-Planning
wood Lions Club, MVision Photography, Ruddy Duck Brewery and Grill, Russell Farms, Staples, and World Gym. Additional information about Young Life in St. Mary’s County is available at: www.smc.younglife.org.
Planning your own arrangements in advance is a tough thing to think about, yet alone to say out loud or even put it in writing. However, it is a much tougher thing for those left behind with no plan in place. I know this from personal experience with my own family and in my job as a general manager at a cemetery. Confronting the death of a loved one is a devastating situation, often involving an emotional, intellectual and financial strain. Whether the death was unexpected or not, there is a reeling of emotions at a time when decisions must be made in a very short amount of time. This can lead to regrets later when one questions the decisions they made under such strain. The intellectual compromise comes when so many things have to be done, and a clear head is needed to make business decisions. Then there is the financial impact, which can also be a shock, and people find themselves completely unprepared. Money may have to be moved from one account to another or borrowed from a family member. So, how can you protect your family from an unnecessary burden? Simply prepare and make a plan. The best decision is to become an informed, intelligent consumer and to make financial decisions together as a family ahead of time. Together you choose exactly what you want, nothing more, and nothing less. There are three steps you can take today that will eliminate three more difficult steps tomorrow. The gathering and organizing of important records and documentation and storing them in a safe place is the first step. Your close family should be made aware of where these records are kept. Your family may feel secure because you have a life insurance policy, but that security is threatened if they can’t find the policy or the policy number when it is needed. The second step is thinking about and having a discussion with your family regarding personal wishes. Some have never even talked about this subject. The third step is to have a consultation with a funeral home and a cemetery. These consultations should be at no charge. They are an informative session to guide you in your decisions. As educated consumers, we are very good at planning for things we may need, such as health, car, and fire insurance. Really, doesn’t it make sense to plan for something we will need? There is something I have learned, and that is that death is not convenient. It doesn’t wait until I have my plans in place. I could list the advantages of pre-planning such as if you pick out your spaces today, you are freezing the cost, or you have choice locations, you have no time constraints, you are thinking clearly, relaxed and not grieving, and that you can take advantage of flexible terms. All of that is true. However, the most important reason for pre-planning is that you are relieving your family the burden of making your funeral arrangements at an emotionally stressful time, and that is a gift of love. Marci Kreamer is General Manager of Chesapeake Highlands Memorial Gardens - www. chesapeakehighlands.com
Watermen Remembered
About 50 people attended the 17th annual Waterman’s Memorial Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Waterman’s Memorial on the Solomons Island boardwalk on Sunday morning, May 23. The event was sponsored by the Solomons Island Yacht Club, and it coincided with the club’s opening day, and festivities continued at its headquarters. Cadets with the Patuxent High School NJROTC presented the colors and laid the wreath at the foot of the memorial. At right, Calvert County Commissioner President addresses the crowd. After Commissioner Vice President Jerry Clark spoke, three fire tugboats in the Patuxent River sprayed streams of water high in the air. Photos By Sean Rice
GOP Candidates Gather at Lincoln Day Dinner By Frank McCabe
views. Charles County Republicans Collins Bailey and Charles Lollar both seeking 5th Congressional seat held by The Calvert County Republican Central Committee Congressman Steny Hoyer, actively canvassed for votes. National races are not the only place where incumbents held their 2010 Lincoln Day Dinner on May 13 at the Hunare feeling the heat. Three Calvert County residents have tingtown Hall. Over 200 enthusiastic County Republicans, along with two dozen eager candidates, attended the event filed against Delegate Sue Kullen. Mike Blasey of Prince to hear MD GOP Chairman Audrey Scott encourage par- Frederick, Mark Fisher and Robert Schaefer of Owings, all worked the crowd. Steve Waugh from Lusby is mounting ticipation in this year’s political campaigns. 2010 is shaping up to be a watershed year for local and an aggressive campaign to unseat Senator Dyson. Enjoying meeting new residents and reconnecting national races across the State. The American mood apwith familiar faces were incumbent Commissioners Clark, pears ripe to retire incumbents who know their big spending habits are unsustainable but continue to appease favored Kelley and Shaw; along with Patrick Flaherty of Solomons, special interests. Americans are looking for wise and cou- and Evan Slaughenhoupt of Dunkirk. Sheriff Mike Evans and his challenger Brian Smith, as well as State’s Attorney Laura Martin and Judge Leslie Downs of the Orphan’s Court all attended as did School Board candidates, Culver Ladd and Cal Steuart. Former Secretary of Planning under the Ehrlich Administration and a former Mayor of Bowie, MD GOP Chairman Audrey Scott conSubmitted Photo gratulated all the candidates and reiterated the Nell Bowen, left, accepts the 2009 Republican Woman of the Year drive to increase registered Republicans. award from the previous year winner Ella Ennis. “It is time now to talk about politics and to talk about where our country is heading … Our She retired to Calvert County and has remained active in freedom and rights are being taken away,” Scott the political process. This year her concerted efforts to form a Republican Club for senior citizens resulted in the said. Since taking the helm of the GOP in the fall launching of the Patuxent Republican Club. With over 60 of 2009, Chairman Scott has retired the State Par- active members, Bowen encourages voter registration, party’s debt and has raised a “war chest” for 2010. ticipates in local events, and provides her members with In early April, the State Party sponsored 10 Town information on local political activities. Bowen remarked, Hall meetings around the State, and she congratu- “This is a shock.” She is a resident of Asbury in Solomons. Carl Sadoti, the 2008 recipient of the Ed Hall award, lated and thanked the Southern MD leadership of Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s for having the surprised Richard MacWilliams with the announcement. highest attendance in Hughesville of all the town “Mr. Mac” as he is known, worked for over 16 years at Sneade’s Ace Hardware in Owings after retiring from corSubmitted Photo hall meetings. Richard MacWilliams, left, accepts the 2009 Republican Man of the Year award The annual event was also the venue for the porate America, is a dedicated “behind the scenes” worker from the previous year winner Carl Sadoti. awarding of the Republican Woman and Man of for the Central Committee as well as for a number of camthe Year awards. Nell Bowen of Solomons is the paigns. Sadoti said that MacWilliams’ favorite color is recipient of the Margaret Shields King Award and Richard “red, white, and blue” and that he is deeply patriotic from rageous men and women willing to level with them on the MacWilliams of Owings received the Ed Hall Award. Both his Air Force days and actively works and helps the Central need to tighten spending in a way that is fair to everyone. Committee on every project. were surprised at the recognition. With bumper stickers, yard signs and literature in “Whether it is erecting campaign signs or hanging picElla Ennis, the 2008 award recipient, spoke of Bowen’s hand, representatives of former Governor Bob Ehrlich and tures in the GOP office, Mr. Mac is there,” Sadoti said. accomplishments. A Navy veteran of over 36 years, Nell members of Brian Murphy’s campaign for Governor, spoke MacWilliams said, “This is the nicest thing to happen to attendees about their candidates. Dr. Eric Wargotz from served her country in World War II and was the first female to me politically.” He lives in Owings. Frank McCabe is the in the Naval Air Squadron. As a reservist, her unit was Kent Island, one of seven Republicans opposing Senator chairman of the Calvert County Republican Central Committee Barbara Mikulski for the U.S. Senate, came to share his called to action again in the Korean and Viet Nam Wars.
Thursday, May-2010
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Spotlight On
Four Students Take Home Rotary Scholarships
MOAA JROTC Award
Submitted Photo
Submitted Photo The Southern Maryland Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) recognized the recipients of the MOAA JROTC Award at a luncheon held May 15. The award is presented annually to a cadet in each JROTC unit who is in good academic standing and demonstrates exceptional potential for military leadership. Below is Major Evelyn Widmer USAR (Ret.), President of the Southern Maryland Chapter of MOAA, with Cadet Shelby Withers, Calvert High School, left, Cadet Robert Kacorowski, Patuxent High School, Cadet David Kramer, Northern High School, and Cadet Jacob Prom, Huntingtown High School.
