2011-03-31 The County Times

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www.somd.com

Thursday March 31, 2011

Officials: Nuclear Plant Could Withstand Disaster

Story Page 17

Drift Inn Fighting County Over Sign

Story Page 5

Photo By Frank Marquart

County Golf Course Fund Now in Deficit Story Page 6

Fiesta CafĂŠ Expanding to Charlotte Hall

Story Page 9


What’s Inside

The County Times

Thursday, March 31, 2011

On T he Covers

ON THE FRONT

Officials with Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power plant are saying the Lusby plant is built to standards high enough to successfully withstand the kind of disaster that struck reactors in Japan following a devastating earthquake and tsunami.

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ON THE BACK

Billy Clark prepares to serve during Great Mills’ 9-0 win over North Point in SMAC tennis action Monday afternoon.

“If things stay the same it doesn’t look like it will return to profitability … you’ve got to privatize it or reduce administrative costs.” Angel Systems Inc.

www.ANGELSYSTEMS.com

- Jim Hodges, former chairman of the Wicomico Shores Golf Course Advisory Board

Weather

Watch

1.800.NO.BUGGS

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

county

During a meeting at the Charlotte Hall Veterans’ Home on Monday, Gov. Martin O’Malley (D), seated, listens to St. Mary’s County Commissioner Dan Morris (R-Mechanicsville) talk about the need for greater access to veterans services, particularly for mental health assistance, for returning servicemen and women in Southern Maryland.

Don’t let unwanteD

Decorations swarm your tree this season!

Great Mills’ Hope Ironmonger prepares for her match during the Hornets’ 9-0 win over North Point Monday afternoon.

education

St. Mary’s Ryken student Ryan Kelley, left, confers with fellow teammates John Houser and Elohe Dereje during a session of the Mock Trial Competition.

Also Inside

Dan Burris

Gary Simpson

4 County News 7 Letters 8 State 9 Money 10 Crime 11 Obituaries 14 Education 17 Cover Story 18 Newsmakers 20 Community 22 Community Calendar 23 Columns 24 Entertainment Calendar 25 Entertainment 26 Games 27 Sports Desk 28 Tennis 29 Lacrosse 30 Baseball 31 Fishing

events calendar Auto • Home • Business • Life

Auto • Home • Business • Life Auto ••Home ••Business ••Life Auto Home Business Life

April Hancock

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


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The County Times

Thursday, March 31, 2011

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The County Times

Thursday, March 31, 2011

4

ews Gaps in Veterans’ Services Exposed During O’Malley Visit By Guy Leonard Staff Writer There are programs available at the federal and state level to correct a whole host of issues for returning war veterans, from job training and mental health to combating homelessness, but there are still too many veterans who are not being connected to those services, veterans and veterans affairs officials said at a meeting at Charlotte Hall Veterans Home on Monday. The meeting drew in Gov. Martin O’Malley, Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown and House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer to discuss issues that veterans still face in returning from war zones. Brown said that despite an increase in services and funding for veterans affairs there are still an estimated 1,000 veterans who are homeless on any given night in Maryland and that an estimated 20 percent of Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans are unemployed upon returning home. Outreach was the key to getting veterans to the services they needed, Brown, himself a war veteran with the Army National Guard, told those in attendance. “When we scale back on that outreach we see numbers drop precipitously,” Brown said. “When it comes to mental health, we’re less willing to stand up to treatment. Dr. Victoria Eyler, health care program manager for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, said that establishing veterans’ centers – places where they can get counseling from other combat veterans – that are not attached to medical clinics is a way to cut through “red tape that we’re really good at creating.” But the closest veterans’ center is slated for Clinton, veterans’ affairs representative Michael Fisher said, and has yet to open. Local veterans advocates were surprised to learn that the county could have gotten a veterans’ center before 2008, when congressional representatives could have pushed for it as a chamber vote.

Connie Walker, president of the Maryland chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Health, said it’s possible that Hoyer didn’t know about that avenue, but he should have. “Putting a vet’s center in Clinton doesn’t help us,” said Walker, a Leonardtown resident and Navy veteran. “Eight years into the war … I think he should have known.” What’s more, Eyler said, the department needed to use its health care staff more efficiently to provide mental health services over a broader range of illnesses that veterans are dealing with, but that means more training for staff and doing background checks for providers can take up to three or four months. David Blandford, a combat veteran, said that veterans’ health care workers were often not familiar enough with their jobs or the problems veterans faced to be of help. “A lot of the veterans shut down and won’t talk to these people,” Blandford said. “A lot of these people in these jobs have no idea what to do.” Kathy O’Brien, executive director for Walden Sierra, Inc., said that mental health and substance abuse treatment for veterans has to be a priority. And while local providers were working to help veterans here, they needed more resources from the federal government to do the job. Currently veterans must leave the Southern Maryland area for most of their mental health counseling and treatment. “They’re not wanting to go out of the area for treatment,” O’Brien said of local veterans, some of whom are homeless. “We need to bring the V.A. (veterans affairs) to Lexington Park where we have a large homeless population.” According to information form Hoyer’s office, there is more than $6 million proposed in the federal budget to expand the community based outpatient clinic at the veterans’ home as well as locate a veterans’ center there for the region. There is also $5.6 million in the proposed federal budget for leasing space for another veterans center near Naval Air Station Patuxent River.

Photo by Guy Leonard During a meeting at the Charlotte Hall Veterans’ Home on Monday, Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) talked about progress on veterans’ issues and ongoing opportunities for further collaboration to support troops returning home from service.


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Thursday, March 31, 2011

The County Times

ews Drift Inn Sign In Crosshairs Dilapidated Properties Task Force Facing Tough Issues

By Sarah Miller Staff Writer

Two years ago, the Drift Inn restaurant in Mechanicsville received a new permit for the replacement of its existing sign along Route 235. Recently, they received a notice that the permit had been issued in error and they had 10 days to remove the new sign from the roadside. Drift Inn owner, Leonard Copsey. Sr., appealed the order to remove the sign, which was a replacement for a sign that’s been standing for decades. Yvonne Chaillet, a zoning administrator with St. Mary’s County, said what happened was the person who approved the new permit, who has since moved on to a different county, did not do their “due diligence” and go out to the site and confirm that there was, in fact, a preexisting structure on the site. After the 64 square foot sign had been built, according to documents at the Board of Appeals meeting, there was a citizen inquiry filed with the Department of Land Use and Growth management questioning whether the

sign should have received a permit at all due to it’s size and location. Current regulations state a sign can only be a maximum of 32 square feet and located on premises. Jerry Bowles, Copsey’s son-in-law and his spokesman during the hearing at the Board of Appeals meeting March 24, said they never wanted a new permit issued. There is a preexisting permit from 1976 covering the sign that was replaced. Under that permit, the sign would have been grandfathered into the new regulations. What Bowles said what he sought was a letter to send to the state so he could renew the tags for the sign, not a whole new permit. “They made a mistake,” Bowles said. He said he’s sticking to the guidelines of the old permit, which allow the sign to be where it is. The debate over the sign will continue on April 14 at the next meeting of the Board of Appeals. sarahmiller@countytimes.net

