February, 2011
Priceless
Gazette
Southern Calvert Everything Solomons, Lusby, Dowell, and St. Leonard
Cliff Conundrum
Citizen G roup W eighs in on E rosion P roblem
Story Page 12
$20,000 Reward Offered for Rockfish Poaching Info
Story Page 7
‘GiveCamp’ Offers Extreme Website Makeovers Photo By Sean Rice
Story Page 15
On T he Cover
Blaine Lessard, a master K9 handler, and his bedbugsniffing dog Max can find the pests in a room within two minutes.
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Also Inside
Local News
8 Community 11 Sports 12
Cover Story
entertainment
The Fabulous Hubcaps, one of the most sought after oldies show bands, return for a second year to perform at Rock-N-Roll for Rescues in Solomons Island, to benefit the Humane Society of Calvert County.
14 Letters 15 Locals 16 Obituaries 18 Education Staff members of St. Leonard Elementary School donned fake beards and top hats to greet students as they arrived at school on buses as a reward for being well behaved on the buses.
20 History 21
Out & About
22 Hunting 23 Entertainment
local news
out & about
Rousby Hall, the namesake of Rousby Hall Road is for sale. The former Customs House has a rich history dating back to the 1730s.
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or e-mail us at info@countytimes.net Thursday, February-2011
FOR EVENTS HAPPENING IN YOUR AREA, CHECK PAGE 21 IN OUT AND ABOUT
February 18- 21 2011 Island s n o Solom eport Tide R
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February 25-27 2011 Day
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F 25 Low 1:15 AM 25 High 8:08 AM 25 Low 3:16 PM 25 High 8:06 PM
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Sa 26 Low 2:21 AM 26 High 9:18 AM 26 Low 4:19 PM 26 High 9:09 PM
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Su 27 Low 3:30 AM -0.1 6:41 AM Rise 3:26 AM 27 High 10:28 AM 1.2 5:57 PM Set 1:13 PM 27 Low 5:15 PM 0.1 27 High 10:10 PM 0.8
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EDF Offers Plan to Revive Third Reactor Deal
UniStar LLC, the company owned by a French nuclear power giant, has offered a plan to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission that they say will allow the third nuclear reactor to go forward at Calvert Cliffs without another U.S. partner. The plan states that UniStar Nuclear Energy (UNE), a subsidiary, which oversees reactor operations, could use holding companies independent of the parent corporation to ensure compliance with U.S. nuclear regulations. Under the nation’s laws governing the operation and ownership of nuclear power plants, operations cannot fall under the complete control of a foreign company. In this case UniStar is now wholly owned by Electricite de France (EDF), one of the largest operators of nuclear plants worldwide. EDF is also controlled almost entirely by the French government. UniStar’s partner in the venture up until late last year, U.S. owned Constellation Energy, backed out of the deal expressing worries that the cost of U.S. Department of Energy loan guarantees was too high and would kill the economics of the project. The breaking of the partnership meant EDF would have to move on alone and many policy makers were worried the project was dead for lack of a U.S. partner
who could be the majority owner of the third reactor. “The terms of the UNE LLC agreement provide that a security subcommittee of the UNE board has the exclusive right to exercise the board’s authority over the matters that are required to be under U.S. control,” UniStar’s plan states. “The security subcommittee is made up of U.S. citizens, the majority of whom must be independent directors, who are not employed by UNE, its parent companies or any other affiliates.” Michael Mariotte, with the Nuclear Information and Resource Service based in Takoma Park, which opposes building new fission reactors, said he believed UniStar was offering the plan as a stalling tactic to buy time to find a U.S. partner. UniStar, and EDF, know that the approval of their plan by the nuclear regulators was highly unlikely, he said. “And if they do we’ll be in court,” Mariotte said. “I don’t see where EDF has a leg to stand on here. “I think they’re wasting their time and the NRC’s time.” Neil Sheehan, spokesman for the regional office of the NRC, said the agency is still reviewing UniStar’s proposal. By Guy Leonard (SCG) guyleonard@countytimes.net
Grand Opportunities Available Through PRAD
Organizations and individuals looking to study, or even improve, the state of the Patuxent River Basin have a place to apply for financial aid. The Patuxent River Appreciation Days, Inc (PRAD) is currently accepting applications for the grants awarded from the money taken in during their event in the fall, according to Melissa McCormick, a member of the PRAD committee and the group services coordinator with the Calvert Marine Museum. “We try to be very fair,” McCormick said. “We do have a set of rules we go by.” To be considered, the groups applying for the money have to be non-profit organizations who will be using the money to further research of the river and the watershed, educating others on topics relating to the waterways in Southern Maryland or other topics relevant to the Patuxent River Basin. The maximum amount PRAD will award to a single group is $1,000. McCormick said they try to award as many as possible, between the money taken in during the PRAD event and the amount of applicants who apply for the grant. Past recipients of the PRAD grants include Chesapeake Public Charter School, the Greenwell Foundation, Historic Sotterley Plantation and the Calvert Marine Museum. Grants have been awarded in 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2005 through the present. McCormick said once a nonprofit organization has been choMatt Laidley sen to receive the grant, they have Gary Simpson to wait two years before they can Katie Facchina 7800 Crain Highway apply and be considered again for La Plata, MD 20646 another grant. Organizations that 301-934-8437 haven’t gotten a grant are welcome to apply every year until
they get one, she said. Applications are due by March 21 and can be requested from McCormick at 410-326-2042, extension 41 or by email at mccormmj@co.cal.md.us. Provide the name of the nonprofit organization, contact information and a mailing address and a daytime telephone number or email address. For more information, visit www.pradinc.org or www. calvertmarinemuseum.com. By Sarah Miller (CT) sarahmiller@countytimes.net
LOCAL NEWS
8-Hour Stand Off With Police Ends Peacefully
At 1:10 p.m. Feb. 8, deputies from the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Team attempted to serve an emergency petition at 13333 Shipwright’s Circle, located in Solomons. This emergency petition was issued due to psychological issues that the occupant suffers from. The occupant, a 25-year-old male, was refusing to exit the residence or communicate with officers. Family members advised officers that the occupant was in possession of numerous knives, a machete several shotguns and a semi-automatic pistol. At approximately 9:15 P.M. the Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Team deployed a chemical agent into the residence. The occupant exited through a window and was taken into custody without injury to himself or officers. The occupant was transported to Calvert Memorial Hospital for a psychological evaluation. Approximately 20 Deputies from the Special Operations Team, Patrol Bureau, Hostage Negations Team and Criminal Investigative Bureau were on the scene. Calvert County Sheriff Mike Evans states that he is thankful for the training and the equipment that the Sheriff’s Office has received over the past few years. “This training and equipment were instrumental in saving the life of this young man and for the safety of our Deputies,” Evans said in a press release. “We are all thankful that no one was injured and that we had a successful resolution to this situation.”
Thursday, February-2011
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LOCAL NEWS
Lifejackets Save Fishermen After Boat Flipped
The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) credited life jackets to saving the lives of three fisherman after their vessel capsized. The accident occurred at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 10 in the Chesapeake Bay at the Calvert Cliffs Power Plant discharge. “The life jackets kept the men afloat in the frigid water until the nearby vessel could respond and essentially save their lives,” NRP Sergeant Shawn Garren said in a press release. NRP’s investigation revealed that a 21-foot center console boat capsized after a four- to five-foot wave came over the stern while the men were fishing. The occupants of the vessel, Kevin Lynn Gladhill, 32, of Boonesboro; Michael George Krall, 35, of Keedysville; and Russell Uger Neff III, 55, of Boonesboro, were thrown into the 30 degree water. A nearby fishing vessel responded to the fishermen’s calls for help. Dennis Charles Fleming, 51, of Mechanicsville and Grady Terry Warhurst, 64, of Upper Marlboro were at the scene within ten minutes and retrieved all three men from the water. The rescuing party transported the fishermen to Flag Harbor Marina in St. Leonard, where they were taken to Calvert Memorial Hospital and treated for hypothermia. “The affects of hypothermia were quickly affecting the victims muscles, speech and their mental awareness. One of the victims could not even remember what happened to him,” Garren said. “They wouldn’t have made it much longer.”
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Thursday, February-2011
Twisted Metal Photo by Corrin M. Howe On a rainy and cold day in early February, Barry J. Parran, owner of Snatchman Towing, based in Lusby, cleared old abandoned cars off a property adjacent to Route 4 in Lusby. He takes the scrap to a yard in trade for cash.
CHESPAX Educating Locals For Animal Census Coming on the heels of the 2010 United States census, another kind of count is underway. Only, instead of people, it is the reptiles and amphibians of Maryland that will be located and counted. Tom Harten, a teacher for the CHESPAX environmental education program with Calvert County Public Schools, said a one-day workshop is set for 6:30 p.m. Feb. 22 at Mt. Harmony Elementary School in Owings. It will be open to the public, where they can get basic instructions on how to observe, record and report the amphibians and reptiles they find in their area. Harten and his coworker Michelle Daubon, along with Senior Naturalist of the Calvert Country Natural Resource Division Andy Brown, will be making presentations at the workshop. During the workshop, Harten said people will be shown photos of the animals they are looking for as well as listening to CDs with various calls. He said people can get copies of the CDs after the workshop. The group in charge of the statewide census is the Maryland Amphibian and Reptile Atlas project, a joint effort between the Natural History Society of Maryland and Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources. The project got underway in January and is planned to continue for five years.
According to the project’s website: “Surveys are based upon a statewide grid system … [and] volunteers choose their region, conduct field work and document the roughly 95 species and subspecies of frogs, toads, salamanders, turtles, lizards and snakes known to occur in Maryland.” Harten told The Southern Calvert Gazette that this is the first time since the 1970s that a systematic survey has been done of the amphibians and reptiles Tom Harten in Maryland. To make the task a little more manageable, the state has been broken down into blocks, which are subdivided further in some cases. In Calvert County, the Calvert County Natural Resources Division will be taking in the data. “For some reason, there has been a downturn in reptiles and amphibians,” Harten said. The count on these creatures will help determine if the trend is true, and the number of amphibians and reptiles is truly declining, or if they are “holding their own,” Harten said. The project will also address concerns about habitat loss, disease and climate change and the impact it’s having on amphibian and reptile life in Maryland. The workshop is a key player in teaching citizens about finding amphibians and knowing how to photograph them, record the sounds they make and accurately note their locations and numbers, he said. They will get contact information for the Calvert County Natural Resource Division so they can report their findings. Those findings will in turn be reported to the Maryland Amphibian and Reptile Atlas project to be included. Harten also said the workshop is a good way to get the public involved in activities in the schools and teach both children and adults about environmental science. “People are more than willing to do that,” he said. For more information, contact Harten at 410-535-2960 or by e-mail at hartent@calvertnetk12.md.us. By Sarah Miller
(CT) sarahmiller@countytimes.net
LOCAL NEWS High-Tech BARCODES ALLOW SO. CALVERT GAZETTE 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 Southern Calvert Gazette is using a new technology called “linkblots” developed by Envidient, Inc., a hi-tech startup located in Maryland. linkblots allows the Gazette to create special 2D barcodes called Quick Response codes (QR codes) that work with smartphones to display 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?
