2011-02-10 The County Times

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Thursday February 10, 2011

MetCom Changes on Table in Annapolis Story Page 5

Leonardtown Looking At Becoming Arts Center Story Page 6

www.somd.com

A Vision For Charlotte Hall

C ounty S tarts L ong R ange P lanning for North C ounty Story Page 16

Photo By Frank Marquart


What’s Inside

The County Times

Thursday, February 10, 2011

On T he Covers ON THE FRONT

A view of Charlotte Hall from 1,000 feet shows the level of development that has taken place there in the last decade.

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ON THE BACK

Great Mills’ Kenny Daniels rises for two points over two Leonardtown players in Great Mills’ 80-56 win Friday night.

“It’s going to grow … I guess they’re going to put restraints on it, but growth is good.” Angel Systems Inc.

www.ANGELSYSTEMS.com

- Barbara Follin of Chaptico, talking about Charlotte Hall

Weather

Watch

entertainment

1.800.NO.BUGGS

Members of the band Byzantine Top 40 kept the crowd dancing Saturday night when the St. Mary’s College alums returned to the Green Door bar in Park Hall. SEE PAGE 25

P.O. Box 304 20775 Old Great Mills Rd. Great Mills, MD 20634

Don’t let unwanteD

Decorations swarm your tree this season!

Jessica Michalek and Christine Daugherty getting ready to present their creation to the judges during the sixth annual soup cook-off at the . James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center. SEE PAGE 14

county

DNR officials pulled more than 10 tons of illegally poached rockfish, also known as striped bass, from the Chesapeake Bay over the past two weeks, which spurred the agency to just down the gill net season for February. SEE PAGE 4

Also Inside

4 County News 7 Editorial 8 Money 9 Millitary 10 Crime 11 Obituaries 14 Education 16 Cover Story 18 Newsmakers 20 Community 21 Business Directory 22 Community Calendar 23 Columns 24 Entertainment Calendar 25 Entertainment 26 Games 27 Bleachers 28 Basketball 29 Hunting 31 St. Mary’s College Matt Laidley Gary Simpson Katie Facchina 7800 Crain Highway La Plata, MD 20646 301-934-8437

events calendar For The Community Calendar See Page 22 For Events Happening This Week.


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The County Times

Thursday, February 10, 2011

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ews 10 Tons Of Poached Rockfish Shuts Down Season For All By Guy Leonard Staff Writer Watermen won’t be able to catch any rockfish for virtually all of this month using gill nets in the wake of a decision by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to close the season after Natural Resources Police found anchored gill nets in the bay holding 10 tons of poached fish. Deputy Secretary of DNR, Joe Gill, told The County Times that the amount of poaching police found last week in the illegal nets in the vicinity of Bloody Point Light House near Kent

Island was some of the worst known. “It’s just a level of poaching we haven’t seen before,” Gill said Friday. The state will reopen the gill net season for catching the striped bass Feb. 25, he said but with trepidation over the impact to the species. “Our concern with even going ahead with that day is… we don’t know what affect that will have on the gill net fishery. “We don’t know what’s out there.” Gill said that police are still investigating where other gill nets could be placed throughout the bay but that the major damage was done DNR officials pulled more than 10 tons of illegally poached rockfish, also known as striped bass, from the Chesapeake Bay over the past two weeks.

by the four nets placed near Kent Island. Officials at DNR said that police actually found the nets early Jan. 31 and surveilled them in an attempt to find out who set them. When no one showed up to check on the catch in the nets, natural resources police pulled up all the nets by Feb. 2. In hauling up the first net, police found 6,000 pounds of illegally caught fish.

Gill nets may be used to catch rockfish, but they cannot be anchored and must instead be left to drift in and out with the tide. Tommy Zinn, president of the Calvert County Watermens Association, called for more enforcement on the water to target poachers instead of shutting down the season for watermen. Officials at DNR estimated that the 10 tons poached worked out to 66 days of work for watermen based on the legal take home catch of 300 pounds per day per person. “That’s really a stiff penalty,” Zinn said, adding that there are still some in Southern Maryland waters using the gill net method. “You’re taking a lot of days away from honest watermen.” Zinn was also critical of police waiting to try to catch the poachers instead of pulling up the nets immediately; by letting them stay anchored, police actually caused more fish to be poached, he claimed. Several local watermen were indicted in a scheme back in 2009 to illegally poach rockfish, some from St. Mary’s County, that lasted about four years. Zinn said practices like that, and the latest large scale poaching operation, gave all watermen a black eye. With prices relatively high for rockfish this year, Zinn said, the temptation to poach was strong. “But there’s no excuse for it,” Zinn said. “They’re giving us a bad reputation.” guyleonard@countytimes.net


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Thursday, February 10, 2011

The County Times

ews MetCom Changes on The County Waiting for ‘Plan B’ for New Library Site Table Before Legislators By Guy Leonard Staff Writer Two bills from the county delegation to Annapolis, one submitted and another being drafted, seek to place all of the employees of the Metropolitan Commission under the county ethics ordinance, a move the board of that agency strenuously objected to, and also restricts the current director of the agency Jacquelyn Meiser from holding both the directorship and the general counsel roles. By being placed under the county’s ethics law, which is widely believed to be stricter than the state’s rules that MetCom has been operating for decades, a county employee is not allowed to represent a citizen before any county boards or commissions. Meiser, an attorney, recently represented a client before the county’s Board of Appeals involving a land use dispute at a marina in Ridge. Del. John F. Wood said that the ethics bill would still allow Meiser to keep her private law practice, but her representing residents before county boards and commissions would have to come to an end. He also said that the bill that divides the general counsel role from the directorship came out of a task force’s recommendation to do so, which also had the full support of county commissioners. When Meiser was hired by the MetCom board of directors in 2009 some community activists also said publicly that her holding dual

posts plus an outside law practice smacked of a conflict of interest. Meiser has said that she has taken steps to ensure that her outside law practice does not run afoul of any interests with her directorship. “Everybody thought that that was kind of a conflict of interest,” Wood said of Meiser’s multiple posts at MetCom. “The task force, the delegation and the county commissioners all felt it was the right way to go.” MetCom was recently criticized by some county commissioners for asking for the county’s backing of MetCom borrowing practices but still staunchly opposing being placed under the county ethics ordinance. MetCom officials argued that because it was founded under state mandates that it should stay with the state’s ethics rule; local officials disagreed, stating that since MetCom worked exclusively in St. Mary’s County, it should abide by local ethics codes. House Minority Leader Anthony O’Donnell (R-Dist. 29C) said he did not expect any problems in getting the laws passed this legislative session. “There’s broad consensus on what should go forward,” O’Donnell said. “It just makes good sense… it’s time to make these necessary changes.” Meiser declined extensive comment for this article, saying that she would make decisions based only on the final outcome of the bills in the legislative session.

Alcohol Vendors Up In Arms Over ‘Dime A Drink’ By Sarah Miller Staff Writer The St. Mary’s County Licensed Beverage Association had their monthly meeting at Chief’s Bar in Tall Timbers on Tuesday, and the proposed “dime a drink” tax was in the crosshairs. The bill in front of the Maryland Legislature right now is called the Lorraine Sheehan Health and Community Service Act of 2011, also called the Dime A Drink Tax. The problem with calling the tax a “Dime A Drink” is that it is misleading. The increase would be over 1,000 percent for consumers after the brewery and the distributors have increased their prices to still make a profit after the increase. For individuals thinking that the tax will simply raise the revenue for the bars and liquor stores, Ray Harding, the owner of Toots Bar in Hollywood, said that the story is very different. Rather than make money, the vendors will continue to break even or, at worst, loose money. With the increase in price, the gross revenue looks inflated and the price for the Liquor Liability insurance will go up, never mind the fact that the extra revenue is going right back to the state. He said the price snowballs, so while the cost of alcohol may go up by a dime a drink for the vendors or distributors, in order to continue to make a profit with the additional tax, the customers end up paying an additional quarter or more for their drinks.

“It’s very deceiving,” Harding said. “It ain’t a dime.” He said while the vendors may break even with the additional money going to the new tax and the increased insurance fees, customers may stop purchasing alcohol, or decrease the amount they purchase, which will result in a loss of revenue for the vendors. Betty Buck, the president of Buck Distributing Company in Upper Marlboro, said what the vendors need to do, and encourage their customers to do, is make sure the men and woman in the legislature know they aren’t happy with the new tax. “In the legislature, if they get five phone calls, they pay attention,” Buck said. Dave Dent, the director of the St. Mary’s County Maryland State Licensed Beverage Association, said the new tax will cost Maryland a competitive edge on alcohol prices in comparison to other states, which will drive people over the boarders into Virginia and Delaware in search of cheaper prices, like they already do for cigarettes. “It hurts the whole state of Maryland when they do these things,” Dent said. Buck said the one thing that has to be prevented is allowing a specific group to get the money from the new tax, because it will open alcohol and other things to new taxes any time a group needs funding. If the tax does go through, Buck said it is essential for the money to go into the general fund for the state.

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer

In the wake of a developer’s overtures to provide a site in Leonardtown’s downtown area for a new library, the Board of County Commissioners is asking town leaders to come up with a plan that might make that option actually happen. The new library, which would replace the current Leonardtown branch on Hollywood Road, has been slated to go on the 172-acre Hayden Farm property but County Administrator John Savich has said that commissioners are “intrigued” by the possibility of taking land from the Tudor Hall development, owned by Don Pleasants, and placing the library there. A new access road would have to be built near the proposed Lawrence Avenue location to make the site feasible. Savich said, however, that the commissioners would need something more concrete than the public statements from Pleasants in The Enterprise newspaper. “I would say they want to consider the Lawrence Avenue site,” Savich told The County Times Monday. “But they don’t want to assume anything until they have specifics. “Ultimately I think it means a deed, it means site control.” Leonardtown Mayor J. Harry Norris said that both lawyers with the town and Pleasants’ business interests were working on a written

declaration of just how much land and where he would be willing to donate. “We do need something more formal from Mr. Pleasants,” Norris told The County Times. Pleasants did not return a phone call seeking comment. Library director Kathleen Reif told commissioners Monday at a budget work session that if further delays accompany the selection of a library site they may have to cede back monies that the state has put up for the design and engineering phase of the project to the tune of about $825,000. The actual project has yet to be designed, Savich said, and the construction is set to take place several years out in fiscal 2015. The entire cost of the project, which has become a political football over the past two years at least over funding in economically tough times, is set at about $15.9 million. Commissioner President Francis Jack Russell (D-St. George Island) commented Monday that the relinquishing of state dollars might be a foregone conclusion to gain time to see if the Leonardtown site was feasible. “If we have to give some money back, so be it we have to give the money back,” Russell said. Commissioner Lawrence D. Jarboe (RGolden Beach) seemed anxious to see a proposal from the town. “We need the town to come forward with a Plan B,” Jarboe said.

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The County Times

Thursday, February 10, 2011

6

ews Think Tank: National Debt What Does The Future ‘Heading Over a Cliff’ Hold For Charlotte Hall? By Guy Leonard Staff Writer

“The farmer’s market used to be a really cool place to go to and now I avoid it like the plague,” said Gail VanCleaf of Charlotte Hall. She said something she likes about Charlotte Hall is the Amish people, who she said are a part of the culture and flavor of the town. “I hope Charlotte Hall doesn’t become another Waldorf,” she said.

Larry Carter from Brandywine said he grew up around Charlotte Hall. He said the town used to be very rural, but that’s changed. “It’s lost some of its charms, but that’s how it works,” he said. He knows it’s going grow, but he’s not sure how yet.

The nation is addicted to debt, causing a tremendous and unsustainable deficit each year at the federal level, Harry Zeeve of the fiscal think tank Concord Coalition told St. Mary’s College students Tuesday, so much so that America could look like a very different place in the coming decades. “We’re talking about a threat to living standards and the economy,” Zeeve said at the college’s Cole Cinema. At the core of the problem, Zeeve said, are massive entitlement programs Medicare and Medicaid, whose costs in the next 30 years are projected to grow to the point where they consume all of the federal government’s revenue. “And there’s no plan to pay for it other than to raise the national debt,” Zeeve said, adding that the fiscal crisis is being brought on by a permanent demographic shift leading to an aging population of “baby boomers.” “That in a nutshell is what could bankrupt America,” Zeeve said. Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security are set to take up 40 percent of this year’s federal spending plan alone, Zeeve said, which amounts to $1.49 trillion of the overall budget. Partisan rancor in the nation’s capital, plus a propensity to push for a program funded by deficit spending simply because another lawmaker was able to do the same fueled the nation’s ever increasing debt load, Zeeve said. The coalition, which was founded by bipartisan lawmakers and fiscal policy experts to educate people on the consequences of burgeoning deficits, projected that in the next 10 years lawmakers are set to add another $14 trillion to the national debt.

“Thinking like a 5-year-old is really what drives this,” Zeeve said. “Politicians really do like to deliver the goodies. “They find it hard to say ‘no’ to their constituencies,” he said. Zeeve said that policy analysts from across the political spectrum in Washington do not necessarily agree on the same level of debt, spending and taxes, but they do agree that the nation’s fiscal path is unsustainable. Growing the economy to pay down the debt and eliminate the deficit was also not practical, he said. Zeeve said that a Government Accounting Office calculation several years ago postulated that it would take 10 percent economic growth per year, every year for the next 75 years to solve the problem. For states and counties who have looked to the federal government in recent years for money to help weather the recession, Zeeve said that the supply of stimulus has run out. St. Mary’s College political science professor Todd Eberly agreed, saying that states and counties will no longer be able to look to the federal government for help. “Unfortunately… they’ve been relying on an influx of federal funds to close those gaps,” Eberly said. “States will be forced to make tough decisions.” One key to solving the problem, Zeeve said, is for voters to get involved and push legislators to make tough decisions to cut spending. “Individuals get it and now it’s time for the government to get it,” Zeeve said. “They [politicians] need to know it’s politically safe to make tough decisions.” guyleonard@countytimes.net

Leonardtown Looking at Arts and Entertainment District By Sarah Miller Staff Writer

Pam Hardy from Mechanicsville said she hopes Charlotte Hall doesn’t become another Waldorf with a line of businesses that people just drive through unless they have somewhere to stop. She also hopes that they compartmentalize the business growth and the residential development. “I’m very conservative,” she said.

Leonardtown is in the preliminary stages of seeking an Arts and Entertainment District designation. Dan Burris, the owner of Erie Insurance, said the preliminary paperwork for the designation has been completed. According to www.msac.org, “an Arts and Entertainment district has been defined by Americans for the Arts as a ‘well-recognized, labeled, mixeduse area of the city in which a high con-

centration of arts and cultural facilities serve as the anchor attraction.’” Current Arts and Entertainment districts include Annapolis, Berlin, Bethesda, Cambridge, City of Frostburg, City of Salisbury, Cumberland, Denton, Downtown Frederick, Elkton, Gateway, Hagerstown, Havre de Grace, Highlandtown, Silver Spring, Snow Hill, Station North, and Wheaton. Leonardtown, if they could get the designation, would be the first of its kind in Southern Maryland. “With the state of the economy, people have been reluctant to push for

it,” said Joe Orlando, the owner of Fenwick Street Used Books and Music. He said that by getting the designation for the town, the people there would have opportunities for grants that the town desperately needs, for both individuals and businesses. “It would open up a number of positive aspects for Leonardtown,” Orlando said. “[It would] go a long way in bringing more tourism and retail to the central business district,” Burris said. sarahmiller@countytimes.net

County-Owned Bar in Crosshairs By Guy Leonard Staff Writer

“It’s going to grow,” said Barbara Follin of Chaptico. “I guess they’re going to put restraints on it, but growth is good.” She hopes there will be more help for low-income housing and senior housing. There is also a traffic light needed at the farmers market that only operates on Saturdays, when it’s busy.

For the past 13 years Commissioner Lawrence D. Jarboe has voted against renewing the county-held liquor license at the public Wicomico Shore golf course, many times as the lone vote. He was the lone vote again on Tuesday but this time two other commissioners said that they would be interested in investigating whether the operations of the bar at the golf course, and even the restaurant, should be privatized. In the past year and a half county figures showed that the county-run restaurant facility there has operated at a loss of about $80,000, reflective of the downturn in the national economy. Commissioner Cindy Jones (R-Valley Lee) said that she was unsure that the county should be in the business of selling liquor, but voted to re-approve the liquor license there in the interests of not stunting operations. “The question is does the county have the right interest in operating this… given the current budget situation,”

Jones said. Daniel Morris (R-Mechanicsville) said that he did not want to interfere with operations there for the moment, but also said he was “not a big fan” of the county selling alcohol from the location. He too, wanted to see privatization happen there, even if just on a trial basis, to see if it could be run at a profit so the county could collect rent revenues. “I’m not really happy with St. Mary’s County operating a bar,” Morris told The County Times. “I think it looks bad [for] the county.” Commissioner President Francis Jack Russell (D-St. George Island) said that the issue of the liquor license could be brought up for further debate as well, but that the commissioners needed to approve the license in the interim. Jarboe seemed heartened that talk of privatizing operations there was gaining more traction with the new board. “This will be my 13th year of voting against this but at least this year I’m hearing more interest in privatization,” Jarboe said.