The Rotary Club of Prince Frederick recently awarded four $2,000 scholarships to Calvert County students. Three went to high school seniors and one to a student at the College of Southern Maryland. Chelsea Kann-Deere, graduating from Patuxent High School, was awarded an academic scholarship, which she will use at the University of Maryland. The Brian Albright Award, named for the late scientist at the Estuarian Research Center, was awarded to Kelsey Kreider, also graduating from Patuxent High School. She will attend Messiah College, majoring in environmental sciences. The Eddie Allen Vocational Award went to Emily Berens, graduating from Calvert High School. This award was named for a longtime member of the Rotary Club, and presented by his widow, Mrs. Jean Allen. Berens will attend Minnesota State University, Mankota and major in nursing. The fourth scholarship went to Rachel Manning. She will graduate with an Associate degree from CSM and continue at West Virginia University in agricultural education.
In presenting these awards, Dr. Eugene Karol, chairman of the Rotary scholarship committee, congratulated both the students and their parents for their high achievements. Rotary President Jean Geletka called these awards “our investment in the future,” noting that the scholarship award night is the highlight of the Rotary year. The Rotary Club of Prince Frederick is the local affiliate of Rotary International, the oldest international service club. Rotary club members are business and professional leaders who volunteer in their communities and promote world understanding and peace. Rotary’s 31,000 clubs in more than 165 countries and regions encourage high ethical standards and carry out humanitarian projects to address such issues as poverty, health, hunger, education, and the environment. The worldwide eradication of polio has been Rotary’s flagship program. Working together with the United Nations, the World Health Organization, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, among others.
Watching our ‘Waste’ Lines
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Did you know that the average person throws away 4.5 pounds of garbage each week? Did you know that discarded newspapers in the landfill can take up to 40 years to decompose? Did you know that we use oil, a natural resource that is very much in the news right now, to produce all of the plastic that we use each day? CHESPAX, the environmental division of Calvert County Public Schools, is hosting a workshop for formal and nonformal educators to demonstrate hands on activities to teach about the issues surrounding municipal solid waste. Please join us for this free and interactive workshop where you will learn about activities you can share with your students, green teams and scout troops Bring your own lunch, but go home with free activity guidebooks, a free re-
cycling bin, inspiring and educational activities and other goodies. Please register by June 2, at daubonm@calvertnet.k12.md.us. Project Learning Tree Worskhop – Exploring Environmental Issues will be held at Kings Landing Park, CHESPAX Building, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 5. This workshop is being offered by CHESPAX through a Greenworks grant from Project Learning Tree and the Chesapeake Bay Trust.
Guest Editorial:
Maryland Under Siege By Marta H. Mossburg The United States of America is at war. Maryland is not -- despite Gov. Martin O’Malley’s recent statement that it would be “probably irresponsible, especially at a time of war, to make that pledge” not to raise taxes if elected to a second term. The only fighting time clocked by the governor is in a battle of the bands, so maybe he doesn’t understand the meaning of the word. As a trained lawyer, however, the governor should know words matter. And that sloppy word choice leads to sloppy thinking and eventually to poor policy. That is not a liberal or conservative viewpoint. A leader of the intellectual left, writer Christopher Hitchens, is a stickler for proper word choice. He quipped recently about how his good friend novelist Martin Amis falsely accused him of misusing “infamous.” New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican, also appears to care about word choice, specifically for its importance in understanding state policy. He told a reporter recently, “When you ask me questions I am going to answer them directly, straightly, bluntly. And nobody in New Jersey is going to have to wonder where I am on an issue.” Would that O’Malley follow their lead. By misusing war, however, the governor equates the state’s fiscal state with mass chaos and crisis, death, destruction and calamity out of personal control. The problem in Maryland -- overspending -- happened not by accident, but by a series of bad choices in the control of state legislators and governors and can be unwound by good choices guided by clear priorities. And if there is a war going on in Maryland, it is not the national financial crisis, but the assault on business in the state. For the governor to say that “It’s my intent not to. It’s my great hope not to” raise taxes in the same conversation as his “war” comment is the equivalent of someone sealing a deal with a handshake, no contract and two fingers crossed behind his back. He might as well have said, “Get ready, higher taxes are coming.” Such rhetoric could not have come at a worse time, with the latest Fortune 500 list showing Maryland is home to only five of the companies compared with 20 in Virginia and the Forbes list of Best Places for Business and Careers showing that Baltimore dropped 50 slots in the latest survey. His remarks also came right before defense contractor Northrop Grumman publicly announced it was moving its headquarters from Los Angeles to Virginia instead of Maryland or D.C. And they build on Maryland’s bad reputation, sealed by the 2007 special session tax increases. As statistics show, the state’s bias has consequences. According to Virginia’s economic developers, 386 new businesses added jobs in that state in the last five years. In Maryland, it was 150 according to statistics from the state’s economic development office. Each state will not find out about every new business that relocates or expands, but for Virginia to win more than twice as much business while having 38 percent more people is out of whack. If O’Malley wants Maryland to be a high-tax, highgovernment-services state, then he should speak clearly about his goals. Talking out of both sides of his mouth is confusing, and as statistics show, is a losing strategy for attracting business and people to Maryland. Marta Mossburg is a senior fellow at the Maryland Public Policy Institute. Mmossburg@mdpolicy.org
Nuclear Energy Expansion Would Benefit Economy Immensely A recent Nuclear Energy Institute survey sheds permanent jobs at a facility light on the profound economic impact that the U.S. nu- that may operate for six declear energy industry has across the nation. The industry cades. Seven hundred workers already are working on procured more than $14.2 billion in materials, services the project. and fuel from more than 22,500 companies in 2008, with For more detailed information on economic benprocurement activity occurring in every state. efits, please visit www.nei.org/resourcesandstats/docuYou may find this information noteworthy in con- mentlibrary/newplants/whitepaper/new-nuclear-plantssidering the potential impact of federal energy and cli- an-engine-for-job-creation-economic-growth to a white mate policy deliberations, particularly since the Ameri- paper titled “New Nuclear Plants: An Engine for Job can Power Act unveiled recently by Senators John Kerry Creation, Economic Growth. and Joseph Lieberman contains provisions designed to As you review this information, I hope you will help stimulate construction of advanced-design nuclear find it persuasive evidence of the myriad benefits that energy facilities that can help the nation meet its energy our society and our economy can derive from continued and environmental goals. reliance on nuclear energy as part of a balanced enerAlready, license applications for 22 new reactors gy portfolio. Duke Energy Corp.’s chairman, president are under active review by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory and CEO, Jim Rogers, aptly noted during the American Commission, and independent analyses of federal cli- Power Act rollout that the legislation’s roadmap, implemate change legislation (www.nei.org/publicpolicy/nu- mented via solutions provided by the private sector, will clearenergyandclimatechange) suggest that as many as create jobs “not only today, but tomorrow and in the 69 new plants will need to be built by 2030 to help meet future.” the legislation’s limit on greenhouse gas emissions. The I hope you will urge Congress to encourage develU.S. Energy Information Administration projects that opment of new nuclear power plants. Among the polithe nation’s electricity demand will increase 23 percent cies under consideration are provisions to implement the by 2030. Obama Administration’s budget request for fiscal year Since nuclear energy already supplies more than 70 2011 to increase to $54.5 billion, from $18.5 billion curpercent of the electricity that comes from carbon-free rently allotted, the amount of federal loan guarantees to sources, it is clear that meaningful reductions in green- be accessed by companies planning to build new nuclear house gas emissions in the electric sector cannot be re- power plants. Loan guarantees provide a financial