You will need two items to view the linkblots codes we use in the Gazette: • A Mobile smartphone (Blackberry, Android, or iPhone) equipped with a camera; and • 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
Scan QR Code With Smarthpone for Video Sample
Why is the Gazette 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 info@somdpublishing.net
commissioners
By Susan Shaw, County Commissioner
State and Counties Must Work Together
Toyota of Southern Maryland presented Patuxent Habitat for Humanity (PHH) with a check for $2,300 in January. Pictured left to right are: Mary Roma, Marketing Operations, Toyota of Southern Maryland; Jean Combs, Operations Director of PHH; Peter D’arista, Dealer Principle, Toyota of Southern Maryland; and Don Parsons, Executive Director of PHH. The dealership selected five local charities to benefit from its “Toyota of Southern Maryland Gives Back” awards during the holidays whereby funds from each vehicle sold are earmarked for nonprofit
organizations. Patuxent Habitat is a seven-year-old nonprofit whose purpose is to build affordable homes for working families in St. Mary’s and Calvert counties. The organization is also well known for its ReStores, with the first located outside the main gate of the base in Lexington Park, which opened in 2007. A second ReStore recently opened in North Beach. For more information on sponsorship or volunteering, call (301) 863.6227 or (410) 326.9050. Additional information can also be found at www. patuxenthabitat.org.
corner
Toyota of Southern Maryland Lends A Hand
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 video. The Southern Calvert Gazette 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.
As I wrote this column, I was heading to Annapolis for a meeting of the Southern Maryland Delegation to the legislature. Why? Because the Maryland State Legislature’s actions can have profound affects on Calvert County and all counties. The budgets of the State and of the Counties are intertwined. Maryland has a structural budget deficit of about 14%. That means that the State has been spending about $1.14 per $1.00 it received. Yet, Maryland must have a balanced budget constitutionally. How is this accomplished? By borrowing, by reducing expenditures, by shifting costs, by so-called budget maneuvers. Last year, the State reached into County budgets and removed State Highway User Revenues (SHUR), which had been the Counties’ portions of the gasoline tax. When the gasoline tax was originally passed, a portion of the proceeds was structured to go to the counties and municipalities for road paving. Over $6 million was kept by the State. This year, some State legislators have proposed forcing the Counties to pay for traditionally State responsibilities like the State Tax Assessors offices and the teachers’ pensions. Counties cannot continue to absorb State pass downs of these costs without severe
impacts on our own budgets. In a recent column, I mentioned that tax revenues for Calvert County would be declining for at least the next four to six years because of declining real estate assessments. However, the State relies more heavily on income taxes and sales taxes, which are slowly beginning to trend upward. How can this picture work? State income is rising slowly while County income is dropping sharply, but the State is passing costs down to the Counties and thus, to you. Realistically, the State and the Counties must work together to make this recessionary period have the least lasting effects on you, the citizens, as possible. The Governor’s budget projects a reduction of approximately $5 million to the Calvert County Board of Education. The Governor has proposed reforms to the teacher and state pension systems to make them more sustainable, but not nearly as sustainable as our County pension system already is. The SHUR cuts are extended indefinitely. But how will Calvert County pave roads, maintain the superior education we provide, pay for state functions like property assessments, and still provide services with decreasing tax revenue? Stay tuned as we attempt to do just that …
Thursday, February-2011
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LOCAL NEWS
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 last week, 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 core of 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,”
Think Tank: National Debt ‘Heading Over a Cliff ’
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 politi-
cal 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. 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.” By Guy Leonard
(CT) guyleonard@countytimes.net
Namesake of Rousby Hall For Sale
Somewhere near the end of Rousby Hall Road in Lusby, is property rich with history as romantic as any found on the fiction shelves of the local library. And this gem is listed for sale by the McNelis Group for $1,985,000. “In Martha’s Vineyard you’d have to add another zero at the end,” said current owner Bob Allen, who has looked for similar style property in the historical neighborhood. A little over a dozen years ago, an introduction through mutual friends led him and his wife Barbara to Elliot and Joan Kocen, who spent the prior 11 years renovating Rousby Hall and had subdivided the property into three parcels and put the property on the market with the intent of selling all or part of it. Allen said he and his wife were drawn to the combination of the unique history of the property and the appealing location. After checking out both the original Customs House and the rebuilt Rousby Hall main residence, they decided to make an offer on the Customs House. “Originally built as the office for the Rousby Hall plantation about 1730, the early Georgian structure with complementary Flemish bond brick work, was the office of His Majesty’s Collector (customs) for the Patuxent after the death of his father and uncle, the original 17th century Collector, Christopher Rousby. This area comprised the Western Shore of Maryland up to what is now Baltimore and two Southern countries of the Eastern Shore. The structure is one of the earliest tax offices in the state. All customs collections pass through this office with records kept and work done in the one large room. The clerks slept in the loft above the work area,” writes Elliot Kocen, the previous co-owner of the Custom’s house. His wife, Joan, found the entire Rousby Hall property for sale in 1986. An artist by nature and training, her business was buying and renovating older homes. At the
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end of 1986 she finished her past project in Chevy Chase and began looking for her next when she came across three lines in the housing section of the Washington Post advertising a “Southern Maryland Gem.” “It was in sad shape,” said Kocen. Before Allen purchased the property, the Kocen’s had completed renovations and restoration on the Customs House along with the main house including electrical and plumbing upgrades, replacing the roof with heavy wood shake, turning the Clerk’s office into a bedroom and continuing additions started in the 1950s by previous owner Navy Capt. A.W. McFadden and his wife Anna. The history, stories and genealogies tied to the house are more than enough to fill a book. In fact, Elliot Kocen spent the last fifteen years researching the history and published “a research paper” earlier this year through the auspices of the Calvert County Historical Society which is already going into its third publication. The following are just two stories about the early history of the house and owners. Christopher and John Rousby I were originally from England and were “men of wealth and rank,” according to Kocen’s paper “A History of Rousby Hall: 1652-2010: The Place, The People, and Their Times. Christopher was murdered in 1684 by George Talbot, who was related to Lord Baltimore, Charles Calvert, possibly a cousin or nephew. The two gentlemen battled over loyalty to the crown. Rousby accused Talbot and Baltimore of interfering in collections of export taxes while Talbot’s side claimed Rousby was high handed in his handling of the office driving merchants away from Maryland. Rousby returned to England to successfully defend himself from these charges which resulted in Lord Baltimore being fined and censured
Thursday, February-2011
to “duly observe and put in execution (of the King’s trading laws) and that all encouragement and assistance be given to the several officers of our Customs.” Acting in Baltimore’s stead during his absence in England, Talbot boarded the King’s ketch called the Quaker, while Rousby was on board during a fact gathering mission. Raphael Semmes captured a detailed account of Rousby’s last day in “Captains and Mariners of Early Maryland”, 1937. In summary Talbot boarded the “Quaker” looking for a fight goading Rousby by calling him a dog, promising him kindness as “a governor” and finally shredding his cravat into pieces. Even then Rousby said “I don’t value anything you can do for me.” When he turned to leave, Talbot stabbed him in the chest with a dagger. Christopher’s younger brother John Rousby I sailed to England to get assistance from the crown in order convict Talbot of the crime and died on the way home from England. John II (Jr.) (as he was referenced in records), the probable builder of Rousby
Hall, after inheriting his father’s property and adding 2,500 additional acres left his land and home to his son John III, who died in 1752 of illness at the age of 23 leaving behind a widow and infant daughter. He was the last Rousby to live in the colonies and died leaving only his 1 year old daughter as heir. A second tale captured in Kocen’s paper is documented across several other texts. John III’s wife Anne was said to be noted for her “beauty, dignity, position and wealth” captured the attention of Colonel William Fitzhugh one of Calvert County’s wealthiest widowers and friend of both Lawrence and his brother and George Washington. He was said to have finally won her hand in marriage by snatching the infant daughter Elizabeth, rowing out into the water and holding her over the bow with threats to drop her. The daughter survived and later became the wife, at the young age of 13, of George Plater III, of Sotterley Plantation, who became the sixth post revolutionary Governor in 1791. By Corrin M. Howe
(SCG) info@somdpublishing.net
LOCAL NEWS
10 Tons Of Poached Rockfish Shuts Down Season For All 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 Southern Calvert Gazette that the amount of poaching police found on Feb. 2 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. 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,” he said. Gill said that police are still investigating where other gill nets could be placed throughout the bay but that the major damage was done 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. 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. Zinn said incidents like this give all watermen a black eye. With prices relatively high for rockfish this year, Zinn said, the temptation to poach was strong. DNR officials pulled more than 10 tons of illegally poached rockfish, also known as striped bass, from the “But there’s no excuse for it,” Zinn Chesapeake Bay over the past two weeks. said. “They’re giving us a bad reputation.” By Guy Leonard (CT) info@somdpublishing.net
More Illegal Nets Found; Reward Boosted to $20,000 The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) located additional illegal anchored gill nets on Friday evening, Feb. 11. Two 900-yard strings of illegal anchored gill nets were located in Eastern Bay. One net was found about a mile south of Bloody Point Light and the second net was found about 2 miles northeast of Bloody Point Light in Eastern Bay. A total of 3,879 pounds of rockfish were removed from the anchored gill nets, NRP reports in a press release. Those fish will be sold and the money will be used for natural resources law enforcement. NRP patrol boat GPS track lines indicated that the area where the nets were found had been previously searched the week before. At that time, there were no indications of nets in the area. Discovery of the illegal gill nets comes less than two weeks after NRP confiscated more than 10 tons of illegally caught striped bass from four illegally anchored gill nets near Bloody Point Light, south of Kent Island in the Chesapeake Bay. After the initial find, DNR was forced to shut down the striped bass gill net season. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is now offering a $20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest
and conviction of poachers involved in illegally catching the first 10 tons of rockfish DNR, its partners and private citizens are putting forward $10,000 and the Chesapeake Bay Savers is matching that money with another $10,000. “Poachers are criminals who destroy the Chesapeake Bay for their personal profit and take the food off the table of honest, hard-working watermen who take pride in working Maryland’s waters,” said Evan Thalenberg, Chesapeake Bay Savers founder. Maryland’s commercial striped bass fishery is managed on a quota system, in cooperation with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission; the commercial gill net quota for February is 354,318 pounds. When the illegally harvested striped bass confiscated by the NRP were deducted from the quota, DNR was forced to immediately shut down the fishery. The fishery will remain closed until DNR can determine the extent of illegal nets out on the Bay and the amount of striped bass caught in those nets. Before reopening the season, DNR will make sure the current system for accounting for harvest is sufficient and that reopening does not increase the risk for further poaching.
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John Glenn Hands Out Excellence Awards For the past six years the Marine Corps Aviation Association (MCAA) John Glenn Squadron at Naval Air Station Patuxent River has annually recognized excellence in Aviation Acquisition by presenting awards to the Marine Test Pilot/Naval Flight Officer, Acquisition Officer, and Acquisition Staff Non-commissioned Officer-of-the-Year.
This year the Squadron had the pleasure of hosting keynote speaker Sean J. Stackley, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisition at their awards banquet held on Feb. 10 at the Naval Air Station River’s Edge Conference Center, a press release states. Mr. Stackley was joined in presenting 2010 acquisition awards by the Squadron’s namesake and former Marine test pilot, Senator John Glenn. The John Glenn Test Pilot-of-the-Year award, sponsored by GE Aviation, was presented to Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Kelly, F-35 Integrated Test Force Operations Department Head, Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Two Three (VX-23). Lt. Col Kelly achieved several firsts in testing of the Joint Strike Fighter to include being the first pilot to achieve supersonic f light and a 5G load factor in the F35B and the first military pilot to f ly and aerially refuel the F-35C.
Photo courtesy of Mike Wilson. From left is Lt. Col. Steven Girard, Gunnery Sgt. Robert Wagner, Mr. Sean Stackley, Senator John Glenn, Mrs. Annie Glenn, Lt. Col. Matthew Kelly.