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The County Times

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Commissioner Russell, Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader? I have a question for County Commission President Russell. What in the world do you think you are doing with the rehabilitation of the Loffler Senior Activity Center on Chancellor’s Run Road? When the roof collapsed last winter, we were lead to believe that reconstruction would begin as soon as the weather warmed and the reopening would be this past Fall. Insurance monies would be available to cover most, if not all, of the repairs so there should have been no reason for delay. While most of the debris has been removed, for some reason contractors have not yet been invited to bid on reconstruction while, due to summer heat and a “shrink-wrapped” building, the natural action of mold formation has caused additional, unnecessary, delays. It sounds like a fifth grade science project gone awry! Commissioner Russell, are you smarter than a fifth grader? I’m sure that after almost a year, most of that insurance money has been spent on space

rental payments to the SAYSF Bible Church for use as an interim site. While the church will now be able to upgrade their facilities to levels previously undreamed of, the citizens of St. Mary’s County are looking at another money pit for rebuilding costs that cannot easily be accommodated within the current budget. I’m really sorry to see that you were somehow re-elected in 2010. First you commit the County to buying property at above appraised values for a new Leonardtown Library that is outside of Leonardtown, now you’ve squandered the insurance money designed to rehabilitate the Senior Center while the monthly drain for the Interim Center continues with no end in sight. President Russell, how about demonstrating some fiscal responsibility and proactive leadership for a change and stop the bleeding? Unless you do, I’m not sure St. Mary’s County can afford your “leadership” much longer. Glenn Weder Hollywood, MD

High-Tech BARCODES ALLOW THE COUNTY TIMES TO PRINT VIDEO

Wondering what those geometric checkerboard designs are that have started to appear in magazines and newspapers? If you own a Blackberry, Android, or iPhone, you’re going to love this. The County Times is using a new technology called “linkblots” developed by Envidient, Inc., a hi-tech startup located in Maryland. linkblots allow the County Times to create special 2D barcodes called Quick Response codes (QR codes) that work with smartphones to dis-

play online content like videos and websites to our readers.

What is a QRcode?

Most people see barcodes in the supermarket everyday. A QRcode is like a barcode on steroids. Normal barcodes contains only vertical lines. A QRcode encodes information both vertically and horizontally so it contains a lot more information. More importantly you don’t need a laser scanner to read a QRcode. QRcodes are scanned with mobile phone cameras. If you have an internet-capable smartphone, you can scan a QRcode and immediately begin watching the encoded video, which is stored on the Internet and streamed directly to your smartphone.

How do I use them?

Scan QR Code With Smarthpone for Video Sample

You will need two items to view the linkblots codes we use in the County Times: • A Mobile smartphone (Blackberry, Android, or iPhone) equipped with a camera; and

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

To The Editor:

Editorial: Must We Wait Another 35 Years For FDR Boulevard? Todd Morgan hit the nail on the head during Monday’s budget work session held by the Board of County Commissioners when he said the county needs to speed up the construction of FDR Boulevard. For more than 35 years, FDR Boulevard has been envisioned a local community access road running parallel to Route 235 near Patuxent River Naval Air Station, designed to relieve pressure on this main artery. Morgan understands that job growth in general, and access to the jobs at Pax River Naval Air Station, are all contingent on transportation. If we don’t do something about Route 235 and try to relieve some of the local congestion and traffic, then we severely limit economic development and job growth opportunities in the county, because traffic controls job growth. According to a recently released “Pulse of Southern Maryland” poll by the College of Southern Maryland shows that most respondents feel attracting and creating jobs is the county is the number one issue that county and state government should be focused on. Morgan understands expanding jobs and expanding the tax base will be the solution to solving our future revenue challenges and problems when it comes to schools and other projects. On the other hand, Commissioner Larry Jarboe has missed the nail completely. He says “developers” should pay for the construction of FDR drive. What he failed to mention, or realize, is developers don’t actually pay for anything –

• A QRcode Reader App/Barcode – You can download a free one from your App store. We have printed a QRcode in this article for you to try - Before you can view it, you’ll need to make sure you have a QRcode reader on your smartphone. Use the web browser on your smartphone to visit http://m.linkblots.com and click on the link to download a QR code reader for your phone. Once you have installed the QR code reader, do the following: • Open the QRcode/Barcode reader on your smartphone. You will see the camera screen open up as if you were going to snap a photo. • Point your phone camera at the QRcode until you see it in the camera screen. If you are using the iPhone or the Android, wait until the phone reads the QRcode – it will tell you. If you are using the Blackberry, you’ll need to click it like you are taking a picture and wait for it to scan. • If your phone is scanning the code correctly, you will see a link. Click to follow the link and you will be taken to our QRcode test

It’s the end users and customers that pay for everything developers build. So in essence, Jarboe is advocating for a new tax on consumers to pay for these improvements, rather that using the millions of dollars that have already been earmarked in the county’s capital improvements budget for this project. It’s a way of taxing citizens and keeping at bay the functions that government should be focused on … and instead they are involved in all kinds of other “stuff” that government shouldn’t be focused on. Who are these developers? What are their plans? When will this ever happen? Certainly end users should pay for things. They are paying impact fees for education, solid waste disposal, Bay cleanup and a host of other objectives. With Jarboe’s plan in mind, when and how will this needed project ever been completed? Does Jarboe think it’s acceptable to just talk about this needed project for another 35 years? Government is there to provide certain infrastructure, and providing roads that will foster economic growth is exactly on of the things government is tasked with providing. The county’s transportation plan, approved in 2005, shows that practically every intersection on Route 235 between the base and the Route 4 intersection will be considered “failing” by 2020. Morgan gets it. He understands how government is supposed to work, and hopefully enough of the other commissioners will as well.

video. The County Times will be placing a wide variety of videos, audios, and picture slide shows in the paper to augment our normal print articles in the coming weeks. Everything from movie previews, to sporting event highlights, to campaign interviews are now possible – and will ONLY be available in the Southern Maryland Publishing family of newspapers.

Why is The County Times using these now?

According to nationwide statistics, over 20% of our readers own smartphones. QR codes are a great way to bring additional content to you, our readers, while you read the print edition. The beauty of QR codes is that they allow you to quickly access information on the go. Do you have a suggestions on how else we might use them? Let us know at news@somdpublishing.net

James Manning McKay - Founder Eric McKay -Associate Publisher..................................ericmckay@countytimes.net Tobie Pulliam - Office Manager..............................tobiepulliam@countytimes.net Sean Rice - Editor......................................................................seanrice@countytimes.net Angie Stalcup - Graphic Artist.......................................angiestalcup@countytimes.net Sarah Miller - Reporter - Education, Entertainment......sarahmiller@countytimes.net Chris Stevens - Reporter - Sports......................................chrisstevens@countytimes.net Guy Leonard - Reporter - Government, Crime...............guyleonard@countytimes.net Sales Representatives......................................................................sales@countytimes.net


for the love of

Money

The County Times

Thursday, February 10, 2011

8

Downtown Leonardtown Embracing The Arts By Sarah Miller Staff Writer Leonardtown is soon to become home to a new gallery and studio space on the second floor of the Court Square building, behind the PNC Bank building. “One of the things we’ve identified about Leonardtown is there’s a desire for the arts, a respect for the arts and a lot of artists,” said Joe Orlando, the owner of Fenwick Street Used Books and Music. To accommodate the thirst for the arts in Leonardtown, there’s a new studio that’s being built which Orlando said is modeled after the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, Va. According to the website for the Torpedo Factory, www.torpedofactory.org, “the Torpedo Factory Art Center houses more than 165 visual artists who produce artwork in a wide variety of media including painting, ceramics, photography, jewelry, stained glass, fiber, printmaking, and sculpture. The artists invite visitors to join them in their studios and observe their creative processes.” The Leonardtown Center for the Arts will have a concept similar to the Torpedo Factory, but on a smaller scale. There are seven artists who are committed to leasing spaces at the Arts center, Orlando said. “This is something we’ve wanted to do for a long time,” Orlando said. Each studio will have a window for people to watch the artists work and spaces for each artist to have a studio for selling their wares and even space people individuals from the com-

munity to take classes. “Most, if not all, the artists are interested in teaching classes,” Orlando said. The artists in the studio include painters, sculptures, jewelry makers and metal workers, among others. The studio is going to have a series of soft openings during the next couple of months and they have a tentative date set for the grand opening around Earth Day in April. “We really do want to have a big splash,” Orlando said. He said the space for the studio is owned by Dan Burris. When the Soil Conservation District Farm Service Agency and the Natural Resources Conservation Service moved out, he approached Orlando right away to propose the space as suitable for the art center. “I got to thinking about it and said ‘why not this’,” Burris said. Noy only did Burris suggest the space for the studio, he’s been helping to get it ready by installing the windows in the studio spaces. “I’ve started renovations,” Burris said. He also said there’s no problem with zoning for the studio either because the building is a general commercial business building. “[It will] go a long way in bringing more tourism and retail to the central business district,” Burris said. Individuals interested in learning more about the Leonardtown Center for the Arts should contact Orlando at 301-475-2859 or joe@fenwickbooks.com. sarahmiller@countytimes.net

Photo courtesy of Dan Burris Advertisement:

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There is a new gym especially for women near the K-Mart shopping center. The California Fitness and Spa opened for business in December. The gym features 13 weight machines, treadmills, ellipticals, stair climbers and bikes. There are also three personal trainers to help women design a program specific to their body type and age. “I’m really concerned about the health of women and teens in St. Mary’s County,” said the owner of the facility. “The lack of exercise and being sedentary has really become a problem.” The owner recognized the questionable state of the economy and the decision to open a new business, but she feels passionate about filling a need. “I have a passion for fitness for women and for the last four years, since curves closed, there hasn’t been a full service ladies’ gym south of Route 4.” The gym is also the only one with programs specifically for teenage girls. The owner said other gyms require girls to be 18 or older to sign up for classes. “They have to start young too,” said the owner of the facility. There is currently a special offer

for daughters to be half-price if the mothers sign up for a membership. Prices for memberships are negotiable, and there are no registration fees right now. There will also be Zumba classes offered at California Fitness and Spa beginning Feb. 22. “That’s another craze too,” the owner said. According to her, people asked for Zumba classes, so they hired a certified Zumba instructor to accommodate the requests. The spa features everything but haircuts, including gel nail polish, which is meant to last weeks longer than normal polish and acrylics. The owner said the facility is the only non-Asian owned spa in the area to offer gel polish. “The biggest craze right now is the gel nail polish,” said the owner of the California Fitness and Spa. The spa is also available for birthdays, bachelorette parties and other events by reservation. It is recommended the reservations be made three to four weeks in advance. Their hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. For more information, call 301-862-3050.


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Thursday, February 10, 2011

The County Times

STARBASE-Atlantis Marks 100,000th Graduate NAS Patuxent River is celebrating the graduation of BASE-Atlantis program currently has 14 Academies 100,000 students from a Navy program started in 1994 to help elementary school children with math and science. The STARBASE-Atlantis program is celebrate with two graduation ceremonies: on Feb. 8 and Feb. 14. Each program will take place from 12:30-1:15 p.m. with a Model Rocket Launch immediately following the ceremony. The rocket launch planned for Tuesday was cancelled due to high winds. Through the STARBASE-Atlantis program, NAS Patuxent River partners with local elementary schools to help students with special science and math projects. The Department of Defense and Navy sponsored STAR-

across the US. The NAS Patuxent River STARBASE-Atlantis Academy opened its doors in the fall of 2007 and is the newest of the Navy sites. In celebration of the 100,000th student to graduate from the Navy-wide program all of the STARBASEAtlantis sites are issuing commemorative certificates to their students and arranging special guest speakers at the graduation ceremonies during the month of February. On Monday, Feb. 14, Capt. Stephen A. Schmeiser, Commanding Officer, NAS Patuxent River is the guest speaker for the event.

Defense-Related Engineering Firm Offers Scholarships

Navmar Applied Sciences Corporation is announcing a call for all interested St. Mary’s County high school seniors to apply for a $1,000 College Scholarship. Applicants for award are selected based on the following criteria: • Attend a high school in St. Mary’s County; • No minimum GPA required; • Evident Financial Need; • Involvement in extra-curricular activities; • Generous with their time and charity to the community; • Good heart; and • Completion of an essay “Take a step into your future… Explain what your life and or career will be with a college degree.”

Deadline to apply is April 15th, 2011. The signed completed application must be returned with the following: • A copy of your college/university acceptance letter; • The most recent grade transcript; • Two letters of recommendation (can be from Teachers/Counselors/Sports Coach); • List of other scholarships/awards won; and • One page Personal Statement (Please feel free to write whatever you think is important. If there is any further information, including family or financial considerations, please include it in the statement). For more details and the application form, visit Navmar’s website, www.navmar.com.

STEM Scholarships Available

Applications for Marine Corps Aviation Association John Glenn Squadron Scholarships are due no later than March 15. Tri-county area high school seniors pursuing STEM-based degrees may apply. Visit www.mcaajgs.org and click the “Scholarship Program” button for details.

Since 2007 the Marine Corps Aviation Association John Glenn Squadron at Naval Air Station Patuxent River has been able to award $102,000 in scholarships to 27 students, ranging from $2,500 to $6,000, due to the generous contributions of local businesses and individuals.

Smartronix Launches Government Websites with ‘Cloud’ Architecture

Smartronix, of Hollywood, is announcing its support of the launch of the new Treasury.gov web site and the migration of four other Treasury websites (SIGTARP.gov, MyMoney.gov, TIGTA.gov, and IRSOversightBoard. treasury.gov) to Amazon Web Services (AWS). This marks the first time a cabinet level agency has moved its web sites to AWS. The Treasury.gov re-design contract was awarded to Smartronix in June of 2010. Team Smartronix, which consists of Smartronix, Synteractive, TMP Government, and KPMG, with close collaboration from Microsoft and AWS, also developed the successful Recovery.gov 2.0 web site released last year, a press release states. The team brings together visionary and creative industry experts in SharePoint, cloud computing, Web design, transparency, Open Government data, social collaboration, and emerging Web technologies. “We are excited to be part of this redesign of Treasury’s primary web presence,” stated Smartronix CTO Robert Groat. “This site ushers in an era of new capabilities for Treasury and meets several of the Administration’s mandates for use of cloud computing and Web 2.0 technologies.” Smartronix is also announcing its support of the launch of the new EducationJobsFund.gov and FederalTransparency.gov web sites running on the new Recovery.gov Community Cloud which is based on Amazon Web Services (AWS) Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2). The Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board (RATB) launched these two new web sites to track the new $10 billion Education Jobs Fund that supports school districts around the country. “We are pleased to continue our support in assisting the Recovery Board in realizing the speed and cost benefits of moving to the public cloud by rapidly standing up two new web sites in support of new Open Government programs,” stated Smartronix Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Robert Groat. “The Recovery Community Cloud is a multi-tenant solution designed to support current and future transparency mandates of the Recovery Board and Administration.” Smartronix is a locally based global professional solutions provider specializing in Cloud Computing Solutions, Network Operations, Cyber Security, Enterprise Software Solutions, and Health IT.

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The County Times

Briefs Man Charged With Bottle Assault

On Feb. 7, at approximately 12:05 a.m. deputies responded to a residence on Bristol Avenue in Lexington Park for a report of a fight. Investigation revealed Rodney Leroy Chase, Jr., 18, of Lexington Park allegedly struck the victim in the head with a bottle causing a large laceration to the victim’s head. The victim was transported to the hospital for treatment. Chase was arrested and charged with first-degree assault.

Police: Man Contacted, Pushed Victim Despite Protective Order

In January, Jerome Antonio Gladden, 29, of Lexington Park was served with a protective order ordering that he not contact, abuse or harass the petitioner of the order. The order is in effect until January of 2012. On Feb. 6, 2011 Gladden allegedly violated the conditions of the protective order by contacting the petitioner and then showing up at her residence. When the victim asked Gladden to leave the residence he pushed her as he exited, police alleged. Gladden fled the scene prior to the arrival of deputies but was located a short time later, arrested and charged with violating a protective order and second-degree assault.

Traffic Stop Leads To Drug, DUI Charges

On Feb. 6, deputies responded to the intersection of Budds Creek Road and Thompson Corner Road in Mechanicsville for a report of a motor vehicle collision. As deputies were speaking with one of the drivers, Nicholas Matthew Clark, 18, of Mechanicsville, they detected an odor of an alcoholic beverage upon Clark’s breath and person. Clark was given a standardized field sobriety test, police said, and as a result of that test Clark was arrested for driving while under the influence of alcohol. A search incident to the arrest resulted in the deputy recovering a baggie of suspected marijuana and controlled dangerous substance paraphernalia, police say. Clark was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, and possession of controlled dangerous substance paraphernalia.

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Wind-Fueled Brushfires Keep Firefighters Busy By Guy Leonard Staff Writer High winds Tuesday helped spread a brush fire in Mechanicsville near Flora Corner Road across more than two acres of a field, firefighters reported, while they were able to stop another small brush fire from getting larger near the Charlotte Hall library. Capt. Ronnie Cox, of the Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department, said the first fire occurred around 10 a.m. and was not immediately visible from Route 235. “Due to the strong wind conditions it pushed the smoke back into the woods and not into the air,” Cox said, adding that it took firefighters and additional vehicles like brush trucks and tanker trucks from Leonardtown, Hollywood and Hughesville fire companies to extinguish the field blaze. The fire was found in the field about onehalf mile from the road through the woods, Cox said, making it initially difficult to find. Using a specially outfitted brush truck, Cox was able to extinguish part of the fire before it reached a nearby barn, he said, while firefighters took just under

Philip H. Dorsey III Attorney at Law

an hour to put out the entire fire. “It was a large fire and the wind could’ve quickly turned into an out of control incident,” Cox said. Cox said the first fire started when an electrical transformer caused a spark from arcing electricity and set the field on fire. The second fire near the Charlotte Hall library was discovered around 2:30 p.m. and Mechanicsville firefighters again responded. The fire was much smaller, Cox said, and was contained to just a 10-foot square area and only a tanker truck and brush truck where needed to extinguish it. Responders found the fire near a set of power lines on a bike trail, Cox said, but the cause of the fire is still undetermined. “We stopped it from going into the woods,” Cox said of the fire that took just 15 minutes to contain. guyleonard@countytimes.net

Mechanicsville firefighters tackle a brush fire off of Flora Corner Road Tuesday.

