Gazette
Southern Calvert
June 2010
Priceless
Everything Solomons, Lusby, Dowell, and St. Leonard
Fired Up Over Reading
Packed Summer Fun Programs To Keep Families Entertained PAGE 12
Fowler Returns For 23rd ‘Wade-In’ Story Page 4
Trash, Electric Fees on The Rise Story Page 4, 8
Shooting Death Ruled Accidental Story Page 5
THe Maryland general asseMbly MeeTs in annaPolis eacH year for 90 days To acT on More THan 2300 bills including THe sTaTe’s annual budgeT. detailed legislative information is updated nightly on the general assesmbly website at www.mlis.state.md.us.
legislative of fices for all members of the general assembly can be reached toll free in Maryland at 1-800-492-7122.
Wishing the residents of District 29-C, Calvert and St. Mary’s Counties a Happy & Prosperous 2010. delegaTe Tony o’donnell
Minority leader Maryland House of delegates 2PaidThursday, for byJune-2010 friends of Tony o’donneell; lee Hurrey-baines, Treasurer
On T he Cover
The Calvert Library has a summer full of fun and educational events for children and families, aimed at keeping kids reading while school is in the off season.
Also Inside
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local news
Members of the team that came in last place of the 36 foursomes that played in the 13th annual Arick L. Lore American Legion Post 274 Charity Golf tournament on June 11 each received a SORRY! board game. SEE PAGE 8
Ben Loflin heads over a hill during the Southern Maryland BMX Race for life, which raised over $2,000 for leukemia research. SEE PAGE 15
out & about
newsmakers
FOR EVENTS HAPPENING IN YOUR AREA, CHECK PAGE 20 IN OUT AND ABOUT
land s I s n o Solom eport Tide R
Bernie Wunder, a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association chapter 478, took several people up in his homemade aircraft at Southern Maryland’s “Young Eagles” free aviation day. SEE PAGE 14
June 25-27 2010
Day
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High Tide Height Sunrise Moon Time /Low Time Feet Sunset Visibl High Low High Low
1:55 AM 9:13 AM 1:53 PM 7:29 PM
% Moon
2.2 5:44 AM Set 4:44 AM 0.5 8:33 PM Rise 8:11 PM 1.2 0.3
97
Sa 26 High 2:39 AM 2.1 5:44 AM Set 5:42 AM 26 Low 9:55 AM 0.5 8:33 PM Rise 8:56 PM 26 High 2:43 PM 1.3 26 Low 8:17 PM 0.4
99
Su 27 High 3:20 AM 2.1 5:44 AM Set 6:42 AM 27 Low 10:32 AM 0.5 8:33 PM Rise 9:34 PM 27 High 3:30 PM 1.3 27 Low 9:04 PM 0.4
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Local News
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Delegate
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Community
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Education
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Letters
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Cover Story
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Locals
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Sports
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Obituaries
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Business Directory
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Locals
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Out & About
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Entertainment
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On The Water
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July 2-4 2010 Day
High Tide Height Sunrise Moon Time /Low Time Feet Sunset Visibl
% Moon
F 2 2 2 2
Low High Low High
12:20 AM 0.8 5:46 AM Set 11:35 AM 6:22 AM 1.7 8:33 PM Rise 11:47 PM 1:01 PM 0.4 7:25 PM 1.6
75
Sa 3 3 3 3
Low High Low High
1:21 AM 0.9 5:47 AM Set 12:32 PM 7:00 AM 1.6 8:33 PM 1:32 PM 0.4 8:15 PM 1.7
66
Su 4 4 4 4
Low High Low High
2:33 AM 1.0 5:47 AM Rise 12:11 AM 7:41 AM 1.5 8:33 PM Set 1:31 PM 2:06 PM 0.4 9:05 PM 1.8
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Thursday, June-2010
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LOCAL NEWS
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Fowler Returns for His 23rd ‘Wade-in’
day, June 13, at Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum in St. Leonard. A desire by Fowler and others to find a permanent home for the event, and con-
cern about the impact of sea-level rise on Broomes Island in future years spurred the decision to move the Wade-In a mile downriver to the archeological museum and park, which is operated by the Maryland Historical Trust, a division of the Maryland Department of Planning. “For 22 years, Senator Fowler has used his ‘sneaker index’ to keep the health of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries in the minds of Marylanders,” Governor Martin O’Malley said in a press release. “The Bernie Fowler Patuxent River Wade-In brings people together around a simple but profound matter - Maryland waters are a treasure and we must restore them.” As a young man in the 1950s, Fowler stood chest-deep in the Patuxent River and was able to see his feet on the river bottom while netting blue crabs. Senator Fowler held the first Patuxent wade-in in 1988 to assess whether he could still see his feet while wading into the river. During that first official Wade-In, his white sneakers disappeared from view in 10 inches of This graph provided by the Chesapeake Bay Program charts the progress in river quality using Fowler’s unofficial water. “sneaker index”. During the first official Wade-In in 1988, Fowler’s white sneakers disappeared from view in 10 According to a Maryland Defter 22 years on Broomes Island, State Senator Bernie Fowler’s annual “Wade-In” moved to a new permanent site on Sun-
partment of Planning press release, the river’s visibility has improved to more than three feet in recent years, enhanced by improvements to wastewater treatment plants to slow the increase of harmful phosphorus and nitrogen nutrient overloads into the water, along with other practices. The Wade-In has evolved into a symbol of the need for stewardship of the State’s precious water resources. Other wade-ins have sprouted throughout the Chesapeake watershed. The effort to monitor and repair the Patuxent, the largest river completely within Maryland, was a forerunner of the widely recognized Chesapeake Bay restoration program. “We need to change our thinking - now - to determine to make the Patuxent, the Chesapeake and all of Maryland’s waters cleaner and healthier,” Fowler said. “Let’s optimistically look to a future where our rivers, streams and the Bay sparkle again. I keep telling everybody there’s no excuse to quit.” In 1994, the Maryland General Assembly designated the traditional Wade-In day, the second Sunday in June, as “Bernie Fowler Day.” BY SEAN RICE (SCG) info@somdpublishing.net.
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Thursday, June-2010
Candidate for County Commissioner Withdraws
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ick Garrett, who announced his campaign as a Democratic candidate for Calvert County Commissioner in March 2009, has decided to pull out.
Nick Garett
The Prince Frederick resident and founder of Garrett Music Academy in Owings tells The Southern Calvert Ga-
zette that he has decided to focus on his business instead. He says public service has always been, and remains one of his great passions. “I believe in good government where the needs of citizens are at the core of the decision making process. However, my number one passion in life and my primary vocation has always been music and education. I began to realize that if elected, it would become increasingly difficult to do the job that needs to be done for the citizens of Calvert County and continue to develop the Academy.” “I am blessed that my wife and I get to do what we love on a daily basis with our business. In 2004, I opened Garrett Music Academy with three instructors and 34 students. In 2010, we have a teaching staff of 35 and over 1,500 students enrolled in our private lessons, ensembles, classes, camps, and programs. As time went on and I had to choose time and again between an Academy event and a campaign one, I began to realize what I needed to do. While my decision to run was well thought out and was based on several years of explora-
tion, I could not foresee the extent that the Academy would grow in that time,” Garrett adds. Garrett says he is not ruling out politics in the future. “I want to be able to put my all into a job as County Commissioner and at this time it is not possible to do both. Sometimes life’s path will present a fork and one has to choose which to take. When I finally realized that I needed to withdraw from the race, I was initially very disappointed because I believe that it is time to change the way politics works and focus on future planning for Calvert. I looked forward to being part of that and can assure each and every person who has supported me that I will continue to be part of that and return to politics in the next election cycle in some capacity.” He adds, “I want to thank each and every person that supported me financially, offered their vote, and gave time as a volunteer. Please know that your work is not in vain because we put together a campaign that we knew was successful and would have resulted in winning a seat.” BY DIANE BURR (CC) info@somdpublishing.net
Politics Hit Below the Belt
GOP Candidate Accused of Punching Opponent
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he primary is still months away, yet the GOP race is getting ugly for the opportunity to take on Democratic Delegate Sue Kullen in the race for the District 27-B seat. At a Southern Maryland Young Republican’s event June 9 at The Greene Turtle in Prince Frederick, Sonia Fisher, candidate Mark Fisher’s 19-year-old daughter, says opponent Bob Schaefer, “Sucker-punched my dad in the stomach as he was leaving.” Sonia Fisher gave her play-by-play account of what happened during a recent interview. “Bob Schaefer was supposed to speak first, so we were in the back, setting up our computer and projector for my dad’s PowerPoint presentation. I don’t think anyone even noticed us. After the event ended, my dad walked up and reached out his right hand to shake his.” “That’s when he (Schaefer) said something like ‘that’s the rudest thing I’ve ever seen, it was so impolite’. Then, he grabbed my dad’s shirt and sucker-punched him with an undercut with his right!” “Dad was wearing a dress shirt and he (Schaefer) grabbed him at the shoulder and collar with his left hand, and punched him in the stomach with his right fist.” “When he (Schaefer) grabbed his (Fisher’s) shirt, my dad said, ‘what are you doing man, what are you doing?’ Then, he punched him. It knocked the breath out of him. He really hit
him hard.” “To see your own dad punched in the stomach like that was just horrific … Then Bob Schaefer and his family just walked out.” A reporter with the Southern Calvert Gazette spoke with Schaefer, who said he was on his way to meet with Frank McCabe, chairman of the Calvert County GOP Committee. He said he did not have a comment at that time, but did not deny the allegations. A blogger was at the event, and he posted his account of what happened at http://redmaryland.blogspot.com. He called the posting “How Not to Win Friends or Win Elections.” Fisher told the Southern Calvertt Gazette that the “taxpayers have been punched in the stomach much longer by the State Legislature.” Fisher said it did hurt, but he did not go to the hospital or doctor, and he’s not planning to press charges. According to their election filings, Mark Fisher and Bob Schaefer both live in Owings. The winner of the GOP primary will face incumbent Delegate Sue Kullen (D-Calvert) for the District 27-B seat in the Maryland House of Delegates in the general election in November. Kullen commented, “I said my job was worth fighting for but I did not mean it literally!” BY DIANE BURR (CC) info@somdpublishing.net
Police Say Shooting Death Accidental
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t 4 a.m. June 17, units of the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call for a shooting at a farm on Garrity Road in St. Leonard. A 23-year-old male had been shot in the head with a .22 caliber rifle while
he and two friends were practicing shooting at targets, police report. Sgt. Sciana Roach of C.I.T. responded and assumed the investigation. The victim, identified as George Frederick Noble, 23, of Reston, Va., was transported to P.G. Shock Trauma
Center where he later succumbed to his injuries. At this time, the shooting appears to have been accidental, although it is still under investigation, police report.
corner
LOCAL NEWS
commissioners Southern Calvert Flyover
By Susan Shaw, County Commissioner
O
n a recent weekend, I took a ride in an open cockpit 1944 Stearman biplane. Known for their rugged construction and wonderful f lying qualities, including the ability to do acrobatic maneuvers, the Stearman was the primary trainer for pilots in WWII. However, my goal was not an airborne roller-coaster ride. It had been nearly twenty years since I routinely f lew over Calvert County in a small plane with my late husband, a pilot. I really wanted to see how my beloved county had changed from an aerial, or overall, perspective. Was I nervous about f lying in an open cockpit WWII plane? Not as long as I had an experienced pilot! I bought the f light certificate at a benefit for the Friends of Jefferson Patterson Park. Because I knew a little about Stearmans, having f lown in a friend’s 25 years ago, and because I know that all airworthy airplanes have to pass a comprehensive annual inspection, I was pretty sure that I would be f lying in an aviation buff’s lovingly restored and maintained pride and joy. I was right. The website (www.biplaneairtours. com) told me that the plane had undergone a seven-year total restoration, making it like new. Nick Mirales, the owner and pilot, told me that he had f lown over 1000 passengers from St. Mary’s County Airport. I relished the open-air view. Any lingering doubts about Nick’s Stearman disappeared when I heard the engine run. To avoid the airspace restrictions implemented since 9/11, and because the Stearman is built for visual f light, Nick explained that we had to f ly over Southern Calvert County only. We criss-crossed the 1st district of Calvert at low altitude, allowing me to ascertain the difference between southern Calvert 20 years ago and southern Calvert now. What a relief! I was thrilled to see that southern Calvert County is still primarily woodlands dotted with open fields. The town centers of Solomons and Lusby are obviously more developed and Solomons is more intensely developed, as the town center concept envisioned. The tree canopy over Chesapeake Ranch Estates remains. The beach restoration project at Dominion Cove Point is larger than I had pictured. The Cove Point Park and Public Pool loaded with swimmers stood out. The final takeaway: southern Calvert County is not overdeveloped and the big environmental picture from an aerial perspective looks good! Yeah! Next goal: a low altitude f light over central and northern Calvert County.