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer Members of a task force seeking recommendations to strengthen maintenance standards and combat growing blight of commercial and residential properties in the county has met close to ten times in the past months, but the chairman of the group says they are still trying to define the problem so they can effectively tackle the issue. Carl Franzen, a local realtor who heads up the St. Mary’s County Chamber of Commerce task force, said that over the next several meetings the group will try to come to agreement on an enforceable definition of blight to ensure that any new zoning ordinances or standards can actually be effective. For instance, Franzen said, homes that are stripped of their siding are legal as long as they are protected from the elements by something like plastic wrapping, but the condition is still not desirable if you’re the one living next door, especially if it’s for an extended period of time. It’s these kind of examples that amount to a fairly weak county code on such structures. “It has some loopholes,” Franzen said of county property maintenance standards. “At the next meeting we’re going to try to pin down a definition of blight that can drive our work.” Whatever recommendations the task force comes up with, Franzen said, it will likely take more resources and county follow-through to

make them effective if they are adopted. “You have to have the political will to do it,” Franzen said. And though they have not even put any recommendations down on paper, he said, one option under consideration would be to recommend that the county authorize its employees to clean up properties that have fallen into disrepair but put a tax lien on the property to recoup the costs. The county could take clean up action, Franzen said, but the rules now only allow for that in an extreme case of danger to either the public’s health or safety. There are still other issues to consider, Franzen said. Some owners of dilapidated structures are reluctant to tear them down for fear of losing any redevelopment rights, but with more foreclosures in the county and properties being left vacant for months, the issue becomes more pressing. Derick Berlage, director of the Department of Land Use and Growth Management, said that while the task force is still searching for a minimum standard that the county can live with, there have been a multitude of complaints about certain sites countywide from residents who are worried about their deteriorating condition. “There are dozens of properties where the level of maintenance raised questions,” Berlage said. guyleonard@countytimes.net

Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department Presents The Comedy Department Saturday, April 2, 2011 • 6:00 pm Featuring Photo by Sarah Miller

Patuxent River Cleaning to Start By Sarah Miller Staff Writer The annual Myrtle Point Park cleanup is getting ready to start. On Saturday from 9 a.m. until noon the public is welcome to join the Friends of Myrtle Point Park in their annual cleanup effort. To get involved, residents can show up at the park picnic area where there will be a sign in sheet. Here coordinators will hand out assignments, trash bags and work gloves. It is advisable to wear sturdy work clothes and sturdy shoes and volunteer registration is required. The cleanup efforts have been once per year, in the spring, but they’re planning to do another cleanup in the fall, said Bob Boxwell the Executive Director of Cove Point Natural Heritage Trust. Boxwell said the efforts at Myrtle Point Park have been going on for a few years, but

last year there was an “incredible increase” in the amount of trash at the site that coincided with the increase of traffic through the park. “We find an unusual assortment of junk out there,” Boxwell said. There is also a large assortment of people who show up to the Myrtle Point cleanup. Families, college students and even a local Cub Scout troop come to help get the garbage out of the park, Boxwell said. “It’s a good way to spend your morning, weather permitting,” Boxwell said. He said the cleanup is a good way to introduce people to Myrtle Point Park and get them to care about the park and its wellbeing. Here are also plans to have attendants at the park on weekends and a larger staff overall. “This is a fulltime park with part time employees,” Boxwell said. “It doesn’t work.” sarahmiller@countytimes.net

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Laurence Mullaney

‘Attitude Adjustment’ Hour begins at 6:00 p.m. Dinner at 7:00 pm and Show begins at 8:30 pm Open Bar All Evening

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The County Times

Thursday, March 31, 2011

6

ews State Wants to Buy Back Crab Licenses Plans to Expand Airport Moving Slow But Steady By Guy Leonard Staff Writer

Despite rising levels in the crab populations in Maryland waters, officials with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) want to buy back as many commercial crab licenses as they can to further protect the species. The licenses DNR wants to buy back are the unlimited tidal fish and crab harvester variety and will use some of the $15 million in federal blue crab disaster funds from 2008 to do that. “We have all worked hard, sacrificed and invested money to nurse the ailing blue crab population back to health,” stated DNR Secretary John Griffin in a press release. “By offering to buy unused licenses, we are ensuring the number of watermen is not growing disproportionately to the blue crab population.” The buy-back program is voluntary, according to DNR officials, and has already brought back in nearly 700 limited crab catcher licenses. “At the moment, there are about 650 inactive watermen who hold [unlimited crab licenses], which presents a significant fisheries management chal-

lenge,” said DNR Fisheries Director Tom O’Connell. “It becomes very difficult to manage the crab fishery to our annual target harvest level if even a fraction of these unused licenses choose to re-enter the fishery.” DNR will offer between $4,000 and $12,000 depending on the type of license and number of crab pots registered to the user; DNR states that they do not anticipate any action that would affect anyone with a license who did not take part in the buy-back program, the release stated. DNR is currently working on finishing the winter dredge survey, which indicates the crab population in the Chesapeake Bay and its surrounding watershed, but officials say they have no preliminary findings of the current survey efforts. Lynn Fegely, assistant director of DNR fisheries, said that trimming the number of licenses may actually result in higher catch limits for those watermen still harvesting this coming season. “We wouldn’t have to have as much of a buffer [to keep enough crabs in the fishery] for safety,” Fegely said. guyleonard@countytimes.net

County Golf Course Fund Now in Deficit By Guy Leonard Staff Writer The self-sustaining fund that pays for the Wicomico Shores Golf Course is operating at a loss — just under $6,000 — according to county Recreation and Parks Director Phil Rollins, who said this is the first time he has ever heard of the facility as a whole operating in the red. “Without question there has definitely been a loss,” Rollins told The County Times, regarding both the yearto-year financial losses of the course and its new restaurant. “I don’t know if it [the whole facility] will break even; we think the restaurant will break even.” Rollins said that the main reason for the steady loss of revenues at the golf course has been the result of the recession, which has driven a 15 percent reduction in the rounds of golf played there. Fewer rounds played means that the entire operation suffers, he said, though critics of the facility have said that the opening of the newly renovated facility along with its new restaurant were to blame. Whatever the real reason, the numbers are clear: from July 2010 to February of 2011 the course has lost almost $180,000. This deviates greatly from the projected increase in revenues in the approved fiscal 2011 budget that ex-

pected $69,904. The losses for the golf course in fiscal 2009 amounted to $321,042 followed by a net loss of $213,560 in fiscal 2010. A padded fund balance absorbed these previous losses, but that is not the case now. Jim Hodges, former chairman of the Wicomico Shores Golf Course Advisory Board, said he was worried because the enterprise fund that paid for the operations there is now at a deficit point, and taxpayer money is now needed to make up the difference. “If things stay the same it doesn’t look like it will return to profitability,” Hodges said in a Monday interview with The County Times. “There’s too much in administrative costs … you’ve got to privatize it or reduce administrative costs.” Hodges also said that the county has not done enough to market the golf course’s amenities to attract the public to use it. Rollins said that the golf course is not taxpayer subsidized now, nor are their plans to do so in the future. Rollins said that he is planning to present privatization options for the operations at the course to the Board of County Commissioners this coming Tuesday, that included an assessment of where the facility stood financially.