Drug Suspect Arrested Again for Fleeing Police By Guy Leonard Staff Writer

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Local police say that a man recently arrested on charges of helping to operate a drug ring in Clements and Lexington Park was involved just days later in a chase with another officer where drugs were allegedly involved. According to charging documents filed against Reginald Alan Price, 45, of Clements, the defendant attempted to flee a St. Mary’s Sheriff’s deputy when he tried to arrest Price on an outstanding warrant for violating his probation in Charles County on Feb. 3. Court papers allege that when the deputy tried to pull Price over while he was driving a 1994 Dodge pickup truck on Route 234, Price sped away and led the deputy on a winding chase around the rural roads in the community for about seven miles. Price finally stopped on Horseshoe Road, the same road where his home was raided for numerous alleged drug distribution violations, and was arrested and charged with trying to elude a law officer. Price had been released on bond after the initial large-scale drug investigation, but vice/ narcotics detectives here still suspected him of possessing illegal drugs. According to information from narcotics investigators, several baggies of crack cocaine and heroin were found in the area where

the chase took place and a search of the home on Horseshoe Drive turned up heroin, cocaine, hashish and marijuana, almost $1,400 in cash and packaging materials for alleged drug distribution. Price and his brother, Melvin Price, both face charges of possessing drugs with the intention to distribute them from the previous drug raid. Capt. Daniel Alioto, commander of the vice/narcotics unit, said that the amount of drugs seized from the Price home was not nearly as much but was still a significant haul. Detectives seized about $1,000 in heroin, $1,000 in cocaine, between $600 to $700 worth of marijuana and about $1,000 in hashish, Alioto said. Alioto credited the community with helping inform detectives to the alleged drug activity starting back up so quickly. “They see the activity, they know what’s going on,” Alioto said. “We confirmed he was right back selling drugs.” The next step, Alioto said, was trying to have the house on Horseshoe Road seized to take it out of the alleged drug distribution process for good. “It’s a haven for drug activity, we’ve proven it over the years,” Alioto said. guyleonard@countytimes.net


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Thursday, February 10, 2011

Kevin Brown, Sr., 51 Kevin Jeffery Brown, Sr., better known as DJ Brown, 51, of Lexington Park, MD departed this life on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2011 at Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, DC. He was born July 10, 1959, in Washington, DC to Elmer Brown Sr. and the late Martha Elizabeth Brown. Kevin was a 1977 graduate of Chopticon High School. He served in the United States Army as a Military Policeman. Kevin was self-employed as DJ Brown for over 30 years until his health declined. Kevin was also a member of the Unified Committee for Afro-American Contributions and an avid fan of the Washington Redskins. He leaves to cherish his memory his father and mother Elmer and Johnnie Brown, a loving and devoted wife of 31 years, Angela Brown, sons Keith Lawrence, Kevin Jr. (Beatrice), Darrell and Wayne, sisters Sheila Powell, and Michelle Brown and brothers Elmer Jr. (Louise), Michael (Cheryl), Tony Sr., Tony Goldson, three grandchildren Panethia Lawrence, Giselle Brown and Kamden Brown as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Family will receive friends on Friday, Feb. 11, 2011 from 5 until 8 p.m. in the Brinsfield Funeral Home, 22955 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650. Prayers will be recited at 7 p.m. Family will receive friends on Saturday, Feb. 12, 2011 from 9 until 10 a.m. at the Lexington Park United Methodist Church, 21760 Great Mills Road, Lexington Park, MD 20653. A funeral service will be conducted at 10 a.m. Interment will follow in Bethesda United Methodist Church Cemetery, Valley Lee, MD. Memorial contributions may be made to the UCAC (Unified Committee for Afro-American Contributions), P.O. Box 1457, Lexington Park, MD 20653. Condolences to the family may be made at www.brinsfieldfuneral. com.

Rosetta Carter, 66 Rosetta Mary “Rosie” Carter, 66, of Valley Lee, MD, died Jan. 19, 2011 at George Washington University Hospital, Washington, DC. Born May 6, 1944 in Wise County, VA, she was the daughter of the late Venus and Leonard Freeman. Mrs. Carter was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, who enjoyed life with her family. She enjoyed fishing, crabbing, working in the garden and playing with her grandchildren. Mrs. Carter

is survived by her husband William Roy Carter, Sr., her children; Marie Keller and her husband Tim, Cheryl Richardson and her husband James, William Carter, Jr., Kenneth Carter, Sr. and his wife Shawn, her sister; Margie Combs of Lexington Park, MD, her 17 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her brothers; James Freeman, John Freeman, Vaselee Freeman and Troy Freeman, her sisters; Myrtle Freeman and Dephlea Brooks. The family received friends on Monday, Jan. 24, 2011 in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD where prayers were recited. A Funeral Service was held on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2011 in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD with Rev. Gregory Syler officiating. Interment followed in St. George’s Episcopal Cemetery, Valley Lee, MD. Pallbearers were James O’Neil, Kenneth Carter, Jr., Justin Carter, Timothy Keller, II, Jesse Ray Brotherton and Kenneth Brotherton. Honorary Pallbearers were Wayne Carter and Kevin Carter. Memorial contributions may be made to Second District Vol. Fire Department and Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 1, Valley Lee, MD 20609 or St. George’s Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 30, Valley Lee, MD 20692. To send a condolence to the family please visit our website at www. mgfh.com.

Elmer Gatton, Jr., 68 Elmer Marcellus “Ninky” Gatton, Jr., 68, of Hollywood, MD, passed away Jan. 28, 2011 in St. Mary’s Hospital, L e o n a r d t ow n , MD. Born May 7, 1942 in Baltimore, MD, he was the son of the late Elmer Marcellus and Abbie Lorraine Morgan Gatton, Sr. Mr. Gatton was the husband of Linda Mae Bussler Gatton whom he married on November 9, 1963 in St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Compton, MD. He is also survived by his children; Jackie Marcellus Gatton (Fiancée Donna Spalding) of Mechanicsville, MD, Joseph Terry Gatton, Sr. and Susan Leigh Clements (Daniel L.) both of Hollywood, MD, and one grandson Joseph Terry Gatton, Jr., as well as his siblings; Steve Gatton (Ruth Ann), Judy Howard (Steve), Frances Gatton, and Jo Ann Demko (Vic) all of Hollywood, MD and Diane Whittle (Ron) of Indiana. He was preceded in death by his siblings; Jackie Gatton and June Gatton. Ninky was born into a large family farm operation of the old country ways, holding true to family traditions of generations passed. He was proud to work a long side his father, farming, and also learning welding, mechanics and carpentry. Ninky was a lifelong resident of St. Mary’s

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County and attended Leonardtown High School. In the late 1950’s Ninky was a member of the Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department. He was also a certified diver and waterman. His greatest love was spending time on the on the Patuxent River and Sotterley Creek. He began his apprenticeship in the HVAC industry in the mid 1960’s, serving a dedicated 40 plus years before his retirement, developing many long-term clients and friendships. Ninky enjoyed being part of his large family, telling tales of pranks with his brother, sisters and cousins. He also enjoyed reminiscing of his favorite car, a 1956 Crown Victoria, which he named Little Devil. In his spare time he enjoyed fishing, crabbing, gardening and growing the largest vegetables and roses possible. Ninky was a free spirited and giving man who enjoyed good laughs and jokes. He treasured time and conversations with his local waterman buddies and most of all he loved his wife, children, grandson and his large family. The family received friends on Thursday, Feb. 3, 2011 in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD where a funeral service was conducted with Fr. Joe Dobson officiating. Interment was private. Contributions in memory of Elmer Marcellus “Ninky” Gatton, Jr. can be made to the Hollywood Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 79, Hollywood, MD 20636 and/or the Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 7, Hollywood, MD 20636. To send a condolence to the family please visit our website at www. mgfh.com.

Thomas Hall, Sr., 66 Thomas Alfred Hall, Sr., 66, of Bushwood, MD, died Thursday, Feb. 3, 2011 in St. Mary’s Hospital, Leonardtown, MD, surrounded by his family. Born March 20, 1944 in Bushwood, MD, he was the son of the late John William Hall, Sr. and Gladys M. Cheseldine Hall. He is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Nettie L. Hall, his children; Thomas A. Hall, Jr. and his wife Becky of Leonardtown, MD, Tammy M. Hall of Mechanicsville, MD, and James R. Hall of Great Mills, MD, his grandchildren; Crystal Lynn Hall, Paul Michael Klear, Lauren Ashley Hall, two step-grandsons; William “Will” Warren and Michael Warren, one great-grandson, who was the love of his life Darren Ray Grimes. He is also survived by his brother George L. Hall, Sr. and his wife Joanne, and his sisters; Lucy Ramos and her husband Joe and Mary L. Bailey all of Bushwood, MD. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his four siblings; Betty Hall Twilley,

John W. Hall, Jr., Dorothy M. Rusaw and Charles H. Hall. Mr. Hall retired in 2004 after 40 years of being an Auto Body and Fender Mechanic. Prior to becoming an Auto Body and Fender Mechanic, Mr. Hall was a Waterman. He loved to hunt and to be out on the water boating, crabbing and fishing. The family received friends on Sunday, Feb. 6, 2011 in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD, where prayers were recited. A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated on Monday, Feb. 7, 2011 in Holy Angels Catholic Church, Avenue, MD, with Fr. William Gurnee officiating. Interment followed in Sacred Heart Catholic Church Cemetery, Bushwood, MD. Pallbearers were George L. Hall, Jr., Joseph Ramos, Jr., Joseph Amman, Sr., Joseph Amman, Jr., George Hall, III, and Charles Morris. Contributions in memory of Thomas Alfred Hall, Sr. can be made to the Seventh District Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 7, Avenue, MD 20609. To send a condolence to the family please visit our website at www. mgfh.com.

Katherine Hill, 59 Katherine “Irene” Hill, 59, of Mechanicsville, MD and formerly of Sunderland, MD, passed away Feb. 5, 2011 in Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC. Born Feb. 11, 1951 in Leonardtown, MD, she was the daughter of the late Joseph Horace and Margaret Cecilia Flora Quade. Mrs. Hill was the loving wife of Michael Leroy Hill, whom she married on November 16, 1968 in Mechanicsville, MD. Mrs. Hill is also survived by her children; Chris “Andy” Hill (Alisa) of Great Mills, MD, Michael Patrick Hill (Crystal) of Lusby, MD, Angela Smith (Richie) and Mary Snowden Hill both of Mechanicsville, MD, grandchildren; Zachary and Isabella Hill of Great Mills, MD, Emily and Alex Hill of Lusby, MD and Lillian Smith of Mechanicsville, MD, Jeremiah Smith of Tipton, OK. In addition to her husband, children and grandchildren, Mrs. Hill is survived by her siblings; Michael O’Leary Quade of Ocean City, MD, Margaret Ann Brady of Georgia, Anthony Quade and Patricia Morgan both of Hollywood, MD, Bill Quade of Golden Beach, MD and Tom Nyguen of Hughesville, MD. Mrs. Hill was preceded in death by her siblings; Betty Ann Self, Mary Virginia Quade, George Reintzell and Joseph Quade. She was a lifelong resident of St. Mary’s County and was a fulltime wife and mother. In her spare time Mrs. Hill enjoyed canning and spending time with her family. The family received friends

on Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2011 in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD where prayers were said. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2011 at 10 a.m. in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Mechanicsville, MD with Fr. John Caulfield officiating. Interment will follow in Queen of Peace Cemetery, Helen, MD. To send a condolence to the family please visit our website at www. mgfh.com.

H. Rowe Hipsley, 87 H. Rowe Hipsley, 87 of Bushwood, MD passed away on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2011 at Gilchrist Hospice House. Born April 6, 1923 in Reisterstown, MD he was the son of the late Henry C.

and Hilda Hipsley. Mr. Hipsley is survived by his loving wife Maude Hipsley, sons; Steven Hipsley of Vienna, VA and Kenneth Hipsley of Pikesville, MD, daughter; Susan Preston of Stewartstown, PA, grandsons; Troy Hipsley, Chad Hipsley, and Steven Preston, sister; Mildred Allard of Church Creek, MD, brother; Murray Hipsley of Westminster, MD, three greatgrandchildren, also survived by many nieces and nephews. Family received friends on Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2011 in the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD where a Funeral Service was conducted with Lynda Purdy officiating. Interment followed in Druid Ridge Cemetery, Pikesville, MD Pallbearers were Troy Hipsley, Chad Hipsley, Wayne Hipsley, Steven Preston, Gary Allard, Lawrence Hazel, Mike Hazel, Wayne Cheseldine. In lieu of flowers family request that memorial contributions be made to the 7th District Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 7, Avenue, MD 20609 and/or The American diabetes Association, P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312 Arrangements provided by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.

Ann Kiker, 66 Ann Louise Lawton Kiker, 66 of Tall Timbers, MD was born in Reading, PA on Jan. 12, 1945. Her husband was the late Charles E. Kiker. Her parents were Ann Marie Schmoyer and John E. Lawton of Doylestown, PA. She grew up in the Hatboro, PA area and attended Hatboro Horsham High School. She was active in the Girl Scouts, with a highlight being chosen to attend a Girl Scout Round Up in Colorado. Ottsville, PA is where Ann raised her two children and was active with their football and cheer-


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Thursday, February 10, 2011

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Continued leading teams and being a coach for many years. In 1981 she started a new type of life style by moving onto a yacht in Delran, NJ, for a few years and eventually to Tall Timbers, MD. Ann loved being on the water and walking the beach; always searching for the prettiest stone. Ann had nine grandchildren, and one new great grandchild. She would spend time in PA visiting. They enjoyed visiting her on her boat. She loved taking them around the area to special places to visit. Ann joined the Department of the Navy MWR Food and Beverage team in 1993. Filling many positions up to the Asst. Club Manager, she dedicated her time, effort and talents to support the Sailors and Marines of NAS Patuxent River; her valued customers and cherished employees. Ann conducted hundreds of “life-changing” events at the Cedar Point Officer’s Club and at River’s Edge Catering & Conference Center. Ann’s passion was lighthouses. She was a valued volunteer at Piney Point Lighthouse and Museum for more than 7 years, with over 100 documented hours. Ann was a member of the Chesapeake Chapter of the US Lighthouse Society as well as the NJ Lighthouse Society and visited lighthouses from Nova Scotia to Florida. She also was

member of the Calvert Marine Museum Society in Solomons, MD. Ann was made an Honorary member of the Fil-Am Association and a member of the RE Cougar Club. She is survived by her children Dennis Hendricks, and his wife Sharon of Upper Black Eddy, PA; Linda Diehl, and her husband Mark of Perkasie, PA. Her stepchildren Lydia Kiker of Annondale, NJ; Marjorie Marrone of Philadelphia, PA; JoAnne Chandler and husband Dave of Quarryville. PA. Her nine grandchildren: Jessica and Shannon Hendricks, Nicole, Jennifer and Curtis Diehl, Emmett Plant, Cassandre and Molly Chandler, Haley Chandler Wise and great grandchild Evan Wise. There will be a Celebration of Life Reception on Saturday, Feb. 12, 2011 from 11 a.m. until 1:30 p.m., located at Lenny’s Restaurant at 23418 Three Notch Road, California, MD. There will be a Reflections & Memories Service at 11:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: The Friends of SCIM and PPLM Museums, noting “In Memory of Ann Kiker for Piney Point”. The address is 38370 Point Breeze Rd, Colton’s Point, MD 20626. Condolences to the family may be made at www.brinsfieldfuneral.com.

Mark Lipscomb, 45 Mark Charles Lipscomb, 45 of Leonardtown, MD died Jan. 31, 2011. Mark is survived by his mother and stepfather Joann and Rick Garstka, his daughter and granddaughter, Jennifer Lynn Hinkle and Jordyn Hinkle, four sisters, Cindy Gore, Karen Bretscher, Terry Lipscomb and Sandy Lamont, and his girlfriend, Debbie King and her daughter Rachel Cooksey. Mark also leaves behind many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Condolences to the family may be made at www.brinsfieldfuneral.com.

Kazuko May, 74 Kazuko Shibata May 74, of California, MD died Feb. 6, 2011 at her home. Born August 24, 1936 in Kitakyushushi, Japan she was the daughter of the late Yoshihisa Shibata and Fujiko Shibata.

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Kazuko was a lover of all animals, especially hummingbirds. She enjoyed quilting, fishing, gardening and traveling across the country with her family. She is survived by her loving husband Terry Lee May of California, MD; two sons, Edward Lee May of Titusville, FL and Steven Allan May of Mandeville, LA; and six grandchildren Family will receive friends for Kazuko’s Life Celebration on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2011 from 5 until 8 p.m. in the Brinsfield Funeral Home, 22955 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650. A Memorial Service will be conducted at 7 p.m. with Pastor Linda Purdy officiating. Interment will be private. Contributions may be made to Hospice of St. Mary’s, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650. Condolences to the family may be made at www.brinsfieldfuneral.com.

Peter Moore, 60 P e t e r Wayne Moore, 60, of Lexington Park, MD died Jan. 29, 2011 in L e on a r dt ow n , MD. Born September 20, 1950 in Albuquerque, NM, he was the son of the late Frank Edward Moore and Helen Jane Humber Moore. He worked as a contract specialist for the Federal government at Patuxent River. Peter loved photography, animals, cycling, baseball, and the University of Texas Longhorns, his alma mater. He is survived by his mother, son, Nicholas Moore, sister, Pamela Faunce (James), nephews Christopher, Jeffrey, and Scott Faunce, and many other friends and relatives. Family received friends for Peter’s Life Celebration on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2011 in the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD where a Memorial Service was conducted. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the TriCounty Animal Shelter, 6707 Animal Shelter Rd., Hughesville, MD. Condolences to the family may be made at www.brinsfieldfuneral.com

Agnes Reed, 66 Agnes Ann Reed 66, of Oakville, MD departed this life peacefully on Thursday, Feb. 3, 2011. Ann was born on November 2, 1944 in Oakville, MD

to the late Eleanor Courtney Stewart and James Berry. Ann received her education from St. Joseph’s Elementary School and Banneker High School. Ann united in marriage to the love of her life, the late James (Jimmy) Reed on October 5th, 1963. She is survived by her children, Ellen Little (Kevin) of Laurel, MD, Stephanie Ford (George), Michael Reed (Bessie), James Reed of Oakville, MD, and Brenda Chase of Great Mills, MD, two brothersVernon Stewart of Baltimore, MD and Joseph Collins of Vacaville, California. Special Aunt-Sarah Ann White and Uncle John Ernest Berry, sister-in-law, Mary Alice Collins and host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family members and friends. Ann also had seven grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. Ann was employed at St. Mary’s Hospital until she retired and started her own business. Ann loved to fix hair as a child and always dreamed of having her own business. Ann’s dream came true and she was very successful. Her hobbies included softball, soap operas, dancing, and cooking. Ann also loved her family cookouts and her favorite color was red. Ann loved life. She was a very caring person and her smile spoke volumes. Family received friends in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Morganza, MD on Monday, Feb. 7, 2011. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated with Reverend Keith Woods officiating. Interment followed in Queen of Peace Cemetery in Helen, MD. Serving as pallbearers were John Brooks, Joseph Berry, Wayne Berry, David Butler, Joseph Courtney and Joseph Butler. Serving as honorary pallbearers were George Ford, Kevin Little, Joseph Chase, Jerome Chase, Ray Fulcher and Stephon Reed. Condolences to the family may be made at www.brinsfieldfuneral.com.