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His expert leadership of the department ensured the successful delivery and testing of the first mission systems F-35 and the first F-35C to Patuxent River. The Michael Hough Acquisition Officer-of-theYear award, sponsored by Bell Helicopter, was presented to Lieutenant Colonel Steven Girard, PMA-276 USMC Light/Attack Helicopter Program AH-1Z Platform Team Leader. Lt. Col Girard led a $12.2 billion new aircraft acquisition program for the production, developmental and operational test and evaluation, post-production modification, logistics support, and early fielding plans for the AH-1Z helicopter. His efforts culminated in the successful completion of operational evaluation, a favorable decision to enter full-rate production, and continued on-time delivery of low-rate initial production AH-1Zs to the f leet. The Joyce/Leader Acquisition Staff Non-commissioned Officer-of-the-Year award, sponsored by L-3 Communications, was presented to Gunnery Sergeant Robert Wagner, H-1 Weapon System Support Activity (WSSA) Military Avionics Liaison. Sgt. Wagner led the successful fielding of the AH-1W Cobra Dos Taiwan avionics upgrade for the Taiwan army, prepared avionics upgrades for developing AH-1W software products, and supported H-1 upgrade developmental testing by supervising a multi-million dollar avionics inventory for the H-1 WSSA laboratory located at China Lake, Calif.
Southern Maryland Navy Alliance Gets New Leaders
One of the hallmarks of the Navy Alliance from its inception years ago has been visionary, Ed Sierra, left, and Capt. selfless and honest leadership. From the foundGlen Ives (U.S. Navy Ret.) ers and early presidents to the more recent officers and board members, strong, positive and committed leadership has been a consistent strength of the Alliance and has ensured a vibrant, viable and extremely effective organization committed to the critical mission of the Alliance, a press release states. The vital mission of supporting promoting and enhancing the intellectual capital and infrastructure at Patuxent River and St. Inigoes as economic assets and resources to the Southern Maryland region. November of 2010 marked another “changing of the guard” at the senior most level of the Alliance’s leadership structure. After a long tenure characterized by great progress and achievements, and furthering the positive community and Navy relationships and coordination that is vital to the Alliance’s mission, Todd Morgan turned the duties and responsibilities of President over to Ed Sierra who has been serving as the Executive Vice President. One of the strategic decisions the Alliance made a number of years ago was to “groom” an incoming President by having that individual serve as the Executive Vice President during the President’s tenure. The Navy calls that process “fleeting up” and the process has proven very successful for both the Navy and the Navy Alliance as it ensures a smooth turnover of those important leadership responsibilities to someone who has been involved in every aspect of the organization to include the issues, initiatives, partners and members. Sierra is a long-time member of the Alliance and the Southern Maryland community. He founded Sierra Management & Technologies Inc. in 1993 located in California, Md., and serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Sierra brings a wealth of experience, knowledge, background and energy to the Alliance and is taking on the role of President at a key time, the release states. His style of inclusive leadership stressing open communications and strong teamwork is right in line with the Alliance’s history and the future. Another key leadership transition has been Capt. Glen Ives (U.S. Navy Ret.) taking on the position of Executive Vice President. Ives is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy and United States Army War College; he served as a Naval Officer and Navy pilot. His last assignment was in Southern Maryland as Commanding Officer of Naval Air Station Patuxent River.
Bugeye Ball Is Feb. 26
At the Calvert Marine Museum’s, “Shaken Not Stirred” 2011 Bugeye Ball, you will enjoy an evening of dining, dancing, and adventure. Scrumptious Mediterranean cuisine and specialty cocktails prepared by Ken Upton of Ken’s Creative Kitchen will be served on Saturday, Feb. 26 beginning at 6:30 p.m. See the museum transformed into an exotic Monte Carlo casino, try your luck at the gaming tables for prizes, and dance the night away to live music. Tickets for the event are $150 each and proceeds will benefit the preservation efforts of the museum. Interested in winning an exotic trip to Monaco, the casino capital of the world? Purchase a raffle ticket and enjoy roundtrip airfare and a seven-night stay for two in a five-star hotel. Raffle tickets are $100 each, with only 250 tickets sold. The winning name will be drawn at the Bugeye Ball, and the winner does not need to be present to win! If Monaco isn’t your travel choice, trade in your trip and receive $5,000 to use as you wish. Tickets are 100% tax deductible with all proceeds benefitting the Calvert Marine Museum. Visit calvertmarinemuseum.ticketforce.com to buy tickets. Tickets for the 2011 Bugeye Ball are partially tax deductible. Business and personal sponsorships are also available. Please visit www.calvertmarinemuseum.com or call (410) 326-2042 x16, x17, or x18 for more information and to purchase tickets. The Calvert Marine Museum is a public, non-profit, and community museum, established in 1970 by local residents.
Community Mobile Vet Center Set Up Charlotte Hall
The Veteran’s Administration’s Mobile Vet Center is now available for Southern Maryland citizens on the last Thursday and Friday of each month through April 2011. The Mobile Vet Center will be parked at the St. Mary’s County Welcome Center in Charlotte Hall near the Charlotte Hall Veteran’s Home. Staff will be available on Thursdays
from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Fridays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Mobile Vet Center program is a gateway into the VA. Staff will provide a variety of services including readjustment counseling services to combat Veterans and their spouses, VA healthcare enrollment, linkage to job resources, housing, financial services, referrals to VSOs for claims support, ordering documents/records, referrals for discharge upgrades, etc. VA staff is eager to work with Veterans to meet their specific need or get them connected to the proper agency/ person who can meet their need. For additional information on the Veteran’s Administration, log on to www.va.gov.
Birth Announcement – Aidan Tucker Ward Erin Stinnett and Wayne Ward of Huntingtown are proud to announce the birth of their son, Aidan Tucker Ward, on Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2011 at Calvert Memorial Hospital. Aidan weighed 7 pounds 11 ounces and was 21 inches
long. Maternal grandparents are Joyce and Jon Baki, Lusby and Tony Neenan, Baltimore. Paternal grandparents are Wayne and Dawn Ward, North Beach. Maternal great-grandpar-
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ents are Barbara A. Stinnett, Owings and JoEllen Mingilino, Grand Prairie, TX. Paternal great-grandparents are Claudia and Dennis Leiphart, Owings and Cathy and Morgan “Poo” King, Chesapeake Beach.
Please send your Birth Announcements, Engagements, Anniversaries or any other community notices for publication in the Southern Calvert Gazette free of charge at info@somdpublishing.net.
St. Mary’s Hospital
EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT
What others promise, we deliver. Thursday, February-2011
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Community Republican Women Meet The Republican Women of Calvert County (RWCC) held their first meeting of the new year on January 12 at Calvert County’s GOP Headquarters in Prince Frederick. Member Judy MacWilliams spoke on redistricting. The Calvert County Republican Central Committee is forming an exploratory committee, currently composed of MacWilliams and the Central Committee Communications Chair, Ron Miller, who are working to look at redistricting in Calvert County. Pictured above are Calvert County Republican Central Committee Secretary, Judy MacWilliams, with the President of the Republican Women of Calvert County, Carol Lehman. The RWCC is part of the Maryland Federation of Republican Women and the National Federation of Republican Women, whose goals are to recruit, educate, train, support and elect Republicans. The club meets every third Wednesday of each month (except for July and August). For further information, contact President Carol Lehman (410) 535-9081.
Recycle Your Old Clothes Calvert County’s D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) clothing recycling bins are making a big impact on the local environment. The Calvert County Recycling Effort and the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office thank citizens for placing recyclable goods such as clothing, shoes, stuffed animals, bedclothes and cloth remnants into the Mid-Atlantic Clothing or M-A-C Recycling bins that are placed at each customer convenience center as well as the landfill. Officials say each week the materials are collected and weighed. During 2010, the citizens of Calvert County have once again stepped up to the plate to not only help our environment but also assist the County’s
Las Vegas Night Will Benefit Scholarships
St. Mary’s and Calvert Counties Chambers of Commerce will join forces on February 23 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Solomons for a Business After Hours function to raise money for their scholarship programs. The Las Vegas Theme to the night starts at 5:30 pm. Normally Calvert charges a nominal fee for members and non members for the monthly event, while St. Mary’s does not. During this special event both chambers are hoping business members wanting to network with other business leaders will be generous in their support of the 50/50 drawing. “Actually it’s not 50/50. The winner will take a third, and each member will take a third of the money collected,” said Calvert Chamber CEO Carolyn McHugh. Calvert Chamber of Commerce raises funds all year to fulfill its commitment to give at least $3,000 a year to the Col-
comedy invasion February 19, 2011
7:00 p.m. - Doors Open • 8:00 p.m. - Show begins Location: Huntingtown High School Auditorium 4125 North Solomons Island Road Huntingtown, Maryland
for Project Graduation
Sebastian Maniscalco Keith Alberstadt
One of the most respected entertainers in the stand-up community today, Sebastian is no stranger to television. On The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, he has appeared as the unforgettable style correspondent providing hilarious grooming advise to unsuspecting airline passengers and churchgoers. Other television appearances include The Savages, Tim Meadows’ The Very Funny Show, Comedy Central‘s Premium Blend, Showtime’s Comics without Borders, and the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. He was hand- picked to be a part of Vince Vaughn’s Wild West Comedy Show.
Keith has performed on The Late Show with David Letterman, Last Comic Standing, Country Music Television’s Greatest Redneck Moments, and Funniest Video Countdown. He has a likeable personality and down-to-earth charm that invites people into his brand of humor--one that is smart, but not brainy, and relatable, but not hacky. Keith shares his witty insight on everything, all the while doing it with a mischievous smile that quickly becomes infectious.
Tickets: $25 in advance - seating is limited $15 in advance for students ages 13 to 18 Visit the following locations for tickets: Educate & Celebrate, Prince Frederick; Richard’s Bayside Florist, North Beach; CAASA Office, Prince Frederick; Lotus Kitchen, Solomons Island Show Rating: PG13
Sponsored by: Calvert Alliance Against Substance Abuse, Inc. For information call: 410-535-3733
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Thursday, February-2011
D.A.R.E. program. Those who gave old clothing and fabrics helped result in an accumulation of 245.24 tons of materials collected to be recycled. This means that the County saved $15,665 in trash disposal fees according to William Teter, Calvert County Recycling Coordinator. The local D.A.R.E. Program receives $100 per bin each year, so this means that means that the local D.A.R.E. Program will receive approximately $1,800 for the year from D.A.R.E. America. In other words, they not only benefit the local D.A.R.E. Program but also save the county money. If you are interested in having a bin placed at your business, please contact Sgt. Bomgardner at bomgarmp@co.cal.md.us.
lege of Southern Maryland’s Foundation fund, which provides scholarships to high school and returning community college students. The Chamber has no oversight over this scholarship money, but does request the college give it to students studying business. People interested in this scholarship can contact the college for more information. Recently the Chamber has also committed to give $500 in scholarship money to each of the four public and one private high schools in Calvert County. The Chamber does participate in the selection of the recipients of the high school awards, but students must contact their own guidance counselors for more information. Food and drinks served compliments of Cherry Cove Hospitality and Hilton Garden Inn, which will also set up some Black Jack tables and Roulette wheels to add to the evening’s theme. RSVP at Calvert Chamber at 410-535-2577 or St. Mary’s Chamber at 301-7373001, by email at info@smcchamber.com.
The Water Around Us
Chesapeake Community Chorus’ next concert “The Water Around Us” is at Saint Paul United Methodist Church, H G Trueman Road and Cove Point Road, Lusby, on Sunday, March 6, 2011, at 5 p.m. The concert will feature contemporary, gospel, classical Christian and secular music by John Rutter, Julie Ward Howe, Peter Wilhousky, Moses Hogan, Phillip Bliss, Andy Beck, Peter Choplin,
and others. A free-will offering will be taken to support the maintenance of the BurnettCalvert Hospice House. The Chorus is a volunteer group of over thirty singers in its 8th season giving concerts for the benefit of charities in Calvert County. The chorus has raised over $44,000 for these charities.