By Sarah Miller Staff Writer The county department of public works and transportation is in the process of locating places to build marshes to replace the wetlands that will be leveled to make way for runway expansions at the St. Mary’s County Airport that have been in the works for years. George Erichsen, the director of public works and transportation, said the first step in completing the expansion of the landing strips is to relocate the wetlands that are in the way of the expansion. Erichsen called the wetlands “attractive nuisances,” and they have to be moved because, by law, anything that would attract birds and other wildlife can’t be in a certain radius around the tarmacs. “Birds and blades don’t mix,” Erichsen said. But the situation is not as simple as leveling the wetlands and building the extensions. Before the federal government will provide the funding for the project, there has to be new sites and building underway to replace the wetlands in locations comparable to the wetlands that are being destroyed. Erichsen said because the federal government will fund 95 percent of the project, airport officials have to play by their rules. That means doing the project in a sequential order, doing one step at a time from beginning to end before starting the next phase, instead of in a parallel order, where they work on different parts of different steps simultaneously when they can. Doing things in a sequential order involves knowing every location that the marshes will be rebuilt at instead of finding locations and planting the marshes simultaneously. Currently, Erichsen said the department of public works and transportation is trying to finalize the locations the marshes will be planted on. The locations under consideration are St. Clements Shores, Chaptico Park and the Taylor Farm. In total, Erichsen said there are seven acres needed in total. St. Clements Shores and Chaptico Park are publicly owned and there will be no charge to build on them, but Erichsen said the use of the Taylor Farm depends on the family being willing to allow it and the Board of county Commissioners approving the plan. Erichsen said properties that were considered first were owned by the county, or that they knew they could use free of charge, then moved to privately owned properties when the publicly owned properties didn’t offer enough acreage. sarahmiller@countytimes.net

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7

Thursday, March 31, 2011

The County Times

To The Editor:

Hard Questions Demand Difficult Decisions As one of your new St. Mary’s County Commissioners I must say these past 4 months have been a tremendous learning curve for me. Coming from the corporate world, and national defense industry to County government has its own unique set of challenges. I can sit here today, look at all of you, and say I am extremely pleased with the spirit of cooperation and collegiality this Board has exhibited. But more importantly for the trust you have placed in us and the tremendous support we have received from all of our citizens. You have asked hard questions, we are working diligently to find out the answers, balance competing needs and wants and look towards the future. We cannot change the past. Today we are facing some daunting challenges that are somewhat unprecedented in our recent memory. Our economy, in comparison to many parts of the country has endured quite well. Our unemployment numbers are somewhat lower than state and national standards. Our quality of life is relatively stable. For the last 7 or so weeks we have learned and struggled through next year’s operating and capital budgets. When we started the FY 2012 budget work sessions in December we were facing a shortfall of $1.6M in FY 2012, a number that grows in future years. We must create a balanced budget as required by law. We have begun to streamline government as you asked for in the last election. We are making some very hard decisions and working with our staff to ensure that the quality of services you have grown to expect are being satisfied. Let me describe for you a few personnel and fiscal realities. St. Mary’s County is the fastest growing County in Maryland and Southern Maryland is the fastest growing region in the state. Yet, we have trimmed County job levels to 1999 levels and asked all of our employees to take a pay freeze. Roughly translated, 19,000 new residents and no new employees. This is a 16% increase from the 2000 census. Show me one business that can operate as efficiently and effectively as this. We have altered benefit plans to find cost savings. We continue to look at cost savings measures. We have looked to prudently invest in infrastructure to carry us forward. If we don’t, we will likely not see increased investment resulting in less tax revenues in the years to come. We are the envy of many communities throughout the United States who are looking to take work from Pax River and have it relocated to other constituencies’. Ladies and gentlemen, as I learned in business it takes money to make money and that requires investment. The fiscal issues are more unnerving. Next year we faced a $1.6M deficit, the year after (FY 13) the projected operating deficit is $6 M and the year after that, $9 M. As we have witnessed and heard, our property assessments go down yet our taxes go up. That tide is now turning. Based on state provided information, our property tax rate needs to increase in order to meet constant yield. That is, to bring in the same rev-

enues as last year. We are NOT increasing the property tax rate. Our income tax situation is better than many, as Pax River proved to be a stabilizing force for jobs. But the years of unprecedented growth is catching up to us. This is unfortunately, an economic occurrence. The system the state uses to “give us our tax dollars back” lags by about 1 year – or more. Sometimes, I have learned, they raid our reserves they hold in order to balance the state budget. So this year’s tax dollars you send to Annapolis will not be back here until next year. Remember that deficit I just mentioned. This job has not been easy but I can say I truly enjoy working for you. Next, education. Let me be perfectly clear: I am all for education and I believe everyone on this Board is too. As I have said before, I have taught college here for over 20 years, I have taught our County’s HS graduates. My daughter is attends Esperanza MS and my other daughter is studying to be a teacher. However, in the budget process we have been accused of not funding education, in fact the accusation is we cut funding. This is just plain wrong. We have increased education funding by over 300K in next year’s budget to maintain our Maintenance of Effort (MOE) status. Unlike other counties, we have not requested waivers to decrease MOE. Next, we have a formal budget process. With the exception of the BOE, every department worked to adhere to our schedule and requests. We concluded our budget discussions and briefs Monday, March 21, at around 2:30pm. At 3pm, the BOE submitted their proposed budget to us. There is little we can do without the necessary information to work with, so not having any idea where the budget was coming from we have been bombarded with hundreds of emails and letters that just don’t have the facts straight. So, what discretion does the BOCC have for education funding? First, we do not hire or fire teachers. That is solely the BOE and superintendent’s responsibility. Secondly, we do not have a line item veto of the BOE budget as we do with the County’s budget. Rather, we fund 14 funding categories and they manage them. Third, we do not negotiate with the BOE employees. They have a separate collective bargaining agreement that treats them distinctively apart from our County employees. In conclusion, the responsibility of this board is to balance the needs of the entire County and all of its services in a fiscally responsible manner. Note I say NEEDS, not WANTS. As I have always told my kids, “Do not let your wants exceed your needs.” All of us have been asked to tighten our belts. Todd B. Morgan St. Mary’s County Commissioner

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

Leonardtown Business Association MARKETING REQUEST FOR QUOTATIONS The Leonardtown Business Association (LBA) is requesting quotes from local, professional photographers to create a series of images of Leonardtown and its businesses to be used in marketing and public relation efforts. A list of required photo shots can be obtained from the Leonardtown Business Association web site at www.theLBA.org or by calling 301-475-9791or visiting the Town Office at 41660 Courthouse Drive, Leonardtown between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. An estimate and portfolio pieces are required for consideration. For further information or clarification about the project, please contact the LBA Marketing Co-Chair, Theresa Johnson at 240-682-7027 or e-mail at tjohnson@csmd.edu. Deadline for submissions is Friday, April 8, 2011 at 4:30 p.m. at the Town Office or by mail at PO Box 2541 Leonardtown, MD 20650. Priority consideration will be given to local, regional photographers.