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Thursday, February 10, 2011

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Thursday, February 10, 2011

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Tech Center Turns It Up For Soup Cook-Off

By Sarah Miller Staff Writer

The Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center hosted the sixth annual soup cook-off Monday evening. There were six categories the soups could be entered under – red meat, poultry, cream, seafood, vegetarian and other. There were also two age groups – the junior division for individuals 18 and under who are still in school and a senior division for everybody over the age of 18. Winners were awarded in each category for each age group. “It’s neat,” said Paul Wible, a member of the community who attended the event. “It’s good to see that they have a competition for the kids and for the adults.” There were also sponsors, who paid for the groups’ ingredients and other materials. “I like what the money goes toward. It’s good for them and it’s good for me,” said Greg Carpenter, with Simply Home. He sponsored mother-daughter group Nikki Wilson and Jan Jarboe, who made Mexican Pork and Rice Soup for the competition. Jarboe said they picked the soup because “we do a lot of Mexican food at home” and because it’s a healthy soup and it’s a recipe that can be easily adapted. The soups were judged by a six person panel that consisted of people from catering groups and restaurants from around the county, the Superintendent of St. Mary’s County

Public Schools Michael Martirano and Jack Russell, the president of the Board of County Commissioners. The soups were judged by originality, taste and quality. They could receive up to 100 points in each category and the soups with the most points were declared the winners for their category and division.

In the junior division, the poultry soup winners were Christine Daugherty and Jessica Michalek. The seafood winners were Grant Palmer, Kaitlyn Waldron and William Oehlbeck. The winning vegetarian soups went to Jordan Walker, Ali Johnson and Ashley Lytle. The winning red meat soup belonged to Cameron Corcoran and the soups in the other category were Corrine Williams, Jake McGuire, Sydni Weir and Jacob Beaulieu. For the junior division, the peoples choice awards went to Damian Tucker and Brandon Hughes. In the senior division, the poultry soup

winner was Gary Hunt, the seafood winner is Holly Kellogg, the vegetarian soup belonged to Tammy Hardesty and Charlotte Wood, Red Meat soup winner was Edie Hintz, the cream soup winner was Monica Cerkez and the winner in the other category was Laurie Wassink. The people’s choice award for the senior division went to Tammy Hardesty and Charlotte Wood. “This school is one of the best kept secrets in St. Mary’s County,” said Monica Cerkez, a teacher at Chopticon High School and a participant in the cook-off.

Progress being Made On New School By Sarah Miller Staff Writer Even in the face of tight budget constrictions during the upcoming fiscal year, St. Mary’s County Public Schools is still moving ahead with plans for the new elementary school on the Hayden Property in Leonardtown. “If we held on it, we’d be behind the eight ball,” said Brad Clements, the chief operating officer for St. Mary’s County Public Schools. At the school board meeting Wednesday morning, members approved a rightof-entry agreement for the elementary school site, which Clements said gives them the ability to actually go onto the land and survey it. “If you have property, and you wanted to sell it and we wanted to buy it, we’d get a right of entry from you to investigate it,” Clements said. According to documents provided during the meeting, the location of the new elementary school will be on the Hayden property, which is in the process of being subdivided and ownership of the elementary school site transferred from the St. Mary’s Board of County Commissioners to the Board of Education. Clements said the deed to the prop-

erty should be in the district’s possession by December, at the latest. “With planning approval of the project being recommended as part of the FY 2012 capital improvements program, the planning and site investigation phase of the project is about to begin and it will be necessary for school system staff, contractors, and engineers to have access to the property to conduct tests and evaluations,” the documents read. Superintendent Michael Martirano said other aspects of the schools are not going to go as well as the new school is progressing. He said during the board meeting that they cannot promise that jobs will be safe from the budget cuts during the upcoming crunch. According to him, between 80 and 85 percent of the budget goes toward paying employees, and that’s something the board and the school support system has to look at. In a year that is going to be tough, the board thought it was good to have some positive growth still occurring. “It’s good to get started on getting starting on another school,” said Marilyn Crosby, a member of the board of education during the meeting. sarahmiller@countytimes.net


15

The County Times

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Open Feb 12-13th

St. Mary’s Libraries Host Video Contest By Sarah Miller Staff Writer The libraries in St. Mary’s County are in the middle of the second yearly Teen Tech Week Contest. During the months of January and February the Teen Advisory Group (TAG) has been devoted to instructing students in creating and posting their videos to www.youtube.com for the contest. “This year’s theme is “Mix and Mash,” for Teen Tech Week. The students who participate will benefit from this contest as it encourages creative expression by combining writing, storytelling, movies, music, and more by using mix and mash technology and creativity,” said Janis Cooker, the youth coordinator for St. Mary’s County Libraries. The young people in the county are encouraged to make a book trailer or a video to highlight the “awesomeness of reading” that is three minutes or less long. The videos are due March 9 and there will be a party March 12 at 2 p.m. at the Lexington Park Library to announce the winning video and choose the people’s choice video. It not a requirement of the contest for a teen to be involved in TAG to submit a video. Submissions form any teen will be welcomed and judged. Melissa Racine, a youth services librarian and the advisor for the TAG group at the Lexington Park Library, said the contest is a good opportunity for the young people. “It’s an opportunity for them to create something that is both ethical and responsible, but competitive and recreational. There are many

opportunities such as this that allow teens to create with purpose. Such programs give them a chance to enhance their technological skills and creativity,” Racine said. She said it allows young people to learn to use technology in “competitive but healthy ways.” For students who don’t have access to a camera or video recorder, they get instruction on making videos in PowerPoint and other programs to put images and music together for the video. Students are also given websites that host photos and sound clips that don’t have a copyright restriction, so they can make a movie without video if they choose. Racine said it’s important for students to learn about resources other than books, like online resources, and to be up to date with technology. “We’re basically doing it because we want to encourage teens to use our non-print resources,” Racine said. The winner of the contest will receive a Vivitar digital camera, and the viewer’s choice winner will get a retro piece of technology spray painted gold. Last year’s golden technology was a Playstation steering wheel painted gold. “It’s a trophy of recycled technology covered in a coat of shimmering gold paint,” Racine said. For more information, or to register a video in the contest, visit http://www.stmalib.org/teens. html. Teens should post the video to Youtube, and tag it STMALIB TTW Video Contest 2011 by March 9. sarahmiller@countytimes.net

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The County Times

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Thursday, February 10, 2011

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Thursday, February 10, 2011

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STORY STORY

Officials Looking At ‘Master Plan’ to Guide Future Growth in Charlotte Hall By Guy Leonard and Sarah Miller Staff Writers Charlotte Hall is growing, planning officials in county government say, and it needs a master plan to manage that growth to ensure that it is vibrant but also well managed. But the process is just part of a long-range plan, says Land Use and Growth Management director Derick Berlage, and the vision must be filled in by a host of stake holders in the community. Right now the only substance to the idea of a master plan is to find out what the public wants, balance those issues and work to come up with a transformation of the community that will work. “We’re looking for a good transformation,” Berlage said. “But we don’t have the answers yet, we don’t even know what the right questions are.” What planners do know, he said, is that Charlotte Hall is important economically because it is strategically located in the center of a triangle bound by Lexington Park, Waldorf and Prince Frederick and is expected to eventually attract much commerce. Charlotte Hall has also seen the most growth out of all five designated “town centers” in St. Mary’s County, Berlage said, which are slated to eventually get master plans of their own. Town centers are the highest planning designation other than development districts, of which there are two: Lexington Park and Leonardtown. “We can expect the private sector will want to build and invest there,” Berlage said of Charlotte Hall. “If we step back [from formal planning] we’re not sure what we’ll get.”

What planners expect they’ll need, however, is better transportation for Charlotte Hall and key questions will likely be whether Route 5 will have to be widened and also if hiker/biker trails can be extended throughout the community to aid residents in getting to businesses without getting onto the main road. Planning staff will busy themselves this summer with studying the community, Berlage said, including looking into traffic patterns and congestion as well as vacant parcels that are available that could be used for development. All of this will help answer the question of just how big Charlotte Hall should be, Berlage said. The entire public process will be open to a wide range of stake holders, he said, including residents, home owner civic associations, business interests and developers. The plan should go before the commissioners sometime in 2012. “Everyone has a seat at the table and we’ll do our best to make sure everyone’s voice is heard,” Berlage said. Ben Burroughs Jr., a longtime resident of Charlotte Hall, bought the Farmers’ Market in 1963 and owns much of the property on the right side of Route 5 going north, said he has seen a lot of changes in Charlotte Hall in the past few years. Some of the changes have been for the best, but Burroughs said there are some things that changed that he would have rather seen stay the same. “It would have been good if the railroad track had been preserved,” Burroughs said. Though the train that once ran from Charlotte Hall to the Naval Air Station Patuxent River was a freight train, Burroughs said he could envision it as a passenger line for

commuters to Washington, D.C. or Baltimore and back. Removing the train also lessened some of the growth potential for Charlotte Hall at that time, Burroughs said. One suggestion he has for any sort of development plan for Charlotte Hall involves the water and sewer system. “I think they should have public water along the corridor and they should have public sewer along the corridor,” Burroughs said. Joe Ferrante, vice president of the Golden Beach Civic Association, said that he and other residents want to see economic growth in Charlotte Hall to provide more convenience for them, currently their jaunts take them for upwards of 20 miles, he said. “We would like to see nice restaurants and we’d like to have some shopping,” Ferrante said. “But they’re going to have to control the traffic through here.” Intersections like the one at Golden Beach Road and Route 5 are extremely busy and with the growth planners are expecting because of job opportunities with the military at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, the traffic situation is only likely to get more congested, Ferrante said. Residents also wanted more emergency medical care close by, he said, and government facilities in the community that could provide licenses and other official documents. “It’d be nice to not have to go down to Leonardtown to get every little license,” Ferrante said. Ferrante said that the master plan, if done right the first time, could help improve the retail climate in Charlotte Hall over the next few years. “Master plans can create zoning that keeps the junk out,” Ferrante said. Shelby Guazzo, a member of the county’s planning

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commission, said that the master plan could also help turn Charlotte Hall into a net fiscal positive for the county. “There should be a formal plan to make sure it doesn’t grow topsy like other places north of us,” Guazzo said, adding that the community was desirous of the kind of local stores that have propped up recently. “We need more of that, more business-oriented operations that produce a product sold both locally and outside the county,” Guazzo said, adding that such businesses also produce local jobs. But, she said, the key to making Charlotte Hall a greater contributor to the economy of the county is to ensure that business growth matched denser housing communities, else it could become just a bedroom community where residents are more likely to spend their dollars outside the county on their long commutes to work. If that happened it would actually drain the county fiscally because it cost the county more to provide services to homes than it did to businesses. “The north end of the county is a quick trip to the [Washington] Beltway so business must come with housing,” Guazzo said. But all the commerce and homes that are expected to come to Charlotte Hall needs water and sewer service, Guazzo said, which would likely have to be provided by the Metropolitan Commission. “All that land in Charlotte Hall doesn’t perk very well, so if there’s going to be more dense development there has to be some kind of public water and sewer,” she said. John Parlett, a developer and landowner in Charlotte Hall, said the reason the plan is being considered is “because people have been insisting on one.” Over time, Parlett said Charlotte Hall has become a low-level development district and it’s important to know where it’s heading. “Charlotte Hall has, over time, slowly, added store and shops,” he said. One thing that has limited the growth of Charlotte Hall is the guidelines limiting any building to 50,000 square feet in size. He said that limit was imposed to keep Wal-Mart from building a location in Charlotte Hall, but the problem was it then kept stores like Kohl’s and Lowes from building there also. Lowes needs 100,000 square feet at least in order to build, Parlett said. He said in future plans he hopes everybody will take the building limits into consideration, as well as the way the buildings are designed.

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“I want some buildings that are attractive and well thought out,” Parlett said. He said Charlotte Hall is the gateway to the county, and should be designed accordingly because it is inevitable that it will grow. When diverse interests come together to give their input to such plans, the process can also become problematic when the future of a community is at stake. Such was the case when the county was considering a small area plan in Callaway back in 2000, which ultimately found a citizens group file an ethics complaint against local developers who sat on a committee that was steering the project, alleging that they stood to gain value for their tracks of land once the area was more highly developed. The issue eventually was held up in Circuit Court but never went to trial, county documents showed, but the original plan to more densely develop Callaway was dropped in favor of a much stripped down option. “We ended up accommodating the [King’s Academy] Christian school” and adopting the tenants of the 1988 development plan, said Jeff Jackman, a senior planner at the Department of Land Use and Growth Management. “That was our fall back position.” news@countytimes.net

Free Tax Advice It is once again that dreaded time of year when law abiding Americans must “voluntarily” file their annual income tax returns. And once again the choices we face in accomplishing that task accurately and economically are far more daunting than ever before. “Tax simplification” has apparently been buried deep within the halls of Congress. Each year our tax laws become increasingly complex. It is virtually impossible for the average citizen to prepare their income tax return without some kind of help. Typically that help comes in one of three alternatives: (1) help from the IRS; (2) help using off-theshelf computer software; and (3) help from paid income tax return preparers. Since most taxpayers don’t believe that the IRS will actually “help” them, let’s focus on the other two. Off-the-shelf tax preparation softwares promise free preparation, free e-filing, and free printing. Some even “guarantee” you your biggest tax refund possible. But is anything in life actually “free?” And what exactly is “guaranteed?” Be sure to read the fine print. Typically “free” means you can complete part of the process, but anything additional is fee based. And “guaranteed” typically means that if you answer all questions correctly the calculations that result will be accurate. It does not guarantee that your tax liability will be correct. The software cannot determine if you are answering the questions completely and accurately and have included all of your information. And will the software programmers be there when the IRS comes a calling? No. These providers rely on the fact that only a small percentage of the returns they process are audited by the IRS so in the event of an additional assessment the most the software company has to lose is the refund of the fees that you paid. Often this will not cover the interest assessed on the tax deficiency. This is not to suggest that off-the-shelf tax preparation softwares should never be used. If the simplicity of the tax situation coupled with the competency of the person entering the data is properly matched, these softwares can produce reasonably accurate returns. So what is the alternative to using the IRS taxpayer assistance or off-the-shelf tax preparation software? Hire a paid income tax return preparer. Simple, right? No, not at all. Just because someone charges you a fee to prepare your return is no guarantee that your return will be prepared correctly or accurately. Until recently, paid income tax return preparers have for the most part been virtually unregulated. The IRS has created some new requirements for tax preparers, but will it be enough to shake all of the unqualified preparers out of the system? Probably not right away. Should you still be concerned? Absolutely! Remember that when you sign your income tax return you attest under penalties of perjury that you have examined the return and it is true, correct and complete. Your paid preparer only declares that the return is accurate based upon that of which he/she has been made aware. In all likelihood, you will be the only one faced with interest and penalties if that return is not correct. Our office has recently encountered two situations in which incompetent tax preparation has resulted in substantial tax deficiencies and interest upon IRS examination. Both taxpayers paid relatively significant fees to

their preparers and were provided terribly deficient products in return. In one case the original preparer would not return calls relative to the examination. In the other the preparer was unqualified to adequately represent the taxpayer in the examination. So where will your preparer be in the event your return is examined by the IRS? Will they be there to stand behind their work and represent you before the IRS? The statistical likelihood of an IRS examination may be slim, but proper, qualified representation is critical when it does occur. The IRS has stepped up enforcement activity recently for two very simple reasons: (1) voluntary compliance with the tax laws has declined in recent years, and (2) the IRS is the Federal government’s collection agency and the Federal government needs revenue. Don’t you want to know that the professional preparing your return will be there to assist and defend you when the IRS shows up asking questions? Anyone considering engaging a professional to prepare their income tax return should do so very carefully. Would you allow a surgeon from Peggy’s Online University perform surgery on your child? Would you invest your life savings with someone without determining if they have a criminal history? Hopefully not. Your due diligence in selecting an income tax return preparer should be no less. Here are some helpful hints in choosing a competent income tax return preparer, • Avoid preparers who claim they can obtain larger refunds than other preparers. • Avoid preparers who base their fee on a percentage of the amount of the refund. • Use a reputable tax professional who signs your tax return and provides you with a copy for your records. • Consider whether the individual or firm will be around to answer questions about the preparation of your tax return months, or even years, after the return has been filed. • Review your return before you sign it and ask questions on entries you don’t understand. • Never sign a blank tax form. • Is the preparer a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Enrolled Agent, or Tax Attorney? • Only attorneys, CPAs and enrolled agents can represent taxpayers before the IRS in all matters including audits, collection and appeals. • Find out if the preparer is affiliated with a professional organization that provides its members with continuing education and resources and holds them to a code of ethics. • Ask questions. Do you know anyone who has used the tax professional? Were they satisfied with the service they received? Robert W. Askey, CPA, CFE, CFFA is the managing partner of Askey, Askey & Associates, CPA, LLC, a duly licensed MD certified public accounting, and experienced income tax preparation firm dedicated to the financial success and security of our clients. We can be reached on the web at www.aaacpa.com or contacted by telephone at either of our local offices: Leonardtown 301-475-5671; La Plata 301-934-5780.