Thursday, June-2010
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LOCAL NEWS Feds Release Inspection Report for Calvert Cliffs Shut Down
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he Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has found that concerns about reactor safety and operations at the Calvert Cliffs nuclear power plant are minor in the after math of a shutdown of the two reactors Feb. 18. Diane Screnci, spokeswoman for the King of Prussia, Pennsylvania office of the NRC, said that the two reactors shut down due to a failed electrical connections between multiple systems. The electrical problem initially caused a coolant pump for the first reactor to stop operations, which in turn caused the second reactor to shut down. The report cited the operators of the plant with what is known as a “white” finding or violation, which is of a low to moderate safety concern, Screnci said, because they did not implement a maintenance program for a diesel-fueled back up generator that should have come on line to keep the coolant pumps running at the plant. The report noted that leaks in the roof of a building that contained safety
equipment that helped the functioning of the coolant pumps. That problem was rated as a “green” violation, which is of a low safety concern, the report stated, though the leaking roof was deemed to be the cause of the malfunction. The report went on to report that roof leaks accounted for 58 work orders for repair that had not been scheduled or planned, with some being more than two years old. After the problem caused the first reactor to shutdown, the report stated, work crews repaired the roof leak. “There was no safety consequence to plant workers, the public or the environment associated with the shutdowns,” said NRC Regional Administrator Sam Collins. “The NRC resident inspectors were in the plant’s control room to monitor the reactor operators’ response. The team will review the causes of the shutdown and how the plant operators and equipment responded to it.” BY GUY LEONARD guyleonard@countytimes.net
Over 250,000 Southern Marylanders can’t be wrong!
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Thursday, June-2010
Dumping Fees to Increase July 1
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s part of the fiscal year 2011 budget, the Calvert County Board of County Commissioners has approved incremental increases in solid waste tip fees for all solid waste from commercial customers, Calvert County residents, and out-of-county customers. The new fees apply to chargeable loads of solid waste brought to the Appeal Landfill. According to a county press release, the following new tip fees (the cost per ton of solid waste disposed of at the transfer station or in the landfill) will become effective July 1, 2010: • All out-of-county and commercial customers: $70.98 per ton (up from $70.85) • Calvert County residents with chargeable loads: $63.89 per ton (up from $63.77) Calvert County residents are charged for disposal of the following items at the Appeal Landfill: • Construction and demolition debris: doors, windows, cabinets, sinks, tubs, toi-
lets, carpet, drywall, wood, fencing, sheds, siding, shutters, shingles, etc. • Yard debris: leaves, branches, trees, etc. • Mixed loads: construction and demolition debris and/or yard debris mixed with household trash. Calvert County residents are not charged for bagged household waste, metal or other items separated for recycling. The tip fee increase is tied to changes in the Consumer Price Index under an agreement reached last year between the county and Waste Management, Inc. The agreement includes the provision for annual disposal fee adjustments, with a maximum annual adjustment of 3 percent. For more information, contact the Calvert County Department of Public Works Solid Waste Division at 410-3260210, e-mail Solid Waste Division Chief Michael Thomas at thomasma@co.cal.md.us, or visit online at www.co.cal.md.us.
Pax High ROTC Graduate Wins $180K Scholarship
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mily Sikorski, a 2010 graduate of Patuxent High School has been awarded a $180,000 ROTC scholarship from the United States Navy. Sikorski was selected from over 14,000 applicants across the country to receive the full four-year scholarship that will cover all of her tuition and room and board as she attends Mary Baldwin College in Staunton, VA. She has been accepted into the VWIL (Virginia Women’s Institute of Leadership) Program, while at Mary Baldwin. It is the only all-female corps of cadets in the world, a press release states.
Sikorski will be serving her Naval ROTC unit through the Virginia Military Institute, by attending classes and leadership training there 3 days a week. This is the first time in 5 years that the Virginia Military Institute has had a female recipient of a full Naval ROTC scholarship. Sikorski was a member of the National Honor Society as well as the 2010 class president, and the commanding officer of her NJROTC unit at Patuxent High School. She plans on majoring in mathematics with a minor in leadership studies and Arabic while in college. Upon receiving her Naval commission, Emily would like to make a career in Surface Warfare.
America Should Welcome Foreign Help in Gulf Oil Disaster
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am sure most of you are as concerned as I am about the oil disaster currently occurring in the Gulf of Mexico. The reports are non-stop, the lack of progress is frustrating, the images are heart breaking, and the damage to the environment and economy is startling. We all pray for a stop to the oil flow and for an expedited clean up of the toxic crude oil. One of the most frustrating parts of the federal government’s response has been the “Thanks but No Thanks” answer that the Obama administration in Washington, D.C. has given to a reported 14 different nations throughout the world who have offered to send help and oil skimming ships to our Gulf Coast waters. Many of these nations have advanced technology oil recovery ships that our nation does not possess and they are willing to send them to the Gulf to help with the clean-up effort. The reason the Obama Administration gives for refusing the help of other nations in the world is that it is prohibited by the “Jones Act”. The Jones Act requires that all shipping for exclusively domestic maritime operations be performed by U.S. registered ships manned by U.S. crews unless a presidential waiver is granted. Former president Bush ordered just such a waiver of the Jones Act within days of the Hurricane Katrina disaster so maximum international help could be afforded to the states and citizens of the Gulf Coast region. National Incident Commander, Admiral Thad Allen of the U.S. Coast Guard and presidential Press Secretary Robert Gibbs have both been observed by me on television in live press conferences saying that the reason no waiver of the federal Jones Act prohibition has been issued is because, “… to their knowledge, no one has requested a waiver.” Both men, in di-
rect daily contact with the President of the United States on this disaster, used exactly the same words in response to why the president has not yet issued such a waiver. Are they kidding? No one has asked? If the President is really in charge and doing everything humanly possible for this disaster response, he would find a way to accept international help. Why then has he and his administration not proactively issued the Jones Act waiver and humbly welcomed the help of the world community in this unprecedented disaster response and clean-up? After being elected, President Obama went on an international speaking series that some term as his “apology tour” to offer apologies for America’s supposed lack of partnering in the world. At a NATO meeting on April 4, 2009, President Obama said the following in front of a European audience at a widely covered international news conference, “In America, there’s a failure to appreciate Europe’s leading role in the world. Instead of celebrating your dynamic union and seeking to partner with you to meet common challenges, there’s been times when America has shown arrogance and been dismissive, even derisive.” These are the President of the United States own words before a foreign audience regarding the supposed dismissive, derisive, and even arrogant actions of America on the world stage. How flat those words fall now as the President himself seems to arrogantly dismiss the offer of help of some of those same foreign nations in the middle of our own continuing disaster. And this is supposedly because, as his spokespersons indicate, that those offering to help have not made a technical request to waive the restrictions of the Jones Act. To me this is beyond belief! In fact it looks like the high water mark of being too arrogant to allow for international help to our fellow citizens on the Gulf Coast. This article was written on day 62 of the Gulf oil disaster. As of this date there have been no waivers forthcoming to the Jones Act. Maybe it will materialize over the next few days. Doing so would allow for all humanly possible help to truly be brought to bear on this disaster. It is my hope that the President of the United States will reconsider his position on this matter. America should certainly be humble enough to accept foreign help in this disaster recovery. Over two months too late is still better than never. We always help the world when it is dealing with any number of international disasters. Our nation’s generosity is nothing to apologize for. Indeed our generosity in the world is a mark of America’s exceptional nature. Hopefully our government and our President have not become so arrogant as to reject some of it being paid back in our nation’s hour of need from our world partners. As always, feel free to contact my local legislative office at (410) 326-0081 or email at anthony.odonnell@house. state.md.us with questions, comments or concerns regarding these items or other matters.
Great Chesapeake Bay Swim Crosses ‘Dead Zone’
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undreds of swimmers from across CNS/News21 Photo By Jason Lenhart the country churned through the waters of the Chesapeake Bay on the morning of June 13, and for the participants of the Great Chesapeake Bay Swim, nature proved more friend than foe. Andrew Gyenis, a 15-year-old from Reston, Va., won in a sprint to the finish in what many called one of the event’s most pristine outings in recent memory, helping Gyenis to finish the course in a fast 1:28:45. hostile to aquatic life. “I just love open water,” Gyenis said. The dead zone stretches 90 to 125 “Open water has always been my passion, miles long and six miles wide every sumbut there (are) not too many options out here mer, according to Dr. Mike Roman, lab difor open water. I know this one is famous, rector at the University of Maryland Center so I just wanted to try it and give it a go.” for Environmental Science. That comes to The rising junior at Georgetown Preabout 10 percent to 15 percent of the total paratory School, who swims for Curlvolume of water in the bay, as pollution Burke Swim Club, beat out Taylor Smith, from nutrients such as nitrogen and phos18, from Arnold by two seconds to win his phorous causes huge algae blooms, which first open saltwater event. Brian Benda, 39, take almost all the oxygen out of the water. from Parkton, and Bruce Brockschmidt, 43, “I was not aware that there was a dead from Mount Laurel, N.J., rounded out the zone, per se,” said Burdi Mahoney, 48, from top four. Richmond, Va., one of those who praised The favorable conditions -- the water the water’s apparent cleanliness. “But you at a balmy 74 degrees, the sun shining, the can definitely feel as you’re swimming, difcurrents flowing toward the finish line -ferences in the bay, especially when you’re allowed all but 21 of the 618 swimmers to crossing that shipping channel.” finish the 4.4-mile charity marathon, said Organizers cite increased recognition Director Chuck Nabit. of the bay as one of the main goals of the Last year, strong currents prevented charity swim, which raises funds for the more than 100 swimmers from completing Chesapeake Bay Trust and other area nonthe race. profit organizations, particularly the local The annual swim set a scenic course chapter of the March of Dimes. through local landmarks. The competition Though the official event is just 19 started at Sandy Point State Park and ran years old, it traces its origins to Brian Eareast beneath the twin spans of the Chesaley, who swam solo across the bay in 1982 peake Bay Bridge before ending on the in memory of his father, who had died of shore between the spans and Hemingway’s diabetes the year before. The mission has Restaurant at the Bay Bridge Marina. morphed since then. While many participated for the sheer “I think it’s gone from more of helpphysical challenge, others also saw it as a ing folks with disability, now through the showcase of the region’s natural treasure, March of Dimes, to protecting the Chesawhich has attracted millions of dollars in peake for generations to come,” said Earcleanup funds in recent decades in response ley, who now lives in San Diego, Calif., but to declining populations of aquatic life, inreturns every year for the swim. cluding crabs and oysters. “If 100 years from now the Chesa“This is like home for us,” Gyenis said peake is as beautiful and as clean as it can of the Chesapeake. “We need to preserve be, then we’re doing our job,” he said. this. I think this is pretty amazing.” Earley said he is glad his event can help The water looked clean on the surface, people discover more about the Chesapeake and some of the participants were pleasantand become invested in the water. ly surprised by the quality of the water. Dr. “I’m so happy to share this event with Bill Dennison, vice president for science so many people from around the country,” applications at the University of Maryland Earley said. “All these folks here, everyCenter for Environmental Science, said the body pitching in to honor the Chesapeake, water quality was the best it has been in it’s overwhelming.” By Kate Yanchulis and Shaseveral years. ron Behn (News21) But about a third of the course actually crossed a “dead zone,” or an area of the water with little to no oxygen, making it
Thursday, June-2010
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Near $10,000 Raised at Charity Golf Tournament Photo by Sean Rice
local organizations, including Patuxent High School NJROTC, Boy Scouts, Boy’s State, programs for the blind and hearing impaired, nurses scholarships and dozens more. “This is the eighth or ninth year that I’ve participated, and it was the best crowd, best weather, best time. I think this was the happiest crowd I’ve seen in a long time,” said Dave Spigler, aka Spiggy Hogette. “It’s unbelievable where the Legion sends its money. It takes care of kids, a lot of welfare here in the county. It’s a good thing,” he added. “After serving in the Army, they Photo by Sean Rice
Above are the first place finishers in the 13th annual Arick L. Lore American Legion Post 274 Charity Golf tournament held on June 11. From left is Rob Randall, Geoff Ricker, event organizer Jon Baki and Kris McCarthy. Not pictured from the winning foursome is Rob Damalouji. At right, members of the team that came in dead last place of the 36 foursomes each received a SORRY! board game.