backalized without increased reliance on nuclear energy to stop to help access capital markets – they are not a direct reliably provide the 24/7, baseload electricity that is the outlay of tax dollars. Nonetheless, they are accounted underpinning of the power grid. for in appropriations legislation and will be discussed in Another example of the positive economic impact appropriations hearings that commence within the next of these projects came recently in a joint news release few weeks. issued by Nuclear Innovation North America LLC and the Building and Construction Trades Department of Steve Kerekes, Senior Director, Media Relations the AFL-CIO. The construction of two new reactors at Nuclear Energy Institute, Washington DC the South Texas Project, they said, will generate more than $15 billion in business activity in the Thirty days following this public notice, I will seek title to the vessel described United States. Approxibelow unless proof of an existing ownership interest is presented: 15 foot aluminum mately 6,000 people will skiff. manufacturer and date of manufacture unknown. Hull number is MD5303AW. be needed during the Hull I.D. no. 2-818. Contact John J. Fialka, c/o suite 722, 122 C Street N.W., Washingfive-year construction to ton, D.C. 20001. fulfill 25 million work hours. Following construction, the Publisher Thomas McKay plants will generAssociate Publisher Eric McKay ate $3.6 billion in Editor Sean Rice annual spending Office Manager Tobie Pulliam and $600 million Graphic Artist Angie Stalcup in local and state Advertising lisadutton@countytimes.net revenues. Email info@somdpublishing.net Similarly, a Phone 301-373-4125 new workforce agreement beStaff Writers tween the AFLGuy Leonard Government Correspondent Andrea Shiell Community Correspondent CIO’s Building Chris Stevens Sports Correspondent Trades Department and Stone Contributing Writers & Webster ConTony O’Donnell Southern Calvert Gazette Joyce Baki struction Inc. will P. O. Box 250 . Hollywood, MD 20636 Gerald Clark support a $14 bilJ. Brown lion investment to expand the Plant Southern Calvert Gazette is a bi-weekly newspaper providing news and information for the residents of Vogtle nuclear Southern Calvert County. The Southern Calvert Gazette will be available on newsstands every other power station in Thursday of the month. The paper is published by Southern Maryland Publishing Company, which Georgia, creating is responsible for the form, content, and policies of the newspaper. Southern Calvert Gazette does not a p p r o x i m a t e l y espouse any political belief or endorse any product or service in its news coverage. Articles and letters 3,000 construc- submitted for publication must be signed and may be edited for length or content. Southern Calvert tion jobs and 800 Gazette is not responsible for any claims made by its advertisers.
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Thursday, May-2010
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Richard Johnson was piloting a B-17 bomber, flying over Germany dropping 1,000-pound bombs during World War II before he even knew how to drive a car. “Here I was, almost 23 years old with 32 missions and I was a combat instructor. I drove a 60,000-pound bomber through thick and thin without once getting off the taxiway … I was nervous as I had ever been during my worst combat missions. I had never driven a car in my life!” Johnson recalls when a higher officer asked him to pull a car around in July 1945 at MacDill Field in Tampa, Fla. Sixty-six years ago today, May 27, 1944, Johnson was copiloting a B-17 on his fourth bombing run, over Mannheim, Germany, flying in formation in the position known as “Purple
‘To Hell’s Angels and Back’
Heart Corner.” That position got its name for being the most vulnerable position to enemy anti-aircraft guns, at the lowest right hand corner of the formation. On that mission, 35 B-17s from Johnson’s 303rd Bomb Group of the Army’s Eight Air Force dropped 350 bombs on the target, a supply yard, with good results. The bombers flew through heavy “flak”, which was the name pilots gave German anti-aircraft grenades, with only one plane receiving heavy damage and none lost.
Photo By Sean Rice
Cover On The
On The Cover A B-17 bomber, similar to the ones flown by Johnson during World War II.
U.S. Air Force Photo
“As I look back on those days, it was practically all flown by young men barely out of childhood,” Johnson wrote in his book. “In retrospect I decided that World War II was fought mostly by children.” One of those children was an 18-year-old German soldier named Helmut Shade. Johnson said: “That man was a perfect gentleman … He shot down my wingman in Europe.” He was talking about the man who later became his neighbor on Solomons Island, living two houses down until he died three years ago. One day Shade was mowing his lawn in Solomons Island, He is giving a talk this week at the Test Pilot School at Nawhen his mower broke and Johnson walked over to help his val Air Station Patuxent River. neighbor out. He still flies his 1946 Piper PA-12 on occasion, but not too “It’s a small world you know,” Johnson said. “My son was often because the FAA makes it a hassle for him. “They make here, so we walked over and fixed his tractor, and we became me file a flight plan every time I take off!” friends from that point.” He’s pretty tech-savvy for an 88-year-old (who has never Its took a while for Shade to open up about what his part needed to wear glasses a day in his life – “I chose my ancestors was in the war, but Johnson soon learned he was a flak gunner very carefully”) and had been part of a crew that shot down an American B-17 “I belong to an Internet group that talks of nothing but during one of Johnson’s missions. World War II, and they’re proud to have me because I’m an an“He used to come help me work on my plane up in Deale. tique,” he said. He would drive all the way up there from down here every Sat“That Internet boggles my mind.” By Sean Rice (SCG) info@ urday like clockwork,” Johnson said of their friendship. somdpublishing.net “He died about three years ago and I scattered his ashes on the runway, we had about 15 people help out, everybody liked him.” These days, Johnson spends his time reading and speaking in front of groups at schools, boy scout troops and other LocaLLy owned & oPerated By Mike Hart places, about the war and his life-long hobby, archeology. “I got into in 1935 and it turned into a lifelong obsession,” he said. “And I got to the point where I can recognized an Indian site just by drivLocated in Lusby Commons Shopping Center ing past it. You can tell by Mon – Thurs: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. • Fri & Sat: 9 a.m. – 10 p.m. • Sun: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. the color of the soil on top of little knolls.”
Patuxent
flak. Low group lost 3 planes. My 6th raid in 4 days. That French flak is meager but plenty hot.” A few years ago, Johnson, who now 88 years old, used the notes on his bomb tags to write his memoir “Twenty Five Milk Runs (And a few others),” which chronicles his life through his youth as a share-cropper with his family living in abandon houses and shacks and tents in the Mid West through his combat missions and after. His plane was never shot down, but he did see many planes go down, and lost a lot of good friends. On one mission, his B-17 landed back on base with 263 holes from enemy flak grenades. “I flew my first mission on May the 15th and my last on August the 8th,” Johnson said during an interview at his home in Solomons Island. He spends most of his time Photo By Sean Rice Johnson kept all the of the bomb tags from each of this 32 missions, and jotted at his house in Deale. “I flew all 32 missions in less than three months, and down notes about each mission. The tags would become the foundation for his book “25 Milk Runs,” which is available on Amazon.com came back home and instructed for a year.” His tour may seem short for a war, but tours for pilots In his diary, Johnson jotted down: “A Milk Run to flak are determined by the required number of missions, not time. “The skies over Europe were the most dangerous place you city!” If the bomber made through a mission with being hit or can be when you look at percentages,” he said. “In my three months, 20 bombers went down from my threatened by anti-aircraft fire, it was dubbed a “milk run”, because it was no more dangerous that running out for some milk. base alone. The 8th Air Force all together was loosing 30 and 40 bombers a day sometimes, and there’s nine, ten men on each Johnson flew 25 “milk runs” out of his 32 combat missions. He kept his war diary not in a book (which wasn’t allowed, one.” On Johnson’s final mission, he again flew in “Purple Heart in case the enemy got a hold of it) but on bomb tags that came attached to the bombs brought on missions. The crew would Corner” and said it “scared the [stuff] out of me.” But most of the time, he was so busy trying to conduct the removed the tag and arm the bomb, and when Johnson landed back on base he would jot down a paragraph about the mission. missions, there was little time for being scared. Photos By Sean Rice “We were so busy trying to get out of our air base without On tag reads for example: #21 June 22, 1944. Lille, France. Richard Johnson and his wife of 55 years, Marjorie, running into people from the other air base, which was only six Marshaling yards. We flew at 26,500 ft and got only meager at their house in Solomons. miles away, and here we are going up through clouds.”