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Newsmakers

The County Times

Thursday, February 10, 2011

18

‘GiveCamp’ Offers Local Non Profits Website Assist

By Sarah Miller Staff Writer

Limi te

Non-profit organizations in the area are soon to receive assistance in the form of website design and software from local website developers. GiveCamp was started in Texas in 2007 and last year Jim Pendarvis, the local coordinator for the program, hosted the first GiveCamp in Southern Maryland. “The concept is to pair IT professionals with local non-profit organizations,” Pendarvis said. GiveCamp is a weekend-long event where software developers, designers and database administrators donate their time to create custom software for non-profit organizations. The projects should be planned so they can be completed during the weekend and can include a new website for the nonprofit organization, or a small datacollection application to keep track of members. He said GiveCamp finds organizations who have a website that’s not particularly functional and make it more user friendly, as well as showing the people with the organization how to run their website. Organizations that don’t have a website to begin with will have one built for them. Last year, the event found a home at the St. Mary’s College of Maryland during the first weekend in April. During GiveCamp, developers are welcome to go home in the evenings or camp out all weekend long. There is food and drink provided at the event and game systems set up for when the developers, or the non-profits, need a little break.

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In 2010, there was one volunteer who came to work on Friday and didn’t leave, or sleep more than a couple of hours, until he went home on Sunday. Pendarvis said he went through a lot of coffee, but he was invaluable as a volunteer because of what he was willing to do to get the project finished on time. As for people who want to get involved who aren’t with a non-profit, Pendarvis said volunteers are always welcome. “We can always use more developers,” Pendarvis said. Developers are not the only volunteers who are welcome at the event either. “We’re looking for technical and non-technical volunteers,” Pendarvis said. As an incentive for volunteers, last year Pendarvis shaved his head if 100 people volunteered. After the event, Pendarvis was bald. This year, he’ll get a temporary tattoo if 100 people volunteer and get the tattoo and shave his head again if 150 people of more volunteer. In addition to the volunteers, Pendarvis said he’s looking for in-kind sponsors who will donate food and beverages. “A lot of caffeine would be good,” Pendarvis said. In exchanges for their sponsorship, Pendarvis said they’ll get their names and websites under the Sponsor tab on the GiveCamp website and have their names and logos on a board at the event. All source codes have to be turned over to the charities at the end of the weekend. The de-

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velopers can’t ask for payment, and the charities are responsible for maintaining the code moving forward, meaning they can’t expect the developers to maintain the codebase. Just because the developers are not obligated to maintain the website once the weekend is over, it doesn’t mean they won’t provide some support, Pendarvis said. “Last year, I don’t think there were developers who hesitated even a second if there were questions after the fact,” Pendarvis said. He said the non-profits who received help last year are welcome to attend again, but the organizations that will be getting websites and other software will be different from last year’s recipients. “That was one of our criteria for selecting them, that new non-profits take precedence,” Pendarvis said. The non-profits being considered this year include Sotterley Plantation, Southern Maryland Chapter - American Red Cross, Maryland Resource Parent PTSA, Discover U Children’s Museum, St. Mary’s County Child Advocacy Center, Bay K9 SAR,
SLS Ministries Inc., Optimist Club of Tall Timbers, 2nd District, Mattawoman Watershed Society, Town of Indian Head’s Rail

Trail Outreach Committee, Christmas in April St. Mary’s County, Lexington Park Baptist Church Awana Club, Southern Maryland Center for Independent Living, Inc., Pets On Wheels, Tri-County Youth Services Bureau, Greenwell Foundation, Charles County Technology Council and the Charles County Children’s Aid Society. For more information on becoming a volunteer or registering a non-profit organization, visit www.somdgc.org. sarahmiller@countytimes.net

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19

Thursday, February 10, 2011

The County Times

Announcin

Issued Marriage Applications for January 2011 January 3, 2010

January 10, 2011

Justin Shauntone Brown 30 Lexington Park, Md Floy Shauntel Thomas 33 Leonardtown, Md

Joseph Anthony Dulka 56 Mechanicsville, Md Kelly Ann Chick 50 Mechanicsville, Md

Nick Chad Andrew 26 Great Mills, Md Valicia Shant’e Swain 26 Great Mills, Md

Justin Thomas Readmond 24 Leonardtown, Md Radni Leigh Long 24 Leonardtown, Md

January 4, 2011

January 11, 2011

Mark William Dobson 26 Lexington Park, Md Crystal Marie Grube 38 Lexington Park, Md

Aaron Jason Rose 35 California, Md Kathryn Ann Cox 35 California, Md

Llyod Edward Willey, IV, 28 Lexington Park, Md Paula Annette White 31 Lexington Park, Md January 5, 2011 Tristan Michael Clinger 23 Louisville, Ky Rachel Ann Self 23 California, Md January 7, 2011 Michael Martin Davis 21 Great Mills, Md Dana Lynn Bellosi 40 Great Mills, Md Terrence Justin Ryan 32 Avenue, Md Jamie Lynn Whitaker 27 Coltons Point, Md Christopher Lee Smith 28 Prince Frederick, Md Corrine Amanda Jacobson 28 Prince Frederick, Md Matthew John Voithofer, IV 43 Hollywood, Md Heather Elaine Kimmons 40 Newburg, Md

January 13, 2011 Michael James Edwards 21 Mechanicsville, Md Nicole Marie Jarboe 22 Mechanicsville, Md Gregory Laurence Franch 26 Mechanicsville, Md Jessica Candace Malcom 23 Mechanicsville, Md January 14, 2011

Mayra Linette Rodriguez Pardo 30 Lexington Park, Md January 21, 2011 Stephen Timothy Lenik 32 Lexington Park, Md Liza Alison Gijanto 33 Lexington Park Md January 24, 2011 Zachary Lee Welch 27 Mechanicsville, Md Crystal Mary Will 30 Mechanicsville, Md January 25, 2011 Jonathan Devon Coombs 33 Mechanicsville, Md Sadie Marion Broome 29 Mechanicsville, Md

Christopher David Reach 26 Kaneohe, Hi Stacy Lynn Swart 33 Lexington Park, Md January 27, 2011 Joseph Bubba Pilkerton 34 Avenue, Md Jennifer Christine Branham 29 Avenue, Md January 28, 2011 Eusebio Quinones, Jr., 51 Tall Timbers, Md Christine Angela Rivera 44 Tall Timbers, Md January 31, 2011

January 26, 2011

Brian Allen Greene 35 Mechanicville, Md Gladys Adore Marie Smith 31 Mechanicsville, Md

Jason Thomas Bradley 24 Lusby, Md Ashley Renee Key 21 Lusby, Md

Justin Roy Kile 30 Lexington Park, Md Johnna Lynn Kuhns 31 Bluffton, Sc

William Victor Adams, III 54 Lexington Park, Md Joanne Marie Royce 52 Lexington Park, Md January 18, 2011 Johel Matthew Browne 26 Valley Lee, Md Katherine Anne Eyres 21 Tall Timbers, Md Jonathan Amin Nasr 21 Mechanicsville, Md Cynthia Pauline Langlais 20 Solomons, Md January 19, 2011 Rayburn Earl Nutter, Jr., 40 California, Md

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Community By Sarah Miller Staff Writer

The County Times

Thursday, February 10, 2011

20

Alcohol Sellers May Receive Access to New Training

Right now, it is only necessary for one employee in a business to be Techniques of Alcohol Management (TAM) certified. And that person doesn’t have to be the owner of the establishment, just any employee at the bar or package store. Soon, there may be an option for employers to send their employees to be trained in alcohol safety and recognizing fake IDs, without having to pay the $75 is costs to put a person through TAM certification. The program will be similar to the Alcohol Law Education and Regulatory Training ALERT training in Montgomery County “It’s difficult, especially with small businesses,” said Tamara Hildebrand, the board administrator for the Alcohol Beverage Board. The problem is there are a lot of package stores and bars that attract young people as employees, and they aren’t the kind of people who stick around at a job long enough to make it worth

investing a lot of money to train all of them. “We think there’s a need and we want to fill the gap,” Hildebrand said. She said the new program would address frequently asked questions from employers and employees, and would potentially be free for everyone to attend. St. Mary’s Sheriff’s DFC James Stone, the alcohol enforcement officer with the alcohol beverage board, said people will get training in alcohol awareness, how to check IDs and what dates people have to be born before to purchase alcohol. He also agreed with Hildebrand that there is a gap in the training that people selling liquor receive in having one TAM certified person per establishment. “Everybody else is kind of oblivious to the laws,” Stone said. An optimistic estimation is that the training will be available in the summer, Hildebrand said, and right now it’s too early to tell what will be happening in the future.

Stone is slightly more hopeful about getting the training together within a few months. “It’s not going to be very complicated to get the information together,” Stone said. Hildebrand said the alcohol board is looking at the ALERT training in Montgomery County as a model and even going to observe those sessions to see how they’re run. Stone said the additional training will help cut down on the number of underage drinkers and the places that get caught in stings for selling alcohol to minors. He said when the police send the underage people in to try to purchase alcohol, they don’t try to make them look any older, or trick the vendors in any way. When they get caught selling alcohol to a minor, the circumstances are the same as if the police didn’t send the young person in. “I think it’s going to be a great thing, if it can get off the ground,” Stone said. sarahmiller@countytimes.net

Carver Elementary Getting Federal Cash for Healthy Foods By Sarah Miller Staff Writer George Washington Carver Elementary School recently received money from the government to offer fresh fruits and vegetables at the school. According to a press release from St. Mary’s County Public Schools, U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan and Congressman Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) visited the Carver school in Lexington Park to highlight the rapid implementation and importance of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, signed into law by President Barack Obama. The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act reauthorizes the USDA's child nutrition programs, including the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs. In addition to the fresh fruits and vegetables, the school provides breakfast, snacks and after school meals to certain students, as well as having a regular lunch program. “It’s a very busy kitchen at George Washington Carver Elementary,” said Mike Jones, the Supervisor of Food and Nutrition services with St.

Mary’s County Public Schools. George Washington Carver qualified for the new program because it has 77 percent of students that are on Free and Reduced Meal (FARM) plans. Jones said other schools in the district applied because they had 50 percent or more FARM students, but they didn’t receive grant money because there was only so much to go around. “We’re very fortunate to have it at Carver,” Jones said. “We’ve been doing things to improve the quality of the meals over time,” Jones George Washington Carver Elementary School Assistant said. Students and food service workers in Principal Beth Ramsey, left, U.S. Congressman Steny Hoythe schools don’t have to worry too much er, and USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan join about potential budget cuts, either. Jones pre-kindergarten students for lunch while discussing the said the system is entirely self-sustaining, variety of food service programs offered at Carver. with the bulk of the expenses being covfor them to draw money from the school district’s ered by the money the students pay for their meals. operating budget. Two thirds of sales at the schools are paid for “Those monies is what pays for everything,” in cash, and the money for the FARMs comes from Jones said. the government. He said they receive 26 cents for each student who pays for their lunch and, if the sarahmiller@countytimes.net school meal program is run well, there is no need

NARFE, Chapter 969 Luncheon/Meeting Feb. 16, at 10 a.m., is the deadline for making reservations for the St. Mary’s County Chapter 969, National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE) luncheon/ meeting. The luncheon/meeting will be held at Olde Breton Inn in Leonardtown, Friday, February 18. The cost of the luncheon buffet is $14.50. The social hour begins at 11 a.m., and for the February meeting lunch will be at 11:45 a.m. The guest speaker at the February luncheon/meeting will be Kimberly Talbert Myers, from the Law Office of Kimberly Talbert Myers, who will provide a one-hour presentation on Estate Planning. Reservations for lunch are required -- call Judy Loflin, 301872-0064. Members will be charged for the cost of lunch if reservations are not kept or cancelled by the deadline. If you are interested in only attending the meeting, for February it will begin at 12:30 p.m.

Local NARFE Chapter Donates to Hospice

A check in the amount of $4,260 was presented to Hospice of St. Mary’s at NARFE Chapter 969’s January luncheon meeting. Fundraising for Hospice of St. Mary’s by Chapter 969 began in 1996 and including the above donation, a total of $47,738.86 has been collected for the organization. Pictured from left is Kathy Franzen, Hospice of St. Mary’s; Pat Myers, President of NARFE Chapter 969; Chapter 969 Hospice Chair Barbara Sterling and co-Chairs Beverly Blume and Bonnie Opalko.

L ibrary Items • Storytelling at its best All ages are invited to hear professional storyteller Janice Curtis Greene, President of the Griots’ Circle of Maryland, share her original stories, folktales and rap at the Black History Month Celebration on Feb. 13, at 2 p.m. at Lexington Park Library. Her lively performance will be woven with historical facts and life lessons. The performance is free and is being co-sponsored by UCAC (Unified Committee for Afro-American Contributions) and NAACP. Light refreshments will be provided. • Grant Proposal Writing and Budget Basics Workshop offered Space is still available for the free grant writers’ workshop to be presented by Caroline Herbert, Manager of Multimedia and On-Demand Training at the Foundation Center at Washington D.C. on Feb. 23 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Grant writers will be introduced to key components of a proposal to a foundation or corporation: gathering information to prepare the proposal; tips for writing and structure; communicating with the funder after a decision is made; and review of the essentials of budget preparation and presentation in a grant proposal, including the personnel section; overhead costs and budget narrative. Registration is required. • Reception held for local artist A reception will be held for local artist, Candy Cummings, on Feb. 17 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Lexington Park Library Art Gallery. Her latest, mature, yet whimsical artwork is on display through the end of February. • Paying for College program rescheduled The Paying for College program has been rescheduled for Feb. 24 at 7 p.m. at Leonardtown Library. Dr. Caroline Bright, St. Mary’s College Financial Aid Director will present the program along with Robin Willis, Great Mills High School Career Counselor. Topics covered include financing college expenses, FAFSA, and scholarships. • Gaming Fun planned for school’s early dismissal day Leonardtown Library will host a gaming extravaganza on Feb. 24, an early dismissal day for the schools, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Feb. 24. All ages can play board games, card games and Wii. Snacks will be provided. Children, ages 3-6, can build LEGO creations from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 24 at Lexington Park. LEGOs are provided. Children are asked not to bring their own LEGOs.


21

The County Times

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Business

Directory Law Offices of

Phone 301-884-5900 1-800 524-2381

P.A. Hotchkiss & Associates Since 1987

WHERE YOUR LEGAL MATTER-MATTERS

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

Serving the Southern Maryland Area

Accepting All Major Credit Cards

Cross & Wood

AssoCiAtes, inC. Serving The Great Southern Maryland Counties since 1994 Employer/Employee

Primary Resource Consultants Group & Individual Health, Dental, Vision, AFLAC, Life, Long Term Care, Short & Long Term Disability, Employer & Employee Benefits Planning

12685 Amberleigh Lane La Plata, MD 20646

Pub & Grill

301-866-0777

“THE HEAT PUMP PEOPLE” 30457 Potomac Way Charlotte Hall, MD 20622 Phone: 301-884-5011

www.dbmcmillans.com

Est. 1982

Entertainment All Day

28231 Three Notch Rd, #101 Mechanicsville, MD 20659

Heating & Air Conditioning

23415 Three Notch Road California Maryland

41 Days Till St. Patrick’s Day

Phone 301-934-4680 Fax 301-884-0398

snheatingac.com

Lic #12999

  The

Doors Open at 7 PM

Tour

To Place a Classified Ad, please email your ad to: classifieds@countytimes.net or Call: 301-373-4125 or Fax: 301-373-4128 for a price quote. Office hours are: Monday thru Friday 8am - 4pm. The County Times is published each Thursday.

Classifieds Real Estate A 20 acre lot, with perk, mostly cleared flat land backed with trees- great for a single family with lots of privacy and plenty of room for pasture with a stream running along edge of property, or can be subdivided. In a great location in the middle of Hollywood on a private road in a quite neighborhood.If interested call 301-373-8462 or e-mail jlaowens@aol.com

Real Estate Rentals Quiet, Cove Setting, great for canoeing & kayaking. Pier, (catch your own crabs), Gazebo, Inground Swimming Pool. New Appliances. Two Fireplaces, Hardwood and Ceramic floors. 4 Acres. Potomac River Access. If interested, please call Dan Burris at 301-475-3151. Rent: $1950. Newly available, single family home with water views over the Patuxent River and the pier in Lower Marlboro. 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath home with updated kitchen is available immediately, pets case by case. Conveniently located off Rt 4 but just far enough away from the rest of world. Washer and dryer, wood-burning fireplace, new efficient heat pump. Rental application and credit check required. Contact Will at 443-840-9455. Rent: $1675.

Apartment Rentals Brand new studio apartment, lots of natural light, minutes from Charlotte Hall, 20 minutes from Waldorf or Lexington Park. Permits double occupancy. Rent: $750. If interested, please call 301-472-4847.

Employment We are looking for a positive, enthusiastic, self-motivated individual for a part-time dental assistant position in our orthodontic office. Must be willing to travel between offices, be x-ray certified, and expanded function qualifed or certified. Please send cover letter, resume, and salary requirements to DianeHowells@comcast.net. If you do not have the above qualifications please do not apply.

Presents

 

Deadlines for Classifieds are Tuesday at 12 pm.

Tickets

$15 Donation

Vehicles With Special Guests seventhirtyclub.webs.com

28297 Old Village Road in Mechanicsville, MD

240-925-6058

Friday, February 25th

for Details

1998 Dodge Ram 1500 SST 2WD. Has a Strong 5.9L (360 CU IN) just installed. Needs Tranny work. Great Project Truck. Call James at 240-561-6338. $1200 OBO

“” and “Write This Down” 13 Years & Older

With all this fluffy fur, shabby chic is as tidy as it gets. Hello, my name is Lillie. I was born around the middle of October ‘08. As you can see, I am gorgeous! My fur is to die fur! LOL! I am hoping to go to my new home really soon. I like the usual cat things, like seafood, playing, sunning, purring, and of course, napping. My foster mom thinks I am just a little beauty queen. Feral Cat Rescue gives a deal for 2 kitties, you know. It is 2 for $200, instead of one for $125. Welcome fully vetted which is a huge savings. From what I have heard the adults discussing, they say that if you took us to a vet, it would be a lot more expensive. Anyway, I am with my foster mom and she can be reached at 301-481-0171. You can also email her at moonandhunt@ hotmail.com. Please contact her and make my day, or actually, my whole life! Love forever, Lillie

Boats & Recreation

301-737-0777

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

Ca ll 30 ! d A 1-373 r -4125 to Place You Advertising That Works!