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 Ameri-
cans 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.aauwpaxriv.org.
Sock Hop Rescheduled
Welcome spring at a New-Fashioned Sock Hop to benefit Turnabout, Inc, rescheduled for Saturday, March 26 from 6 - 10 p.m. at Tom Wisner Hall at King’s Landing Park, Huntingtown. Pure Luck will play music from ‘50s to present. Turnabout Café in Owings will serve heavy hors d’oeuvres and desserts. Wine and beer will be available along with
items at a silent auction. Tickets are $40 in advance; $45 at the door. For tickets and more info, call (301) 855-8241. Turnabout, Inc., is a local 501c3 nonprofit organization that provides training and employment opportunities in the food service industry for people with developmental challenges and other special needs.
Sp rts
Bruno, Panthers Focused on Finishing Season Strong All that most coaches is any sports asks of his or her players is that they are competitive. For Patuxent boys basketball coach Lou Bruno, his team has lived up to expectations although the record may not reflect it. “It’s been great this year. In a season like we have had you would think that the players would lose it a little but my kids haven’t and I won’t let them,” Bruno explains. “We have had 8 losses by 5 points or less so we have been right there. One thing about my kids is that they play hard for me no matter what and I am thankful for that.” Bruno says that Daryus Taylor, Markus Gross and John Clyburn have contributed mightily to this success of the team in many areas. “If they struggle on offense they have done other things to help the team out,” he said. “Brandon Durbin has been a nice surprise this year. He has changed a few games with his outside shooting and has improved on the defensive end. Trey Lee and Collin Gantt have done a nice job at the point.” As far as the 2A South regional playoffs go, Bruno is concerned with finishing the regular season strong, then focusing their energy on a region that includes SMAC runner-up McDonough and 2A State finalist Gwynn Park. “We still have 3 regular season games left and we are taking them one game at a time,” he says. “It would help us a lot if we can pick up a couple of wins going into regionals and have a little confidence. There are some great teams in our region and it will definitely be challenging for us but we want to win regionals just like everyone else.” By Chris Stevens
Panthers Prepare to Host SMAC Wrestlers in Championship
Photo by Frank Marquart Brandon Durbin has been of the of the pleasant surprises for a competitive Patuxent boys’ basketball team this season.
(CT) info@somdpublishing.net
Hampton Hopes Panther Girls Pick up Momentum in Regionals After fighting and battling all season long for that first win, the Patuxent girls’ basketball team broke into the win column earlier this month with a 47-42 win over Southern Maryland Athletic Conference foe Thomas Stone. For first-year head coach Stan Hampton, the win goes a long way in terms of boosting the confidence of his players. “It was a great win against Stone. Going into overtime really showed how focused the girls were,” he said. “It’s the kind of game you can build on and was very fitting for our first victory.” Hampton says that with the trouble the team has had playing a full game, the win with an extra period goes a long way. “The win really helped out our confidence. We’ve been playing really well before that game, just not for four quarters consistently,” he said. “To get that win in overtime, it was really what we needed to get our confidence up.” As of press time, the Panthers have two games left, against SMAC powerhouses North Point and Westlake, and Hampton hopes they can use these games to simulate what they’ll be dealing with in a 2A South region that features Calvert, McDonough and 2A state finalist Gwynn Park. “The region is going to be really tough, so to play North Point and Westlake before playoffs should help us get ready for the playoffs,” he says. “Hopefully, playing some really good competition will help us focus on the little things we need to do to succeed.” Hampton is expecting a rough ride in 2A South,
but also says that anything is possible. “Looking at some of the teams in 2A South, we are really going to have our work cut out for us,” he admits. “We have been playing much better now than at the beginning of the season, if we can get a couple of breaks, you never know what can happen. That’s the beauty of basketball.” By Chris Stevens (CT) info@
Before the season began, the Patuxent wrestling team and head coach Mike Bartley sat down and discussed their goals for the 2010-11 wrestling campaign. One of those goals was an appearance in the MPSSAA class 2A1A South Regional duals and the Panthers achieved that goal, marking the first time in Patuxent’s 15-year history the wrestling program crashed the post-season party last Wednesday, Feb. 9. “It was a huge lift emotionally for the guys. Earlier in the year we set our goals, and making the regional dual was our second goal achieved,” Bartley said. “Our 1st goal was to be one of the top 5 teams in SMAC and I think we rank at No. 3.” The Panthers fell to Hammond 41-35, almost completely erasing a 24-point deficit in the match, but the Howard County powerhouse held on for the win. “The entire team performed well, just a few of the matches went in Hammond’s favor,” Bartley said. “I was extremely proud of my team’s performance, they showed a lot of heart.” Winners for the Panthers that night were Connor Furst, Zack Pilkington, Zack Kane, Matt Gancayco, Kevin Walsh, and Travonte Johnson. Patuxent now turns their attention to Friday and Saturday, when they will host the SMAC championships. Friday’s matches begin at 5 p.m. and continue at 10 a.m. Saturday morning. Bartley thinks hosting the tournament is a great opportunity and a nice advantage for his team. “It’s very exciting to host the tournament this year, It’s great to have that home mat advantage. I think the team will wrestle tough and our outcome will be very good for a lot of guys,” he says. He’s also confident that the regional duals experience is just the beginning. “The season isn’t over yet, we still have a few more goals to achieve. One is to do win at the SMAC championships. We also want regional individual champions and the ultimate is a state champion. Someone in this group will be the first state wrestling champion in Patuxent’s history,” Bartley said. By Chris Stevens (CT) info@somdpublishing.net
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Thursday, February-2011
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STORY
Cliff Erosion Issues Come in Wide Va
Groundhogs Damaging Cliffs Many people have heard how the Puritan Tiger Beetle is causing problems for homeowners along the cliffs of Calvert County’s shoreline. It might be a surprise that the tiny insect is not he only critter causing trouble for homeowners. During a recent meeting of the Cliff Stabilization Advisory committee a number of community leaders shared their trouble with groundhogs. “We do have a problem with woodchucks burrowing under the hills. Anything that the county can do to help capture the animals or relocate them or give us permission to take the 12 gage approach,” said the representative from Governor’s Run. “I want to tell you they do some tremendous damage. I’ve seen some gigantic burrows.” A Calvert Beach resident admitted: “Actually I started a swimming class with groundhogs, I’m teaching them how to swim under water. So far they aren’t very successful.” “We trap them and take them to St. Mary’s County, but we find they send theirs to us,” offered Drum Point Property Owner’s committee representative. “We do have groundhogs, one of the owners has gone to shooting them with a sling shot. We’ve tried trapping them,” according to a Long Beach resident. “It doesn’t matter if you trap them or kill them, they’ll relocate again,” another chimed in. “I vote we just get rid of them.” According to Calvert County Sheriff Mike Evans it is legal to shoot a groundhog as long as it is on your own property. For those who prefer a more humane solution, DNR will take care of nuisance wildlife. Call 877-463-6497.
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The cliffs at Western Shores photos are taken courtesy of Doug Crow, resident and member of the Citizen Advisory Committee.
The Cliff Stabilization Advisory Committee met for the second time at the end of January to move forward in their commission to suggest recommendations to the Board of Calvert County Commissioners regarding the October 2010 report “Chesapeake Bay Erosion in Calvert County” provided by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Each of the 19 representatives of communities along the waterfront of Calvert County facing the Bay were asked to provide an overview of their community to include length of shoreline, type of shore, number of homes along the shoreline and which of those are in immediate danger, which communities have Puritan tiger beetle habitats and who owns the cliffs/shorelines. Many of the community leaders came into the initial meet-
Thursday, February-2011
ings of the advisory group assuming all the communities where facing the same issues, but discovered by the end of the meeting this was not the case. In fact, they found opportunities to leverage other community experiences. James Taylor of Dares Beach Association reports 40 houses along approximately 2,000 feet of shoreline, but no beach. They don’t have the tiger beetle habitat and their cliffs seem to be holding up with vegetation. “Our neighborhood is older and did have a lot of beach at one time, but now there is almost no beach.” Curtis Larsen of Drum Point Property Owners Association said, “We aren’t in dire straits. We think we should look at those in dire straits first. We don’t have the tiger beetle, but we do have concerns about a third nuclear reactor.”