N
early 150 local residents and elected officials participated in the 13th annual Arick L. Lore American Legion Post 274 13th annual charity golf tournament to help raise money for the dozens of charitable organizations that the legion supports. A total of 36 foursomes took to the course at Chesapeake Hills Golf Club in Lusby on the morning of June 11. The day of golfing featured refreshments provided by Del. Tony O’Donnell and several contests including closest-to-the-pin challenges and a hole in one contest. Bayside Chevrolet-Toyota promised a new 2010 model car to anyone who hit an hole in one, though no one succeeded. There were approximately 50 other sponsors for the event, said organizer Jon Baki, including candidates for local office, each county commissioner, First Mariner Mortgage, First Choice Reality and many others. The Naughty Gull Restaurant supplied food for the awards dinner following the tournament. “I’ve been a member of the American Legion for 40 years, and this is my 13th year running this tournament,” said Baki. “I think it is the biggest one we do.” Other big fundraisers this year for Legion Post 274 are the Patuxent River Appreciation Days in October and its Bull and Oyster Roast in November. The final amount raised this year at the golf tournament was available as of press time, but Baki said it would be between $7,000 and $10,000. The funds are used to support the Post’s charitable mission, which provides funds to scores of
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Thursday, June-2010
tell you when you get out that your obligation to your community, state and nation doesn’t end with your service time. You should go out in the community and help out and do things,” Baki said of his reasons for helping the Legion raise money. BY SEAN RICE (SCG) info@somdpublishing.net
SMECO Requests Rate Increase
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outhern Maryland Electric Cooperative, Inc. (SMECO) is filing a request with the Maryland Public Service Commission to restructure and increase its Distribution Service rates. SMECO hasn’t changed the Customer Charge on its customers’ monthly electric bills in 16 years and the Distribution Charge has not changed in three years, the co-op stated in a press release. Customer bills have two main components, the Standard Offer Service (SOS) and the Distribution Service. The SOS Energy Charge and Power Cost Adjustment together cover the cost of power. SMECO makes no profit on Standard Offer Service; the cost of power is simply a pass-through cost. The wholesale price that SMECO pays for power is passed on to customers without any mark-up. The SOS portion of the customer bill has decreased over the past year as a result of SMECO’s management of its power portfolio and the decrease in wholesale power costs. SMECO’s proposal does not affect the SOS portion of the customer bill. SMECO proposes a change in the Distribution Service charges that will result in a modest increase of about five percent on the average customer’s overall bill, though that percentage will vary depending on individual usage. SMECO’s rate filing proposes a Customer Charge of $29.56 per month and a Distribution Charge of $0.02092 (2.092 cents) per kilowatthour, reduced from $0.0289 (2.89 cents) for electricity consumption. The reduction in the Distribution Charge will save average-use residential customers over $10.00 a month on the portion of the bill determined by kilowatt-hour usage. The transition will bill many fixed costs at a fixed rate, and bill variable costs based on usage-splitting costs into demand-related and customer-related components. Aligning the fixed costs to a fixed Customer Charge will cover the minimum equipment necessary to connect each customer to the grid. These items include power poles, overhead conductors, underground conductors, and transformers—costs incurred by each customer regardless of the quantity of electricity purchased. “SMECO has worked hard not only to control these distribution costs, but to reduce our wholesale power costs, as well,” Austin J. Slater, Jr., SMECO President and CEO said in a press release. “As a non-profit electric cooperative, revenue from our customers’ bills generates the working capital required to continue providing the most reliable service possible. Net profit margins not required for working capital are passed back to our customer-members in the form of capital credits.” The Co-op started 73 years ago with a loan of $165,000 to build 175 miles of line to serve 600 families in Southern Maryland. Slater added, “Since 1937, average electric use has increased by almost 2,000 percent, because customers require energy for things that were unimaginable 70 years ago,” Slater said.
Calvert Hospital Receives $1,000 for ‘Healthy Steps’
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reg Ciesielski of Chesapeake Massage Associates and Chesapeake’s Bounty, has presented a check for $1,000 to Calvert Memorial Hospital Foundation to pay for the training of, Melinda Gaines of Calvert Hospital’s Keep Well Program, for Healthy Steps. Healthy Steps is a Lebed method of a dance exercise program for anyone with breast cancer and many other forms of cancers. This method of dance is also helpful with other medical conditions such as fibromyalgia. Lebed Method is an innovative exercise and movement program with dance and physiotherapy movement to improve lymphatic function. Lebed Method includes range of motion that provides therapeutic movement to upper and lower body lymphedema. Lebed Method creates an opening for the lymph system. The sequence of slow smooth exercises done with slight resistance emulates manual lymphatic drainage. These classes provide a positive social atmosphere as well. This physical therapy involvement in the preoperative and postoperative management of patients with
breast cancer can be a major factor in the early attainment and maintenance of full functional upper extremity range of motion and strength, a press release states. A group dance program for these clients is a nontraditional way to encourage continued exercise regimen. The program supports a healthy view of the clients change in body image that promotes feeling of femininity, grace and sexuality that may have been threatened by the nature of the surgery. In addition, the group setting provides a support system for newly diagnosed cancer patients who need a stable environment while coping with their diagnoses. Healthy Steps teaches “No pain means more gain.” The exercises are designed to be a gentle resistance so everyone can do them according to their ability. Participants can start at any stage of their healing journey knowing that this program is a non invasive form of physical therapy. There is no need to know how to dance to receive therapeutic results from this program. The client’s physical strength and lung capacity will also benefit from Lebed Method.
Annual Cancer Crusade Gala Returns in August
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alvert County’s 29th Annual Cancer Crusade Celebration of Life Gala will be held at the Rod ‘n’ Reel restaurant, Thursday, Aug. 5, from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Advanced tickets are $125 per person and $150 on the day of the event. The Gala, first organized 28 years ago by former Chesapeake Beach Mayor Gerald W. Donovan and his brother Fred, co-owners of the Rod ‘n’ Reel, is a celebration of life with proceeds going to the American Cancer society for research, education, and patient services. In 1982, the first event raised $5,300. Since then, combined earnings have reached nearly $4 million and continue to grow, a press release states. Approximately 40 percent of the money
raised stays right here in Calvert County to support such programs as the Road to Recovery, I Can Hope, Look Good...Feel Better, Man to Man, and Reach to Recovery. The American Cancer society is also very active in educating the community about early detection and prevention. The Honorary Chairs this year are Delegate Sue and Steve Kullen. Join them in honoring memories of our loved ones and to celebrate the lives of all cancer survivors. This year’s event promises to be another fun-filled evening with a menu that includes Maine lobsters, shrimp, oysters, clams, mussels, crabs, and fresh fish, as well as roasted pig, filet mignon, barbeque ribs, grilled chicken, steamship round, and desserts galore.
Enjoy an open bar, live music, and dancing inside and out. Rays of Hope luminaries to honor cancer survivors or those who have lost their lives to cancer will be available at the event. Tickets may be purchased at any Calvert County Community Bank of tri-County branch, at the Rod ‘n’ Reel restaurant, and online at www.rodnreelCancerGala.org. Hotel rooms are available for Gala patrons only (use promotional code gala10 when making your reservation). For more information please call 301-8558351 or 410-257-2735 ext. 108, 109, or 171 or visit us online at www.rodnreelCancerGala.org
Our Day of Independence By Joyce Baki On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress. The document, a justification of the American Revolution, cited grievances against the King of England, George III. It also affirmed that all people have certain natural rights which could not be violated. Written by Thomas Jefferson, it was revised by Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, Robert R. Livingston and John Adams. Fifty-six men signed the Declaration of Independence. Signing this document showed great courage because by announcing independence from Great Britain they committed an act of treason against the King, for which the punishment was death. The colonies actually voted to accept the document on July 2, 1776. John Adams, who first proposed the idea of declaring independence from England, wrote in a letter to his wife Abigail, “The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.” Interesting facts:
Independence
Day
The formal signing of the Declaration of Independence did not occur until August 2, 1776. Maryland signers were Charles Carroll of Carrollton, Thomas Stone, Samuel Chase and William Paca. Charles Carroll, the only Catholic to sign the Declaration of Independence, was also the last survivor of the signers, dying in 1832 at the age of 95.
Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson also served on the committee that picked the Bald Eagle for the national seal, although Franklin wanted a turkey. Bald Eagles live only in North America and have few natural enemies. A Bald Eagle will get their white head and tail feathers when they reach 4-5 years of age. The Bald Eagle mates for life and it is a felony to shoot a Bald Eagle. More than $3.0 million worth of flags were imported to the United States in 2009. The largest amount ($2.5 million) was U.S. flags made in China. The United States exported $920,277 worth of flags in 2009. The leading customer was Mexico purchasing $333,882 worth of flags. (Source: Foreign Trade Statistics http:// www.census.gov/foreign-trade/) In July 1776, the estimated number of people living in the newly independent nation was 2.5 million. It is estimated that the population of the United States this July 2010 will be 309.6 million. (Source: http://www.census.gov/prod/www/abs/ statab.html and http://www.census.gov/ main/www/popclock.html) Patriotic cities In the United States, 31 cities have “liberty” in their name. You can find Liberty in Missouri, Texas, Florida, Arizona, Kentucky, Indiana, Kansas, Illinois, Mississippi and Maine. Libertyville, New Liberty, North Liberty and West Liberty are all found in Iowa. Eight townships and two boroughs are named Liberty in Pennsylvania. Eleven places have “independence” in their name. Most famous is Independence, Missouri; but you can also find Independence in Iowa, Kentucky, Kansas, Ohio, California, Oregon and Louisiana. Surprisingly enough there are two towns of Independence in Minnesota, one near Duluth and the other near Minneapolis/St. Paul. If you are looking for Freedom, you can find it in California, Idaho, Indiana, Maine, New Hampshire, Oklahoma,
Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Kentucky; as well as in our own backyard of Maryland in Carroll County. Folks from Patriot hail from Indiana and Ohio. America can be found in Alabama, Indiana, Illinois and Oklahoma. American Fork is in Utah. (Sources: Population estimates http:// www.census.gov/popest/cities/SUBEST2008-4.html and American FactFinder www.census.gov) What are the chances? More than 1 in 4 that the hot dogs and pork sausages consumed on the 4th of July originated in Iowa. The Hawkeye State produces more than 18.9 million hogs and pigs, representing more than one-fourth of the nation’s total. Runnersup are North Carolina with 9.1 million and Minnesota with 7.2 million. (Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service) About 1 in 3 that your baked beans originated in North Dakota. North Dakota produced 34 percent of the United States’ dry, edible beans in 2009. (Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service) More than half of the potatoes that will be used in potato salad and potato chips were produced in Idaho or the Washington. (Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service) The chances are 7 in 10 that the tomatoes in your salad will come from Florida or California, which combined accounted for 70 percent of the nation’s fresh-market tomato production last year. (Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service) About 1 in 6 is the chance that the beef hamburger on the grill came from Texas, which is nation’s leader in cattle production. Cooking chicken? The top broiler-producing states are North Carolina, Mississippi, Georgia, Arkansas and
Alabama. (Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service) And 76 million Americans say they took part in a barbecue at some point during the summer of 2009. (Source: Mediamark Research & Intelligence, as cited in the Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2010)
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Thursday, June-2010
9
Spotlight On
Board of Education and Teachers Reach Tentative Agreement on Contract
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he Calvert County Board of Education and the Calvert Education Association are pleased to announce that on Monday, June 14, a tentative agreement was reached on a labor agreement. The Calvert Education Association represents Calvert County public school teachers. The highlights of the new contract include: • A 0.5% salary adjustment for all teachers effective July 1, 2010; • A mid-year step increase for all eligible teachers; • Salary compression from Step 30 to Step 28; • An increase in personal leave days; • Enhancements to bereavement leave; • An adjustment in what employees pay for individual health insurance plans from 8% to 10% of their health insurance premiums and an adjustment in the drug co-pay to $10 (changes to the plan are closed for the threeyear term of the agreement unless both sides agree to renegotiate this article) ; • Language that supports pay increases in the extra pay for extra duty pay scale; • Employees who experience or have a spouse, child or parent who experiences a medically documented incapacitating or catastrophic illness, injury or quarantine may
receive up to 70 transferred sick days each school year; and • A commitment to enhance technology in classrooms; Language was also added to the contract: • Providing flexibility for teachers on two-hour early dismissal days for students designated as teacher work time; • Specifying the order in which non- tenured, tenured, certified, and conditionally certified teachers are laid-off as the result of budgetary action or curriculum and/or administrative reorganization; and • Addressing how non-promotional vacancies are filled. If ratified by the Calvert Education Association and approved by the Board of Education, most of the articles in the contract will be in effect for three years. Negotiable articles for fiscal years 2012 and 2013 include those addressing salary and other compensation, and each party can select two additional articles for negotiation. The Calvert Education Association will be holding ratification meetings this week. If the teachers ratify the contract, the proposed contract will be presented to the Board of Education later this month for consideration and approval.