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“During actual combat, when your guy’s getting shot down, you’re google-eyed. ‘My God that could have been me’,” he said “That was my first reaction, ‘thank God I wasn’t over there.’” Back on base, the sight of an empty bunk made the war a reality for him. “But after we got back home, we were all excited going into debriefing, but the empty bunks next to you is what really brought it home to you,” he said. “You kind of felt odd about looking at them. You glance at it as you go by because it was all made up nice … Because, like they say, you’re young you feel indestructible, and that it always happens to the other guy, and it did in my case.”
Wine & SpiritS Local wines available
Large SeLection of Beer
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Thursday, May-2010
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Archbishop Helps Dedicate New ‘Our Lady’ Church
The Most Rev. Donald W. Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington, along with other priests and deacons, joined Our Lady Star of the Sea’s Father Richard E. Gardiner in dedicating the opening of the parish’s new church on May 16. The parish has collected more that $4.4 million in donations to help build the new church during a 10-year period. “Fr. Gardiner and I began making personal visitation and asking for pledges about 10 years ago. At first it didn’t seem successful and I didn’t have a lot of hope,’ said John Gott, chairperson of the first capital campaign. “In my wildest dreams I didn’t imagine that we’d have 70 percent participation and raise $4 million. It’s because of the members who wanted a new church and who sacrificed and sacrificed … Our church turned out beautiful and now it’s a reality … I’ll remember this for the rest of my life – a true blessing.” The new 15,000 square foot church has a steeple that reaches 85 feet into the air. The pews are made of solid red oak and the Baptismal font is natural granite, and the interior flooring and courtyard is laid with natural blue stone. Architect Lawrence Cook designed the building with as many “green” features as possible, including using lots a natural light, sensor lights in various rooms, a hybrid heating system and a cool metal roof. Perry William Carsley designed and constructed the crucifix out of African mahogany and it is trimmed in 23K gold leaf. The Corpus Christi figure is casted out of Forton, a material made
from a blend of plaster and fiberglass. The altar contains a first-class relic of Saint Therese, the Little Flower, Patroness of the Missions. St. Therese was born in France in 1873 and died in 1897 at 24-years-old. “This is a moment we have all waited long to enjoy. I am very pleased and humbled to be the pastor of such a dedicated and generous parish community,” said Fr. Gardiner. “There are so many people to thank for their generosity and sacrifices in making this beautiful church a reality. We can all take justifiable pride in all that we have done to ensure such a worthy place to worship our great God.” By Sean Rice (SCG) info@somdpublishing.net
Photos by Jean Moyer Above, local government officials attended the dedication, including Congressman Steny Hoyer, right, Maryland Senator Roy Dyson, center, and Calvert County Commissioner Jerry Clark. At right, The Most Rev. Donald W. Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington at the altar. Father Richard E. Gardiner is seated in the background.
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A Time to Honor The Fallen
ast
By Joyce Baki Memorial Day will be celebrated on May 31, 2010. It is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation’s service. On this day thousands of volunteers across the nation will visit the graves of those who have fought in our wars and leave an American Flag and a national moment of remembrance will take place at 3 p.m. local time. How did this tradition begin? There are many stories about the beginning of Memorial Day. After the Civil War, ladies in the South decorated the graves of the Confederate dead. In 1868, General John A. Logan, commanderin-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, a veterans’ organization, designated a day in which the graves of Civil War soldiers would be decorated, calling it Decoration Day. It was observed the first time on May 30 and this date was chosen because it was not the anniversary of a battle. Twenty years later the name would be changed to Memorial Day and would be a holiday dedicated to the memory of all war dead. Memorial Day was declared the official name by Federal law in 1967. Congress passed the Uniform Holidays Bill on June 28, 1968, moving three holidays from their traditional dates to a specified Monday to create three-day weekends. These holidays were Washington’s Birthday (which is now celebrated as Presidents Day), Veterans Day and Memorial Day. This law moved Memorial Day from May 30 to the last Monday in May. The law took effect at the federal level in 1971. Many Americans view Memorial Day as the unofficial beginning of summer. For this reason, the Veterans of Foreign Wars advocate returning the celebration of Memorial Day to May 30. The VFW stated in a 2002 Memorial Day Address: “Changing the date merely to create three-day weekends has undermined the very meaning of the day. No doubt, this has contributed a lot to the general public’s nonchalant observance of Memorial Day.” Since 1987, Hawaii’s Senator Daniel Inouye, a World War II veteran, has repeatedly introduced measures to return Memorial Day to its
Jr., Benjamin Earl Morsell, Orville Bellfield Putnam, William Van Arsdale Wilson, Jesse W. Williams, Maurice I. Bowen Jr. and James O. Reinhardt. Vietnam – James Allen Parker, Stewart Charles Emerson, Robert Lee King, Sherwood Reynolds and William J. Sewell. On Memorial Day, services will be held at the Veterans Memorial in Chesapeake Beach at 10 a.m. and on the lawn of the Calvert County Courthouse at 1 p.m. Participating in the services will be members of the American
Legion Calvert Post 85, American Legion Stallings-Williams Post 206, American Legion Gray-Ray Post 220, American Legion Arick L. Lore Post 274, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8133, Veterans of Foreign Wars Twin Beaches Post and the Calvert County Fire & EMS Pipes and Drums. At 3 p.m. on Memorial Day, stop what you are doing and reflect for a minute - say a prayer for our fallen and a word of thanks to the many brave men and women serving in our Armed Forces around the world.
traditional date of May 30. Calvert County has lost many fine men and women during wartime. On the Courthouse lawn there are three memorials to those fallen soldiers. A visit revealed the following names: World War I – George Armiger, Solomon Barnes, Alonza Brown, James Butler, Wallace Curtis, William T. Dorsey, John Gross, Thornton Gorman, Joseph S. Jones, Benjamin Kent, Arick L. Lore, William N. Marquess, Thomas J. Osborne, Murray A. Sherbert, Irving R. Stallings, Harry Sunderland and Charles W. Tongue. World War II – Ralph Atkins, Philip D. Bowles, Mark Edward Buckler, Joseph M. Coates, Paul H. Cordell, Benson Curtis, C.O. Deakyne, Carlisle Denton, Henry F. Dodd, Isham Ford, Howard Andrew Fowler, Harvey Elliott Gray, Norman A. Gray, Edgar Hardesty, James Heigh, Felbert Jones, John Reese Kent, Ernest V. Kessler, William B. King Jr., James Monroe, Roosevelt Ray, August Siefried Jr., John L. Slivenick, James F. Stallings, Frederick C. Webster, Ralph L. Pierce
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Theodore Janey, 82 Theodore Janey, 82, of Saint Leonard, MD passed away on May 10, 2010 at St. Mary’s Hospital, Leonardtown, MD. He was born Jan. 8, 1928 in Calvert County to the late Lawrence Janey and Hattie Gross. Theodore was joined in holy matrimony to Sarabeth Lousie Chase on April 14, 1962. From this union, seven children were born. He was educated in the public schools of Calvert County. On March 4, 1946, Theodore enlisted in the United States Army where he served as a Medical Equipment Maintenance Technician. He could speak five different languages, French, German, Dutch, Russian, Japanese and English. He loved watching boxing, football, baseball, crabbing, fishing and playing cards with family and friends. He en-
joyed most, spending time with his beautiful wife, lovely children and precious grandchildren. Theodore was preceded in death by 4 sisters, Marguerite Broome, Louise, Elizabeth and Evelyn Janey; 4 brothers, Lawrence “Boobie”, Augustus, john and Johnson “Brownie” Janey; Father-in-law Albert Chase, Mother-in-law Ethel Gough-Chase; 4 sisters-in-law, Victoria Jefferson, Helen, Carolyn “Fee-Fee” and Shirley Chase; 3 brothers-in-law, William “Hucker” Chase, James Gross Sr. “Popcorn” and Thomas Chase Sr. “T C”. He leaves to cherish his loving wife of 48 years, Sara Beth; 2 daughters, Louise Young and Hattie Janey; 5 sons, Theodore Jr. “Teddy”, Joe, Dean, Albert “Button” and William Janey.; 29 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; 4 daughters-inlaw, Rhoda, Simone, Teresa and Lawanda Janey; 1 son-in-law, John Young; 5 sistersin-law, Jeanette Savage, Eva Gross, Annie, Teresa and Joanne Chase; 6 brothers-inlaw, Alexander Broome “Sonny”, Carroll Jefferson, Leroy Savage, Albert “Junior”, Preston and Calvin Chase; 2 devoted friends, Alice Janey, Timmy Gott and a host of Uncles, Aunts, Nieces, Nephews and cousins.