Deep Water Slips & Boat Lifts Available. Leonardtown Area. 301-475-2017. www.combscreekmarina.com

Important

The County Times will not be held responsible for any ads omitted for any reason. The County Times reserves the right to edit or reject any classified ad not meeting the standards of The County Times. It is your responsiblity to check the ad on its first publication and call us if a mistake is found. We will correct your ad only if notified after the first day of the first publication ran.


The County Times

Thursday, Feb. 10 • Library Teen Advisory Meeting Charlotte Hall Library (37600 New Market Road, Charlotte Hall) – 5 p.m. Leonardtown Library (23250 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown) – 6 p.m. Join other teens to learn how to create videos without a camera. Play Wii and discuss books. Snacks provided. For more information, call the Charlotte Hall Library at 301-884-2211 or the Leonardtown Library at 301-475-2846. • Game Night La Tabella Ristorante (23154 Wetstone Lane, California) – 6 p.m. The Young Professionals Initiative of St. Mary’s County (YPI-SMC) will hold a Game Night. Young professionals living or working in St. Mary’s County are invited to network with other young professionals while playing a variety of games including card games, board games, and Nintendo Wii games. There will also be a 50/50 raffle. This event is being sponsored by Technology Security Associates, Inc. • Special Olympics Poker Bennett Building (24930 Old Three Notch Road, Hollywood) – 7 p.m. $5-$5 blinds cash game. Dealers will be provided and the nightly high hand is paid nightly. Drinks will be free. Proceeds go to benefit the St. Mary’s Special Olympics and the Center for Life Enrichment. People who would like to help with the Special Olympics should call Mary Lu Bucci at 301-373-3469 or 240-298-0200. For more information about the poker game, call Jim Bucci 301-373-6104 before 7 p.m. and 240-298-9616 after. • Newtowne Players Present “Doubt: A Parable” Three Notch Theatre (21744 South Coral Drive, Lexington Park) – 8 p.m. The Newtowne Players will perform “Doubt: A Parable,” a drama by John Patrick Shanley through Feb. 13. Thursday, Friday and Saturday performances start at 8 p.m.; Sunday shows begin at 3:30 p.m. Performances are held at Three Notch Theatre on 21744 South Coral Drive in Lexington Park. Tickets are $15 for

adults and $12 for students, senior citizens and the military. Thursday shows are $10 general admission. Light refreshments and beverages are also available for purchase at the theatre. Reservations are recommended. To reserve a spot, call 301-737-5447 or visit www.newtowneplayers.org.

Friday, Feb. 11

• Laundry and Bourbon College of Southern Maryland Leonardtown Campus, Building A, Auditorium (22950 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown) – 8 p.m. “Laundry and Bourbon” welcomes the audience to back porch, Anywhere, USA, where it’s a hot summer afternoon in 1974. Tickets are $5. For more information, or to order tickets, e-mail bxoffc@csmd.edu, call 301934-7828 or visit www.csmd.edu/Arts.

Saturday, Feb. 12

• Contra Dance St. Andrew’s Parish (44078 St. Andrew’s Church Road, California) – 5:30 p.m. Buy in is $50, $40 of which goes into the prize pool and $10 goes to charity. A team challenge, will end the evening with teams up to four people playing against a 25 minute clock. Their goal is to come up with as many word variations with each team on separate boards using the same letters and a seven letter word on the board. The cost to enter the two round tournament play is $25 for a single player, $30 for a couple, and $40 for a family. Team Challenge round is $40 per team, no more then 4 people per team, and commences at 8:40 p.m. Standard American rules for this non-sanction event. This means no foreign words or proper nouns are acceptable. They are allowing use of a standard scrabble dictionary during the course of a person’s turn during the individual rounds. Team Challenge use of the dictionary will cost $2 for each word researched. Prizes go to the highest average validated score between the first two rounds and the highest word scored. Light beverages and snacks will be sold. All proceeds to fund Outreach programs at St. Andrew’s. To pre-register, call Donna at 301-862-2247 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., Tuesday through Friday.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

• Scrabble Tournament Christ Episcopal Church Parish Hall (37497 Zach Fowler Road, Chaptico) – 7:30 p.m. The Southern MD Traditional Music and Dance Association will sponsor a Contra Dance, featuring caller Eva Murray. Beginners are encouraged to arrive at 7 pm for instruction in this wonderful form of dance. Contra is a traditional American style of social dance and is a huge amount of fun (and exercise)! If you’ve ever danced a Virginia Reel, you have a good idea how much fun it can be. If you haven’t, it’s about time you tried it! Beginners are more than welcome, and instruction will be provided in a very friendly atmosphere. Admission is $8 for non-SMTMD members, $6 for members (band members are free). There will be an ice cream social following the dance. For more information, including directions to the Parish Hall, please go to www.smtmd.org.

Sunday, Feb. 13

• All You Can Eat Breakfast Hollywood Rescue Squad Building (43256 Rescue Lane, Hollywood) – 7:30 a.m. The menu will include sausage gravy and biscuits, sausage links, bacon, scrambled eggs, fried potatoes, pancakes, escalloped apples, assorted juices, coffee, tea ad hot chocolate. The cost is $8 for adults, $4 for children between the ages of 5 and 12 and free for children under the age of 5.

Monday, Feb. 14

• Quilters Guild Meeting Good Samaritan Lutheran Church (20850 Langley Road, Lexington Park) – 6:30 p.m. Patuxent River Quilter’s Guild will be holding their monthly meeting. New members welcome. Bring nonperishable food items for the food pantry. This month’s feature will be trunk shows by several members. For more information, call Linda Harvan at 301-475-3814.

Tuesday, Feb. 15

• Everyone has a story to tell: Memoir Writing Basics Garvery Senior Activity Center (21580 Peabody Street, Leonardtown) 1:30 p.m.

CHURCH SERVICES DIRECTORY Running the 2nd & 4th Week of Each Month

To Advertise in the Church Services Directory, Call The County Times at 301-373-4125

ANGLICAN THE ANGLICAN MISSION OF SOUTHERN MARYLAND Sundays - 9:30 AM 41695 Fenwick Street Unit 3 Leonardtown, MD 20650 301/475-9337 www.amosm.net

BAHA’I FAITH BAHA’I FAITH God is One, Man is One, and All Religions are One

Discussions 3rd Wed. 7-8 Lex Pk Library, Longfellow Rm 301-884-8764 or www.bahai.org

BAPTIST CHURCH

PRESBYTERIAN CATHOLIC

HUGHESVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH A member of the Southern Baptist Convention 8505 Leonardtown Road, Hughesville, MD 20637 301-884-8645 or 301-274-3627 Pastor Keith Corrick Associate Pastor Kevin Cullins

• Sunday Morning Worship • Sunday School (all ages) • Sunday Evening Worship & Bible Study • Wednesday Discipleship Classes (Adults, youth & Children)

10:30am 9:15 am 6:00 pm 7:00 pm

CATHOLIC CHURCH St. Cecelia Church 47950 Mattapany Rd, PO Box 429 St. Mary’s City, MD 20686 301-862-4600 Virgil Mass: Sunday: Weekday (M-F): Confessions:

4:30 pm Saturday 8:00 am 7:30 am 3-4 pm Saturday

Whether a life is unconventional or relatively normal, there’s bound to be something fascinating about it. Seniors are invited to the Garvey Senior Activity Center on Tuesdays until March 1 to participate in this memoirwriting workshop. In this group they will learn how to focus their life stories, give them literary purpose, and apply such craft elements as character, plot, description, dialogue, setting, pacing, and theme. To sign up, or for more information, call 301-475-4200, extension 1050.

Wednesday, Feb. 16

• Free Line Dance Lessons Hotel Charles (15100 Burnt Store Road, Hughesville)– 7 p.m. The Boot Scooters of Southern Maryland are offering free Line Dance Lessons. The lessons will be followed by the regular weekly practice session. Anyone interested in obtaining more information about these lessons or interested joining the Boot Scooters of Southern Maryland can contact then through link on our website at http://www.bootscootersofsomd. blogspot.com/.

Association of University Women Marking Black History Month The American Association of University Women Patuxent River Branch members will commemorate Black History month by attending the Conversations with Chesapeake Authors at the Calvert Marine Museum on Sunday, Feb. 20 at 2 p.m. The guest author, William A. Poe, will review the history of African Americans communities in Maryland. Before the lecture, at noon, members and guests will have lunch at the Laughing Buddha Restaurant located at 13880 Solomons Island Rd, Solomons. For more, call B. Fetterhoff at 410.394.3365 or check website: www.aauw-paxriv.org.

GRACE CHAPEL Grace Chapel (Meeting at Mechanicsville Elementary School) Pastor Carl Snyder Worship Service: 10:00 am Phone: 301-884-3504 • Website: www.gracechapelsomd.com John 8:32 Member of fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches

UNITED METHODIST

Patuxent Presbyterian Church California, Maryland 301-863-2033

Rev Michael R. Jones, Senior Pastor 1 miles South of Thomas Johnson Bridge on Rt. 4

Sunday Morning Worship Services: 8:30 am & 11:00 am Sunday School 9:45 am With Nursery care Website: http://www.paxpres.org E-mail: ChurchOffice@paxpress.org

22

Offering worship and serving opportunities at… First Friendship campus – Ridge 9:00 am Traditional worshipc St George Island campus – Piney Point 9:45 am Children and Adult Sunday School 11:00 am Traditional worship St. Paul’s campus – Leonardtown 8:05 am Traditional worshipna 9:15 am Contemporary worshipnca(ASL Interpreted) 10:45 am Contemporary worshipnca 6:00 pm The Refinery (interactive worship)nc n – nursery provided c- children’s Sunday school also available a- adult Sunday school also available

www.firstsaints.org 301.475.7200


23

The County Times

Thursday, February 10, 2011

A Journey Through Time The

Chronicle

By Linda Reno Contributing Writer After much wrangling, Henry Carberry was turned over to the Maryland authorities. He “confessed his guilty and begged for mercy.” He did receive the mercy he sought, but was still under a veil of disgrace. On September 29, 1789, Carberry wrote to Otho Holland Williams saying that he hoped to “rise again into favour” and recognized he had “wandered a little from the strict rules of rectitude… had I murdered half of Congress I would have been forgiven and even

honored, but America scorns to forgive a faithful friend.” Henry Carberry would survive this debacle but only after much mental anguish. He did redeem his honor, serving as a Captain in the U.S. Army from 1791-1794. In 1794 he resigned his commission to serve as Maryland’s first adjutant general--a post he held until 1807. On March 5, 1792 Carberry was commissioned as a Captain in the Legion of the United States, created by President Washington for the protection of the northwest frontiers (this was a reorganization and extension of the U.S. Army) under the command of Major General Anthony Wayne. Congress agreed with the creation of this small standing army until “the United States shall be at peace with the Indian tribes.” The Legion fought a number of battles along the frontier and on August 3, 1795 after prevailing at the Battle of Fallen Timbers, the Indians ended war with the U.S. In 1796, General Wayne accepted surrender of all the British forts located illegally within the United States in violation of the Treaty of Paris (1783). When the War of 1812 came along,

Wanderings of an Aimless

d

Min

By Shelby Oppermann Contributing Writer You all know you are a part of my life by now, and I appreciate all the concern. Of course I didn’t write about my current health situation only to elicit kind words, prayers, nurturing, and mothering. I really do write wherever my mind wanders or whatever is currently happening…but it was wonderful. I thank you and I believe it will aid in my healing. As the lung saga turns: As of this writing I don’t have pneumonia – it is possibly pleurisy. A different radiologist looked at my x-rays and said no pneumonia, but the cardiologist mentioned that it sounds more like pleurisy. Now for the stress test, oh boy. Anyway… Do you remember when you were a child and you had no worries. Well, nothing earth shattering at any rate. My biggest worries were that Miss Nancy wouldn’t see me in her “magic mirror” on Romper Room, or that we might be having spinach for dinner. I was thinking about all this as Tidbit and I were driving around the northern end of the county on Sunday. We had lots of errands to run and no real time limit. My poor husband was home in bed with the flu, so he probably didn’t even notice we were gone. I was feeling somewhat improved and was more focused on taking care of my husband just as he had done for me. But I also felt very happy, I felt less pain. It was a sunny afternoon, the car was warm and Tidbit looked at me with what looked like a contented smile. Maybe I’ve seen that commercial where all the dogs are smiling with a full set of human teeth way too many times. But it was uplifting. The trees produced long shadows which stretched out across the fields and roads like walking giants. Seeing a large mound of manure in one farm field was enough to make me hysterically happy. Is that the feel of the promise of Spring? I love the winter, but this year I am very excited about the coming of Spring. But in the back of my mind, I thought; I shouldn’t be happy. Why is that? Why are there times when I worry about worry? When even

Henry Carberry, Pt. II Henry Carberry held the rank of colonel in the Maryland Militia. “The 36th Infantry, under Col. Henry Carberry was removed from St. Mary’s County by order of President Madison in 1813 to defend Washington, Baltimore, and Annapolis.” Typical…while our men were pulled out to defend the cities, our citizens were left to defend themselves the best way they could. Just two regiments of local militia to defend 400 miles of shoreline. The British marauded all along our shores, almost at will. Col. Carberry was one of the defenders of Washington, but due to poor leadership from the powers in Washington, that was a lost cause. And, while President Madison took off to save his own hide, Dolly Madison risked her life and stayed behind long enough to save the portrait of George Washington by Gilbert Stuart, an original draft of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. By the time of his death in 1822, Henry Carberry had achieved the rank of general. The May 29, 1822, edition of the National Intelligencer newspaper contained his obituary: “Died on May 26 at his seat near Georgetown, in his 66th year, Gen. Henry Carberry, an officer of the Revolution. He received a severe wound in the side from a musket ball, which could not be extracted and it was no doubt the cause of his death after remaining in him 40 odd years.”

No worries…

if I am happy, something will come up to make me worry. I’m glad that worry doesn’t take over completely - I can go a long time being blissfully happy. Too happy sometimes. So, I willfully pushed worry out from my mind and took notice of everything and everyone that came into my line of sight. I looked at each house, yard, and enjoyed. I came back home feeling refreshed. The problem is focusing, and how to bring my mind back to the task at hand. When I breathe slowly and deeply as we have always heard – it truly does make a difference. There are times when I have too many tasks at hand, so it is good to get out in the sunshine and dry out the mind. Maybe this was due to our church, along with many other county churches, taking one week to participate in the WARM program (Wrapping Arms Around Many). Some wonderful people who have fallen on hard times, and lost homes, or can’t go home, came to our church for a week of home-cooked meals, sleep, and hopefully an ease of worry for their minds. It made me think how can I worry about things when there are people who are literally trying to survive day to day. My Mother’s often said words (usually attributed to the 16th c reformer John Bradford) came to me each day, “There but for the grace of God go I”. Today I walked my paths, which now I refer to as the “God Walk”, since the section of road near the “God Spot” is still under bridge repair. You have to make do with what you have. I really like having both places at the same time, it allows you twice the opportunity to be heard. I again focused on the details of my walk, bending down to smell the soil under the damp leaves. I pointed to the ground near where I crouched, so Tidbit would come over and dig. The smell was wonderful. I filled my lungs and noticed the lessening of the pain, and the worry. To each new day’s adventure, Shelby Please send comments or ideas to: shelbys.wanderings@yahoo.com.

Over 250,000 Southern Marylanders can’t be wrong!


The County Times

Thursday, Feb. 10 • Dave Norris DB McMillan’s (23415 Three Notch Road, California) – 5 p.m. • Special Olympics No Limit Poker Night Bennett Building (24930 Old Three Notch Road, Hollywood) – 7 p.m. • Salsa Thursday House of Dance (24620 Three Notch Road, Hollywood) – 7:30 p.m. • Thirsty Thursday and live music with the Sam Grow Band Ruddy Duck Brewery (13200 Dowell Road, Dowell) – 7:30 p.m. • Newtowne Players Present Doubt Three Notch Theatre (21744 South Coral Drive, Lexington Park) – 8 p.m. • Karaoke with DJ Harry Big Dogs Paradise (28765 Three Notch Road, Mechanicsville) – 8 p.m. • Comedy Night Martini’s Lounge (10553 Theodore Green Boulevard, White Plains) – 8 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 11 • Dave Norris DB McMillan’s (23415 Three Notch Road, California) – 5 p.m.

• Randy Richie on Piano Cafe Des Artistes (41655 Fenwick Street, Leonardtown) – 6:30 p.m. • Mike and Barry “Just Us” Ruddy Duck Brewery (13200 Dowell Road, Dowell) – 7:30 p.m. • All You Can Drink Ladies Night with DJ Chris Big Dogs Paradise (28765 Three Notch Road, Mechanicsville) – 8 p.m. • Wolf’s Hot Rods and Old Gas Blues Jam Fat Boy’s Country Store (41566 Medley’s Neck Road, Leonardtown) – 8 p.m. • Karaoke Issac’s Pub in Holiday Inn Solomons (155 Holiday Drive, Solomons) – 8:30 p.m. • Martini Karaoke with DJ Steve Martini’s Lounge (10553 Theodore Green Boulevard, White Plains) – 9 p.m. • Harlen Simple Apehangers Bar and Grill (9100 Crain Highway, Bel Alton) – 9 p.m. • His Name Way Yesterday, Crimson Orchid, Arabella and In The Clear Memories Nightclub and Bar (2360 Old Washington Road, Waldorf) – 9 p.m. • Joh Luskey Band The Blue Dog Saloon (7940 Port Tobacco Road, Port Tobacco) – 9:30 p.m.

We post nightlife events happening in Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties. To submit an event for our calendar, e-mail sarahmiller@countytimes.net. Deadline for submissions is Monday by 5 p.m.

DINNER

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Saturday, Feb. 12

• Valentines Event at the Winery Running Hare Vinyard (150 Adelina Road, Prince Fredrick) – 1 p.m.