Notice of Public Hearing The Leonardtown Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing on April 18, 2011 at 4:05 p.m. in the Town Office, located at 41660 Courthouse Dr., Leonardtown, MD. The purpose of the hearing is to present for public review and comment comprehensive changes to the Leonardtown Zoning Ordinance, the Sign Ordinance, and changes to Chapter 112 and 147 of the Leonardtown Code. All interested parties are encouraged to attend or to submit written comments by 4:00 p.m. on April 18, 2011 to the Commissioners of Leonardtown, POB 1, Leonardtown, MD 20650. Special accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities upon request. By Authority: Laschelle E. McKay, Town Administrator.

‘Special Friends’ Thank Lenny’s Helpful Hooves Equine Therapy, Inc. is a nonprofit 501C3 corporation whose mission is to improve the lives of persons with disabilities. March is Disability Awareness Month and to celebrate the “Special Friends” at Helpful Hooves held a Marti Gras Ball at Lenny’s Restaurant in Hollywood. Thanks to Lenny’s owners Dan and Robyn Rebarchick, the entire event was donated to our organization where over 50 participants ate, sang, and danced the night away. Thanks also go to Pam Veitch our wonderful DJ and the many volunteers who give freely of their time and make our events so special. Sheral A. St. Clair, President Helpful Hooves Equine Therapy, Inc.

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


The County Times

Thursday, March 31, 2011

8

STATE NEWS

Calvert Cliffs Manager Warned of Roof Leaks, Declining Maintenance director of the Nuclear Safety Project for the Union of Concerned Scientists. “So if they don’t work when you need them to, there’s a safety significance.” NRC inspector Glenn Dentel said the Calvert Cliffs roof leak Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant General Manager Thomas Trepanier warned his employees about a pattern of “tolerating de- may have been caused by excessive snowmelt after blizzards hit graded roof conditions” at the 35-year-old facility last year after the area. He and his team found that the plant’s operators had not water damage shorted out backup power systems, leading to a adequately prioritized roof repairs to protect the most sensitive equipment first. weeklong shutdown. “The leak that ended up impacting dripped down in the cabin “The station had developed a reactive culture rather than a preventive strategy on dealing with roof leaks, thereby eliminat- that had electrical equipment,” Dentel said. “Obviously electricity ing an increased sensitivity,” Trepanier wrote in an internal Power- and water ended up in a short. That’s not where you want it to be leaking.” Point presentation about the incident. After evaluating the incident, the NRC issued a rare “white” Trepanier titled the presentation “Calvert Cliffs: A Case for Change.” It includes pictures from the leaky section of roof and, finding -- the third-most severe rating in its “green, white, yellow, after a slide titled “So What?,” has pictures of the interior of the red” system. According to NRC data, there were 819 green findThree Mile Island plant that leaked radiation in Pennsylvania in ings, 9 white findings, 2 yellow findings and 0 red findings at the nation’s 104 nuclear reactors last year. 1979. Mark Sullivan, communications director for the Constellation “We must use these events as a burning platform to identify all issues and understand the extent of condition to arrest this de- Energy Nuclear Group, which operates the plant, said via e-mail cline and improve plant performance,” Trepanier wrote near the that Trepanier’s PowerPoint was “an internal document for an employee meeting that was presented at an industry human perforend of the presentation. He then complimented the employees saying, “Good human mance working group.” The presentation was available online on the Department of performance, fundamental behaviors and training prevented the Energy’s “Operating Experience” Wiki page. It was removed a few situation from deteriorating.” Trepanier also warned his staff that “Events are lagging indi- hours after Capital News Service called Sullivan for comment. Sullivan also said the company had learned from the incident cators of the direction of the plant.” According to Nuclear Regulatory Commission inspection re- and worked to fix the problems. But NRC’s latest inspections show that Calvert Cliffs had cords, a roof leak at the Calvert Cliffs plant shorted out one of the Unit 1 reactor’s two electrical distribution buses on the morning of more problems with water buildup as recently as December. The Feb. 18, 2010. This caused the emergency diesel generators to kick facility had three “green” findings in an integrated inspection rein automatically, but a failure of an electrical relay caused one of port dated Jan. 28, 2011, including one for “submerged safety related (SR) cables including the 1A diesel generator (DG) cables.” The the five generators to stop working. Massive generator failures led to the current crisis at the Fu- inspection report warned that “repeated submergence of medium voltage cables can cause excessive aging and degradation in the kushima nuclear plant in Japan. QBH “The St Memergency County TImes Half Ad:Layout 3:28exposed PM Page 1 of the cables, which could significantly shorten sections diesel generators -- as came1into3/1/11 play in Japan -- are a backup source of power,” said Dave Lochbaum, the its qualified life and cause unexpected failures.” By Andy Marso Capital News Service

“We determined that their actions were not effective for addressing that, and that’s why we ended up giving the green finding,” Dentel said. “The reason it wasn’t any more significant is that, actually, though the cables had water, they ... still performed their designed function.” Dentel also said that the submerged cables should not necessarily be connected to the leak that caused the Feb. 18 incident, because they were in a different area of the plant. At Fukushima plant, a tsunami overwhelmed backup generators and cut off-site power on March 11, leading to a failure of cooling systems and the release of dangerous levels of radiation. At Calvert Cliffs last year the water damage was much less dramatic and much more easily contained. Workers tied in an alternate power source and “Reactor Coolant System temperature increased slightly,” but “there were no actual nuclear safety consequences,” according to NRC. The agency sent a team of inspectors and the plant was shut down voluntarily until Feb. 26. In e-mails, Sullivan said all of Constellation’s nuclear plants had multiple backup safety features and that the company had spent $26 million in safety and security enhancements at Calvert Cliffs. Mohammad Modarres, a professor in the nuclear engineering department at the University of Maryland said in an e-mail that while the Feb. 18, 2010, shutdown was “an important event” it was not very serious “since the plant had not lost all its normal power and had emergency cooling capability.” He said it also illustrated the effectiveness of the backup power systems at Calvert Cliffs. “It shows that the general designs of nuclear plants are robust due to its defense-in-depth design philosophy (availability of multiple ways and barriers to prevent or mitigate events),” Modarres wrote. The NRC did a follow-up inspection of the systems that failed in the “white” incident last week and Dentel said the agency will release its findings in about a month.