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Funeral service was held on Wednesday, May 19, 2010 at 11:30 AM at Sewell Funeral Home, Prince Frederick, MD with Rev. Irvin Beverly officiating. The interment was at Cheltenham Veterans Cem., Cheltenham, MD. The pallbearers were Darnell Chase, James Gross, Jr., Michael Chase, David Daniels, Ronnie Chase, Sr., and Curtis Height. Funeral arrangements provided by Sewell Funeral Home, Prince Frederick, MD.
Donald Genoa King, 93 Mr. Donald Genoa King, 93, died on May 10, 2010 at Asbury Solomons - Island Health Care Center. He was born in Lewisdale, MD on April 10, 1917. He was nearly a lifelong resident of Gaithersburg, MD, living there for more than 80 years. He also summered in Neeld Estate, Huntingtown, MD. for more that 40 years. Preceding him in death were his Mother, Emma Jane Lydard King, Father, Fillmore C. King, and three brothers, Clarke King, Malcolm King and Orin King. He graduated form Gaithersburg High School in 1934 where he met his wife Elizabeth ( Betty ) in his Junior year. They were married in 1940. They celebrated their 70th Wedding Anniversary on January 27, 2010. They lived in Gaithersburg until 2004, when they moved to Asbury Solomons-Island Health Care Center in Solomons, MD. Donald was employed by Bowman Brothers Milling Company, of Gaithersburg, MD. As the Sales Manager for 32 years, until the Company closed. He then worked for William Kendrick Co, a specialty advertising company as a Specialty Advertising Associate, moving after a short while to William A. Lynch Associates, a division of Geiger Brothers Specialty Advertising of Lewiston Maine. He worked with Wm. Lynch Associates until his retirement in 1996. He also was an auctioneer and raised Holstein cattle. He was a member of the Gaithersburg Lions Club and 1st President & charter member of Montgomery Central (Derwood) Lions Club. He had over 56 years of perfect attendance in Lions Club and was awarded the highest award achievable in Lionism, the Melvin Jones Award. He was a member of Grace United Methodist Church for over 50 years, and served as Lay Leader for 30+ years and Sunday School Superintendent. He served on the Board of Trustees for more than 30 years. He also was an associate member of Emmanuel United Methodist Church in Huntingtown, MD. where he preached several times. Mr. King appeared as Santa Claus for countless organizations and several generations of children throughout the State of Maryland, The District of Colum-
bia & Virginia, including The Washington Redskins Children’s Christmas Party, The Maryland Legislature, The Maryland School for the Blind, The City of Gaithersburg, and many others. He played “Miss Donna” in a comedy skit for over 20 years raising hundreds of dollars for charity. He was a lifetime member of the Montgomery County Fair Board, where he chaired the Lion’s Club Ice Cream Bar for many years. He was a member of the Neeld Estate Citizen’s Association and raised thousands of dollars, over the years, in the Association Annual Auction. In 1996, he moved to Asbury Methodist Village in Gaithersburg and in 2004 transferred to Asbury - Solomons Island at Solomons, MD. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth ( Betty ) Freas King, and two children, Sandra King Geest (Jay) of Huntingtown, MD and Donald Wayne King (Ginger) of Germantown, MD.; three grandchildren, Steven Geest, Patrick King, and Katherine King Mangus, two step-grandchildren, Amy Savage and Jenny Savage, and two great grandchildren, Kyle King and Austin Mangus. Services will be held on Friday, June 4, 2010, at 11 a.m. at Asbury Methodist Village in the Guild Chapel. Inurnment to follow at Darnestown Presbyterian Church, Darnestown, MD. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, June 11, 2010, at 11:00 a.m. at Emmanuel United Methodist Church, Huntingtown, MD. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Alzheimer’s Association, National Capital Area Chapter, 3701 Pender Drive, #400, Fairfax, Va., 22030, or Montgomery Central (Derwood) Lions Club, P. O. Box 5602, Derwood, MD. 20855. Arrangements provided by Rausch Funeral Home, P.A., Lusby, MD.
CDR John F. Martin, 86, USN Retired John F. Martin, 86, of Lusby, MD formally of Oxon Hill and St. Michaels, MD, died May 3, 2010 at home. He was born in Brooklyn, NY, was raised by his grandparents in Queens, NY, and graduated from Jamaica High School in 1940. His Federal Service started when he enlisted as a Naval Aviation Cadet in August of 1942 and started active duty in 1943. After a commendable tour of duty as a Night Fighter Pilot he was released to inactive duty in 1946. After graduating from Purdue University
with a Bachelor and Master Degree and some Doctorate work, he started working at the Naval Research Lab in Washington, DC, where he specialized in the design and development of cryptographic equipment and high frequency radio terminals. He then transferred to the Bureau of Aeronautics Research Division where he was promoted to the Head Navigation Aids Branch and received an outstanding performance award for his work directing the installation of Radar Air Traffic Control Centers. In 1962 he transferred to the Avionics Division where he became Branch Head, Telecommunications. Under his leadership the Branch made many fine contributions in the field of Communication and Identification. The high volume production of the UHF Radio, development of the first HF Radio using microelectronic technology development and production which became standard. TACAMO was developed and produced as was the So no buoy Receiver and the Marine Remote Area Approach Landing System which became today’s “cell phone”. He also served as the Navy / Navair representative on many committees during his tour. The most notable among these as Chairman of the NATO Subgroup Five on Identification. These are a few of his many and varied achievements during his career which spanned over 32 years of service, retiring as a Commanding Officer. He was preceded in death by his first wife of 56 years, Mary Mackay, of Caledonia, NY, his parents and grandparents. He is survived by his wife, Jane Flinn of Drum Point, where they made their home. Also surviving is a son, John Michael, of Rochester, NY and daughter, Gloria Bond, of Indianapolis, IN, five grandchildren all from his first marriage, sister, Sondra Bacherty, Bay Shore, NY, Ursulla Lulley, Deer Park, NY, a brother, Steve Martin, Old Beth Page, NY and numerous nieces and nephews. Also a very dear cousin, Sister Grace Frances Strauber, Hoboken, NJ. A private memorial service was held May 7 at home with the Reverend Ruth Dixon of Waters Memorial Methodist Church officiating. A burial service will be held at a later date in Caledonia, NY. Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to Calvert Hospice, P. O. Box 838, Prince Frederick, MD 20678 “Donations are encourage on-line at www. calverthospice.org, or to the American Cancer Society. Arrangements were provided by the Rausch Funeral Home, P. A., Lusby, MD.