Wes they may tain. The moved o cliff eros co’s prop fact that shoot a c Lon nine hou and heav commun success a others ha provide have a go success they did which sl taking a Dou half of th rious da kids clim cliffs. Gov Beach an associati they hav they’ve s shoreline problem have app and an ad Scie approxim have 26 having re down the The community beach in the mon along the shoreli they are hard to c Tony Vajda issues with 80 ho tat and 500 feet shoreline. “We a of Engineers.” After each neighborhood, G ning and Zoning
e Variety Along Calvert’s Shoreline
Western Shores representative Jim Strange said they may have tiger beetles, but he didn’t know for certain. There are a few homes in danger and one home was moved over the summer. The community’s main issue is cliff erosion. However, they are also dealing with Pepco’s propsed MAAP project. “I’m struggling with the fact that homeowners can’t do anything but Pepco can shoot a cable under the beach.” Long Beach, which is north of Flag Pond, has 39 nine houses along the shoreline, no Tiger beetle habitat, and heavy vegetation along the cliffs and beaches. That community’s representative said some homes have had success at stabilizing the cliffs by planting bamboo while others have planted Dogwood on the hills. “Dogwoods provide good stabilization, tolerate brackish water and have a good root system.” Their community had further success with professionally done revetments; however, they did lose a 80 foot by 100 foot wide section of cliff which slid down as the result of the latest rain storms taking a fair amount of vegetation with it. Dough Crow of Calvert Beach Association reports half of the 10 or 11 homes along the shoreline are in serious danger, but the threats to their cliffs come from kids climbing on banks and groundhogs digging into the cliffs. Governor’s Run, which sits between Kenwood Beach and Scientists Cliffs, is owned by a condominium association and a private developer, who has announced they have no intentions to develop 80 acres which they’ve set aside for wildlife preserve. The 1,200 feet of shoreline owned by the condominium doesn’t have much problem with cliff erosion since the base of the cliffs have approximately 60 feet of vegetation on top of sand and an additional 60 feet of beach to protect the cliffs. Scientists Cliffs have 79 homes on the shoreline and approximately half are within 20 feet of the cliffs. They have 26 Purtian Tiger beetles which they work around having received permits to shift cages with rocks up and down their two miles of community beach as necessary. ommunity manager and volunteers work to preserve the in the months after the Puritan beetle is no longer active the shorelines. “We aren’t in favor of bamboo and because re hard to control and keep from taking over.” ony Vajda of Chesapeake Ranch Estate shared the largest with 80 homes along the shoreline, the Tiger Beetle habid 500 feet of roadway threatened within 30-50 feet of the ine. “We are looking for a grant through the Army Corps ineers.” fter each of the communities gave a brief status of their borhood, Greg Bowen, Director of Calvert County Plannd Zoning department said he hoped to hear from the Maryland Department of the Environment’s position on some of the questions posed by the citizen’s advisory committee such as short term solutions of topping off trees which are exposed on eroding cliffs. The committee wanted to emphasize they are more interested in finding some short term solutions than waiting for the long term solutions being researched by the Department of Natural Resources and Army Corps of Engineers. “Sounds like these homeowners want us to give them something to do to protect their homes now,” summarized committee member Jim Strange. Charles Fowler agreed, “And making it fair for ever body would be idea.” The next Cliff Stabilization Advisory Committee meeting is scheduled for April 22. By Corrin M. Howe (SCG) info@somdpublishing.net
STORY
Get The Facts on Puritan Tiger Beetles The controversy over the saving the Puritan tiger beetles’ habitat in cliffs along Calvert County or saving homes in danger of falling into the Chesapeake Bay comes down to a moral and ethical question. “The Puritan tiger beetle has no economic benefit. You come down to the moral and ethical question – do these animals have a right to exist just because they do (exist)?” said Dr. C. Barry Knisley, profession of biology at Randolph-Macon college. As part of the Calvert Marine Museum’s “Calvert Cliffs Conundrum” lecture series, Knisley spoke about the tiger beetle while Dr. Michael Fenster, professor of geology and chairman of the Environmental Studies program at Randolph-Macon College explained a study on the preferred habitat of the breeding female Puritan tiger beetle. Knisley put up slides of various beetle counts within Calvert County going back as far as 1988 when an estimated 11,000 lived along the shores from Camp Roosevelt to Chesapeake Ranch Estates/Drum Point. The professor explained mature Puritan beetles move out of the cliffs and down to the water lines around mid-June where they feed from early morning to around mid-day. At which point the female beetle moves back to the cliffs to select sites to lay her eggs, about five a day or 50 to 100 per lifetime. Understanding the life cycle of the Puritan beetle is important to understanding what habitats the females prefer for nesting which in turn helps to answer the home owners’ question “Is it possible for the beetle and homes to co-exist.” The Puritan Tiger Beetle is on the Federal endangered species list in 1990 which according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services (FWS) Endangered Species Program website the process of adding a species to the list is a long and cumbersome process which can be handled in two ways – through a petition process or candidate assessment process. Any interested party can petition the Secretary
of the Interior to add or remove a species from the list while the FWS biologists identify species through a candidate process. Knisley admitted he became the champion of the Puritan Tiger beetle, which is only found in two locations in Maryland (along the mouth of the Sassafras River and Calvert Cliffs) and one in New Jersey (along the Connecticut River). The Puritan beetle gets its name because it was originally found in New Jersey although it is unknown why there are no other habitats between the Connecticut River and Chesapeake Bay to link them. Knisley and Fenser shared their research methodology and conclusions at the lecture at Calvert Museum. They concluded beetle “larvae occupy only naturally eroding cliffs, where they live in deep burrows after digging in sandy deposits on non vegetated portions of the bluff face or at the base of the cliffs. They are most abundant at sites where the bluffs are long and high with little or no vegetation and composed in part of yellow or red sandy soil. Erosion results in the loss of some larval beetles, but is necessary to maintain the bare bluff faces they require.” They further concluded there are no sites in which to relocate the beetles. Beetles can be raised in labs to grow their numbers past endangered levels, but again there are no sites in which to populate them. “The remaining Chesapeake Bay populations are highly susceptible to habitat loss or degradation. Shoreline development and bluff stabilization are the most serious threats. Shoreline structures have been found to destroy the larval habitat directly or by promoting vegetation on cliff faces making the cliffs unsuitable for the larvae,” summarizes the U.S. FWS website. A copy of Knisely and Fenster’s 144-page report can be found at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website at www.fws.gov/ chesapeakebay/EndSppWeb/BEETLE/TigerBeetle.html By Corrin M. Howe (SCG) info@somdpublishing.net
Thursday, February-2011
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TER T E to the
Bill Seeks Backhand Gay Marriage Approval Marriage as we know it is about to end in Maryland unless we do something about it now! A committee hearing was held last week on Senate Bill 116 (SB 116) which is being considered for the purpose of “altering a provision of law to establish that only a marriage between two individuals who are not otherwise prohibited from marrying is valid in the State; prohibiting an official of a religious institution or body authorized to solemnize marriages from being required to solemnize any marriage in violation of the constitutional right to free exercise of religion; etc.” While on the surface, this seems like an innocuous bill that would protect the rights of pastors and judges from being forced to perform marriages that are morally objectionable to them, it is really just a sneaky way of legalizing same sex marriage. This bill, while providing a “conscience clause” for those who object to same sex marriage and civil unions, also defines marriage as only being valid “between two individuals who are not otherwise prohibited from marrying”. Do you see where this is going? Instead of defining marriage as only between a man and a woman, this bill redefines it as valid between “two persons”. This would automatically legalize same sex marriage or at least bring it a step closer to reality. Supporters of the bill believe they have 20 of the 24 votes needed to pass it in the Senate, and a vote was expected as early as Friday, February 11. That’s why it’s crucial that we let them know today how we feel. The following Senators, all of whom can be reached at 1-800-492-7122, represent the “swing votes” and could affect the vote either way. Their extension numbers are listed next to their names: John C. Astle, (Ext. 3578) Joan Carter Conway, (Ext. 3145) Ulysses Currie, (Ext. 3127) Edward J. Kasemeyer, (Ext. 3653) Katherine Klausmeier, (Ext. 3620) James Carew Rosapepe (Ext. 3141) Please let them know, as well as Senator Middleton, that you want the voters to decide the marriage issue through a ballot referendum, not through legislation, which may not represent the will of their constituents.
Confederate Flag Not Acceptable Today I’m writing in response to Brian Blanche’s letter in the previous issue of The Southern Calvert Gazette. Mr. Blanche mistakenly equates objections to flying the Confederate flag as political correctness. Public display of a flag is always a statement of allegiance to a nation, group, or, in this case, to a political idea. The Confederate flag represents a painful era in our country’s history, and rightly must be included in historical exhibitions of that era. But to display that flag publicly today, on personal property, is to announce your disrespect for your nation’s laws and ideals, even if that flag is merely the relic of a bygone and discredited historical era. In the etiquette of flag display, the flag of an-
Thursday, February-2011
Patricia Ullberg Sunderland, MD
Is Calvert Business Friendly? By Nick Garrett
It is no secret that one of the issues that bothered the last Calvert County Board of Commissioners and the Department of Planning and Zoning was the public perception that Calvert was not friendly to business. Unfortunately in government, perception is reality. That being said, the Department of Planning and Zoning has made great strides in the recent past to change that perception. I had a new sign constructed for The Garrett Music Academy in Owings in an attempt to get one on the front of my building that you could actually see from our prime Route 4 real estate.. I hope you detect my sarcasm and note how frustrating it can be to have a business right on our county’s main highway that is barely visible. This is a problem that plagues many good businesses here. In an effort to avoid the violation of “blocking the architectural features” of my building such as windows, etc., etc., I had an expensive mounting system constructed on the lower front of the roof. Several weeks and $1,000.00 later, our sign was up, life was good, and we were ready to move on to the next task on the endless list of small business ownCheryl Allison Waldorf, MD ers’ responsibilities. Within a week we had a visit from the new ZonPublisher Thomas McKay ing Enforcement CoordinaAssociate Publisher Eric McKay tor. Right away I went into Editor Sean Rice fight mode and expected Office Manager Tobie Pulliam to be told, “take the sign Graphic Artist Angie Stalcup down” without regard for Advertising cjlea@somdpublishing.net the needs of my business, Email info@somdpublishing.net or an acknowledgement that Phone 301-373-4125 any business in Calvert that impacts the economy and Staff Writers meets the needs of our comGuy Leonard Government Correspondent Sarah Miller Community Correspondent munity has the right to be Chris Stevens Sports Correspondent seen at any cost. Corrin Howe Community Correspondent I was shocked when this did not happen. We Contributing Writers Joyce Baki walked to the front of our Southern Calvert Gazette Keith McGuire building together. He beP. O. Box 250 . Hollywood, MD 20636 gan suggesting options for what we could do to keep Southern Calvert Gazette is a bi-weekly newspaper providing news and information for the residents the sign. We spoke several of Southern Calvert County. The Southern Calvert Gazette will be available on newsstands every times over the next week other Thursday of the month. The paper is published by Southern Maryland Publishing Company, and even had a meeting in which is responsible for the form, content, and policies of the newspaper. Southern Calvert Gazette does not espouse any political belief or endorse any product or service in its news coverage. Articles their office. They made an and letters submitted for publication must be signed and may be edited for length or content. Southunannounced trip just to ern Calvert Gazette is not responsible for any claims made by its advertisers. bring us additional information on more ideas we could
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other country can be displayed only alongside, but separate, from the national flag (see www.USFlag. org). In this case it’s a historically outmoded flag of a confederacy that chose to secede from the United States of America to protect an economy based on human bondage. To so display it, is by definition, an unpatriotic act. It’s unlikely Mr. Nutwell has any intention of disrespecting his country by hanging the Confederate flag on his barn. However, given our historical objectives throughout the 20th century of protection for human rights, it is at least insensitive.
explore. This was a far cry from the perception that I, like many had from previous experiences that Calvert’s Government is just not business friendly. Let’s face facts; some of the government’s decisions led us to believe that with good reason. But this was totally different. I had to get to the bottom of this. I called Mary Beth Cook, the deputy director of Planning and Zoning and flat out asked her. What is going on down there? Is there a new policy or program related to businesses and signs? Right away, she lit up. It was clear that this was an issue that they were very familiar with. She said, “Because of feedback we have received from Calvert business owners, we knew we needed to change. From a department standpoint, we are working very hard to be as business friendly as possible. Its not that any major procedure has changed, we are just listening to what we are being told and trying to adapt our approach” I was impressed, impressed enough to write on this issue. I am not the only one who has issues with adequate signage for my business. I know all business owners wish that the department would understand that every second, phone call, meeting, and discussion on issues like signs, costs business owner money. In contrast, those working in the department are getting paid to deal with our sign issues, among other things. Irony aside, I am bringing this up in the hopes that some business owners will read this article and feel inspired to revisit their own issues. My particular sign issue is still not resolved. Now, there are in fact several departments involved, each with individuals coordinating to discuss my issue. Mine is a tough one in that the ordinances target newer and more common commercial buildings, which the Music Academy is not. So it remains to be seen whether or not I will be writing another article, stating the exact opposite of what I am saying now about the department. It will depend on the outcome. However, I can tell you that the process has been much better than expected and it is clear that staff in the Department of Planning and Zoning seem to really care about small businesses in Calvert County. Nick Garrett is the owner of The Garrett Music Academy in Owings, a published author, and has served and continues to serve on various boards and commissions in Calvert County.