MHBR No. 103


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The County Times

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Big Larry’s Comics Celebrates One-Year Anniversary By Sarah Miller Staff Writer Most businesses sink or swim in their first years. For Big Larry’s Comic Book Café in Leonardtown, its not only swimming but sailing. “We’re excited about an ice cream shop making it more than a year,” said owner “Big” Larry Rhodes. The shop will be celebrating its one-year anniversary in April, and to coincide with the anniversary they will be launching a new line of subs on their menu during the April 1 First Friday event in Leonardtown. The café will also be participating in the Earth Day celebration in Leonardtown on April 17, which Rhodes said is the third biggest event in Leonardtown after the Christmas tree lighting and the beach party on the Square in the summer. “It’s a big day in Leonardtown,” Rhodes said. Rhodes said the café will be open from noon until 8 p.m. and offering half priced hotdogs, specials on the new subs, free cookies to kids and other deals for the day. He said the café is a “round peg for a round hole” because it fills a void in Leonardtown. On days like Earth Day, there are no other restaurants in Leonardtown where people can buy their food and take it with them to walk around the square, he said. Rhodes said another exciting thing for the café is the notification they recently received saying if they pass their next health inspection, the restaurant will receive a gold star. This is a recognition that can only be received if a restaurant passes a certain number of inspections in a row, and an achievement Rhodes said “we’re pretty proud of.”

Charlotte Hall will be seeing a new Mexican restaurant being built over the next few months – Tequila Grill. The owners of the new restaurant are the current owners of Fiesta Café in Mechanicsville. One of the owners, Temo Amezcua, said the new location will be built from the ground up in the Food Lion shopping center in Charlotte Hall and will serve as an extension of the pre-existing Fiesta Café. “We don’t have enough space here for all the demand,” he said. He said the new location will be an independent restaurant, featuring some staples from Fiesta Café’s menu, but with different platters and specials. Amezcua said about 40 percent of the menu at Tequila Grill will be different from the menu at Fiesta Café. The new restaurant should be com-

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Rhodes said the secret to his success is not making the business all about him, and treating his employees with respect. He said his name may be on the store, but the people he employs make sure everything runs smoothly, from serving customers to taking out the trash. “They’re the heart beat to my business,” he said. He said he also runs the comic book part of the store and the café as separate entities, with different managers for each half to keep everything organized. He has also learned to look at the big picture and not the week-to-

Fiesta Café Owners to Open Second Location By Sarah Miller Staff Writer

for the love of

pleted in the June-July timeframe, Amezcua said. He said one thing they try to do at Fiesta Café, and something that will carry over into the new location, is provide “good food, good service and good prices” to the customers. They also try to educate people on Mexican culture and holidays, like Cinco de Mayo and the Mexican Independence Day, Sept. 16. s a rahmi lle r @ count y times.net

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week books, because they can drive a business owner crazy. One week, the business will make money and the next it will loose money. The biggest thing Rhodes said has to be done to keep the store going is quality control and attention to detail. The customers that come in remember a place that’s clean and well stocked. sarahmiller@countytimes.net

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The County Times

Briefs Police Arrest Sex Offender On Failure To Register, Harassment Charges

On March 18, police units responded to a residence on St. John’s Road in Hollywood regarding a suspicious person attempting to make contact several times with a female jogging along the roadway. The victim provided a description of the vehicle to police, which police say identified Marvin Gray Eaton, Jr., 43, of Loveville as the owner. Eaton is a lifetime registered sex offender, police said. Contact was made with Eaton at which time he was placed under arrest and charged with failing to provide vehicle registration information to the sex offender registry as required by law and one count of harassment. Eaton is incarcerated in the St. Mary’s County Detention Center without bond, police stated.

Police: Woman Arrested For Brandishing Knife, But Claims Victim Was Trespassing

On March 25, deputies investigated a disturbance on Columbus Drive in Lexington Park where police say they observed Shileka Janella Smith, 22, of Lexington Park waving a knife at the victim. Four young children were also in the residence in the area where Smith was waiving the knife, police stated. Deputies were able to remove the knife from Smith’s possession. Further investigation revealed Smith was in a verbal dispute with the victim who Smith reportedly believed was trespassing in her residence. When the victim refused to leave Smith grabbed a kitchen knife and threatened the victim, police said. Smith was arrested and charged with first-degree assault and reckless endangerment.

Police Make Arrest In Car Theft Case

On March 27, at approximately 1 p.m. O’Bryan Keith Lincoln, 20, of Mechanicsville was told he could temporarily use a 2006 Dodge Caravan by an individual who did not have the authority to grant permission for the vehicle’s use, police stated. When Lincoln was told he could use the vehicle it was with the understanding that Lincoln would only use the vehicle for a very short period of time to go to the store and return immediately, police reported. When the owner of the vehicle discovered the vehicle was loaned without her permission she had Lincoln contacted several times between 1:30 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. and told him to return the vehicle immediately. Lincoln allegedly refused. On March 27, at approximately 7 a.m. the owner of the vehicle reported the car stolen. That same day at 10:30 a.m. Lincoln and the vehicle were located at his residence. He was arrested and charged with unlawful taking of a motor vehicle.

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Convicted Arsonist Faces More Jail Time By Guy Leonard Staff Writer A man who entered an Alford plea to a charge of burning down a neighbor’s home on Spitfire Court in Lexington Park and was later released after just over a year in jail faces as much as eight-and-half years of back up time for allegedly violating his probation, prosecutors said. In 2004 Jason Michael Fessette admitted with his Alford plea that prosecutors could produce enough evidence to get a conviction against him for setting the house fire on Christmas Day back in 1999, but never actually admitted to the crime. Assistant State’s Attorney Jaymi Sterling said that Fessette was charged with multiple violations of the law in Charles County last year and has already pleaded guilty to some of them, which amounts to a violation of probation for his 2004 conviction here. Sterling said that Fessette was charged with first-degree malicious burning, the un-

lawful taking of a motor vehicle, two counts of malicious property destruction, two counts of theft between $1,000 and $10,000 in value, two counts of a theft scheme, possession of marijuana and fourth-degree burglary. Sterling said that Fessette faces sentencing in Charles County in April, and then will be sentenced May 6 in St. Mary’s County. Sterling said that the state’s attorney’s office would wait to see what the conditions of Fessette’s sentencing would be in Charles County, but she said the office would seek as much back up time for him as possible. “We could ask for consecutive back up time to be served,” Sterling told The County Times. “That’s what I would like to see, but that’s up to the judge.” The original sentence for the 2004 firstdegree arson charge amounted to “a huge break” for the defendant considering the seriousness of the offense, Sterling said. “He got his break; he did it [violation of probation] to himself,” she said.