Annabelle Pulsinelli, 88
Mickey Byrne Stevenson, 91
Annabelle M. Pulsinelli, 88, died peacefully at the Burnett Calvert Hospice House in Prince Frederick, MD, on May 8, 2010. Born on October 26, 1921, Annabelle was the daughter of the late Catherine E. and John W. Neverline of McKeesport, PA, the same town where she grew up and got married on November 20, 1941. She was preceded in death by her husband, Adelco A. Pulsinelli, and by three siblings, John W. Neverline, Edna Catanzaro, and Olive Lazar. Surviving are her sister, Katherine Pastors, Salem, VA, her five children, Dr. Phillip (Jean) Pulsinelli, Murrysville, PA, John (Sherry) Pulsinelli, Fernandina Beach, FLA, Alida (Ken) Ruffner, Lancaster, PA, Richard Pulsinelli, Lusby, MD, Alan (Chris) Pulsinelli, Paw Paw, MI, nine grandchildren and six great grandchildren. She became a licensed beautician, and mostly practiced this trade prior to raising her children. Besides living in McKeesport, PA, Annabelle also resided in Turtle Creek, Pa for 13 years, in Indiana, PA for 27 years, in Lancaster, PA for 15 years, and in southern Maryland for the remaining nine years of her life. Annabelle’s memorial funeral mass will be performed at St. Bernard’s Church in Indiana, PA, on Saturday, May 29, 2010 at 11 a.m., with Father William Kiel officiating after which she will be laid to rest next to her husband, Adelco, at St. Bernard’s Cemetery. In addition, a memorial mass will be said for Annabelle at St. Coleman’s Church in Turtle Creek, PA. There will be no viewing, but friends can send condolences to family members, and contributions made to the Burnett Calvert Hospice House, P.O. Box 838, Prince Frederick, MD 20678, or to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation would greatly be appreciated. Arrangements by Rausch Funeral Home, P.A., Lusby, MD.
Mrs. Mildred “Mickey” Byrne Stevenson, 91, died May13, 2010 at her residence in Lusby, MD. She was born in Gaithersburg, MD on March 14, 1919 to the late Walter Clifton Byrne and Erma Cecil Kanode Byrne. After losing her mother, she was raised by her Aunt and Uncle, Rosabell & Clay Plummer of Gaithersburg. Preceding her in death was her husband William E. Stevenson, who passed away on June 16, 1986; two brothers, John Robert Byrne and Walter Clifton Byrne and two sisters, Ruth Townsend and Edythe Rose Byrne. She graduated from Gaithersburg High School and attended Strayer Business School, graduating with an associate degree. Mildred was employed by Standard Oil Company in Washington, D.C. and then after meeting her husband and marrying on October 7, 1948, she served as a Corporate Officer for Viers Mill Exxon, their 35 year family owned business. Mickey was the family’s foundation and had a deep commitment to her heritage. She practiced a deep faith and church experiences were a large part of her life including teaching Sunday school and singing in the church choir. Music was always an important part of her daily life and it gave her much pleasure. Mickey loved to connect with both family and friends, sharing her genealogy and the many related family stories. In 1960, with her husband and family she began to enjoy the Calvert County and Drum Point area, including boating, fish fries, crab feasts, flower and vegetable gardening and socializing with family and friends. She is survived by her daughter, Susan L. Stevenson of Lusby, MD; her son Jeffrey K. and his wife Sharon L. Stevenson of Burtonsville, MD; her granddaughters Keri, Kelsey and Kimberly; her nieces Kay Seidenspinner and Betty Lou Caldwell; her nephews James C. Britt and Robert Byrne and her long time friend Alice Hayden. A memorial Service will be held on Saturday June 5th at 10:30 AM at Solomons United Methodist Church, 14454 Solomons Island Road, Solomons, MD with Dr. Phillip Logan officiating. Interment will be private.
5 2 1 4 3 7 To 3 01 Pla 3 l l ce a M a C e s a e l emorial, P
Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made in her memory to the Calvert Marine Museum, where she was a life member, P.O. Box 97, Solomons, MD 20688 “Donations are encouraged on-line at www.calvertmarinemuseum.com/donations or to Calvert Hospice, P.O. Box 838, Prince Frederick, MD 20678 “Donations are encouraged on-line at www.calverthospice. org”. Arrangements by the Rausch Funeral Home, P.A., Lusby, MD.
John Thatcher, III, 59 John Prentice Thatcher, III, 59, of St. Leonard, MD passed away suddenly on May 16, 2010 at his residence. He was born on July 5, 1950 in Prince Frederick, MD to John Prentice Thatcher, Jr. and the late Jane Elizabeth Thatcher. He was the beloved husband to Tamara Ann “Tammy” Thatcher. John graduated from Calvert High School in 1969 and went on to join the Army, serving from 1969-1971 when he was honorably discharged. He has spent the last 14 years working for Atlantic Co. at the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant as a Maintenance Supervisor. John was preceded in death by his mother and son, John Prentice “Jay” Thatcher, IV. He is survived by his wife, Tammy Thatcher; children, C. Dillon Thatcher and Mandy L. Thatcher-Duncan; father, John Prentice Thatcher, Jr.; siblings, Jackie Wieber, Joey Thatcher, and Janet Thatcher; grandchildren, Katelyn, Abrielle, and Jaydan; and many nieces and nephews. The family received friends on Thursday May 20, in the Rausch Funeral Home, Lusby, MD with a Prayer Service offered at 7:30 p.m. Funeral Services were held on Friday, May 21, 2010 in the funeral home chapel with Deacon Chad Martin officiating. Interment followed in Southern Memorial Gardens, Dunkirk, MD. The family asks for contributions to be made in John’s memory to the, Tamara Thatcher, c/o The Carl Dillon Thatcher Scholarship Fund, PNC Bank, P.O. Box 655, Leonardtown, MD 20650.
Gazette
Southern Calvert
Thursday, May-2010
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CLASSIFIEDS Real Estate Beautiful waterfront custom built brick and cedar sided cape cod home situated on a quiet cul de sac. Hardwood floors throughout with ceramic tile in entry way, kitchen and bath. Large master bedroom, open kitchen with dining room and family room and large living room plus a pantry kitchen/mudroom (you will be suprised at the size of the rooms). One full bath and two 1/2 baths (one with a shower). Propane for primary heating, the water heater and cooking, and a Trane heat pump for supplimental heat and central cooling. Two fireplaces with fireplace inserts for supplimental heat. Fully finished basement, with rec room, laundry room and workshop. 1.5 car garage, two decks (one with hot tub) and patio. Beautifully landscaped with mature flowering bushes and small garden plot. Great fishing in back yard, canoeing and nature watching. Wonderful neighbors and very child friendly road and close to schools. A very beautiful home for anyone wanting to come to the Southern Maryland area. Showing by appointment only. Please call 410-326-5423 and leave a message if we do not answer. Price: $320,000.
Real Estate Rentals
t n a r u Resta
Beautiful home located one block from the beach in St Leonard off of calvert beach road. Many upgrades, including inground pool, cabana extra large custom kitchen, quiet neighborhood! Small pets negotiable. For more information please call or 410-610-8091. 4 Bdrms, 2 Baths - Rent: $2150.