Roof Appointed Executive Director
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he Calvert County Board of Education appointed Kim Roof, current Director of Student Services, as Executive Director of Administration effective July 1, 2010. The position became available when Jeff Walker, Assistant Superintendent of Administration, resigned because of family health concerns. “I would like to thank the Board of Education and Dr. Smith for this opportunity,” said Roof in a press release. “I have been fortunate over the years to have worked with and for some wonderful educators.”
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Thursday, June-2010
Ms. Roof earned a Bachelor of Science degree from High Point College in North Carolina, a Master’s of Science degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Western Maryland College, and holds administrator 1 & 2 certification. Before starting work for Calvert County Public Schools in 1989, Ms. Roof taught at Meadowbrook High School in Chesterfield County, Virginia. Ms. Roof taught health and physical education at Calvert and Patuxent high schools, served as athletic director, dean and vice principal at Patuxent High, and was principal at Mill Creek Middle School. In 2006, Ms. Roof moved to the school system’s central office as the director of student services. “The best part of any job in the school system is working with students,” said Ms. Roof. “I look forward to continuing my direct contact with students, staff, parents and communities as I assist in the support of the vision of Calvert County Public Schools.”
Walker Resigns Assistant Superintendent Position
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iting family health concerns, Jeff Walker, Assistant Superintendent for Calvert County Public Schools, resigned his position and requested a voluntary transfer to a school counselor position. “My family has struggled through several very serious medical issues over the past few years,” Dr. Walker said at today’s Board of Education meeting. He said facing these challenges has changed him. “My interests are different, my goals are different, and my heart is leading me down a different path.” “Jeff has discussed his thinking with me as he has worked to make this difficult and complex decision, and while I wish it were otherwise, I understand why he has made this choice,” said Jack Smith, Superintendent in a press release. “I am well aware that Jeff will be a terrific resource to any school or department in this system, but I will miss working with him on a daily basis. To Jeff, Kristen, and their sons, Josh and Ryan, my very best to each of you, now and in the years to come.” Dr. Walker said his decision was “based entirely on my per-
sonal circumstances and in no way reflects any concerns with the direction of the school system.” He said he knows the school system is headed in the right direction under the leadership of Dr. Smith and his executive team. Dr. Smith said, “Dr. Walker is an invaluable resource to Calvert County Public Schools in the role of Assistant Superintendent. I wish he could remain in the position for many reasons, but most importantly, because he is an extremely bright and talented person of great integrity.” Dr. Walker has worked for the school system since 1992 and began his career as the school counselor at Patuxent Elementary School. Since then he has held a variety of positions including vice principal, principal, director of instruction and assistant superintendent. “This system couldn’t be in better hands, and, while I feel I have contributed in important ways, I know there are even better days ahead,” concluded Dr. Walker. “I look forward to my new role with Calvert County Public Schools.”
Calvert Schools Begin New Enhanced Building Security in July
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alvert County Public Schools is expanding the use of KeepnTrack, a visitor and volunteer tracking system, designed to increase safety and security in all of its schools and facilities. KeepnTrack enables schools to produce visitor and volunteer badges, record and monitor volunteer hours, and electronically check all visitors against registered sexual offender databases, a press release states. Based on the success of a pilot at seven schools, all school sites will begin using KeepnTrack in July 2010. Pilot sites included elementary, middle and high schools across the various regions of the county. The pilot sites are: Calvert Elementary, Plum Point Elementary, Sunderland Elementary, Mill Creek Middle, Plum Point Middle, Calvert High and Patuxent High. When visitors and volunteers
come to a school or school system facility, they must enter a valid driver’s license, military identification card, or other approved photo identification into the KeepnTrack system. This system will alert an administrator if a person who may jeopardize the safety of students and employees signs in. Even if known to the staff, visitors and volunteers will be required to complete the sign in and sign out verification process on every visit. Visitors and volunteers will also be required to wear a badge during their stay at the school site. In addition to the security features of this new system, it allows all volunteers to submit applications electronically and automatically tracks volunteer hours. New volunteer orientation conducted at each school site is still mandatory prior to service.
Delegate Sue
Kullen
District 27B Northern Calvert
A
s I represent Calvert County in the Maryland General Assembly I sit on the House Health and Government Operations Committee. I get a front row seat on the health care reform for Maryland so I am looking forward to the next few years as we help Maryland navigate with the nation for better access to health care for its citizens. Last summer there was a huge debate in the nation about what health care reform should look like. With health care representing roughly 20% of our economy, our full financial recovery will hinge upon whether we can solve the nation’s health care puzzle. Simply stated we are paying more and more for less and less, with health insurance companies in the driver’s seat ultimately making the decisions about who they will insure and what they will reimburse. Over the years the increase in health insurance costs is choking our families and our businesses. Over half of the bankruptcies that are filed are because of unpaid medical bills. People and businesses want to do the right thing but it is getting beyond the reach of most small businesses and families. Imagine working full time, having a family and not being able to afford health insurance. More Calvert Countians are in this situation than you might think. As more businesses do not provide health insurance as it is out of reach, less people have access to affordable health insurance for their families. As people switch jobs and deal with the realities of pre-existing conditions for themselves or their kids, more were losing access to affordable health insurance. So the people who need health care the most, cannot get insurance because they need health insurance. A crazy catch 22. In this last four-year cycle, the Maryland General Assembly worked on several health care priorities. In 2007 the Maryland General Assembly passed the Working Families and Small Business Health Care Coverage Act. This law provided health care coverage to over 60,000 uninsured Maryland citi-
zens who would have otherwise had to use hospital emergency rooms for their health care needs. This drives up the rates of hospital uncompensated care and ultimately the rates all of us pay for insurance. The law also provided grants to small businesses that had been unable to provide health insurance to their employees allowing them to provide this health insurance coverage. The Maryland General Assembly also passed the Kids First and Foster Kids Act to ensure that 70,000 children who had been eligible for health insurance coverage got enrolled and covered. We also helped over 23,000 of our poorest seniors by covering more prescription drug costs for those who fell in the donut hole. If all of these benefits sound familiar it because Maryland was already doing a lot of what the Federal Health Care bill is attempting to do in the next four years. Maryland has led the nation in innovation and health care delivery. We are the only state in the nation to have an all payer system where hospitals are reimbursed a substantial portion of uncompensated care through a rate setting formula. We do not have hospitals for the poor; we only have hospitals for the sick. We were working on limiting some pre-existing condition and already had in place the high risk pools that the new health care legislation will require. We were helping low income seniors with offsetting some of their costs for prescription drugs. So the exciting result for Maryland will be to sure up what we know makes a difference in health care and to amplify some of the efforts that we have already undertaken. While the rest of the nation plays catch-up, Maryland will have the opportunity to leap ahead in increasing high outcomes at a lower cost. This will be the biggest challenge for health care around the country. This last legislative session we passed HB 929, a bill that will enable us to operationalize the concept of “medical homes” encouraging and paying health care providers to focus on outcomes instead of individual procedures or visits. This will enable well rounded care for chronic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure, avoiding emergency room visits and more invasive treatment options. I am glad to have this front row seat on health care reform. I would welcome your opinions as Maryland moves forward in the next four years. It is an honor 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.
Congressman Steny Hoyer Truly Serves His Constituents Congressman Hoyer has critics who say his leadership position leaves him little time for his District. I disagree in the strongest way; he is personally engaged in activities, sponsors special events for his constituents, and ensures that his District Office staff provides excellent personal service. My family and I have been recipients of such service. My parents were lifelong residents of Congressman Hoyer’s District; they lived there last 25 years in LaPlata, MD. We have always been proud of him and his growing stature in the House of Representatives. But Congressman Hoyer has remained dedicated to the people who sent him to Congress and committed to the needs of his constituents. Several years ago my father passed away, leaving my mother distraught and unable to deal with the issues that typically accompany terminating federal benefits and filing paperwork. I visited Congressman Hoyer’s Waldorf District office and was welcomed by professional caseworkers who took on our family’s burden and
helped us navigate the appropriate government channels. I will never forget how grateful my mom was for this assistance; it relieved her of overwhelming stress at a most difficult time. A few months ago my mother passed away. As I went through her papers in settling the estate, I found correspondence from Congressman Hoyer regarding my dad’s case. His care and concern was so evident in his words, as well as the service he ensures his District Offices provide. She had saved that letter as a reminder of Steny Hoyer’s personal dedication to each and every person in his 5th District. I moved away recently, but I remain a lifelong supporter of a Congressman who made such a positive impact on my family. Shirley Clark Clayton, NC (Former resident of MD 5th District)
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Southern Calvert Gazette is a bi-weekly newspaper providing news and information for the residents of Southern Calvert County. The Southern Calvert Gazette will be available on newsstands every other Thursday of the month. The paper is published by Southern Maryland Publishing Company, which is responsible for the form, content, and policies of the newspaper. Southern Calvert Gazette does not espouse any political belief or endorse any product or service in its news coverage. Articles and letters submitted for publication must be signed and may be edited for length or content. Southern Calvert Gazette is not responsible for any claims made by its advertisers.
Thursday, June-2010
11
Cover On The
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alvert County’s public library system has the summer jammed packed with events for children all season long – aimed at keeping them entertained as well as keeping their reading skills sharp while out of school. This week began Calvert Library’s “Summer Fun” programs at all branches across the county, which features special events that travel from library to library for children and teens for the next seven weeks. The first proThe Mad Science program en- gram was Mad Science, tertains and educates children and interactive science with “Cool” experiments. show that brings “cool” experiments to kids. Summer Fun, which includes Magician Mike Rose on June 29-30 and the highly popular Reptile World on July 27-28, is a program that supports the Library’s top priority during student’s off-season from school – the Summer Reading program. “It’s really a major function of the library to keep kids reading over the summer so that they don’t fall so far behind in school,” said Robyn Truslow, public relations coordinator for the library system. “We do know, as well as the school system, that over the summer kids sometimes have this reading gap if they don’t continue to read over the summer. They lose their skills if they’re not reading,” said Beverly Izzi, children’s coordinator for the library. “The school’s libraries are closed, but ours are open. So we become that library for all of our kids. And we want them to succeed, that’s our goal.” The library works with Calvert Public Schools to receive the required and suggested reading lists issued for the different grade levels. Library workers also go an visit certain grade levels before the year is out to teach about the summer reading program and the long list of other summer library events, like Summer Sto-
Summer of Fun
rytime and the Tween Summer Book Fest. “We get a lot of people that come, so each “It’s all about making reading fun for them … show is done five times in the county – once near Keeping the brain cells popping during the summer,” each branch and twice (in Prince Frederick) dursaid Truslow. ing the day and evening,” Truslow said. The reading lists for students were shared with the At the Prince Frederick branch, the staff library, which is stocked up with the required books issues free tickets to each Summer Fun show, in a special section set up to display the books and the (starting an hour before the performance) belists. cause often too many people show up that can The Summer Reading program follows a state- safety fit in the spacious library. They have had wide initiative, and this year’s program is the ocean- to turn some people away on occasion. themed “Make Waves at Your Library.” “Especially Reptile World, he is a favorite, Students that use the program will win prizes and they love those animals,” Truslow said. incentives along the way as they progress with their Space is not a problem for shows held in personal goals, Izzi and Truslow explained. They also Southern Calvert County, as the program takes earn chances to win major prizes, such as an iPod place in Patuxent Elementary School on Appeal Touch and tickets to see the Baltimore Orioles and a Lane in Lusby, where there is much more room family pass to Port Discovery in Baltimore. that at the southern branch. To chart their reading progress, children are issued game board-type pages to keep track. “So we have these game boards, but the kids can also put their information in online. They basically create their own little Web site through our summer reading program,” said Truslow. “They can write reviews,’ said Izzi. “It comes up like ‘This is Wesley’s Summer reading page’ and he can enter whatever he wants. He can share it with other people if Mom allows, or he can just keep it to himself.” Throw in the Summer Fun events and other scheduled activities such as Wii gaming nights and Monday morning movies and summertime makes a busy season for the county’s libraries. “Summertime is big for the library. We know how important it is over the summer to keep the kids active, and it’s a role that we’ve played for a long time,” said Truslow. Hundreds of children and families attend the library’s seven-week Summer Fun schedule. So many county residents take advantage of the programs, that sometimes people are turned away from the packed Children learned about real pirates during 2008’s Pirates of the Chesapeake Bay program. programs at the Prince Frederick branch. “The idea (behind Summer Fun) is to draw the kids back into the library each week so they can get new books and get their prizes … it’s basically keeping “It will be a busy summer,” said Truslow “It gets them coming back to the library.” like a mad house here.” The libraries experience no problem drawing resiFor more information on the library’s summer dents to attend the Summer Fun programs. programming, see their Web site at calvert.lib.md.us. “They are very well attended … 100 in attendance BY SEAN RICE (SCG) info@somdpublishing.net is low,” Izzi said.