Local Sailor Faces Life in Prison For Wife’s Murder By Guy Leonard Staff Writer

A former air traffic controller at Naval Air Station Patuxent River now faces life in prison after being found guilty of scheming to kill his wife on the Eastern Shore in 2009. A federal jury on Monday found Ryan Holness, 30, guilty of interstate domestic violence in connection with the murder of his wife, attempted witness intimidation and attempted obstruction of an official proceeding, according to information from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Greenbelt. Holness was arrested in Kent County in June almost two years ago after Maryland State Police suspected he was connected to the murder of Serika Holness, his estranged wife, after they were returning from New York to sign a lease for the defendant’s apartment back in Lexington Park. Holness had originally told police that he and his wife were kidnapped by an armed assailant at a New Jersey gas station and forced to drive to Maryland; Holness then claimed that after being ordered to stop on a country road that the assailant dragged him from the car, bound him, and then stabbed his wife to death when she tried to escape.

Holness told police that he needed his wife, who was living with her relatives in Brooklyn to return to Maryland to sign a lease on his apartment, but prosecutors claim it was all part of Holness’ plot. Federal prosecutors stated that canines were able to track Holness’ scent to a nearby river where he discarded the knife used in his wife’s murder, and police also found DNA evidence that proved he participated in the murder. Prosecutors also stated that Holness attempted to pass off a letter he wrote as a confession by a third party while he was incarcerated, which contained details that only the killer would know, prosecutors stated, which were never released to the public. Rosenstein said that investigators believe that Holness had an accomplice in the killing because the vehicle both he and the victim had been driving in was found in a different location, though that person has not been indicted. “It’s an important case for us… but more importantly for the victim’s family to know that the perpetrator was held accountable,” Rosenstein said. guyleonard@countytimes.net

Info on Bank Robber Sought On March 23, at 2:03 p.m., a white male, heavy set and approximately 6’ 5” robbed the M&T Bank, located in Prince Frederick. The suspect was wearing blue jeans, a blue hooded sweatshirt and black mask. This suspect was possible driving a small white passenger car with a sunroof. Police are asking for help from the public. 

If you are familiar with this individual, or have other information please contact Lt. Steve Jones at 410-535-2800.


11

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Vicki Brown, 57 Vicki Lynn Brown, nee Brogan, 57, of Avenue, passed away on March 24, 2011, surrounded by family. Vicki is preceded in death by her loving parents, Bobbie and Billie Brogan, and sister Tracey Gavita. Vicki is survived by her devoted husband, Sam Brown; stepdaughter, Missy Brown; son Benjamin Brown; and son Matthew (Erin) Brown. Vicki is also survived by a brother Randy (Elaine) Brogan and nephews Michael (Jessica) Teti, and Anthony Gavita, and Gregory Brogan. Vicki was born on March 1, 1954, in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada, and raised in Laurel, Maryland. Vicki later studied at Ricks College in Ricksburg Idaho, where she pursued her degree in Interior Design. Vicki worked as an Executive Recruiter for financial institutions and was an entrepreneur, owning a shop in Laurel called Wootsies Attic, which specialized in antique furniture and other unique treasures. After having children, Vicki moved to southern Maryland and dedicated her life to raising her family and becoming involved in community organizations. Vicki was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, where she held various positions over the years serving her fellow members. She was a member of the St. Mary’s County Commission on Aging and the St. Mary’s County Commission for Persons with Disabilities, as well as a founder and member of the board of directors for the Friends of Ripple Center and a former member of State of Maryland Caregivers Support Coordinating Council. Vicki was often seen strolling around the neighborhood in her electric wheelchair, sharing laughs and making new friends. Services were held March 28, 2011 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 22747 Old Rolling Rd., California Maryland. In lieu of f lowers, the family requests that memorial contributions can be made to the American Heart Association, www. americanheart.org/, 415 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21201or A.C.T.S., (A Community That Cares), (301) 769-4199, P.O. Box 54, Bushwood, MD 20618. Arrangements provided by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD

Shirley Holloman, 88 Shirley Darwin “Holly” Holloman, 88, US Navy (Ret.) of Lexington Park, MD died February 24, 2011 at his residence. Born May 16, 1922 in Harrelsville, NC, he was the son of the late William J. Holloman and Ethel L. (Coleson) Holloman. At 17 he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps in Tampa, FL. He enlisted in the Navy at age 18 and served honorably for 29 years. Shirley was a WWII and Korean War veteran. In WWII he participated in the Pacific Theater where he earned the Presidential Unit Citation. In his time

The County Times

of early service, he participated in the liberation of the Philippine Islands and was part of the Asiatic Pacific campaign in support of operations in China. In his later service years, he fished his way from various duty stations in Hawaii, California, Florida and finally in 1969 retiring from Patuxent River Naval Air Station. After retiring from the Navy, he spent 25 happy years at the Tackle Box in Lexington Park, MD. As a child in Florida and through all his life, fishing with his friends and being with his family was his greatest joy. He is survived by his wife Joan Margaret Holloman of Lexington Park, MD, daughters; Karen Lord of Valparaiso, FL and Carol Waldschmitt of Solomons, MD, and a sister, Marie Frink of Ocala, FL. Also survived by grandchildren; Robert Waldschmitt, Chris Waldschmitt, Michael Ryan, Lindsey Poole and Shannon Lord, great grandchildren; Alyssa Ryan and Brody Broxon. He was preceded in death by a son, Henry Darwin Holloman and siblings, Irene Holloman, Raymond Holloman, and Hilton Holloman. Family received friends for “Holly’s” Life Celebration on Wednesday, March 30, 2011 at the Brinsfield Funeral Home, 22955 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650. A service was held. Interment with honors will be held on Thursday, March 31, 2011 at 2 p.m. in Arlington National Cemetery. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Bay District Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 1440, California, MD 20619 or Alzheimer’s Association Southern Maryland Office, P.O. Box 1889, LaPlata, Maryland 20646 Condolences to the family may be made at www.brinsfieldfuneral.com. Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.

NY, and William Piccini of Brentwood, NY, his grandchildren; Anthony Piccini, Liza Piccini, Edward Roldan, Neicie Roldan, Christian Piccini and great grandchild, Anthony Piccini. He is also survived by one sibling, William Piccini. Mr. Piccini attended school in Brooklyn, NY, before enlisting in the United States Army in 1951, serving 2 years during the Korean War, before his separation in 1953. He was a Postal Worker for the United States Postal Service in Jamaica, NY for 20 years before his retirement in 1951. Mr. Piccini moved to St. Mary’s County in 2006. He belonged to the American Legion. The family received friends on Wednesday, March 30, 2011 in Crossroads Christian Church, St. Leonard, MD where a Funeral Service followed with Pastor Shawn Holcomb officiating. Interment followed in Charles Memorial Gardens, Leonardtown, MD. Pallbearers were Anthony Piccini, Edward Roldan, Santiago Saureg, Mikey Busanet, Pedro Echeandia and Allen Craft. To leave a condolence for the family please visit www.mgf h.com. Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A, Leonardtown, MD.