• Randy Richie on Piano Cafe Des Artistes (41655 Fenwick Street, Leonardtown) – 6:30 p.m.

• Fraternal Order of Police Poker Tournament Fraternal Order of Police (21215 Chancellors Run Road, Great Mills) – 2 p.m.

• Saturday Night Ballrom Dance Party House of Dance (24620 Three Notch Road, Hollywood) – 7 p.m. • Gretchen Richie Jazz After Hours with Dancing Cafe Des Artistes (41655 Fenwick Street, Leonardtown) – 8 p.m. • The Not So Modern Jazz Quartet The Westlawn Inn (9200 Chesapeake Avenue, North Beach) – 8 p.m. • Karaoke Contest and Fundraiser for the North Beach Volunteer Fore Department Auxilary Abner’s Crab House (3725 Harbor Road, Chesapeke Beach) – 8 p.m. • Bent Nickel Anderson’s Bar (23945 Colton Point Road, Clements) – 8:30 p.m. • Rum Runner Rustic River Bar and Grill (40784 Merchant’s Lane, Leonardtown) – 8:30 p.m. • Valentines Dinner and Comedy Show Issac’s Pub in Holiday Inn Solomons (155 Holiday Drive, Solomons) – 9 p.m. • 3 Day Ride Big Dogs Paradise (28765 Three Notch Road, Mechanicsville) – 9 p.m. • Karaoke California Applebee’s (45480 Miramar Way, California) – 9 p.m. • Frankie and the Actions Apehangers Bar and Grill (9100 Crain Highway, Bel Alton) – 9 p.m. • Miles From Clever Cryer’s Back Road Inn (22094 Newtowne Neck Road, Leonardtown) – 9 p.m. • Slamm Hotel Charles (15110 Burnt Store Road, Hughesville) – 9 p.m.

Strip Steak • 2 Sides Salad • Dessert

$18.99 Per Person Captain’s Platter Crab Cake, Shrimp Oysters, Fish, Scallops Hush Puppies 1 Side • Dessert

301-862-3544

Located in Old Downtown Lexington Park, Outside Gate 2 PAX NAS

DINNER STARTS AT 4:00 P.M. 2/14/10

• Dee Jay Christian The Blue Dog Saloon (7940 Port Tobacco Road, Port Tobacco) – 9:30 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 13 • Sweetheart Breakfast American Legion Auxiliary 206 (Route 260, Chesapeake Beach) – 8 a.m. • Basket Bingo to benefit Tri County Youth Services Bureau

Monday, Feb. 14 • Mason Sebastian DB McMillan’s (23415 Three Notch Road, California) – 5 p.m. • Diane Daly Valentines Appearence The Westlawn Inn (9200 Chesapeake Avenue, North Beach) – 7 p.m. • Valentine’s Day and Salsa Night Ruddy Duck Brewery (13200 Dowell Road, Dowell) – 8 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 15 • Fair Warning DB McMillan’s (23415 Three Notch Road, California) – 5 p.m. • Open Pool Tables and List of Specials Big Dogs Paradise (28765 Three Notch Road, Mechanicsville) – 7 p.m. • Live Music with Billy Breslin Ruddy Duck Brewery (13200 Dowell Road, Dowell) – 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 16 • Mason Sebastian DB McMillan’s (23415 Three Notch Road, California) – 5 p.m. • Karaoke with DJ Harry Big Dogs Paradise (28765 Three Notch Road, Mechanicsville) – 7 p.m. • Special Olympics No Limit Poker Night Bennett Building (24930 Old Three Notch Road, Hollywood) – 7 p.m. • Fraternal Order of Police Poker Tournament Fraternal Order of Police (21215 Chancellors Run Road, Great Mills) – 7 p.m. • Live Music with the Anthony Ryan Country Band Ruddy Duck Brewery (13200 Dowell Road, Dowell) – 7:30 p.m. • Wolf’s Hot Rods and Old Gas Open Blues Jam Beach Cove Restaurant (8416 Bayside Road, Chesapeake Beach) – 8 p.m. • Comedy Night Featuring Marcus Brown and Others Rustic River Bar and Grill (40784 Merchant’s Lane, Leonardtown) – 8 p.m. • Martini Karaoke Martini’s Lounge (10553 Theodore Green Boulevard, White Plains) – 9 p.m.

n O g n i o G

For family and community events, see our calendar in the community section on page 22.

What’s

Prime Rib • 2 Sides Salad • Dessert

$15.99 Per Person

Mechanicville Moose Lodge (27636 Mechanicsville Road, Mechanicsville) – 1 p.m.

• Fair Warning DB McMillan’s (23415 Three Notch Road, California) – 6 p.m.

• Funny Money and Sum-Bich Memories Nightclub and Bar (2360 Old Washington Road, Waldorf) – 9 p.m.

Dinner for 2 $40 Per Couple

24

In Entertainment


25

Thursday, February 10, 2011

The County Times The County Times is always looking for more local talent to feature! To submit art or band information for our entertainment section, e-mail sarahmiller@countytimes.net.

Alumni Band Jams into Wee Hours at Green Door

By Sarah Miller Staff Writer Whether you’re into newer stuff like Cee Lo Green’s hit song “F*ck You”, or the Grateful Dead, or Little Feat, or just jamming out to bluegrass tunes, the band Byzantine Top 40 issues a crowd-pleasing performance every time they reunite in St. Mary’s County for a gig. On Saturday night, Byzantine returned to their “old stomping ground”, at the Green Door bar in Park Hall offering their mix of current hits, original compositions and rock-solid jamming classic rock. The group started seven years ago at St. Mary’s College of Maryland. Four of the five original members still play with the group during their performances at the Green Door – Eli Roth on vocals, Chris Cifone on guitar, Johnny Fissinger on bass and Audrey Hamilton on the fiddle, mandolin and vocals. When the original drummer left the group three years ago, Brian Abbott was recruited to join the group. Roth said Audry was the replacement for another band member when the band was first starting, when they only had three members. “She was better,” Roth said of Audry. Cifone said the core members play with a couple of different people at each performance, “as sort of a new thing to keep it fresh every time.” The guest performers at Byzantine Top 40’s concert Saturday included Andrew Kropkowski on keyboard and Josh Barnett on harmonica. “Their friends of ours who also play music,” Roth said.

Their name, Byzantine Top 40, was suggested by a friend of theirs during college. The “Top 40” part is a reference to the Top 40 song list, though nobody’s really sure where “Byzantine” came from. “It’s just odd,” Cifone said. “There’s no real significance to it.” “We like to make people dance,” Roth said. On Saturday night, the intimate crowd at the Door had the dance floor bouncing all night. Their songs are interspersed with impromptu guitar and rhythmic fiddle solos that people can be seen bobbing their heads, taping their toes and even swing dancing to. The swing dancers may be in the minority, but there aren’t many who stay off the dance floor the whole night when Byzantine Top 40 is in the house. “We don’t play anything you can’t dance to,” Roth said. The band plays at the Green Door together for or five times a year, but Roth said Byzantine Top 40 has no aspirations of going further in the music world. They never intended to try to become a household name. “We’re a party band,” Roth said. “We like to party hard.” He said he is a proponent of partying safe and smart though. That includes not drinking and driving. He said he credits St. Mary’s College’s safe ride program with keeping students from drinking and driving, which can be seen dropping students off and picking them up at the door of the bar. While the band used to play other venues, Roth said their occasional performances at Park Hall are all they do currently. He said he likes to come down from Washing-

ton, D.C., where he works as a fundraiser for non-profit groups, and see everyone and play with his friends. Abbott also works in the D.C. metro area as a sales person. None of the members of Byzantine Top 40 really aspired to be musicians of their own right either, Roth said. They just enjoy jamming together. Toward the end of the Saturday show, as the band jammed out Psycho Killer by The Talking Heads, bassist Fissinger led the band into the classic song Funk #49 by The James Gang, before moments later grooving back into Psycho Killer. For the opening act, Roth said they feature a new musician in their circle of friends, changing it up with every performance. The opening performer at Saturday’s event was Andi Lee Scher, an acoustic guitarist who plays a mix of her own songs and cover songs. Between her catchy tunes and clear voice, Scher had no problem having people understand what she was singing and, whenever she came out with an old favorite, getting people to sing along. Scher also joined Byzantine to provide back up vocals on some songs, such as The Weight by The Band. Danny Seward, a St. Mary’s College alum who came down from Washington D.C., said that Byzantine Top 40 always draws in a lot of alumni. They tie in aspects of St. Mary’s lifestyle and all kinds of students from the school, both new and old. “I think they are quintessentially St. Mary’s,” Seward said. sarahmiller@countytimes.net


The County Times

CLUES ACROSS

n er

e i d d i K Kor

1. Cut into small pieces 6. 1965 Nobel biologist 11. Chinese take out dessert 14. ___ Farrow, actress 15. ASPCA founder Henry 16. Scientific research workplace 18. Pimpled 21. S. African river 23. Eagle’s lofty nest 25. Coverted grain in brewing 26. Trial runs (abbr.) 28. Navy men 29. School terms 31. Fruit preserve 34. Female soldier in WWII 35. Honey (abbr.) 36. Makes systematic 39. Exerted caution 40. So. African Music Awards 44. Football team number 45. Bo _____, “10” 47. Makes angry 48. Hare-like rodents of the pampas 50. Command right

Thursday, February 10, 2011

51. An unfledged pigeon 56. Very high frequency 57. Act of breaking into bits 62. Sam ____, US golfer 63. Female servants

CLUES DOWN

1. Groaned 2. Atomic #77 3. New Testament 4. Young bear 5. Point midway between NE and E 6. Microgram 7. Aah 8. Negative response 9. Exclamation, All Right! 10. Wasting time 11. Payroll tax 12. Trauma center 13. Food consumers 14. One thousandth of an ampere 17. Offers of a price 19. Before 20. Not bright 21. Speaks, archaic 22. ___ Barkin: actress

26

24. Winged goddess of the dawn 25. More (Spanish) 27. Stitched clothing 28. Factions 30. Adult male 31. Tiffany and Kay 32. Tequila plant 33. Bogs 36. Easing of a burden 37. Plural of 30 down 38. Feeling sorrow 39. Floating ice mountain 41. 13th Hebrew letter 42. Macaws 43. Control systems 46. Hermann ____, futurist 49. Left heart there 51. Senior officer 52. Which was to be demonstrated 53. Boutros’ group 54. Banking machine 55. The cry made by sheep 58. A before a vowel 59. Owner of NBC 60. 7th tone 61. Potato state

Last Week’s Puzzles Solutions


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The County Times

Thursday, February 10, 2011

A View From The

Thurs., Feb. 10 Boys’ Basketball St. Mary’s Ryken at DeMatha, 7 p.m.

Fri., Feb. 11 Boys’ Basketball Chopticon at Leonardtown, 7 p.m. Great Mills at Huntingtown, 7:30 p.m. Girls’ Basketball Leonardtown at Chopticon, 7 p.m. Huntingtown at Great Mills, 7 p.m. Elizabeth Seton at St. Mary’s Ryken, 7 p.m. Hockey St. Mary’s Ryken vs. St. Stephen/St. Agnes at Kettler Iceplex, Arlington, VA, 8:15 p.m.

Sun., Feb. 13 Wrestling St. Mary’s Ryken at St. Albans tournament

Mon. Feb. 14 Girls’ Basketball Leonardtown at Patuxent, 7 p.m.

Tues., Feb. 15 Boys’ Basketball Urbana at Great Mills, 6:30 p.m. Gonzaga at St. Mary’s Ryken, 7 p.m. Girls’ Basketball St. Mary’s Ryken at Holy Cross, 7:30 p.m.

Wed., Feb. 16

Sat., Feb. 12

Boys’ Basketball Chopticon at Westlake, 7 p.m. Leonardtown at La Plata, 7 p.m.

Swimming SMAC Championship at Prince George’s Sports and Learning Complex, Landover, MD, 8 a.m.

Girls’ Basketball Westlake at Chopticon, 7 p.m. La Plata at Leonardtown, 7 p.m.

Wrestling St. Mary’s Ryken at St. Albans tournament

Hockey MSHL Playoffs St. Mary’s Ryken vs. Huntingtown at Capital Clubhouse, Waldorf, 6:45 p.m.

Wed., Feb. 2

Fri., Feb. 4

Boys’ Basketball McDonough 66, Leonardtown 53 Great Mills 54, Lackey 47 St. Mary’s Ryken 67, DeMatha 60

Boys’ Basketball Northern 54, Chopticon 41 Great Mills 80, Leonardtown 56 St. Mary’s Ryken 73, Bishop O’Connell 63

Girls’ Basketball Great Mills 56, Lackey 45 McDonough 53, Leonardtown 37 Hockey St. Mary’s Ryken 12, Bowie 3 Boys’ Swimming Chopticon 156, Westlake 64 Lackey 159, Chopticon 115 Huntingtown 149, Great Mills 127 Girls’ Swimmin Chopticon 144, Lackey 134 Chopticon 144, Westlake 124 Huntingtown 155, Great Mills 116

Thurs., Feb. 3 Wrestling Chopticon 40, Westlake 34 La Plata 64, Great Mills 3 Leonardtown 60, Calvert 13

Girls’ Basketball Northern 54, Chopticon 50 Great Mills 55, Leonardtown 44 St. Mary’s Ryken 64, Bishop O’Connell 60 Hockey Leonardtown 6, St. Mary’s Ryken 3 Boys’ Swimming Chopticon 142, McDonough 107 Patuxent 142, Chopticon 127 Girls’ Swimming Chopticon 163, McDonough 108 Patuxent 142, Chopticon 138

Tues., Feb. 8 Boys’ Basketball St. Mary’s Ryken 77, Archbishop Carroll 55 Girls’ Basketball St. Mary’s Ryken 64, Archbishop Carroll 59

Bleachers

Warning: Omnipotence And Excessive Insulation By Ronald N. Guy Jr. Contributing Writer Had enough of Daniel Snyder this week? I hope not. I’m betting a few lonely emotion-stirring threads of optimism remain to be severed by Tyrannical Rex himself before you’re sent plummeting helplessly into the deepest depths of despair his horrendous ownership has repeatedly wrought upon the ‘Skins franchise. If he’s broken your will and you must abort immediately, I completely understand. But, if you’re still clinging to something, and you dare to risk forever blackening the faint flickers of hope, then stay with me. I’ll try to get to the point quickly (think whiskey, not beer). This disclaimer was necessary of course because Snyder finally found a way to be newsworthy during Super Bowl week. He accomplished this ultimate quest not by leading his franchise to the big game (let’s not get crazy), but by dropping a wellpublicized lawsuit on a D.C. newspaper for publishing a Snyder-scathing article. Now I won’t belabor this thoroughly covered situation further than to say Snyder’s lawsuit contends the article contained inaccurate information and anti-Semitic content that was libelous and defaming. If you need more gouge than that, there are plenty of “Dan Snyder lawsuit” exits off the information superhighway. More intriguing than the

lawsuit and healthy reaction to it is trying to figure out how in the world this came to pass and what to take from it. Snyder could have played this hand countless different ways. A lawsuit was absolutely an option; only Snyder knows how this article impacted him and it’s his right to protect his reputation against any attack. But even if he wins the case he’ll lose resoundingly in the court of public opinion. Snyder’s decisions shouldn’t be governed by what’s popular, necessarily, but the buying patterns of the general public, the backbone of his business, are influenced by the prevailing perception of the organization. Frankly, if season tickets were available, I’d pass, primarily because of Snyder. The lawsuit insures that he comes off as more unlikable: the billionaire bully strong-arming the media, just because he can. He would have been more effective in advancing his point and business by using the media resources he owns to express his outrage and tell his side of the story. And the timing is just horrible. The organization has worked hard to restore its credibility and faith in ownership by completely renovating its football staff (ousting Jim Zorn and Vinny Cerrato and hiring Mike Shanahan and Bruce Allen) and chain of command (Snyder claims he’s relinquished football decisions). This lawsuit completely undermines the campaign to redefine Snyder and the ‘Skins. Worse yet, it just seems a tacky move by one of the most powerful men in D.C. In a recent interview Snyder offered a

principled defense of his actions by saying, “what’s right is right and what’s wrong is wrong” and that this editorial was just wrong. Interesting comment from an insensitive owner who knows the name of his franchise is offensive to Native Americans but clearly doesn’t care. In another ironic twist, I received a Valentine’s Day promotional email this week from the ‘Skins titled “Love Is In The Air”. Seriously. So how in the name of John Riggins, The Hogs, Joe Gibbs, Darrell Green, Art Monk, Sonny Jurgensen, the three Lombardi trophies and everything else that’s good and holy in ‘Skins nation did this happen? The truth is I have no idea (I’m nothing if not maddeningly honest). What I do know is those at the top of an organization, particularly dictators, can become insulated from the practical interpretations and consequences of their actions. This lawsuit is likely a product of Snyder’s my-way style: a persona that renders him decidedly unapproachable and unlikely to consider a dissenting opinion. Internally his public relations team must be channeling Jerry Mcguire and desperately thinking “Dan, help me, help you.” Ronald Reagan once said (roughly), “Surround yourself with the best people, delegate authority, and don’t interfere.” Had Snyder brushed up on presidential history before filing this lawsuit, he could have more effectively met his objective, and his customers – the fans - wouldn’t have thought even less of their team owner. Send comments to rguyjoon@yahoo.com

Using Tides to Find Fish Highlights CCA Meeting Captain Sean Crawford, a marine environmental scientist who operates Terrapin Bay Fishing, will speak on “Knowing Tides Makes You a Better Angler” at the Wednesday, Feb. 23, meeting of the Coastal Conservation Association Maryland Patuxent River Chapter. The meeting is open to the public and will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the St. Mary’s County Elks Lodge #2092, 45779 Fire Department Lane, California. Crawford, who fishes throughout the Chesapeake Bay, will explain tides and how they impact bait and game fish. Among other topics he’ll discuss the impact currents have on fishing and the difference between astronomical and meteorological tides. In addition to Crawford’s presentation, three chapter members at 7 p.m. will demonstrate fly-tying techniques and be available to answer questions on important patterns for the Bay, equipment and materials.