On The Cover
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• Uninsured • Low-Middle Income • No Income • First Time Experience/ New to ‘energy therapy’ The Reptile World show is the Summer Fun program’s most popular attraction, drawing hundreds of families.
Performance Schedule
DATE
Program
June 29 & 30
Magician Mike Rose Mike Rose has performed his comedy and educational magic programs in over 25 states and Canada. This all new magic show features interactive comedy magic, quick wit, off the wall mind reading stunts, and amazing sleight of hand. Additionally, all of the magic performed will be themed around water and complements the library’s summer reading theme, “Make a Splash @ Your Library.” The audience will experience all of this first hand and many children will even become part of the show! For kids of ALL ages.
July 6 & 7
Musician Barry Louis Polisar Don’t miss this special performance. Barry sings his song All I Want is You in the opening credits of the film Juno and on the Grammy Award-winning Juno Soundtrack. A 2-CD, 60-song Tribute Album of his songs was released on April Fools’ Day, 2010. Barry is an author, songwriter, story-teller and poet. A four-time Parents’ Choice Award winner, Barry has written songs for Sesame Street and The Weekly Reader. He has been a regular musical performer on The Learning Channel and the star of an Emmy Award-winning television show for children. For kids 5 and up.
July 13 & 14
Flumpa SCIENCE ROCKS with Flumpa® and Friends LIVE! starring Wendy Whitten ‘The Singing Scientist’ and Flumpa the tree frog! This duo presents a polished and professional one-of-a-kind, high energy, musical science stage show complete with upbeat music, non-stop audience action and unbelievable ENERGY. The show is rich in science content and FUN! For kids of ALL ages.
July 20 & 21
The Story Lady Glenda Fields YES! Stories do come alive with the Story Lady through her enthusiasm and unique style of storytelling. Children enjoy the magic of books, actively utilize their imaginations, and experience a dose of laughter. She presents this high energy program using books, puppets, music, storytelling, flannel board stories, and magic. For kids of ALL ages.
July 27& 28
Reptile World Crowd pleaser Michael Shwedick returns with his collection of exciting and exotic creatures, giving the audience the opportunity to meet an interesting selection of live, large, colorful and gentle reptiles from all over the world. For kids 5 and up.
Aug 3 & 4
InterACTion! FollowSpot Productions presents ‘InterACTion’ story telling of Chadwick the Crab, Come join us and find out as local youth present a dramatic reading of the book by Priscilla Cummings. InterACTion means the audience has a part to play in this interpretation of ‘Chadwick’ so come prepared to be creative with us and our imaginations will help tell this story in a fun and InterACTive manner! For kids of ALL ages.
Tuesdays 10 a.m. Northeast Community Center 4075 Gordon Stinnett Avenue Chesapeake Beach, MD 20732 Twin Beaches Branch 410-257-2411 Tuesdays 2 p.m. Dunkirk Volunteer Fire Department 3170 West Ward Road Dunkirk, MD 20754 Fairview Branch 410-257-2101
Thursday, May-2010
1699
$
36 pack
Performance Schedule
12
Patuxent
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Thursday, May-2010
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Young Eagles Take to the Skies
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handmade from kits, all pledging to attract others to the pursuit of flight. “This is an outreach program that the national Experimental Aircraft Association started back in 1994 to fly a million kids, and right now we’ve actually flown over a million and a half kids. We just try to fly as many kids as we can,” said Spelz, going on to explain that kids both signed up to fly and volunteered to help their many ground handlers as they directed traffic on the runways. Robert DeAngeles, 14, a student at Margaret Brent Middle School, said he had signed up to help at the day’s event almost on a whim, but had been enjoying himself nevertheless. “They asked us if we wanted to come out to help with the EAA flying, so we just signed up and here we are,” he said. “It’s been really cool, so far I’ve had a great time … you get to learn how to maintain the planes … wash them, take care of them.” Pilot and EAA member Bernie WunPhoto By Andrea Shiell der flew several kids (and this reporter) in Bernie Wunder, a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association, took several his own homemade plane (reportedly one of people up in his homemade aircraft at Saturday’s free aviation day. the fastest and highest-flying planes at the Jeffrey Test from EAA Chapter 478 said the event event), laughing as he described constructwas a great success, as always. ing the plane from a kit he bought in the 1990s. “We’ve been doing really well. We had a lot of nice “The advantage of building it with a kit was that I probably couldn’t afford to buy a big airplane,” he ex- kids come out for free plane rides to learn a little about plained, running his hands over the aircraft and smiling. aviation,” he said, “so I hope that the parents and the kids “And when I bought this kit in 1995, the basic kit cost will see the importance of flight aviation and what we $18,000. The engine cost another $9,000, and I probably do.” The Experimental Aircraft Association meets on spent about 2 or $3,000 for the instruments. If I was going to buy some of these other airplanes, it probably would the third Thursday of every month at the Patuxent River have been 50 or $60,000. So here I can afford a pretty nice Naval Air Museum. For more information on EAA, the Young Eagles program and related events, visit www. little airplane without killing myself.” And while part of the day’s event focused on sharing youngeagles.org or www.EAAchapter478.org. By Anthe joy of flight, another part of the day’s event focused on drea Shiell (CT) info@somdpublishing.net instructing kids on airplane engineering, aviation safety, and tempering the nervousness that he said some of the kids experienced before going up in the air. “Because the activity has such a high intensity to it, we make sure we very experienced ground handlers directing traffic,” said Spelz, explaining that CAP cadets were also onhand offering assistance as flight line monitors to ground control. “Most of our kids are new, but we also have a lot of repeats. For the kids that are new it’s totally natural to be nervous,” he said, “so even if they’ve been on a commercial airplane, it’s a completely different experience. It’s more three-dimensional. You’re not on a big bus looking out a tiny window, you’re Photo By Andrea Shiell on a small bus looking out of 6-year-old Zoe Dunn of Calvert County sits with pilot Sid Wood at Saturday’s Young Eagles Aviation Day at St. Mary’s County Regional a big window.” free aviation day hosted by the Experimental Aircraft Association’s Young Eagles program drew dozens of Southern Maryland children to St. Mary’s County Regional Airport on June 12, where teams of pilots gave free plane rides in a variety of vessels. Joe Spelz, Young Eagles coordinator for Chapter 478 of the Experimental Aircraft Association, described the event as one of many that the association has fashioned to encourage kids to learn more about the many forms of flight, going on to explain how he was able to take to the skies himself, despite having vision problems that would hinder him from flying in the military or commercially. “I wanted to fly but I wore glasses. I wanted to fly either military or commercial, but I couldn’t do it, so I became an aeronautical engineer, went to an aeronautical college, and I learned to also become a mechanic,” said Spelz, who now flies as a hobby. “We have a variety of airplanes. Most of them are pretty mature airplanes, they’re 30 years old, or older, and we have a combination of tricycle-gear airplanes, which are more modern, and conventional airplanes with a tail wheel instead of a nose wheel,” said Spelz, “and we have some that are probably about 60 years old out here flying today, somewhat of an open cockpit airplane called an air coup, which was made in Maryland, which is kind of exciting. We like that airplane a lot, and so do the kids.” Spelz went on to explain that most of the day’s pilots were locals, flying their own aircraft, some of which were
Airport, during which local pilots gave early 100 free plane rides to kids from St. Mary’s and Calvert counties.
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Thursday, June-2010
Sp rts BMX Race For Life Raises Money For Leukemia
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Photo By Frank Marquart Ryan Straub is focused during the Southern Maryland BMX race for life.
outhern Maryland BMX raised $2,000 for the American Bicycle Association’s annuaRace for Life series earlier this month, donating time and money to leukemia research while engaging in the thrill of bicycle racing. “It happens at every track in the country and it’s a great opportunity to raise funds and help this cause,” said SOMD BMX president Dave Rivera. “We were able to support this cause and it gives the riders opportunity to gain extra points.” SOMD BMX asked all riders who participated, as well as their families to solicit donations from family and friends, which accounted for the total amount raised. Even with the success of Race for life and other events at Chaptico, getting racers and spectators out to the track is still a challenge that Rivera, treasurer Lisa Bradford and others are still fighting to conquer. “Location is everything and we’re detached from other areas,” Rivera says. To counteract that problem, he notes that SOMD BMX has a working relationship with St. Mary’s County Recreation and
Photo By Frank Marquart Joshua Peters leads the pack in a moto event at Chaptico Park, which hosts Southern Maryland BMX races throughout the spring and summer months.
Parks, which includes pages in the Rec and Parks guide outlining their entire program. “We rely on the kids also,” he said of younger riders spreading the word to their friends and hopefully getting them out to the track. They also seek volunteers for various duties at the race track behind the main park (go to www.somdbmx.com for more information). Southern Maryland BMX races almost every weekend during the spring and summer months at Chaptico Park on Budds Creek Road, and Rivera says the door – or in this case, gate – is always open for new riders of all ages. “We have eight to 10 new riders each year and if we could get all of them to come out in one day, it would be awesome,” says Rivera, who has been president of SOMD BMX for three years. “Parents like to help their kids and then they’re on bikes. That’s what happens – it’s great exercise.” By Chris Stevens (CT) info@somdpublishing.net
Photo By Frank Marquart Ben Loflin heads over a hill during the Southern Maryland BMX Race for life, which raised over $2,000 for leukemia research.
Thursday, June-2010
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Lance Daniel Copsey, 40 Lance Daniel Copsey, of Annapolis, formerly of Prince Frederick, died on June 13, 2010. He was the beloved husband of Jenny Copsey for 15 years and the loving father to Molly and Besse. Lance was the son of Pat Coyle and stepson of Mike Coyle and the son-in-law of Ronald and Cheryl Jetmore. Lance was the brother of the late Billy Copsey and brother-in-law of Ronald and Melissa Jetmore. He was a loving uncle of Emersen Jetmore. Lance was the best friend of Scott Williams, Gil Humphreys and Tim Horsmon. Lance lived in Calvert County for 20 years and was a partner with Marsh Copsey and Associates, Inc. He was a member of the Bay Ridge Christian Church, Polo Social Club and Old South Country Club. Lance also belonged to the International Political Consultants and former Executive Director of the Maryland Republican Party. Lance was a loving husband and a devoted family man. He was very active at St. Ann’s School of Annapolis, where his daughters attended. Lance enjoyed fishing, boating and playing golf. He loved traveling, especially internationally. The family received friends at the Lee Funeral Home Calvert, in Owings, on Wednesday, June 16, 2010. A Christian burial was held Thursday, June 17 at Calvary Bible Church, Lusby. Interment followed at Middleham Chapel 10200 H. G. Trueman Road, Lusby, Maryland.