Carol Rocheteau, 60 Carol Rocheteau, 60, of Leonardtown, MD, formerly of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom, died in the early hours of March 19, 2011 amongst family

at her home on Fa i r g r o u n d s Road, Leonardtown, MD. Born 17 April, 1950 in Harrogate, Yorkshire, UK, she was the daughter of Lt. Col Peter H. Flear, OBE (deceased) and Betty May Hills. C a r o l lived 19 years with her husband, Jeff, and resided together with their children in Jacksonville, Florida, in Misterbianco, Sicily, and finally in St. Mary’s County, Maryland, which they were happy to call “home”. Carol was the eldest of four children and grew up in different countries as her father moved his family from one post to another during his service as an officer in the British Royal Signals. Moving from England to Seremban, Malaya, to Singapore, to Dover, to Germany, she was eventually sent back to the UK, along with her two sisters, to complete her secondary education at St. Mary’s Holmhurst boarding school in Hastings. Upon completing her O-levels, she applied for and was accepted for early admission to St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, London to train as a nurse, becoming a certified State Registered Nurse (SRN), before continuing training in midwifery at Ham-

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Anthony Piccini, 79 Anthony Piccini, 79, of California, MD, formerly of Long Island, NY died March 26, 2011 in St. Mary’s Hospital, Leonardtown, MD. Born October 13 1931 in Brooklyn, NY, he was the son of late Pasquel and Emily Cintron Piccini. He was the former husband of the late Jenny Piccini who preceded him in death on April 26, 2002. Mr. Piccini is survived by his children; Sonia Piccini and Jesus Piccini both of CT, Ada Roldan of California, MD, Anthony Piccini of Queens,

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The County Times

Thursday, March 31, 2011

12

Continued mersmith Hospital London, and then completing additional post-graduate training at Oxford Polytechnic, becoming a qualified Health Visitor. Carol joined the Save the Children Fund (UK), and worked for several years, first in Surkhet, Nepal and then Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand, as a nurse and health visitor. In both countries, she earned respect for her technical and managerial expertise, as she did in Thailand. Sent to manage under the under 5’s pediatric health program in a well-established, 40,000 strong Lao refugee center in Ubon, Carol found two clinics - one for medical care and the other for nutrition, with duplicated processes and no communication between the two. Mothers had to stand in line, first for one clinic, and then for the other. Additionally, food given to the mothers was somehow finding its way to the local market instead of to the children. Carol consulted with two fellow aid workers and they decided to shake things up, resulting in a new, single center being constructed under their direction all of bamboo. Carol was in her element as she oversaw the children being fed, while their mothers were provided health advice, clothes, and medical care. After her SCF stints overseas, Carol returned to the UK to work as a health visitor with the National Health Service near her parents’ home in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. Her last assignment there involved training health visitors in the new field of computerized records keeping. In 1991, she and Jeff married, and Carol left England for the States where she was happy to live the life of wife and homemaker. She enjoyed helping people, was an enthusiastic walker, loved good food, good books, and good conversation, and was passionate about cooking (and collecting cookery books). Her baking repertoire ranged from quick-and-easy scones to elaborately decorated cakes, and she could produce a gluten-free pancake or bread loaf as good as any wheaten version. She was addicted to murder mysteries in any form

- books, movies, or productions made for television. Her greatest pleasures were always the simple ones that came just from being at home with family or visiting with friends. Carol had a knack for organization, money management, and loved getting a bargain when making a purchase. When their children entered middle school, she once again put her skills to work helping people, working part time work with H.O.P.E. of Southern Maryland, first as a volunteer and then as co-director of volunteers. Her greatest organizational accomplishments still came from the daily running of a home, nurturing her family, and raising her two children, in whom she instilled strong values, including a love for people, enthusiasm for travel, and a deep appreciation for experiencing different cultures in our world. Known for her sense of humor and optimism, Carol managed to lead a happy life, in spite of the fact that she suffered from multiple myeloma. Never one to complain, many never knew that she was undergoing treatment. Though sadly her life was cut short by this incurable and unrelenting disease, happily she lived eleven years longer than her original prognosis in 2000. Carol is survived by her husband Jeff, and their two children; Kate and Robert of Leonardtown, MD, as well as her mother, Betty Flear residing near Rushwick, Worcestershire, sister Susie Smith of Norwich, Norfolk, sister Diana Scott of Lower Binton, Warwickshire, and brother James H. H. Flear of Birmingham, all of the UK. She was preceded in death by her father, who died in September 2010. A private cremation was held 21 March 2011 care of Brinsfield - Echols Funeral Home in Charlotte Hall, MD. The family will receive friends on Sunday, April 17th, 2011 from 2:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. for a celebration of Carol’s life in the Reconstructed State House of 1676 at Historic St Mary’s City. Driving directions are available online at http://www.

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stmaryscity.org/Location.html . Refreshments will be served. In lieu of f lowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Carol Flear Rocheteau Memorial Fund. To make your tax-deductible donation, please go to http://www.friendsofnepal.com/ and use the link provided or send a check (make payable to: Friends of Nepal/ Carol R Fund) and mail to: Friends of Nepal c/o Suzie Schneider 181 Mary Jo Lane Sequim, WA 98382 Mail in forms will be provided at the reception. Condolences to the family may be made at www.brinsfieldfuneral.com. Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.

Ruth Talley, 87 Ruth Talley, 87, of Mechanicsville, MD, died on March 27, 2011 at her residence. Born on March 17, 1924 in New Brighten, PA, she was the daughter of Henry Burger and Carrie Daniels Burger. Ruth graduated from Langley High School in Washington, DC. She worked for a publishing company, Federal Lithograph. She was a member of Clifton Park church in Silver Spring, MD. Survived by a daughter, Marion and husband, Jimmy Firebaugh of Mechanicsville, MD, grandchildren, Michael and Christopher McCabe, John and Amanda Talley. Predeceased by her husband, Warren Lilly Talley, a son, Leroy Talley, and siblings, Eva May Lindhal, Bettie McCreary, Carl, Ralph, and Mike Burger, and Florence Courtney. A Life celebration will be held on Thursday, March 31, 2011 from 6-8 p.m. at Brinsfield-Echols Funeral Home, P.A., 30195 Three Notch Rd., Charlotte Hall, MD where Funeral Services will be held on Friday, April 1, 2011 at 11 a.m. with Pastor Robert Kyner officiating. Interment will follow at Fort Lincoln Cemetery, 3401 Bladensburg Rd., Brentwood, MD. Serving as pallbearers will be: Michael and Christopher McCabe, Randy Shookner, Jim Ballard, and Mike and John Sumy.

James Wood, Jr., 54 James G. “Jimmy” Wood, Jr., 54, of Lexington Park, MD and formerly of Clements, MD died March 25, 2011 in Leonardtown, MD. Born on August 7, 1956 in Leonardtown, MD, he was the son of the late James G. and Mary M. Gass Wood, Sr. He is survived by his brother Charles R. Busey, Sr. of Hughesville, MD. He was preceded in death by his sister Deloras M. Thorn. Mr. Wood was a lifelong resident of St. Mary’s County and graduated from Chopticon High School in 1975.