Locally! aces to Dine Find Great Pl
Fully furnished and remodeled beach house one block from private beach in Cove Point. Very near Dominion LNG and Calvert Cliffs also convenient to Patuxent River. Master Bedroom on second floor with view of the Chesapeake Bay, large bathroom with double vanity, jacuzzi tub and separate shower. You must see this beautifully decorated and appointed home to appreciate it. Limit of 3 persons and no animals unless expressly ageed upon. 3 bdrms, 2 baths. Rent: $1400. If interested, please email webrider1@comcast.net.
Employment
Growing Childcare center seeks infant qualified senior staff and aides. Full and part-time positions are available. Must be dependable and enjoy working with infants. Good work ethic and cleaning skills required for all positions. Benefits include paid holidays and 1 week paid vacation after one year of service. Background checks are required. We reserve the right to perform random drug testing in our drug free center. Please call Ms. Courtlyn between the hours of 8:30 am and 2:00 pm at (410)5860957 to arrange an interview OR send your resume and letters of reference to GACC, 5845 Calvert Blvd, Saint Leonard, MD 20685.
$ 18
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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: 301-373-4128 for a price quote. Office hours are: Monday thru Friday 8am - 4pm. The Southern County Gazette is published every other Thursday.
Patuxent High Panther Girls Go School Scoreboard Far in Lacrosse Regionals Wed., May 12 Boys’ Lacrosse 3A-2A East first round J.M. Bennett 8, Patuxent 7
Girls’ Lacrosse 3A-2A East quarterfinal Patuxent 19, Baltimore City 1
Thurs., May. 13 Softball 2A East first round Patuxent 2, Calvert 1
Sat., May 15 Tennis SMAC Meet at North Point 1. Great Mills 20 2. La Plata 19 3. Leonardtown 16 4. Chopticon 12 5. Northern 11 6. Huntingtown 10 7. North Point 10 8. Patuxent 9 9. Thomas Stone 9 10. Calvert 8 11. Lackey 5 12. McDonough 5 13. Westlake 5
Track and Field SMAC Meet at North Point Girls’ Results 1. Leonardtown 138 2. North Point 114 3. Huntingtown 81.50 4. Lackey 61.50 5. Chopticon 44 6. Northern 41 7. Patuxent 40 8. McDonough 36 9. Westlake 31 10. La Plata 30 11. Great Mills 20 12. Calvert 13 13. Thomas Stone 13
Boys’ Results 1. North Point 158 2. Huntingtown 88.50 3. Patuxent 79 4. Westlake 71 5. Northern 64 6. Leonardtown 39.50 7. McDonough 39 8. La Plata 32 9. Lackey 27 10. Thomas Stone 25 11. Chopticon 17 12. Great Mills 13 13. Calvert 10
Tue., May 18 Girls’ Lacrosse 3A-2A East semifinals Patuxent 17, Northeast (Anne Arundel) 14
Wed., May 19 Girls’ Lacrosse 3A-2A East finals Stephen Decatur 14, Patuxent 3 Softball 2A East quarterfinals Patuxent 14, Frederick Douglass 0
Thurs., May 20 Baseball 2A East Semifinals Patuxent 5, Glenelg 4 (12 innings) Softball 2A East semifinals Glenelg 7, Patuxent 2
Fri., May 21 2A East Finals Hammond 13, Patuxent 0 (five innings)
On the three-plus hour bus ride home last Wednesday night, Patuxent girls lacrosse coach Anthony Barone praised his team’s efforts in getting to the first regional championship game in school history. “I thanked the seniors for setting the bar and then put it on the other girls to raise it again,” Barone said after the Panthers fell to Stephen Decatur of Berlin 14-3 in the 3A-2A East title game. “That is the farthest our program has ever gone in playoffs. Now that the girls have a taste of a regional championship, we need to continue to improve so we can get farther each year.” The Panthers finished their regular season 8-4, earning the second seed in the West sectional, a draw that worked out favorably in Barone’s eyes. “I thought we definitely had a good chance with a 1st round bye and Photo By Chris Stevens not having to play Decatur or Parkside until the cham- Patuxent’s Claire Ganoe (13) and Amy Samilton chase down Katelyn Blondino of Leonardtown during a recent match. The Patuxent girls made the regional finals for the first time in school history. pionship,” he said. Patuxent made the players experiencing a run through re- regional championship,” he said. “I was most of their opportunity, clobbering Bal- gionals, Barone is confident the team will also able to bring up five others from JV timore City 19-1 and edging Northeast continue to improve next season. who were able to enjoy the experience. of Anne Arundel County 17-14, sending “With six underclassmen on the team Hopefully this will give us a foundation to them on their way to the regional title either starting or seeing significant time build upon.” By Chris Stevens (CT) info@ game. they will know nothing but getting to the somdpublishing.net The Seahawks, the region’s overall top seed, used a quick transition game that was too much for the Panthers, but many players helped contribute to a history-making season. Senior Michelle Denny, returning from knee surgery, was the team’s leading scorer, and along with captains Claire Ganoe and Alex Tierney gave the team a much-needed boost with quality leadership. “Our captain voting at the beginning of the year was closer than it is has ever been because they were all great leaders,” Barone said. “With them being able to keep the team in line, it left me and my assistant coaches more time to coach.” Losing six seniors will be difficult, but Barone has just as many underclassmen, including freshman goalkeeper Ali Leap, ready to step up and build off this season’s success. “Early in the season we were goalie by committee, then in the 9th game I gave Ali a chance,” Barone explained. “She has been in goal since, losing only to Leonardtown and Decatur and she The Southern Maryland Sabres Hockey Club is looking for more Bantam age players (born 19961997) for travel and recreational teams for the 2010-2011 season. Please contact Sabres President had 15 saves [Wednesday] night.” Joe Bowling at president@somdsabres.org for more information or visit www.somdsabres.org With a young goalie and several
Youth Hockey Club Seeking Players
Thursday, May-2010
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Out About By Joyce Baki Looking for fresh produce, delicious baked goods and hearty nursery plants? Then visit a Calvert County Farmers Market! Jon and I love going to the farmers markets to pick up fresh vegetables and wonderful pies for my sweet tooth.
Thursday evenings the Solomons Farmers Market, located across the street from Our Lady Star of the Sea, is open from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday nights visit the North Beach
Farmer’s Market and Classic Car Cruise-in, located at 5th Street and Bay Avenue. The market begins at 6 p.m. Stroll through the classic car displays and visit some of the unique shops and restaurants found on the North Beach Loop. On Saturday mornings, great produce can be found at the Prince Frederick Farmer’s Market located at the Calvert County Fairgrounds, open from 8 a.m. to noon. There is also a flea market at the Fairgrounds on Saturday mornings where you can find lots of great deals. Tickets are still available for the first concert of Calvert Marine Museum’s Waterside Concert Series on Sunday, May 30, 2010. Country music artist, Josh Turner, will appear singing his hits, “Your Man,” “Would You Go with Me,” “Firecracker,” and the
new release “Why Don’t We Just Dance.” Gates open at 6 p.m.; Showtime is at 7:30 p.m. To purchase tickets, visit www.calvertmarinemuseum.com or call 1-800-7879454. If you have not yet heard Josh Turner you are in for a treat! Annmarie Garden kicks off summer with a fabulous summer exhibit of art with the earth in mind, GREEN. Celebrating the exhibit, Annmarie Garden presents the Summer Safari for GREEN. Your challenge is to visit up to twenty safari sites throughout Calvert County and accrue points by correctly answering nature-related questions. Safari souvenirs can be earned based on the number of points you accrue. Intrepid explorers with at least 23 points will be entered into a Grand Prize drawing. Don’t miss this marvelous opportunity to become famous across southern Maryland for your adventuresome spirit. Your safari begins June 1 – for more information visit www.annmariegarden.org. On Friday, June 4, join Running Hare Vineyard, Prince Frederick, as they raise “A Toast to Pets with Disabilities.” The fundraiser will be held in their new events facility from 6 to 10 p.m. All the animals at “Pets with Disabilities” have special needs; some were abandoned, rejected or are somehow no longer able to fit in, but these animals need our help to transition to a new life. Tickets are $65 per person and must be purchased in advance. All proceeds raised will go to much-needed operational funds. Enjoy a great evening with wine tastings, silent auctions, music, food and drink. For more information, visit www.petswithdisabilities.org.