‘GiveCamp’ Offers Local Non Profits Website Assistance Non-profit organization 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-
Jim Pendarvis
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 data-collection 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. 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
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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 developers 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 code base. 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. By Sarah Miller (CT) info@somdpublishing.net
Thursday, February-2011
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Edmund Bauer, 70 E d mu nd Bauer, 70, passed away at his residence on February 8, 2011 in Lusby, Maryland, surrounded by his family. He was born on August 3, 1940 in war-torn Bavaria and lost his father just before the end of World War II. Following his father’s death, Ed’s mother brought him to the U.S. He was only 8 years old. Eddie met Virginia Brant, an army brat who had just arrived from Taiwan and was living at Fort Meade, during their senior year at Arundel High School in Gambrills, Maryland. He began courting her. The pair graduated in June 1959, and Eddie left for boot camp in San Diego, California. His career in the Navy began with a stint on a destroyer. He attended Submarine School in Groton, Connecticut, and was then assigned to the USS Aspro, a WWII submarine, followed by a transfer to the newer USS Volador. He returned to Maryland in July of 1962 to marry his high school sweetheart and took her back to California where their first child was born. Following his discharge from the Navy, Ed worked in Maryland and then went to Winkfield, England where he tracked satellites for Bendix Field Engineering and NASA. He then spent three years in Goldstone, California and then on to Blossom Point, Maryland. Ed was involved in the first moon shot. In 1972, with four children and a wife, Ed moved to the Chesapeake Ranch Club and began work at Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant. One more son was born to Ed and Virginia at Calvert Memorial Hospital. After retirement, Ed was periodically called back for short-term projects at the power plant. Ed became a ham radio operator while he was still in junior high school and his call sign is W3ERB. In 1985, Ed bought the sailboat of his dreams and the couple spent many wonderful days on the Chesapeake Bay. Ed’s other hobbies included reading—especially books on History, the Civil War and WWII, and puttering around his shed. Most of all, Ed loved spending time with his little family, 20 strong, at the frequent birthdays, holidays, boating trips
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and more. Ed received the Sacrament of Reconciliation and returned to the Eucharist in March of 2010 at Our Lady Star of the Sea, where his family has worshipped since 1974. Ed was surrounded by all of his children, grandchildren and his wife as he died, and he was blessed with the graces of the sacrament of the sick and dying. His wonderful sense of humor and generosity towards friends and family will be dearly missed. He loved to make the family laugh and they would all be poised to hear his latest humorous thought whenever they saw his grin and the twinkle in his eye. He was preceded in death by his mother, Paulina, (Marie) Rose and is survived by his wife, Virginia; his children and their spouses, Mark and Karen, Edgar and Susan, Cookie and Andy, Edie and Tom, Chris and Linda; and six grandchildren, Samantha, Joseph, Eddie, John Paul, Andrew, Aubrey, great-grandchild Noah, and Ed’s stepfather Lewis Rose. The family received friends at noon on Friday, February 11, at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, Solomons, Maryland, where Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated with Father David Wells officiating. Private interment was held on Wednesday, February 16, at the Maryland Veterans Cemetery, Cheltenham, MD, with military honors provided by the U. S. Navy. Memorial contributions may be made in Edmund’s memory to Our Lady Star of the Sea Provident School Fund, P. O. Box 560, Solomons, MD 20688. Arrangements were provided by the Rausch Funeral Home, P. A., Lusby, MD.
George Bean, 85 George Lee Bean, age 85, of Owings, MD died January 30, 2011. He was born April 22, 1925 in Washington, DC to George Lee and Rosa Mae
(Higgs) Bean. George attended St. Peters Catholic School and Eastern High School. He enlisted in the United States Navy on June 17, 1942 and was discharged as an Apprentice Seaman on June 30, 1945. After service he returned to Washington and became a police officer
Thursday, February-2011
obtaining the rank of Sergeant in the 4th Precinct before retiring in 1967 due to a disability. George and his wife retired to Venice, FL in 1969. While in Florida he was a member of the Elks Lodge and was an avid golfer. He had an unprecedented 13 holes in one and had two in one round of golf. He was preceded in death by his parents and six sisters. Surviving are his wife, Elizabeth A. Bean, a daughter, Susan Lee Eells, and her husband, Richard, of Owings, MD; a son, George L. Bean, of Hendersonville, NC; four grandchildren, Rick Eells of St. Leonard, Caroline Scanlon and her husband, David, of Spotsylvania, VA, Christina Schneider and her husband Andy of Huntingtown, MD and Loranne Bean of Brebard, NC; and five great grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Childrens Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, www.stjude.org Rausch Funeral Home in Owings provided the arrangements.
Anthony Fox, 50
MD.
A nthony Edward Fox, 50, passed away peacefully on January 31, 2011 at the University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore,
Anthony was born on August 18, 1960 in Providence Hospital, Washington, D. C. He lived most of his life in Hyattsville, MD then in Lusby, MD. He is the beloved son of Catherine and Walter Howery and the late Joseph A. Fox. He was preceded in death by his grandmothers Catherine Van Pelt and Nora Fox, and his son Joseph Howery. He is survived by his sisters Catherine Russell and her husband David of Colton’s Point, MD and Barbara Hillman and her husband John of Eldersburg, MD; son Carey Howery and his wife Stephanie of Naples, FL; daughter Shayna Saunier of Naples, FL; nieces Kelly Bowles and Jenna Hillman and nephew Kyle Hillman. Anthony loved spending time with family and friends, reminiscing about our childhood, walking the beach with his mother, feeding
the ducks, and looking for unique trinkets in thrift shops. He will be greatly missed. Our lives have been changed forever for God has called home one of his angles, our son, father and brother. A life celebration will be held at a later date. Should friends desire contributions may be made in Anthony’s memory to Tri County Animal Shelter, 6707 Animal Shelter Road, Hughesville, MD 20637. www.charlescounty.org/es/ animalcontrol. Arrangements were by Rausch Funeral Home, P. A., Lusby, MD.
James Jordan, Jr., 84 James Jordan, Jr. of Solomons, Maryland, formerly of Annapolis, Maryland, died Monday, January 31, 2011 at the age of 84. He was born in Woodbury, New Jersey on June 3, 1926, to Charlotte and James Jordan, Sr. For 61 years, he was the beloved husband of Rosella Jordan and the loving father of Vicky Mitchell and Janice Lazzari. He was a devoted grandfather to Katrina and Jennifer Mitchell and David Lazzari. James and Rosella moved from Heritage Harbor in Annapolis, Maryland to Solomons, Maryland eight years ago. James was a career military man, serving in the United States Navy until his retirement in 1966. But the Navy was in his blood, so he worked for the Department of the Navy through Civil Service. In 1983, he entered into full retirement. James had many hobbies and found enjoyment in playing golf and all varieties of sports. His love of traveling around the United States in his motorhome was at the top of his list of pleasures. He was a member of the Elk’s Lodge in Annapolis, Maryland and the Harbor Squares Club, a local square dance club. James was also a member of the Christ Episcopal Church in Clinton, Maryland. The family received friends at the Lee Funeral Home, Owings, on Feb. 7, where a funeral service was held. Interment will take place at Arlington National
Cemetery at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to: Hospice of St. Mary’s, P O Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650. Friends are welcome to visit the Lee Funeral Home Website at www.leefuneralhomes.com to sign James’ memorial register book under the obituary section of our home page.
Dena Pannemann, 78 D e n a M a x i n e Pa n ne m a n n , 78 years young, residing in Lusby, MD for the last ten years was gently ushered into the arms of her “Dear Lord” at 8:59 AM on February 8, 2011 at Martha Jefferson Hospital in Charlottesville, VA where she was visiting her beloved son. This ended her two-year battle to beat a rare form of ovarian cancer. She was born January 8, 1933 in Uniontown, Kansas to William Milo Stradley and Gladys Mary Lamb-Stradley. She was preceded in death by her parents. She graduated from Bronson High School in 1950 and from Baptist Bible College in 1954 in Springfield, MO where she continued working as a Secretary. Devoted wife, Dena, is survived by her husband of 41 years, Larry David Pannemann who married her in Dallas, Texas on June 7, 1969. Beloved and committed Mom and MeMe is survived by her children, Timothy Paul Duggins Sr. and daughter-in-law, Lori, grandson, Tim Jr., granddaughters, Jacquelyn and Megan of Charlottesville, VA, and Paula Denise Loveless and son-in-law Dennis Loveless II, granddaughter, Jessica and grandson Dylan of St. Leonard, MD. She is also survived by her brother, Richard Stradley, 85, of Sevierville, TN and his wife Vickie. His children are Nancy, Richard and David .Dena is formerly of Cedar Hill, TX near Duncanville in Dallas County where she resided for twenty plus years. She was Sunday School teacher, organist and pianist for Grace Baptist Temple in Duncanville, TX. She also worked diligently for more than 14 years as a teacher for the church’s school Grace Baptist Christian School.
Dena’s hobbies included sewing, pianist, organist and foot reflexologist. She is currently a member of Southern Calvert Baptist Church and served as Preschool and Kindergarten Sunday School teacher, Moppets Teacher for Mothers of Preschoolers, Sunday night pianist for as long as she could. She is a member of Baptist Bible Fellowship International, Christian Law Association, and many other worthy organizations. She maintained an encouraging spirit until the end. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, February 22, from 2-4 and 6-8 PM at the Rausch Funeral Home, P. A. 20 American Lane, Lusby, MD. Funeral services will be held at Southern Calvert Baptist Church, 12140 H.G. Trueman Rd., Lusby, MD at 11:30 AM with Reverend Timothy Paul Duggins, Sr. officiating. Interment will follow in the Maryland Veterans Cemetery, Cheltenham, MD at 2:00 PM. Pallbearers will be Timothy Paul Duggins Jr., Dylan David Loveless, Brian Peacock, Larry Reichard, Jim Belknap, Carl Hager and Honorary Pallbearers are Connie Staton, Lois Williams, Beverly Bedwell, Eloise Jenkins, Allen Pruitt and Herbert Fitzpatrick. Her heart for others is reflected in the Memorial Fund set up in her honor. It was her desire to use her passing as an opportunity to help a young church family in Uganda. To contribute to the Meme Pannemann Memorial Fund: Mail Donations to: Mountain View Chapel, 732 Covered Bridge Rd, Madison, VA 22727 or simply go to www.mountainviewchapel.net. Arrangement were handled by the Rausch Funeral Home, P. A.,
married James Edward Sturgess in Forestville, MD. They operated a tobacco farm in Upper Marlboro and later in Huntingtown. Nola was also employed as a clerk and meat cutter at Bucks General Store in Upper Marlboro for 20 years. Nola enjoyed hunting, fishing, traveling, puzzle books and gardening. In later years she would use her hunting skills to shoot at the squirrels raiding the bird feeder with a slingshot to scare them away. Nola was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Nettie Wallace; her husband, James E. Sturgess; a brother, Kermit Wallace; and a great grandson, Edwin Molina, Jr. Surviving are a daughter, Nancy Lee King, and her husband, Kenneth, and a son, Roger Louis Sturgess, and his wife, Frances, all of Huntingtown; three grandchildren, Carole Molina and her husband, Edwin, of Linthicum, MD, Nola Ward and her husband, Chip, of St. Leonard, MD, and Kenneth M. King and his wife, Christy, of Chesapeake Beach; and eight great grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to Mt. Harmony UMC Building Fund, 155 E. Mt. Harmony Road, Owings, MD 20736 or Calvert Hospice, P.O. Box 838, Prince Frederick, MD 20678, www.calverthospice.org. Rausch Funeral Home in Owings provided the arrangements.
Margaret Thompson, 86 Margaret Thompson, 86, passed away peacefully on February 7, 2011 at
Nola Sturgess, 88 Nola Ida Sturgess, age 88, of Huntingtown, MD died January 25, 2011 at Calvert Memorial Hospital. She was born May 13, 1922 in Clinton, TN to Richard and Nettie Mae (Brumette) Wallace. The family moved to Maryland when she was a young girl and she received her education in Maryland Schools. On January 14, 1942 she
Asbury~Solomons Health Care Center, Solomons, MD. Margaret was born on April 28, 1924 in Flint, Michigan to the late Bella Jane Mullet and Hugh McCurdy Nichols. She is survived by her beloved husband James K. Thompson; devoted daughter Lynn Ann and her husband Don C. Crouch of Brownsville, TX; brothers-in-law Howard Thompson of Oklahoma City, OK and Ralph Thompson of Las Vegas, NV; four granddaughters; three step-grandchildren; two nephews and a niece. Margaret graduated from East
Grand Rapids High School, East Grand Rapids, MI as the Salutatorian of her high school class. She was a Girl Scout Leader and a trainer for future leaders in scouting, a lifeguard instructor for the American Red Cross, a pilot and aeronautical research scientist with the United States Air Force and N. A. S. A. and an accomplished artist in the Old World Master Technique having won numerous blue ribbon awards in her art showings in Washington, D. C. She loved animals, birds and all puppies. Margaret would not attempt to do anything unless she could give her very best effort. The family received friends on Wednesday, February 16, at the Rausch Funeral Home, Lusby, MD. A service celebrating her life was held with Reverend Randall Casto officiating. Interment followed in the Maryland Veterans Cemetery, Cheltenham, MD. Memorial contributions may be made in Margaret’s memory to Asbury~Solomons Benevolent Care Fund, Attn: Melissa Carnes, 11100 Asbury Circle, Solomons, MD. Arrangements were by Rausch Funeral Home, P. A., Lusby, MD.