Larry Fowler, 67 Larry Franklin Fowler, 67, of Lusby died at his home on June 7, 2010. He was born in Alabama on March 24, 1943 to the late Virgil and Margaret Taylor Fowler. He served in the United States Air Force from 1961 to 1965 in radar repair
and then in as a Green Beret in the Armed Guard (19th) Special Forces Group. He was a member of Steamfitters ua Local 602, Metro Washington and had worked in HVAC. He was known as a very creative “tinkerer” who would devise and invent things he needed. He enjoyed computers, deer hunting and, especially, spending time with his grandchildren. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Barbara; sons Dwaine (Carey) ; Stephen (Angela) and Andy (Mandy); sister, Gayle (Larry) Langley; six grandchildren; former daughter-in-law, Amy Fowler and very close friend, Randy Rawlings. Funeral services were held on June 17, 2010 at Raymond-Wood Funeral Home. Rev. David Keyser, Pastor of The Potter’s Place Baptist Church, officiated. Interment, with honors, followed at Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery. Dwaine, Stephen and Andy Fowler, Larry and Scott Langley and Mark Rackner served as pallbearers. Randy Rawlings was the honorary pallbearer. Memorial contributions may be made to Calvert Hospice, PO Box 838, Prince Frederick, MD 20678. Arrangements provided by RaymondWood Funeral Home, Dunkirk.
Juan Granados, 92 Juan Granados, 92, of St. Leonard, MD passed away at his home on June 10, 2010. He was born April 7, 1918 in Riverdale, MD to the late Maria Rey Capdevila and Ramon Granados. Besides his parents, he is also predeceased by his wife, Veronica Granados. Juan served in the Army during WWII. He performed duties in the European Theater of operations, serving as sec-
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tion leader supervising the photographic work of six men. He photographed, developed and printed prisoner of war identification forms. He was a member of the VFW, American Legion and Steamfitters Local #602. He is the beloved father of Jan R. Costinett of Clements, MD, Juan Ramon Granados of Lusby, MD, and Catherine R. Granados of Federalsburg, Md. Grandfather of six, great grandfather of 10, he is also survived by his brother, Antonio Granados of Pennsylvania and Mary Maria Sepluveda of Virginia. The family received friends at the Rausch Funeral Home, Port Republic, on Wednesday June 16. A Mass of Christian Burial was offered on Thursday June 17, at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, Prince Frederick. Interment followed in Maryland Veterans Cemetery, Cheltenham, MD with military honors. Memorial contributions may be made to Calvert Hospice P.O. Box 838 Prince Frederick, MD 20678.
Shirley Mae Jacobson, 85 Shirley Mae Jacobson, 85 of Port Republic, MD passed away on May 29, 2010 at Asbury~Solomons Retirement Community, Solomons, MD. She was born on December 19, 1924 in Valley City, North Dakota to the late Randolph Hustad and Valeda Hood Hustad. She was a member of the “greatest generation” and her life exemplified many of those commitments which that generation is admired for today. She grew up in Montana and developed a deep appreciation for the outdoors and wildlife. Her father, Randolph instilled a deep sense of appreciation for protecting the environment and all the living creatures on this earth. After living through the Great Depression and the attack on Pearl Harbor she traveled to Los Angeles, California and attended Woodbury College where she graduated Cum Laude with an Associates Degree in business management in 1944. Once graduating from college, her adult life began and continued with energy, commitment, world travel and dedication to community, family and lovingly devotion to her husband, Kenneth A. Jacobson. Her first career was in Los Angeles working as an executive assistant under Louis B. Mayer at the MGM studios. She was exposed to many of the movies and stars of that era. Ken and Shirley met in Los Angeles, was love at first sight, and were married on September 27, 1945 in Los Angeles, California. with the ending of World War Two. The couple relocated to Bozeman, Montana, where Shirley was the executive assistant for the Dean of Engineering at Montana State University. She supported her husband financially through college and as he always said, “I’d never have made it without her.” With Shirley’s dedicated support, he graduated with a BS in Civil Engineering, commissioned into the United States Air Force and
traveled to Yokohama Japan the day after receiving his diploma. Shirley a newly “commissioned” officer’s wife would travel to Japan at a later date. She left Seattle, Washington on a small freighter which traveled the Bering Sea along the coast of Alaska to Japan. She never complained. Shirley and Ken lived in Japan, loved the country, people and as with every place they lived, made life long friends. With the ending of the Korean War. Shirley and Ken traveled to duty stations in Kansas, Texas, Ohio and Wiesbaden Germany. Along the way, two sons were born Randy and Allan and many pets were acquired. On the various bases, Shirley served as president of many of the wives clubs and had a skill in coordinating the needs of families with the realities of a constantly changing military life. After enduring a great depression, two wars and overseas deployment, Shirley and Ken relocated to Virginia where Ken was assigned to the Pentagon during the Vietnam War. During this period, the decision was made to move to Calvert County, Maryland to achieve a lifetime dream of living on the Chesapeake Bay. From 1969 until her death, Shirley was not only a resident of Calvert County but an active participant in the development of the county. Much of what Calvert County is today, Shirley, as an involved citizen, helped create. Shirley was involved in “Keep Calvert Country” and “Save the Bay”. The beauty of Calvert County today was created by foresight in zoning and environmental concerns and by no small measure was a credit to Shirley and the citizens of her era. Shirley was a member of The League of Women Voters, President of the Andrews Air Force Base Wives Club and very active in the local politics of Calvert County. Her sons remember her attending a PTA meeting and being the only parent there! During her years in Calvert County, she also worked in the Insurance Business and became a licensed Realtor. After her retirement, she continued to be active in the development of Calvert County. Shirley unselfishly supported and cared for her husband of 52 years during his lengthy illness. She never wavered in her devotion to Ken, and her sons will always admire the example which she set. Shirley always offered her help in protecting all living creatures, a trait which she passed on to both sons, both of whom have devoted there lives to the improvement of animals and humans. Her most enjoyable recent memories were her days spent as a volunteer at the Chesapeake Biologic Laboratory, Solomons Island. In the end, we see Shirley’s life as very unique, well traveled and accomplished. The greatest memories and admiration will always be her devotion her husband Ken Jacobson, whom she is very happy to rejoin. And the examples she set for her two sons of accomplishment and dedication to the earth’s environment and living creatures. We love you mom and will miss you. Shirley was preceded in death by her beloved husband Kenneth Albert Jacob-
son, LTC, USAF Retired who passed away on February 24, 1998. She is survived by her two devoted sons Dr. Randy K. Jacobson of Orlando, FL and Allan C. Jacobson of Dillwyn, VA. And a grandchild. Inurnment will be at Arlington National Cemetery.
Thomas Sweeney, 85 Thomas Irving Sweeney “Bingo”, 85, of Deale, MD died June 17, 2010 at Heritage Harbour Health and Re h a bi l it a t io n Center, Annapolis, MD. Thomas was born in Upper Marlboro, MD on February 14, 1925 to Grover J. and Ada Ella (Smith) Sweeney. He received his education in Prince George’s Schools and enlisted in the United States Army on July 25, 1944. He served as a Section Leader with the 94th Armored Field Artillery in the European Theater until being discharged as a Tec 4 on June 19, 1946. He was married to Theresa L. Kiefer in Forestville, MD on October 30, 1944. After service Thomas was employed as a carpenter for his father- in -law and later as a union carpenter. Bingo lost his eyesight in 1972 and was forced to retire. In his retirement he took up gardening and still enjoyed doing woodworking, making many a house for the dogs that he loved. He enjoyed music and was usually the first one on the dance floor and many times the last to leave. He had a smile that could light up a room. He was a member of Carpenter’s Local # 132 and a proud veteran and member of VFW Post # 9619 in Morningside. Surviving are his wife of 65 years Theresa L. “Honey” Sweeney; children Thomas E and his wife Sharon Sweeney, George I and his wife Patricia Sweeney and Patricia A. and her husband Skip Radtke al of Deale, MD; grandchildren Tammy Shea and her husband John of Mechan-
icsville, Carol Alfred and her husband Robert of Chesapeake, VA, Becky Crow of Mechanicsville, Jennifer Reburn and her husband Rich of Centerville, MD, Chris Sweeney and his wife Christina Sweeney of Centerville, MD Melissa Harting and her husband Steve of Port Republic, MD and Kimberly Sweeney of Prince Frederick , MD eleven great grandchildren and a sister Nearia Cantor of Johnstown, Penn.
Faran Stoetzel, 83 Faran Eugene Stoetzel, 83, of Saint Leonard, Md., and Summerfield, Fla., died June 4, 2010, at Calvert Hospice House, Prince Frederick, Md., with his son Kevin at his side. He was born May 30, 1927, in Trimbell, Wisconsin, to Frank Louis and Lillian Irene Stoetzel. He grew up on a dairy farm. After graduation from Ellsworth High School, he joined the Navy and served for two years. He worked in California for a few years. He also worked for Dowell in the oil fields of Texas and Oklahoma before returning to Wisconsin State University, River Falls, where he graduated with a BS in 1961. Upon graduation, he went back to work for Dowell in Oklahoma, he took the opportunity to accept a job with Dowell Schlumberger Corp., in Venezuela. Among the items he took to Venezuela was his new bride, Manya Brooke Stoetzel. In 1976, the family bought a “beach house,” more a handyman’s nightmare, in the Long Beach section of Saint Leonard, Maryland. Faran loved his beach house!! A perfect day would find him taking the Chris Craft out onto the Bay to watch the sunset and to enjoy a couple of rum and cokes. Ultimately, he worked 31 years for the Bureau of the Census, Commerce Department, Jeffersonville, In., and Suitland, Md. He retired in 1987 from the U.S. Gover n-
ment. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank Louis and Lillian Irene Stoetzel. Sisters Barbara Jean Stoetzel and DeAnne Stoetzel Schuld, and son Frank Eiker Stoetzel. He is survived by his wife of 48 years Manya Brooke, their son Kevin Lynn, wife Felicia Marie and grandsons Jack Thomas and Nick Joseph (all of Huntingtown, Maryland). He is also survived by a sister Linda Marie Louris, Carmel, Indiana, and several nieces and nephews and their families. He is survived by a cousin (more like a brother) Marland E. Nugent and wife Betty. What fun to watch Faran playing euchre with the Nugents. A memorial mass was held on Wednesday, June 9, 2010, at Saint John Vianney Catholic Church, Prince Frederick. Interment was private at Maryland Veterans Cemetery Cheltenham, Maryland. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Faran’s name to Calvert Hospice House, P.O. Box 838, 238 Merrimac Court, Prince Frederick, MD 20678, or Saint John Vianney Catholic Church 470 Main Street, Prince Frederick, MD. 20678. Arrangements by the Rausch Funeral Home, P.A. 4405 Broomes Island Road, Port Republic, Maryland 20676.
Diana Whitman, 86 Diana Mary Whitman, 86, of Solomons, MD died June 2, 2010 at Anne Arundel Medical Center, Annapolis, MD. She was born October 3, 1923 in London, England to Frank
E. and Lillian (Parham) Vernon. Diana was educated in London schools and received a degree in education from the University of London. She met Lee R Shumaker, a serviceman stationed in London during Word War II, and was married to him December 12, 1946 in Grantsville, MD. They moved to the Washington area and remained in the area until his death in 1964. During the 1960’s she taught preschool in Bethesda. On July 1, 1967 Diana was married to Walter H. Whitman in Trinity Lutheran Church in North Bethesda. They moved to Lusby in 1978 and to Asbury Solomons in 1998. Mr. Whitman died February 24, 2001. Diana had always been active with the churches she attended and belonged to the choirs of Georgetown Lutheran Church, Trinity Lutheran Church, First Lutheran Church and the Chapel at Asbury Solomons. She was an active member of the Calvert County Lionesses an avid gardener and recently volunteered to record books on tape for the sight impaired. She was preceided in death by her husbands Lee R. Shumaker and Walter H. Whitman and a son Richard V. Shumaker. Surviving are her daughters Judith S. Devey and her husband Gib of Davidsonville, MD and Frances S Wharen and her husband Bob of Reston, VA, a daughter in law Wendy Kinney of Bowie, MD, a step-son Walter H. Whitman, Jr and his wife Marcia of Portland, OR, eight grandchildren Christine Mehfoud and her husband John of Richmond, VA, Mark Devey and his wife Christie of Huntingtown, MD, Jeffrey Wharen and his wife Yen of Reston, VA, Sarah Wharen of Harrisonburg, VA, Matthew Whitman and his wife Trina of Portland, OR, Josiah Whitman of Portland, OR, Lee K. Shumaker of Bowie, MD and Kory Kinny of Bowie, MD a sister Frances LaTrobe-Bateman of Loudoun, TN. She was awaiting the birth of her eighth and ninth great grandchildren.