Over 250,000 Southern Marylanders can’t be wrong!
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Thursday, May-2010
Friday, June 4 is “First Free Friday” at Calvert Marine Museum. The museum is open free to the public from 5 to 8 p.m. Enjoy free half-hour cruises on the “Wm. B. Tennison” sponsored by M&T Bank. Docents are available in each gallery to discuss the exhibits. Visit www.calvertmarinemuseum.org for more information. Celebrate Southern Maryland’s rich agricultural heritage Sunday, June 6, when Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum hosts Children’s Day on the Farm. The day will feature hands-on activities, demonstrations, exhibits, farm animals, crafts, farmlife demonstrations and live entertainment. There is a parade at 2 p.m. and the event runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free! (www.jefpat.org) Come spend an afternoon in North Beach and be captivated by the charm. On June 6, tour old, new and renovated houses and cottages at the 25th annual North Beach House & Garden Tour. Once known only
to local watermen and those who used it as a summertime retreat, the town is now the year-round home to old-timers and newcomers alike who consider themselves a blessed and fortunate few. Enjoy the ambiance of bayside homes, stroll the boardwalk, find treasures at local shops and, if you like, wiggle your toes in the sand. Visit local and area artists who will display and sell their works of art. For more information, contact Jane Hagen, 301-812-0044 or Norma Jean Smith, 301-812-1490, or visit www.ci.north-beach.md.us. Join Annmarie Garden for an artful evening created with the earth in mind at their 3rd Annual Spring Garden Party. The event on Saturday, June 12, showcases the opening of the exhibit “GREEN: Art with the earth in mind,” and features a garden party and silent auction. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Annmarie Garden Scholarship Fund and the expansion of the ceramic studio. For information on ticket prices, visit www. annmariegarden.org.
For more events, visit www.ecalvert.com.
Thursday, May-2010
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A New Classic
Three Day Ride Debuts in St. Mary’s County
Rob Motley, 44, from Waldorf, does a good heavy metal scream. In fact, he’s got a good rock and roll swagger in general, though he says sometimes that can get in the way of playing clubs in Southern Maryland. “The stages aren’t big enough,” he said, laughing. “I need more room.” But looking at the effect Rob’s performance with Three Day Ride made on the cheerful crowd at Big Dogs Paradise on Saturday, it’s fair to say that swagger came in handy. “This is our third show. We’re a brand new band, so we’re just starting to get out there and have some fun,” said Motley, explaining that their set list of classic and southern rock favorites would be expanding to include newer material still suitable for the area’s bar scene. Joining Motley that night was Bill Males (drums), Charlie Johnson (guitar), Alan Saavedra (guitar) and Steve Richards (bass), all of whom acknowledged that this was but their third show together, but already they could feel a buzz in the air. Steve Richards, a police officer working in Springfield, Va. who commutes from Mechanicsville, said he took some time off from playing bass to get married and have kids, but he happily jumped back into playing after meeting Bill Males a few years ago, laying the groundwork for Rob and the others to come together. Alan Saavedra said he met his band mates by answering an ad on somd.com,
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Thursday, May-2010
and they began rehearsing in September, building their set list slowly. Now he said he’s looking forward to playing more shows in the area, including a benefit for the Special Olympics. B i l l Males started drumming when he was five years old, giving it up Photo By Andrea Shiel for 20 years to work and raise a family. Now, at 43, he said he’s slowly getting back into playing, and still drawing inspiration from his idols Neil Peart (The “Professor” from Rush) and Mike Portinoy (Dream Theater, Liquid Tension Experiment, TransAtlantic), though he can’t hit some of the drum rolls he used to, especially the parts he played when he went through his speed metal phase. Charlie Johnson, who said he practically “came out of the womb playing guitar,” is the youngest of the group at 24, a Chopticon graduate from Morganza who now works as a defense contract specialist by day and a guitarist by night, over the years playing with original bands including Nervosa and Jumping Conclusions. So whether Motley is rattling off an ode to Rosy that would make Bon Scott blush, or pelting through the band’s rendition of Three Doors Down, it’s surprising to learn how new this new group is, considering the obvious ease with which they perform together. But whether the group is together for three years or three days, it sounds like they all mastered their rock and roll swagger ages ago. By Andrea Shiell (CT) info@somdpublishing.net
Three Day Ride will be performing at a Special Olympics benefit on June 19 at the Mechanicsville Moose Lodge, and on June 26 at Apehanger’s Bar in Bel Alton. To find out more, go to www.mdparty. com/ThreeDayRide.
On the
Water
Snakehead Fish on the Move! By Capt. Sonney Forrest Captainsonney.com Willy Dean at Wild Willy’s Seafood in Ridge, Md, has a real skill for catching fish of all types in his pound nets, as was the case on Monday morning, May 10. That was the morning Capt. Smitty Smith owner of Smiths Seafood Market in Solomons went to get fish from Willy Dean at Wild Willy’s Seafood. What a surprise did Capt. Smitty encounter after arriving at Will Dean’s place. Willy has been fishing pound nets for many years and felt he had seen it all, until May 6 when he caught in his net an eight-pound Snakehead fish. He caught a creature not seen before on his boat, but felt it was something he did recognize. Then on Monday he caught another one that was about 4 pounds. His net is located at the mouth of the St. Mary’s River off of Kits Point. He showed it to Capt. Smitty, formally of Smith Island, Md, who is a seafood processor himself. He identified it as a Northern Snakehead Fish (Channidae) that is not native to America. Snakehead fish are native to Africa and Asia. These predatory fish are distinguished by their long sensual dorsal fin, large mouth and shiny teeth. These teeth can harm humans if bitten. They are an “invasive species” and are illegal to keep in all states of the USA. They cause ecological damage because they are top level predators, meaning they have no natural enemies outside of their native environment. They became a national news item in 2002 when they found Northern Snakeheads in a pond near Crofton, Maryland. Northern Snakeheads appeared on the Potomac River in 2004. Capt. Smitty took the fish to Ken Kaumeyer at the Calvert Marine Mu-
seum who operates their aquarium facilities. They have a live Snakehead there on display and he is very aware of their habits. He also confirmed it was a Snakehead fish. Ken contacted the U.S. Fish and Wildlife along with local Department of Natural Resources of the finding in local waters. Those agencies where surprised and concerned that Snakeheads are coming so close to the Chesapeake Bay. This is close to the Patuxent River which has fresh water in its upper reaches. It appears that the Snakehead fish are on the move and making it into the Bay. Ken believes that this winter there was exceptional fresh water runoff from the snow down the PoDNR Photo tomac River. As the fresh water meets the salty water it solidifies, causing the two to separate. The fresh water is lighter and will be on top of the heaver saltwater. The Snakeheads followed the fresh water down the Potomac River seeking different habitat. There was one more reportedly caught near St. Jerome’s Creek near the Chesapeake Bay in a net, early last week, but not positively identified by authorities. Capt. Smitty plans on having one on display at Smiths Seafood Market in Solomons in the near future, if any more are caught in local waters. They are considered an excellent food source and can be prepared for dinning like any normal fish. Department of Natural Resources has more information on their website for Snakehead Fish that readers should review for proper handling and disposal according to regulations of this “invasive species”. DNR Photo
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