Alma Vierbuchen, 98 Alma Louvene Rock Vierbuchen, age 98, of Chesapeake Beach, MD passed away February 3, 2011 at her residence. She was born March 20, 1912 in Washington, D.C. to William B. and Clara A. (Ballard) Rock. Alma was raised in Washington where she attended public school and later took busi-
ness courses. In her youth, Alma enjoyed traveling by train to Chesapeake Beach and met her future husband there in the Chesapeake Beach dance pavilion. She was an early and avid fan of the Washington Redskins and followed the team by train to watch them play. She was employed as a Supervisory Procurement Agent with the Government Printing Office, retiring June 30, 1972 after 31 years of service. She married Charles P. Vierbuchen and they lived in Hyattsville, MD. Alma later resided in Edgewater, MD and lived in North Beach from the mid 1990’s until recently moving to Chesapeake Beach. In her leisure time Alma enjoyed bowling, dancing and travel. She was a member of Ladies of the Elks, B.P.O.E. Lodge 662 in Annapolis, MD, Alma’s Screwballs and the Su Zu Court No. 21, Ladies Oriental Shrine of North America. Alma was preceded in death by her husband, Charles, a daughter, Charlene A. Stone, and son-inlaw, John R. Stone. She is survived by granddaughters Terri L. Mandley and her husband, Gary, of Chesapeake Beach and Tracy L. Lowry and her husband, Robert, of Lusby, MD; and by a grandson, Craig R. Stone. She is also survived by seven greatgrandchildren and six great great grandchildren. Expressions of sympathy in Alma’s name may be made to Calvert Hospice, P.O. Box 838, Prince Frederick, MD 20678 or online at www.calverthospice.org. Rausch Funeral Home in Owings provided the arrangements.
Dorothy Walker, 82 Dorothy Elizabeth Walker, age 82, of Owings, MD, formerly of Annapolis, MD passed away Janu-
ary 25, 2011 at Calvert Memorial Hospital in Prince Freder ick, MD. Dorothy was born September 21, 1928 in Blowing Rock, NC to Charles Spann and Pauline Spann (Ryznar). She was raised in North Carolina until moving to Annapolis, MD in the 1940’s and graduated from Annapolis High School, class of 1945. She married Joseph S. Walker III on April 9, 1948 and they lived and raised their family in Annapolis. Dorothy was employed as a department contract specialist at Public Works, Halligan Hall, US Naval Academy in Annapolis. She and her husband moved to Owings in 1998. In her youth, Dorothy enjoyed bowling and loved dancing and “big city” shopping. In later years, she enjoyed cooking, especially baking. She was fond of animals and had a tender place in her heart for stray dogs. Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph, who passed away December 2, 2006. She is survived by four children: Teresa Walker and Kevin Walker, both of Owings, Joseph S. Walker, Jr. of New York, and Kim McCabe and husband, Thomas, of Colorado. She is also survived by two grandchildren, Thomas and Connor McCabe, and three sisters: Linda Morgan and husband, James, of California, Patricia Luchansky and husband, Gerald, of Maryland, and Virginia Greene of North Carolina; and by a brother, Clarence Spann, also of North Carolina. Another brother, Philip Spann, of North Carolina died in 2010. Rausch Funeral Home in Owings provided the arrangements.
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Spotlight On
Healthcare Scholarships Open to All SOMD Students Qualified area students in Calvert, Anne Arundel, Charles and St. Mary’s counties are encouraged to apply by March 15 for one of the scholarships awarded by the Calvert Memorial Hospital Foundation. Since the scholarship program began in 1991, the CMH Foundation has given 267 scholarships totaling $302,650 to area students. The scholarship fund was created by an endowment from the Calvert-Arundel Medical Center. Recipients are not required to repay the foundation or accept employment. Applicants must have been a resident of Maryland for at least one year in order to qualify. Preference is given to residents of Calvert and Anne Arundel County. In order to be eligible, applicant must be a full-time student at an accredited school of nursing or other allied healthcare curriculum offering a course of study leading to licensure as a practical or registered nurse or other allied health-related classification. They also must have a letter accepting them into their major. To obtain an application, call 410-535-8178 or download the form at www.calverthospital.org. Applications should be mailed to: CMH Foundation, PO Box 2127, Prince Frederick, MD 20678. Applicants will receive an email confirming receipt of their application. However, students are responsible for making sure that all of their material has been received. Healthcare jobs offer many advantages including competitive salaries, generous benefits, flexibility and continued growth. To learn more about a career in health care, consider job shadowing or volunteering at Calvert Memorial Hospital. Job shadowing allows students 16 and older to spend time with an experienced healthcare professional in their chosen field of interest. For more information or to apply, call the CMH human resources department at 410-535-8122. Volunteering is another way that students can find out more about their options. To participate, students must be 16 and older, complete an orientation program and commit to four hours per week. For information, contact the volunteer coordinator at 410-414-4523.
Honest Abe Greets Well-Behaved Students
Disruptive behavior in the classroom can inter“The program has cut the number of bus referfere with the learning process. Troublesome behavior rals down,” said Sigler. By Corrin M. Howe (SCG) info@ somdpublishing.net on a crowded bus can be hazardous. For this reason, Calvert County Public Schools developed a program for “accentuating the positive of both students and staff.” Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is a county-wide program that is implemented a variety of ways in each of the schools. St. Leonard Elementary School recently celebrated good bus behavior by inviting Abe Lincoln to speak to the arriving busloads of students. Adam Sampson, a substitute fifth grade teacher, transformed into the sixteenth president for two days, which he spent climbing on buses pulling in front of the school and praising the kids for their positive behavior. Then he turned to the bus driver, handing them an individually wrapped cherry pie, saying it’s “from his good friend George Washington.” As the pupils retreated from the buses, the staff, which was dressed in fake beards and black top hats, handed kids a piece of candy and a penny in remembrance of their special day with President Lincoln. According to guidance counselor Allyson Sigler, the students earn PBIS awards for every 40 miles their bus travels without a referral to the office for breaking of one of the bus rules. One bus mile consists of the ride from school at the end of the day and the following ride to school in the morning. If both legs of the trip are good, the bus driver pulls into the parking lot in the morning with a “thumbs up” to the bus monitors, who document it. Students keep track of their bus miles on a bulletin board immediately inside the school. Tiny buses with corresponding numbers to actual buses move up or stay put on tiny roads. In honor of most recent set of 40 successful miles, the PBIS staff decided their theme would be “Hats off for Presidential Bus Behavior” coinciding with celebration of President’s Day in Photos by Corriin M. Howe February. Staff at St. Leonard Elementary School greet students as they come off buses during the school’s “Hats off for Presidential Bus Behavior” special event.
At the end of the fourth and fifth grade sessions of Jump Rope for Heart at St. Leonard Elementary School, “DJ Lee” (a.k.a. Lisa Baynes, Regional Director of the American Heart Association) cools down approximately 150 students by walking them through the Cha Cha Slide. St. Leonard Elementary has participated in the event for 11 consecutive years.
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Thursday, February-2011
Teachers and Board of Education to Begin Negotiations While the current teacher contract remains in effect through June 30, 2013, it specifies that compensation and salary are negotiable items for fiscal year 2012. It further provides an opportunity for each party to reopen up to two other contract articles during negotiations. On Jan. 25, the Board of Education and Calvert Education Association which represents teachers reached agreement on protocols to be used in the upcoming negotiations. Negotiation sessions will again be open to the public. The school system has dedicated a section on its website to provide information about the negotiation proceedings. As a regular feature of
the negotiations update, the school system will provide each team’s proposals and counterproposals as they are exchanged. A copy of the Negotiation Protocols will be posted on the website later this week. The parties plan to schedule a meeting in February 2011 to discuss the FY 2012 budget outlook. Another meeting will be scheduled in March to discuss each party’s interests prior to exchanging formal proposals in March or April. Specific dates for these meetings will be forthcoming. Following this exchange of proposals, negotiations will begin. The goal is to reach an agreement that addresses the needs of the teachers and the school system.
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Thursday, February-2011
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Neither Fish nor Fowl
Fur and Feathers By Keith McGuire I spent the weekend packing away my deer and waterfowl hunting gear and mounting 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 last 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
On the
Water
Turning and turning in the widening gyre The falcon cannot hear the falconer; Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world, …
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 anglers 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
Thursday, February-2011
riverdancekeith@hotmail.com
Time to Join The Evolution Revolution
its power are questions that occupy anyone who wishes to win influence. I look at this incredible communication evolution and wonder what it means for museums. Institutions, by William Butler Years, “The Second Coming” definition, are slow to change, in fact All of us have experienced the groware naturally resistant to change. Reving influence of social networking on our olution brings change, institutions bring lives. The precipitous resignation of Presi- stability. To institutionalize something is dent Mubarak in Egypt and the riots in to establish it, formalize it, ‘officialize’ it Tunisia has added a new and revolutionary all things that the Internet and its offspring chapter to that discussion. Not only is the defy by definition. It is as if by making the Internet, and more specifically social net- Internet available to the general public, working changing and expanding the ways Pandora’s Box has been opened and chaos we communicate with others, it is being loosed upon the world. All the rules have used as a tool to fly under the official ra- changed. There are no rules! It has flatdar around the world, to incite revolution, tened the playing field like nothing before to organize protests, to ferment change, it except perhaps universal education. No or to leak classified information. This is a longer are museums, universities, libraries, profound development, and one that most and research institutions the ivory towered governments have no idea how to respond keepers of knowledge. Now information is to. Should they, like China, shut down the available to anyone who has a laptop, smart Internet? Not likely as that has become the phone or library card. new highway of commerce and is as inSo, where does that leave us? We are dispensable to daily life as transportation. the keepers of arcane books, fine works How to control this phenomena, how to of art, and historic artifacts – the stuff of profit from its proliferation, how to harness our collective humanity. Some argue vehe-
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DNR might have like the Volunteer Angler Survey on their website (http:// dnr web.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.
mently that access to “the real thing” will always trump a virtual experience. I can’t help hearing the words of T. S. Eliot: “The world revolves like ancient women gathering fuel in vacant lots.” Are we simply doing what we do because that’s what we do – in spite of the revolution whirling about us? Some institutions have responded by joining the revolution. They put their collections online. They have Facebook pages, they tweet and twitter and blog with the best of them. Instead of dispensing wisdom from an all-knowing perch, they invite the public to help design the exhibit or select (even create) the art or write the text labels. They have given up their protected status to become part of the Internet age. Others are much slower to respond, panting to keep the web site updated, the Facebook current, wondering whether to start tweeting – secretly hoping it’s just a fad. I do believe that there is a role in the modern world for institutions that house “the real stuff” as my friend Wynn Lee claims. Being in the place –Thomas Jefferson’s remarkable home, the immutable stone circle at Stonehenge, touching a rock
that came from the surface of the moon – cannot be replicated by a virtual experience. But I think that this social upheaval offers all institutions an amazing opportunity. It is an evolution revolution. If we can free ourselves from our preconceived notions of authority and embrace the belief that our public has a great deal to offer, can help shape how we share the information and artifacts we have, then, they will continue to come. It is an exciting, and in some ways frightening time. Bring it on.
Sherrod Sturrock is the Deputy Director of the Calvert Marine Museum. Send comments to: sturrosa@co.cal.md.us.