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 Southern Calvert
Gazette
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CLASSIFIEDS Real Estate Very well kept Split Floyer located in Chesapeake Ranch Estates. Hardwood floors, new lighting fixtures, berber carpert, new electric stove Den/4th bedroom and French Doors leading to walk-out basement. You don’t want to miss this. Not a short sale or foreclosure no waiting!!! This is a must see!! Fore more infromation, call 410-326-0814. Price: $190,000.
Beautiful 2-story colonial with 2 car garage and fully finished daylight basement. Large fenced yard on a cul-de-sac. Wrap around front porch and large back deck. Main level has 9 foot ceilings and hardwood floors. Kitchen has island, 42 inch cabinets and stainless steel appliances. Dining room has crown moulding and chair rail. Gas fireplace in family room. Convenient upstairs laundry. Master suite has bath and separate shower, double sinks and walk in closet. A must see! Realtors: We are offering a commission upon the completed closing! For more information, call 410-326-1139. Price: $385,000.
t n a r u Resta
Real Estate Rentals Located withing walking distance to EVERYTHING in SOLOMONS! Great location on C St but not in the middle of all the crowds. Very large, Level yard. In addition to the 2 BR’s you have a Living Room, Family Room, Office and kitchen has table space. Can rent Furnished or unfurnished. Email for mroe infromation, Karrie.g @ comcast.net. Rent: $1500.
Locally! aces to Dine Find Great Pl
Huntingtown - Detached apt for rent.Furnished. Private fenced yard,Large deck, washer/dryer. Furnished..Just bring your TV and laptop.. All utilities- BASIC Cable and Wireless internet included. Stand up corner shower unit. Lots of privacy. $1000.00 deposit plus 1st months rent. Pet can be discussed. e-mail for pictures and/or call 410-610-1281 or email lkdement@yahoo. com. Rent: $1300.
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$ 18
Thursday, June-2010
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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.
Ask What Your Roof Can Do For You
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eplacing a roof is a major investment for any homeowner. When considering such a significant home improvement project, it makes sense that you will have questions. “Thoroughly researching roofing options should be a priority for any homeowner considering a new roof,” says Tim Gentry, technical director of DaVinci Roofscapes(R). “Many aspects should be considered, including a product’s warranty, style and durability. A homeowner should ask the question ‘what will this roof do for me’ before making a decision.” According to Gentry, who served 20 years as a roofing installer and has been in the industry for 40 years, a roof should be carefully selected to complement a home’s design and geographic weather conditions. It should also provide long-term comfort and safety for those who live in the home. Some of the most frequent questions Gentry receives from homeowners nationwide include the following: Q: What are the pros and cons of different roofing materials? A: Three-tab asphalt shingles are relatively easy to install, inexpensive and look good on ordinary homes. However, they can be a poor environmental choice because they go to a landfill after 20 years, they perform only moderately
well, and they don’t add any special design appeal to a home. Real wood shingles or shakes look good on some styles of homes and are moderately priced, however they have little or no resistance to fire or impact unless specially treated. They also attract insects, have relatively poor long-term performance and are generally considered a poor use of our natural resources. Real slate shingles also provide a good look on some styles of homes and can be considered very long-lasting when installed properly. However, they are very expensive and extremely heavy. During installation you can have a significant amount of waste from cracking and breaking of slate tiles. Metal roofs are perfect for some very specific home designs. They have a unique look to them, are lightweight and snow can easily slide off of them. Watch out when it rains or hails though ... these roofs are noisy on the inside of the home during storms. Synthetic roofing tiles provide a high-performance option for homeowners. The tiles come in a variety of styles, including slate and shake, are lightweight and have longterm durability. These tiles are moderately priced and a good environmental choice. While the look complements many home styles, synthetic roofing tiles are moderately priced, so they’re affordable for everyone. Q: What are the life spans of different roofing materials? A: Generally, real wood will wear out the fastest, followed by three-tab asphalt shingles. You can maybe get 1520 years out of each of these. Some metal roofs can last up to 50 years, depending on their warranty. Synthetic roofing tiles last up to 50 years and require minimal maintenance attention. Real slate also lasts many years on a home ... some slate can last up to 100 years! Q: Why would I consider synthetic roofing materials over traditional asphalt products? A: Aesthetics and durability. Typical asphalt shingles look ordinary. Consider this: when you look at
Decor trends
many homes, especially those with steep roofs, almost half of what you see is the roof. When selecting a roof, think about curb appeal and resale value. Synthetic tiles make an ordinary home look extraordinary. Additionally, they give you peace-of-mind because these roofing tiles will perform exceptionally well against fire, impact, wind and other weather conditions. Q: What is the synthetic roofing material made of? A: At DaVinci, we use an engineered polymer, which is impregnated with fire retardant and state-of-the-art advanced UV stabilizers specifically formulated for the tough conditions tiles are exposed to in all climates throughout the year. Our roof tiles use only 100 percent pure virgin resin in order to assure consistency, and are 100 percent recyclable. Q: Do roofing tiles become more brittle over time? A: That depends on the kind of roofing tiles. Asphalt and real wood roofing materials do become more brittle toward the end of their life cycles. DaVinci tiles do not have that problem. The engineered polymer used in synthetic tiles changes very little over time or when subjected to extreme temperature and weather conditions. Third party independent extended life testing has shown minimal degradation of the material’s performance qualities. Q: Which roofing tiles are consistent with their colors and won’t fade over time? A: Most synthetic roofing tiles have their color blended completely throughout their tiles. These products won’t fade over time because UV protection has been built into each tile. When exposed to continual sunlight and UV rays, many other products, such as metal and asphalt roofing, will indeed fade over time, losing their original sharpness of color. However, synthetic roofing tiles maintain their sheen regardless of external factors or age, ensuring homeowners that their roofing tiles won’t devolve into an eyesore over time. For more information on roofs and synthetic roofing tiles, visit www.davinciroofscapes.com.
Make a Statement with Exotic Wood Flooring
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ou’ve seen and walked on it in your neighbour’s home, in exclusive boutiques and in your favourite restaurant. Exotic wood floors are emerging in decors across the country as savvy homeowners and decorators express their personal interior decorating tastes with more unique wood flooring options. It is truly remarkable how many new colorations, wood species and widths of hardwood flooring are available to homeowners today. Besides the common North American hardwoods (oak, maple, hickory and ash), wood from species like bamboo, cork, beech, Santos mahogany, teak, walnut, and Brazilian cherry are rapidly becoming popular hardwood flooring choices. These unique wood floors set the ambiance of a room, giving it a different look and old world type elegance. Leading wood flooring manufacturers, such as Mercier Wood Flooring, now feature a full line of exotic wood flooring options from sought after regions around the globe such as Brazil. “Our exotic wood products use South American wood species selected for their rich tones, beautiful grains, and superior hardness,” explained Michel Collin, Marketing Director of Mercier Wood Floor-
ing. “These unique products delight even the most demanding homeowners by adding an original touch of refinement and the exotic to their decor.” Mercier’s impressive line of exotic wood flooring also includes engineered options such as Brazilian Cherry and Santos Mahogany in 41/2” boards. Ideal for basements and condos, these beautiful floors can be floated or glued onto subfloors or concrete slabs. “These two additions follow an increasing consumer demand for exotic engineered wood floors,” added Collin. “Perfect for wide open spaces and prestigious rooms, these two species are offered in their natural colour, revealing the warmth and richness of our Exotic species, naturally coloured in red tones.” Like other exotic species, these two will color mature after installation to red tone and display more contrasted boards. The color-maturation can take from between three months to one year according to the amount of light present in the room. Regardless of your choice, exotic wood flooring offers unmatched durability and unique, rich natural color for your decor. More information on exotic wood flooring is available at www.mercierflooring. com.
Thursday, June-2010
19
Out About
By Joyce Baki
Go on Safari this summer with Annmarie Garden and Summer Safari for GREEN. Working with their new summer exhibit, GREEN: Art with the Earth in Mind, Annmarie Garden challenges you to visit safari sites all over Calvert County to answer nature-related questions. Those intrepid explorers who answer all the questions correctly will be entered into a grand prize drawing for a Chesapeake Beach Resort & Spa Family Fun Package. The package includes overnight accommodations at
the Chesapeake Beach Resort & Spa for two adults and two children, four Chesapeake Beach Waterpark passes, two large one-topping pizzas from Papa John’s, four passes to the public beach in North Beach and four Smokey Joe’s milkshake vouchers.
Pick up your passport at Annmarie Garden and start your safari today! (www.annmariegarden.org) On Saturday, June 26, Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum will present another program in their new History for Young Children series – A Soldier’s Life. Children will discover how soldiers lived during the War of 1812. They will learn what soldiers wore and participate in various tasks including marching, playing music, ship building and preparing meals. The program runs from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and is suggested for ages 4-7. The cost is $5 per participant and registration is required. For more information, call 410-586-8501 or visit www. jefpat.org. Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum will also provide a tour of Point Farm House & Garden on Saturday, June 26. Point Farm was the estate home and retreat of the late Mr. and Mrs. Jefferson Patterson. The Colonial Revival brick house and many of the outbuildings were designed by noted female architect Gertrude Sawyer. The gardens are being faithfully restored based on the original plans by landscape architect Rose Greely. I have taken this tour and it is great! The fee is $10 per person; $8 for seniors 55 or older. Special arrangements can be made
Celebrate! for small groups like garden clubs and Red Hat Ladies. For more information on this and other programs at Jefferson Patterson Park, call 410-586-8501 or visit www.jefpat.org. Would you like to learn how artifacts recovered from archaeological sites are restored? Take a special “Behind the Scenes Tour” of the Maryland Archaeological Conservation (MAC) Lab at Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum on Wednesday, June 30. The hour-long tour begins at 3 p.m., and will focus on artifacts recovered from underwater archaeology excavations. After your tour visit the park and museum. The tour is free, but reservations are required. E-mail kconcannon@mdp.state.md.us. Please note that tours of the MAC Lab may be scheduled for other days by reservation and for a nominal fee. (www.jefpat.org) Start your 4th of July weekend at the Calvert Marine Museum on Friday, July 2, for First Free Friday. The museum is open and free to the public from 5 to 8 p.m. Docents will be in every gallery and you can enjoy 30-minute boat rides on the “Wm. B. Tennision,” sponsored by M&T Bank. The highlight of the evening will be a performance by the 257th Army Band – The Band of the Nation’s Capital, at 6:30 p.m. on the concert stage. Bring lawn chairs and a picnic supper and join the fun. (www.calvertmarinemuseum.com) Annmarie Garden hosts Maker’s Market on Saturday, July 3, from 9 a.m. – noon. The Maker’s Market is a farmer’s market and more. It is THE place to find handmade, homemade or homegrown products including arts and crafts, hanging baskets, organic skincare products, cut flowers, batik and fleece clothing, handmade soaps and candles, herbal teas, ornaments, folk art, handmade gifts and more. Find special treasures – or begin your Christmas shopping early! More than thirty vendors participate. Admission is free. (www.annmariegarden.org) On Sunday, July 4th, enjoy the annual Solomons fireworks display. Fireworks are shot from a barge in the Patuxent River and can be viewed from the Riverwalk. The fireworks are sponsored by the Solomons Business Association. Remember that vehicular traffic is restricted on the island
Over 250,000 Southern Marylanders can’t be wrong!
this evening and parking will be available at Glascock Field (located across from the Calvert Marine Museum), the Calvert Marine Museum, the parking lot behind Our Lady Star of the Sea and the Solomons Medical Center. A shuttle will run from Glascock Field. In case of rain, the fireworks will be on Monday, July 5. (www.solomonsmaryland.com)
SHARK!!!! The Calvert Marine Museum hosts Sharkfest! on Saturday, July 10, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Doug Poole will be in the “SharkPoole” where children can touch the sandpaper skin of a real shark. Have your photo taken in the jaws of a Giant Megalodon shark skeleton and try your skill as you search for shark’s teeth in the Discovery Room. Throughout the day, enjoy face painting, marine games, shark crafts, displays by the Fossil Club and shark mural painting. The museum admission charge applies for the day and, if you are not a member, there will be a $3 per person additional charge to visit the “SharkPoole.” If you have seen the movie “Night at the Museum” I am sure you have wondered what really goes on after the doors close. Here’s your chance to find out. The Calvert Marine Museum will host a “Behind-theScenes Family Overnight” on Friday, July 23. Check in at 7 p.m. and begin an evening of activities that include a behind-thescenes tour, a session in the paleontology prep lab and a scavenger hunt through the museum looking for hidden pictures in the murals. After a good night’s sleep – if you can sleep – awake to breakfast with the otters before heading home. All participants receive a free museum pass. Children must be 7 years or older to participate and accompanied by an adult. Cost is $35 per person. Space is limited and you must pre-register by calling 410-326-2042, ext. 41. So much is going on in Calvert County. Visit www. ecalvert.com for more great things to do this summer!