Babe Ruth League Still Accepting Registration The St. Mary's Babe Ruth Baseball League is still accepting mail-in registrations through Tuesday, February 22. Registration forms and the mailing address can be downloaded from the league website: http://smbrl.baberuthonline.com

Pax Rugby Offering Co-Ed Youth and Adult Tag Rugby League and Classes Patuxent River Rugby Club will be offering a free Co-Ed Youth/ Adult tag rugby and conditioning classes throughout the months of Jan and Feb. No experience needed, we will teach you everything you need to know. More details and registration can be found on paxrugby.com or by calling Justin Thompson at 732-492-9760 or 1-877-806-7775.

High-School Tennis Clinic Series 2010 Dates: February 27, 2011. Location: St. Mary’s College of Maryland, Somerset Tennis Complex 18952 East Fisher Road (Outdoor Facility) St. Mary’s City, Maryland 20686 Times: Sundays, 9:30 am – 11:30 am (Mini-matches included) Instructors: St. Mary’s College Coaching Staff and Players Cost: $25.00 per session!! Players: Beginning 9th graders to Seniors!!!! Registration: Contact Derek Sabedra, Head Tennis Coach, St. Mary’s College Cell: 410-610-4300 and/or email ddsabedra@smcm.edu


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The County Times

Thursday, February 10, 2011

28

Basketball

Great Mills Boys Roll Post Leonardtown The Hornets’ Jordan Hurt glides in for a shot attempt.

By Chris Stevens Staff Writer

Photo by Frank Marquart

GREAT MILLS – Just when it seemed the Leonardtown boys’ basketball team was in prime position to end their losing streak, county rival Great Mills snatched that opportunity from them in a flash. Junior point guard Kenny Daniels spurred a 14-0 second quarter run that expanded the Hornet lead from one point to 15 and the host Hornets rolled from there, posting an 80-56 win Friday night. “Everybody wanted to come out and beat Leonardtown, it’s a great feeling,” said Daniels, who scored 14 points on the evening. “We were just trying to get control of the game.” The Hornets did just that after senior forward Anthony Smith picked up his third foul with 4:52 to go in the second quarter. After D.J. Hayden made both foul shots to bring Leonardtown (1-16 overall, 0-9 SMAC) within a point (2221), Great Mills (10-8 overall, 5-4 SMAC) went on that 14-0 run that lasted until the two-minute mark of the quarter, making the difference in the ball game. “That group that was on the floor had a lot of energy,” Hornets coach Frank Peck said. “We had a lot of success taking the ball to the basket and hopefully in these last four games, we can keep playing that way.” “We just clicked at that moment,” added senior forward Brandon Teston, who led the Hornets (and all scorers) with 16 points. Teston said that the Hornets were revved up and ready to go because of the atmosphere. “It’s Friday at night at Great Mills, the place is packed and when our crowd is pumped up, we just play harder,” he said. In the eyes of Raider coach David Layman, the 14-0 run was the difference in the game as his young squad couldn’t overcome the Great Mills tidal wave. “I thought we played hard and the effort was there in spurts,” Layman said. “We had trouble handling the ball, we had trouble with their pressure and Great Mills made some shots.” For Layman, the losing streak (now at 16 games) has been a tough road, but neither he or his players will give up. “For us, it’s all about trying to find that next win,” he explained. “We’re a young team and we’ve had a lot of good efforts, just not complete efforts. We’re hoping to steal a win or two before the playoffs.” Senior center James Day led Leonardtown with 13 points. chrisstevens@countytimes.net

Leonardtown’s James Day goes up for a shot against the Hornets’ Anthony Smith. Photo by Frank Marquart

Great Mills’ DeAndre Berry flies past Marcus Robinson of Leonardtown for a shot in the second half of Friday’s boys’ basketball game.

Photo by Frank Marquart

Josh Coates of Great Mills dribbles around the Raiders’ Adam Smith during Friday night’s boys’ basketball game. Photo by Frank Marquart


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Thursday, February 10, 2011

The County Times

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Neither Fish nor Fowl

Fur and Feathers By Keith McGuire Contributing Writer I spent the weekend packing away my deer and waterfowl hunting gear and mount-

ing the antlers from an 8-pointer that I harvested on December 31st. Hunting this season is effectively done for me until the spring turkey season. After watching the Steelers lose, I was reminded of a MD DNR Flounder Scoping Meeting held on Monday evening in Lusby, so I decided to prepare for that. While this may not be a hunting story, The Ordinary Angler asked me to cover it! The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is proposing three alternatives for the 2011 flounder season and is soliciting comments from interested anglers. If you are interested and wish to comment, the details are covered on their website at http:// www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/regulations/ draftregulations.asp. (Scroll down to see the flounder proposals.) To say that we had a bad flounder season last year would be an understatement. After a couple of years with a 1 fish creel limit, I was ecstatic to be able to fish for three fish! The 19 inch minimum was not a problem for me based on my logs for the previous seasons. Little did I know, the fish decided not to cooperate! Were it not for Cornfield Harbor (Potomac River), I would not have caught a single keeper in our area of the Bay. Apparently, the rest of the State’s flounder an-

SMCM Accepting Registration for One-Day Fielding and Baserunning Camp St. Mary’s College will host a one-day fielding and baserunning camp Monday, April 18 for players in grades 1 through 12. St. Mary’s College head coach Lew Jenkins will direct the program in conjunction with U.S. Baseball Academy. The session will last for three hours and cover numerous aspects of playing infield, outfield, and running the bases. The cost is $50 using discount code “RUN”. Space is limited. Registration is now under way at www.USBaseballAcademy.com. For more information, call toll-free 866-622-4487.

Lower Potomac River Marathon Returns Soon Ramp up your mileage, runners! The Lower Potomac River Marathon is only nine weeks away. The 26.2-mile race, presented by Chesapeake Bay Running Club and hosted by the Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship, returns for the 7th running on March 13, 2011. Top runners will compete for modest cash prizes, and age-group awards will be presented to the top three finishers in ten-year divisions. For more information, contact Liza Recto, 301-481-0832 or cbrcliza@hotmail.com.

glers had similar problems. MD DNR reports that the target number of fish last year was 75,000 and only 38,221 were caught. That’s only 51%! In 2011 the target is 101,000, so we should expect some relief in the regulations. The proposed regulations reflect a squeaky little give on MD DNR’s part, allowing a 3-fish, 18.5” minimum on two proposals and a 3-fish 18” minimum on another. MD DNR sets these proposed limits based on guidance from the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission – a deliberative body under the auspices of the U. S. Department of Commerce, the U. S. Department of the Interior, and the East Coast States from Maine to Florida. The commission establishes target quotas for each of the states along with recommendations for size and creel limits to achieve these targets. The federal government “helps” us decide. How do they know how many fish we catch? Good question. Commercial fishermen and Charter Captains are required to report their catch to MD DNR. Recreational anglers’ catches are statistically extrapolated from license sales and NOAA’s Marine Recreational Fisheries Service surveys and their new Marine Recreational Information Program. This data is supplemented by other

data that MD DNR might have like the Volunteer Angler Survey on their website (http:// dnrweb.dnr.state.md.us). You may recall that we were required to register with NOAA last year if we wanted to fish in tidal waters. This requirement supported the MRIP surveys and our individual reporting was required because DNR didn’t have a robust saltwater license requirement. This year, the Chesapeake Bay Sport license has been expanded to include the coastal regions of Maryland and collects the data that NOAA requires. But, here’s what bothers me. All of this statistical extrapolation mumbo jumbo doesn’t paint a clear picture. MD DNR probably believes that their restrictions from last year caused an overly restrictive season, allowing only 51% of the summer flounder allocation to be caught. Most people who fish for summer flounder can tell you that the size limit could have been 15” and the result would have been close to the same because the fish weren’t here! Do they really know? I think not, and I would encourage you to provide your comments on the MD DNR website by February 28th. riverdancekeith@hotmail.com


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Ryken Girls Gain Revenge on Carroll By Chris Stevens Staff Writer LEONARDTOWN – Exactly one month ago, the St. Mary’s Ryken girls basketball team had one of their roughest games of the season, losing to WCAC foe Archbishop Carroll 66-54. Tuesday night, the Knights turned the tables on the Lions and gained a season split with a 64-59 win, their second in a row after defeating Bishop O’Connell 64-60 last Friday. “We had a really bad game the last time we played them and 34 (Alliyah Berger) lit us pretty good,” head coach Tara Everly said. “Our girls came out ready to go and our defense was very aggressive.” Knowing that Berger (who still managed a game-high 23 points with seven three-point baskets) was their downfall last time, the Knights employed pressure defense and then switched between zone and a man-to-man to keep 6-foot-4 center Dominique Powell from hurting them. “We just stayed in our 2-3 so we could keep an eye on 34 and keep their big girl isolated,” said junior guard Katie McCormick, who led four Ryken players in double-figure scoring with 18 points. “We knew it was going to be a vicious game – it was the last time we played them.” Ryken was well prepared and led by as many as 14 points thanks to an eight-point second quarter from sophomore guard Bryanna Robinson. Robinson (12 points), Myla Somerville (15) and Zakiya ChambersHunter (11) joined McCormick in double figures. “We really have to push and get a good record so we can get a high seed,” Robinson says. “We’re losing some seniors and we want to win for them.” One of those seniors is Chambers-Hunter, who came back from a torn anterior cruciate ligament a month ago and says she’s feeling better each day. “I can feel the knee getting stronger, this is the third time I’ve played almost a whole game,” Chambers-Hunter said. “There’s still some soreness, but I’ve been able to take care of it.” Taking care of business couldn’t come at a better time for Ryken (4-10 in WCAC games) and Everly hopes that Tuesday night’s effort last through the remaining regular season games and the playoffs. “You want to have two good halves in order to be successful and we did that tonight,” she said. chrisstevens@countytimes.net

Photo By Chris Stevens

Ryken’s Katie McCormick drives on Jazmin Faulkner of Archbishop Carroll during the Knights’ 64-59 win Tuesday night.

Houston and Harvey Make College Choices By Chris Stevens Staff Writer

remember praying as a freshman that I would get a scholarship and now I’ve got it.” Houston will be a defender at Loyola and After stellar senior seasons on the soccer field, St. Mary’s expects things to be a lot different from high Ryken seniors Alysse Houston and Emily Harvey recently school, on and off the field. “It’s going to be a little intimidating and signed letters of intent to attend and play women’s soccer at the pressure will be greater,” she says. “I’m golocal NCAA Division I colleges. Houston, who’s heading for Loyola University in Balti- ing to have to get to now the players and play more, said it was an exciting day for her and her parents as harder. I’ll be a freshman again.” Houston said she was considering Howshe’s the first of their four children to attend college. “One down, three to go,” she said. “It’s very exciting, I ard, Towson, Wisconsin and Radford before deciding on Loyola, members of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. “It’s a very nice school that’s close to home,” she reasoned. “They have great sports programs and located in a really great area.” Houston plans to major in physical therapy or special education. Meanwhile Emily Harvey, a transfer student from Florida who played her senior year at Photo By Chris Stevens Ryken, signed with George Mason of the Colonial Athletic Emily Harvey and family are all smiles after she signed on to play soccer at Association. Harvey, a forward George Mason University. and midfielder, said her deciand balancing schoolwork will be the biggest difference.” sion was made easier by the atmosphere of her Knights coach Tim Major, who recently completed his official visit to the Fairfax, Va. school. first season on the job, says Houston and Harvey’s scholar“I had a really good experience and the ships help greatly in building a program at Ryken. best time on my visit,” she said, adding that “It shows that we have the talent to compete with anyone she feels the greatest challenge would be the in the WCAC,” he said. “Alysse and Emily both have Godtransition from high school to college soccer given natural ability, but they also put in a ton of work and and being a student-athlete. that’s what makes them special.” “Everything is on a much bigger scale,” Photo By Chris Stevens said Harvey, who plans to major in anthropol- chrisstevens@countytimes.net Alysse Houston smiles with her family and coaches after signing her letter of intent gy. “There’s a difference in the level of play to play soccer at Loyola University.


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Thursday, February 10, 2011

The County Times

SMCM Basketball

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Bowden’s Back Macauley Stands Tall as for SMC Men Seahawk Men Cruise Again

By Chris Stevens Staff Writer

ST. MARY’S CITY – Anyone who has observed the St. Mary’s College men’s basketball team in recent years knows the guy coming off the bench wearing number 44 is not the same guy who wore number 34 when the Seahawks made their move to becoming one of the elite programs in NCAA Division III. After missing most of the last two years, Mike Bowden is back on the court for the St. Mary’s College men’s basketball team.

Photo By Chris Stevens

By Chris Stevens Staff Writer ST. MARY’S CITY – While it seems that St. Mary’s College freshman Christian MacAuley is having a great year by most standards, his teammates and head coach believe the 6-foot-8 center is just scratching the surface of what he can do. “Christian’s a stud, it’s nice to have a 6’8 guy with a 40-inch vertical to cover for you on defense,” senior guard Alex Franz said after MacAuley’s 16 points and seven rebounds keyed an 82-52 Seahawk win over Marymount University Saturday evening. “He’s not playing like a freshman and he can be one of the best players in school history.” “Christian is like two sides of a coin – off the court he’s just the nicest guy ever, but on the court, he’s fearsome,” Hawks coach Chris Harney said. “He just does so many things well for us.” For MacAuley, a Silver Spring native, the adjustment to the college game hasn’t been easy, but he welcomed the challenge. “It’s so much different from high school, but I just have to ease into it and dominate,” he said matter-of-factly. And dominate is what MacAuley did, scoring 10

points and grabbing five rebounds as SMC (18-4 overall, 12-1 in Capital Athletic Conference games) never trailed and led by as many as 38 points in the second half. MacAuley led three Hawks players in double figures (Franz and James Davenport added 14 and 10 points respectively), and once again, St. Mary’s got to rest their starters and give their reserves ample playing time. “It’s good having Christian, he’s good at covering up our mistakes on defense,” senior center Sam Burum said. “He’s playing some great ball and making it easier on me in the paint.” MacAuley also had two blocked shots in the game (adding to his CAC-leading total of 69), a part of his game that draws oohs and aahs from spectators, but it’s just another day at the office for him. “I’ve been doing that since I started playing basketball,” he said with a grin. “Why stop now?” “There’s a stat for how many shots he blocks, but there isn’t a stat for how many guys pass up shots just because he’s in the area,” Harney said. “You have to be excited watching Christian because he’ll be here for three more years.” chrisstevens@countytimes.net

Seahawk Women Taken Down by Marymount By Chris Stevens Staff Writer

For Mike Bowden, working his way back from a crippling knee injury, that’s just fine with him. “I didn’t think I was ever going to be able to play again,” said the 6-foot-6 Bowden, who spent the better half of the past two seasons trying to recover from knee surgery. “It’s definitely been a struggle, but coach Harney asked me to play and I was ready to go.” Before the injury, Bowden was one of the cornerstones of coach Chris Harney’s 2007 recruiting class, and played a key role in the 2008 team’s Cinderella journey to the D-III Sweet 16. After a successful 2009 season that saw him lead the conference in blocked shots, Bowden tore some ligaments in his knee and struggled after surgery, “I personally asked Mike to come back because he’s such a leader for us,” Harney said. “His knee is only about 20 percent, but we still wanted to give him an opportunity and make that go as well as he can.” So far in four games, Bowden is averaging a point and 1.5 rebounds in just about five minutes of action per contest. His teammates are glad to have him back. “Mike is just a great guy, no one deserves it more than him,” Alex Franz said. “It’s been a long time coming for him. Just to have him out there makes us all very happy,” Sam Burum added. No one is happier than Bowden. “It feels great especially since I thought I’d never play again,” he said. “I just wanted to keep a positive attitude because you don’t want to be the negative guy that brings the whole team down. Whether I’m in there for three minutes or 15, I’m going to leave it all on the floor.” chrisstevens@countytimes.net

ST. MARY’S CITY – Once again, it was a tale of two halves for the St. Mary’s College women’s basketball team. This time after a strong first half, it was the second half that bedeviled the young Seahawks as short-handed Marymount University erased a 10-point deficit and stole a 66-62 win Saturday afternoon. “I think we got too comfortable with the lead and went away from what was working for us,” said senior forward Jamie Roberts, who led all scorers with 20 points. “We got out-rebounded by about 10 in the second half, they got too many second chance points.” St. Mary’s (10-11 overall, 6-7 CAC) took a 35-26 lead, with Roberts scoring 11 points to lead the charge. The lead was as large as 10 points at the 12:25 mark of the second half after a Taylor Petrisko three-point play, but senior center Maame Amposah put the Saints (suiting up just seven players) on her back, helping Marymount (10-8 overall, 8-4 CAC) go on a 21-6 run over the next nine minutes to take a five-point lead and the Seahawks never recovered. Amposah finished with 19 points and a game-high 20 rebounds. Roberts added nine rebounds to go with her 20 points, while freshman forward Shana Lewis had a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds and sophomore guard Pui Sham also had 12 points for SMC. Roberts, the lone senior on the team, says that the leadership role has been shared by sophomores Petrisko, Sham and Jasmine Jones and they all want to focus on making sure the Seahawks aren’t left out of the CAC playoff party in their last three games. As it stands, SMC is one half game behind Wesley College (6-6 in conference play) for the sixth

and final playoff spot in the conference tournament. “Right now, we just want to make sure we win out so we aren’t eliminated,” Roberts said. “If we play a wellrounded game and leave it all out there on the court, we can play with anybody.” chrisstevens@countytimes.net

St. Mary’s College’s Pui Sham applies defensive pressure to Shannon Gough of Marymount during Saturday’s women’s basketball game. Photo By Chris Stevens

Jamie Roberts led all scorers with 20 points in the Seahawks’ 66-62 loss to Marymount Saturday.

Photo By Chris Stevens


THURSDAY February 10, 2011

Hornets Shoot Down Raiders

Page 28

County-Owned Bar in Crosshairs

Story Page 6

GiveCamp’ Offers Extreme Website Makeovers

Story Page 18

Alumni Band Jams into Wee Hours at Green Door

Story Page 25

Photo By Frank Marquart


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