The Calvert County Department of General Services has reopened the sale of memorial bricks for Veterans Plaza, located at the site of the World War II memorial
Out&About
grand prize of a reception for up to 50 people. For more information contact 410-326-6311, ext. 2170 or 2172. When School is Out - Art is IN! Celebrate President’s Day at Annmarie Sculp-
the Art Room at Calvert Pines Senior Center, 450 West Dares Beach Road, Prince Frederick, MD, on Saturday, February 26, at 10 a.m. for a meeting and program. After a brief meeting, Lonnie Harkin will present “SilverWorking Jewelry.” Free to the public. For additional information, please contact Gerry Wood 301-863-9663 or gbwood2@verizon.net. The Fabulous Hubcaps headline a fundraiser for the Humane Society of Calvert County on Saturday, March 5, at the Holiday Inn Solomons beginning at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $40 per person and can be purchased at the Humane Society of Calvert County Kennel in Sunderland and at both Pepper’s Pet Pantry locations in Solomons and Callaway. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. There will be a silent auction and raffle items. Last year the tickets sold out fast – get yours now! For more information, call 410-286-2679 or visit online at www.humanesocietyofcalvertcounty.org.
ture Garden Monday, February 21, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Study presidential portraits, hear strange stories about the presidents and create unique portraits of yourself and others. Designed for students in grades 1-3; a fee is required. For more information contact Annmarie Sculpture Garden at 410-326-4640 or visit www.annmariegarden.org. “On Watch” in Solomons at the end of Dowell Road. This site housed an amphibious training center during World War II. For a limited time you can purchase a brick for those World War II veterans you wish to memorialize. The cost of each memorial brick is $100, all contributions are tax deductible. The 2011 campaign runs through April 1, with bricks to be installed in fall 2011. For more information contact Melinda Wood at 410-535-1600, ext. 2565.
On Saturday, February 26, at the Calvert Marine Museum’s, “Shaken Not Stirred” 2011 Bugeye Ball,
Spring wine tasting classes begin Saturday, March 5, at DiGiovanni’s Restaurant in Solomons. Wine specialist Dee Peters has designed a series that allows beginners and seasoned wine enthusiasts to learn and appreciate fine wines. The series opens on March 5 with “Grape Varieties and Grape Growing,” focusing on six wines from six grape varieties. There will also be a discussion on creating quality in the vineyard and ways grapes can be improved through site management. Cost is $35 per class or register for all five for $150. For more information call 410-394-6400 or visit www.digiovannisrestaurant.com. Carmen’s Gallery is celebrating 30 years on Solomons Island. Stop by and offer your congratulations. The gallery features shows throughout the year. Current offerings include abstracts by Brenda Belfield and pottery by Ron Korczinski. Ask to see the amazing photographs that Dave Wright has done on aluminum. More information and hours of operation can be found at www.carmensgallery.com.
Our Lady Star of the Sea School hosts a Longaberger Basket Bingo February 19. Doors will open at 4:30 p.m. and games begin at 5:30 p.m. Play 20 regular games for $20 and four special games for $4. All participants will be eligible for door prizes and raffles. A concession stand will be available. Anyone reserving a seat will have a chance to win a beautiful “Stacie” tote! Call Melissa Richardson at 410-326-3171 or 410-3269036 to make your reservation today! On Sunday, February 20, at 2 p.m., Calvert Marine Museum’s Sunday Conversations with Chesapeake Authors series features William Poe, author of African-Americans of Calvert County. Poe documents one of the oldest African-American communities in Maryland, established when the first settlers arrived. The beautiful photographs and documents in this book give a glimpse into the past of these proud people and their descendents. (www.calvertmarinemuseum.com ) The Holiday Inn Solomons Conference Center & Marina hosts their annual Southern Maryland Bridal Showcase on February 20 from noon – 3 p.m. Many of the area’s top bridal service companies will be there to provide information and product samples to help you make choices for one of the biggest days of your life. Throughout the afternoon there will be prizes, with a
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you will enjoy an evening of dining, dancing, and adventure. Scrumptious Mediterranean cuisine and specialty cocktails prepared by Ken Upton of Ken’s Creative Kitchen will be served beginning at 6:30 p.m. See the museum transformed into an exotic Monte Carlo casino, try your luck at the gaming tables for prizes and dance the night away to live music. Tickets are $150 each and proceeds benefit the museum preservation efforts. (www.calvertmarinemuseum.com) Please join Calvert Artist Guild members in
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Fabulous Hubcaps to Perform at Rock-N-Roll for Rescues
The Fabulous Hubcaps, one of our area’s most sought after oldies show bands, return for a second year to perform at Rock-N-Roll for Rescues in Solomons Island. Proceeds from this fundraising concert will benefit the Humane Society of Calvert County (HSCC). Following the success of last year’s inaugural event, Hubcaps band manager Janie Noelte said, “We had so much fun last year performing for this fundraiser that we jumped at the chance to do it again. It’s a great privilege to perform back at our roots and with a fabulous organization. HSCC really took an idea and ran with it!” Gail Prisel of HSCC enjoys telling the story of how the Fabulous Hubcaps first got involved with the Humane Society. “I’ve loved the Hubcaps ever since I moved to Southern Maryland back in the late 70’s and would go and hear them all the time. And I thought as long as I’m asking around for a band, I’ll dream big. So I found the Hubcaps’ website and wrote a long email about who we are and what we were planning and pressed send. No sooner had I gotten up from the computer, than my phone was ringing.” It turned out that Janie Noelte had been looking to adopt a dog and believes it was meant to be that HSCC emailed her. Prisel says that she and Noelte ended up talking more about dogs than the Hubcaps. “I told her I would find the perfect dog for her.” Noelte soon came to meet the dog Prisel had in mind, fell in love, and adopted her. She and her husband later adopted a second dog through HSCC and, although they now live more than two hours north, they became HSCC members. Just before the 2010 inaugural fundraiser, a homeless mother dog gave birth to litter of seven puppies at the HSCC Fishing Creek Kennel in Sunderland. The HSCC named each puppy after a band member, and people donated to the puppies in their favorite band member’s name. During breaks, band members mingled with the crow, holding collection jars for their namesake pups, matched the donations, and posed for pictures with fans. Since they first began 37 years ago in Southern
22
Thursday, February-2011
Maryland as “Harvey Hubcap and the Do Ron Ron,” the Fabulous Hubcaps continue to captivate audiences with their high energy tributes to original artists like Little Richard, Sonny & Cher, James Brown, Fats Domino, Ray Charles, The Shirelles, The Beach Boys and Rod Stewart, just to name a few. With an extensive repertoire of doowop group harmony, classic rock and roll, Rock-A-Billy, Motown, and R & B music, the group is heralded as one of the best oldies show bands in the country. The Hubcaps have performed on the south lawn of the White House, sung the national anthem in Orioles Park at Camden Yards, and played for governors’ inaugurations and inaugural balls. Their national popularity gained them the Key to the City of Frankenmuth, Mich, in addition to a Proclamation by the City honoring the Hubcaps for 18 consecutive years of drawing record crowds to the annual Music Festival there. Since their first 45 record in 1982, the Hubcaps have released 17 recordings, from cassette tapes to their most recent CD, “Showtime is Next.” Performing together since 1974, this seven-piece band shows no signs of slowing down. They perform more than 120 shows a year and, in any given month, their schedule may take them from Miami to Pittsburgh, Atlanta to Detroit, or Albany to Washington, D.C. The band was inducted into The Southern Legends Entertainment and Performing Arts Hall of Fame in 2005. You can share an evening with the Hubcaps as they prove that rock ‘n’ roll is alive and well. Rock-N-Roll for Rescues begins at 7:30p,m., Saturday, March 5, at the Holiday Inn Solomons, 155 Holiday Drive. Tickets are $40. For tickets, visit Pepper’s Pet Pantry in Solomons or call Prisel at (410) 2862679. To adopt a pet through HSCC, visit Fishing Creek Kennel. Homeless animals are featured on the HSCC website, www.humanesocietyofcalvertcounty. org. By Jonathan Pugh
(CC) info@somdpublishing.net
Southern Maryland Offers More Than Bars and Music People looking to have a good time without being cooped up in a bar after dark, or anywhere indoors, have several opportunities on both sides of the bridge to get outside and have some fun. Sports-minded people can get involved in flag football and rugby. For football, St. Mary’s County has been part of the National Football League (NFL) flag football program for four years, with two seasons per year. This year is the first time the program is being offered in Calvert County, said Chris Pixton, the president of St. Mary’s County Youth Sports. “We’re not just another sports organization, we’re a family,” Pixton said. He said several of the kids in the program request to be with their friends or siblings on a team, or ask to be paired with specific coaches, and the organization tries to make that happen. Justin Thompson, the president of the children’s league and the men’s league for the Patuxent Rugby Football Club, said the rugby team includes people in the military who are stationed at the Naval Air Station Patuxent River who may not necessarily know anybody else. “They get a team and a bunch of friends,” Thomson said. He said there are people from all over the tri-county area who come to Clark’s Landing field twice a week
to play rugby. The club belongs to the Potomac Rugby Union and they play against teams in Virginia, West Virginia and other stated in the area. “Two guys from D.C. come down religiously to play with us,” Thomson said. The rugby club includes a kid’s league, which plays during the summer, a men’s league and a women’s league. “One nice thing about the program is we have mandatory playing times,” Pixton said. Generally, there are 10 kids per team, with five children from each team on the field at a given time.
Pixton said the coaches are required to have every child on their team some play time. The rugby teams also have a mandatory contact rule. Thomson said that, unlike with football where if you’re not in certain positions you won’t touch the ball, rugby is a 100 percent participation sport. He said the maximum number of kids they can take for the program is 500, which would make for 50 teams, though if more that 500 kids sign up for the program they will make room for them by with having teams with 11 children or even making a new team if necessary. For the Calvert County, Pixton said there are 100 children signed up for flag football and they can take about 200 maximum, though like in St. Mary’s County they won’t turn anybody away if the number goes over 200. “We would turn the adults away before we turn the kids away,” Pixton said. The teams play against each other, and Pixton said with the addition of the Calvert teams, there might even be a game between the winners of the leagues on both sides of the bridge in a sort of Super Bowl. In addition to the kids leagues, there is an adult league that practices on weekends for adults, which Pixton said gives adults the chance to coach as well as play football. Thomson said one thing that the rugby club does that’s different from other groups is the fact that they get involved in community service. “That separates us from other sports,” he said. He said the rugby club is a registered non-profit organization and they raised about $8,000 for organizations such as Wounded Warriors, veteran’s homes, the Red Cross and various youth organizations. Pixton aid it’s important to find kids in the area something to do because “there’s nothing in the county for kids to do.” Because of this, he said a lot of young people find themselves getting in trouble. For more information about the St. Mary’s County or Calvert County Youth Sports leagues, visit www. smcys.org or www.ccyffl.org. For more information about the Patuxent River Rugby club, visit http:// paxrugby.com/index.html. By Sarah Miller (CT) info@somdpublishing.net
Thursday, February-2011
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2011 Summer Concerts
Larry the Cable Guy Git-R-Done Saturday, May 28 7:30 p.m.
Calvert Marine Museum Tickets: On Sale in Early April
Willie Nelson Throwdown Tour 13 artists on 3 stages
Saturday, June 18 3:00 p.m.â&#x20AC;&#x201D;11:00 p.m.
Regency Furniture Stadium Tickets: On Sale February 25
Ticketing Information: www.calvertmarinemuseum.com www.SoMDBluecrabs.com Call 410-326-2042, ext. 16, 17, or 18
The Calvert Marine Museum is pleased to announce the partnership with the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs Professional Baseball Club. The first debut is a Country Music Festival featuring the February-2011 24 Thursday, Willie Nelson Country Throwdown Tour on Saturday, June 18 at Regency Furniture Stadium.