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Thursday, June-2010
For more events, visit www.ecalvert.com.
When you belong to an electric cooperative, every penny you spend on your electric bill benefits you. SMECO has faced unique challenges over the past 73 years, being in a rural location with an exploding population—our customer base has ballooned by 25 percent over the past 10 years alone. As an electric cooperative, it has been our goal from the beginning to bring our customer-members—our owners—safe, reliable electric service at a reasonable rate. As our infrastructure ages and expands, we continue to focus on providing that reliability. From 2008 to 2009, the number of service
interruptions was reduced by 16 percent, including during the major storms that affected our area. This continued improvement in reliability is due to the many system enhancements underway at SMECO. In 2009, we added $42 million in new infrastructure, including new distribution and transmission equipment. Projected capital requirements for the next 10 years, in transmission and distribution alone, exceed $552 million. System maintenance, material
99.99% reliability isn’t an accident
The minimum equipment necessary to connect your home to the grid, includes: •
Power Poles
•
Overhead Conductors
•
Underground Conductors
•
Transformers
costs, and operating costs continue to rise. SMECO needs to recover these costs in order to continue to provide safe, reliable electric service to our members. On June 17, we filed a rate case with the Public Service Commission seeking an increase and restructuring of the Distribution Service charges on your monthly bill. Our application requests an increase of the rate for the Customer Charge, and a decrease of the Distribution Charge. This transition will bill many fixed costs under the fixed rate Customer Charge, and bill variable costs under the per-kilowatt-hour Distribution Charge. Splitting costs into demand-related and customer-related components ensures you only have to pay for what you are actually using. SMECO has worked hard to control these Distribution Charges. We have reduced our wholesale power costs and your rates have gone down. These power-cost savings have passed directly to our customers, resulting in savings today of almost $24 a month for average-use residential customers compared to May of 2009. With SMECO’s proposed distribution rate increase, these same customers will only see an approximate $10 increase in their total monthly bill following the rate adjustment—still approximately $14 a month savings on bills since this time last year. For more information on SMECO’s rates, please visit www.smeco.coop/rates.
These costs are incurred by each customer regardless of the quantity of electricity purchased.
Thursday, June-2010
21
River Concert Series
Giusepee Nova
Launches 12th Year of Performances
A
Jeffrey Chappell
Kate Baldwin
Michelle Johnson
s St. Mary’s College prepares to put on their 12th year of the much-touted River Concert Series, SMCM Musical Director Jeff Siberschlag said that the season would kick off Friday, June 18 with a birthday celebration for some of classical music’s most influential composers. “This year highlights very much the music, and we’re highlighting the birthdays of several very important composers, including Robert Schumann’s 200th anniversary, and Samuel Barber, having his 100th anniversary, and later in the season we’re having Gustav Mahler’s 150th anniversary, so there’s a lot of emphasis on the music,” said Silberschlag, going on to describe more highlights from this year’s series. June 25th will feature “Trills and Thrills” from Stravinsky’s “Pulcinella Suite” and R. Strauss’ hauntingly melodic “Bourgeois Gentilhomme Suite,” played under the direction of Silberschlag with the Chesapeake Orchestra and Giuseppe Nova on flute, Floraleda Sacchi on harp, and Orlando Roman on guitar. The series will ring in the July 4 holiday with their July 2 concert, “Summon the Heroes,” featuring the music of John Williams, George Gershwin and Sousa Marches, with pianist Brian Ganz and the Sax Quartet from the “President’s Own Marine Band” in P. Goldstein’s “Abundant Air,” and Ian Chaava, Young Artist Concerto Competition runner-up, will play the euphonium. “We’ll also have fireworks that night to go along with the Sousa march, but I think the Gershwin will really capture that jazzy Americana,” said Silberschlag. The July 9 concert will feature “A Grand Night of Singing” with the Chesapeake Orchestra and guest conductor Larry Vote, with soprano
José Cueto
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Thursday, June-2010
Michelle Johnson, mezzoSMCM Musical Director Jeff Siberschlag soprano Olivia Vote, and baritone Brian Major performing Opera Aria Highlights from Bizet’s Carmen and Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess. The fifth concert of the series on July 16 will feature the first annual Young Artist Con¬certo Competition winners, Nina DeCesare and Brian Hong, who will perform the world premiere of William Kleinssaser’s “Many Rivers” and Prokofiev’s “Symphony No. 5.” On July 23 for their “Next Stop, Vienna!” performance, Jeffrey Silberschlag and the Chesapeake Orchestra will welcome concertmaster José Cueto as soloist, performing Lalo’s “Symphonie espanole,” a showpiece for solo violin and orchestra. The concert “I think the whole nation has had will also celebrate Gustav a tough year,” said Silberschlag, “and I Mahler’s 150th Birthday Anniversary think we should reward ourselves for with a performance of his “Symphony making it through the year by coming No. 7.” The Grand Finale on July 30 will out and seeing our friends, enjoying feature Broadway Singing sen¬sation some beautiful music … and taking and 2010 Tony Award nominee Kate a breather in what’s become an otherBaldwin, performing Broadway and wise troubled and difficult time.” jazz classics for the crowd before the orchestra ends with the bold, brassy The 2010 River Concert Series is finish of Beethoven’s “Symphony No. free and open to the public. Concerts 5.” Solberschlag commented that, to will take place at St. Mary’s College date, more than half a million visitors every Friday from June 18 to July 30, have come to various performances at with music starting around 7 p.m. For the River Concert Series since it began more information on the River Con12 years ago, and this year, the music cert Series and this year’s performers, itself could help to not only entertain go to www.riverconcertseries.org. By guests, but perhaps distract them from Andrea Shiell (CT) info@somdpublishing. net some of their stress this summer.
Imagine Seeing Through Someone Else’s Eyes
By Sherrod Sturrock
H
ave ever had the experience of “seeing” through the eyes of another? Just recently, I had the unrivaled pleasure of bringing my granddaughter to the museum for a visit. Suddenly, not only was I stepping into our visitors’ shoes, but I was seeing the world from a much younger – and shorter perspective. The museum is a truly amazing place to a two-year-old. She ran from tank to tank
saying “WOW!!” It was with some trepidation that we visited the fossil hall; many children run screaming from the sight of the huge maw of our Megalodon. The hall was quiet and empty of other visitors. She stepped into the muted blue light rippling across the wall, the strange echoing deep ocean sounds, and the enormous skeleton of Megalodon looming over her. Creeping forward with slow deliberate steps, she looked around and whispered back to me in an awe-struck voice: “Scary shark. Ooooohhh... Scary Shark!” Bringing my brother to the museum was an altogether different experience. The minute he cleared the admission desk he froze, looking upward. “I don’t believe it,” he said, starring fixedly. I wondered what in the world he was looking at. He was, it turned out, riveted by the allure of the 1955 Mahogany Whirlwind Runabout boat that hangs above the maritime gallery. He had eyes for nothing else because he happens to own a late model of the Whirlwind, which he hinted he might
Angler
A
side from good bait, one of the best things to have with you on any fishing trip is a good friend. We all know that without good bait or the lure of the day, few fish (if any) will be caught. The only time that this is an acceptable situation is when you have a good
Water
years earlier. Their stories turned the clean, silent machines into noisy, dangerous pieces of equipment that could chew a man’s arm off; machines where workers stood for hours without a break in dusty, difficult conditions. As museum visitors, the challenge is to see with new eyes, to engage our minds with new information, to charge our imaginations to understand what the world was like for others in different circumstances, in earlier times. It is not a passive experience, but a very demanding one. Step up the next time you visit a museum, and give yourself to the experience. If you let it, a museum will grab you. Sherrod Sturrock is the Deputy Director of the Calvert Marine Museum. Send comments to: sturrosa@co.cal.md.us.
In the Company of Friends
The Ordinary
By Keith McGuire
be willing to donate some day. I have to admit, I had never really looked at that boat before. But now I see it every day – through his admiring eyes. I see this kind of excitement all over the museum – elicited variously by fossils, otters, engines, or lighthouses. As one 5th grader put it: “I love everything at the museum!” Museums are memories waiting to be released. We recently re-dedicated the Lore Oyster House, and Joann Kersey, daughter of owner Joseph Lore and wife of the last owner Alton Kersey, was there as our guest of honor. Hearing her talk about the days when it was a working processing plant brought it to life in a way that photographs or video never can. I could actually smell and hear the oyster house as she described it. Several years ago we were visiting the Verdant Door Museum in Dundee, Scotland which, like the oyster house, has taken an old jute mill and re-established it as a museum. We went through with an elderly couple who had worked in a jute mill some 50
On the
friend along. The good friend will forgive the shortcoming, attempt to replace the bad bait or lure with something of his or her own, and failing that, will end the day with a statement of what a great time was had as a result of the outing. When you have good bait and a good friend on board, things couldn’t be better. Good bait will catch more fish than bad bait. A good friend will help you prepare bait, land fish, and take pictures of the catch of the day; all tasks that can be difficult when you’re alone. I often fish alone by choice. There’s no pressure to catch a fish, no one to bounce ideas about the best place to look for fish and no one to scoff over your choice of lure or bait. You make mistakes without prior counsel and sometimes find yourself in the best of situations with no one to share the experience. Good or bad it is a solitary pursuit! Oddly enough, fishing alone is a great way to meet people. People are happy when they’re fishing – or about to be fishing – and are more
than willing to pass the time of day in conversation about their sport. You meet them everywhere: at the dock, at the boat ramp, on the pier, along the shore and on the water. They always seem willing to talk about their tackle, their boat, where they fish (except the flounder people), and their catch of a lifetime. Catching seems to be improving with the onset of summer patterns. There are good reports of spot at the south end of St. Mary’s County, but up on the Patuxent they are scattered and many are still quite small at 2 – 3 inches. (These take a tiny hook!) Croakers are still here and some are of the bigger, 15 inch variety. The best baits continue to be bloodworm, squid, soft crab or peeler crab and shrimp, and the evenings seem to be the Carlos Falcon
best time to catch them. White perch are still a fun fish to catch with small spinner baits and tiny crank baits, although bloodworms and peeler crab or soft crab are good baits to use. You can still find white perch in deeper water with bait, but the most fun way to catch them is with these small lures. Bluefish continue to move in. The lower Potomac and Buoy 72 area of the Bay are seeing bluefish catches in the 3 – 5 lb range. Rockfish can be caught trolling, jigging, chumming, live-lining and with various choices of bait. They range from undersized to 25 inches, or more. Flounder are still not here in great numbers. There have been some good catches in the Point Lookout area, but it remains a hit or miss proposition. Skate, or cow-nosed rays, are still here in abundance and they are not picky about what they will eat! I have found that they will take baited hooks and lures when the mood strikes them. There are several archers roaming the shallows in pursuit of skate. Have you got a current fish picture and a story of a great catch? If so, send an email to riverdancekeith@hotmail. com. Keith has been a recreational angler on the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries for over 50 years, he fishes weekly from his small boat during the season, and spends his free time supporting local conservation organizations.
Thursday, June-2010
23
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