The family received friends on Sunday, March 27, 2011 in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD where prayers were recited with Deacon Bill Nickerson officiating. A funeral service was held on Monday, March 28, 2011 in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD. Interment followed in Charles Memorial Gardens, Leonardtown, MD. Contributions in memory of Mr. Wood may be made to Pathways Inc., 44101 Airport View Drive, P.O. Box 129, Hollywood, MD 20636. To send a condolence to the family please visit our website at www.mgf h.com. Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A.

Helen Tippet, 87 H e l e n Marie Tippet, age 87, of Huntingtown, died on Tuesday, March 15, 2011 at the Calvert County Nursing Center. Helen was born in Waterloo, Iowa to Beulah and Paul Andresen, on March 21, 1923. In 1947, Helen married the late Paul E. Tippet. While residing in Elkhart, Indiana, Helen attended Nursing School and received her RN degree. She was the loving mother of Michael A. Tippet, Carol Ann Raffensperger and Paula Marie Fogleman. She was a devoted grandmother of Steven Tippet, Harvey Raffensperger, Christina Cox, Danielle Raffensperger and Susan Marie Fogleman. Helen was the loving greatgrandmother of five great-grandchildren. In 1958 the family moved to the DC area, then to the Davidsonville area in 1971. In 1997, Paul and Helen celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary. After 54 years of marriage, Paul passed away in 2001. Helen was always busy. As a member of the Black-eyed Susan Cat Club, she demonstrated her love of animals, especially her cats. She enjoyed bowling at the Dodge Park Bowling Alley, watching the wild birds in her yard and crocheting numerous items for her family. All of these brought much joy to her life. Helen was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Huntingtown, and a former member of the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Virginia Beach, Virginia. To know Helen was to love her and witness her love of God, family and life. The love Helen had for and received from her family enabled her to get through many difficult times. It also gave her many blessings, wonderful memories and lots of laughter. A Memorial Service was held at the First Lutheran Church in Huntingtown, on Friday, March 18, 2011. Memorial contributions may be made in Helen’s memory to: ASPCA, 520 8th Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, New York 10018, 800-628-0028. Arrangements provided by Lee Funeral Home.


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The County Times

Thursday, March 31, 2011

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In The

Know Education

The County Times

Thursday, March 31, 2011

14

BECA Hosts Annual Scholarship Fundraiser By Sarah Miller Staff Writer The St. Mary’s County Business, Education and Community Alliance (BECA) held a silent auction fundraiser for its scholarship opportunities Friday evening, welcoming members from all over the tri-county area. “The whole idea of business being able to support schools is great,” said John Felicitas, the vice principal of North Point High School in Charles County and one of the listed event sponsors. School employees weren’t the only ones to come and attend the fundraiser.

“We support BECA 100 percent,” said county commissioner Todd Morgan while looking at the items donated for the silent auction. When the dollars were tallied up from Friday night, the take totaled $13,000, according to Bob Schaller, BECA president and the county’s director of economic and community development. The money will go to fund 13 BECA scholarships for the coming year. BECA was started in 1989 as a joint venture between the St. Mary’s Chamber of Commerce and St. Mary’s County Public Schools. Since the founding of BECA, it has gone through several changes, including the disuse of the Passport to the Future program and the

Martha and Bill Hanford place bids for the silent auction portion of Friday’s fundraiser.

installation of a common application listing BECA’s scholarships, along with other local scholarships that would not normally get a lot of advertising. In total, there are normally 33 scholarships listed on the common application. Schaller said there is a problem with getting too many scholarships listed on the application – BECA won’t be able to have across the board standards for all applications. Currently, many applications are the same with some differences in the essays that are required. If BECA gets too many scholarships for students to apply to, there may be a lot more work for the students in writing different essays as well more letters needed from teachers and references. “As the tent gets bigger, the challenge to keep it uniform is bigger,” Schaller said. This year, 230 students applied for scholarships, which Schaller said is a 15 percent increase over the applications received last year.

Bob Schaller addresses the crowd during the auction fundraiser Friday evening.

Readers Welcome at Evergreen Elementary School By Sarah Miller Staff Writer For the first time, in celebration of National Library Week, Evergreen Elementary School will be inviting members of the community to come in and read to the students. Melinda Paglierani, librarian at Evergreen, said library week is a national event sponsored by the American Library Association and they already have members of the county commissioners, the St. Mary’s County Public Schools central administration and the school board signing up to read at Evergreen. County Commissioner Cindy Jones is one of the people signed up to come read to a class at Evergreen. “I’m looking forward to it,” Jones said. She said it’s important to encourage children to read, and she’s excited to be involved. She plans on bringing a book from home to read to the children. Paglierani said people should RSVP for reading times by April 1 so the school can have the schedule worked out before people come in and read. The national library week is from April 10 through the 16. She said the school decided it would be nice to do something to celebrate national library week, and she would like to see the event become an annual one. “We thought we’d give it a try,” Paglierani said. Linda Dudderar, the chief academic officer for St. Mary’s County Public Schools, will also be reading at Evergreen. “Reading is at the heart of education,” Dudderar said. She said she hasn’t selected the book she will be reading, but she knows the book will have to be special for two reasons. The first is because she’ll be reading to young children

County commissioner Cindy Jones

and the second is because the class she will be reading to will be her granddaughter’s. Dudderar said her granddaughter will be helping her to select the book to read, and it will be a favorite of both Dudderar and her granddaughter. She said the best thing about national reading week is that it gives the community an opportunity to come in and read to the children, which Dudderar said is a “win-win” situation all around. sarahmiller@countytimes.net

He said one of the best parts of the scholarship process is having students in to interview. He said they are hopeful and have big dreams for the road ahead, which makes him feel hopeful and optimistic in turn. “You get refreshed on the future,” Schaller said. He said one thing on the horizon for BECA is making it a foundation, with a classification as a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization. He said that would allow them to take donations beyond liquid, cash donations and give them an opportunity to offer renewable scholarships for students beyond their first year of college. “We’ve had tremendous request for year two scholarships,” Schaller said. For more information on BECA, visit www.smcbeca.org/BECA. sarahmiller@countytimes.net

Schools Raise Funds for Japan The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) is asking Maryland schools and school systems to help the people of Japan following the devastating earthquake and subsequent tsunami that damaged much of the Tōhoku region two weeks ago. The Maryland Kids Care Campaign: Operation Japan is asking Maryland’s 1,500 public schools to collect pennies— and more—to help aid victims. The fundraising effort begins on Friday, April 1 and will run through May 13. MSDE is partnering with the American Red Cross Central Maryland Chapter in the relief effort. The American Red Cross is supporting the Japanese Red Cross, whose employees and volunteers are directly providing emergency relief, medical services, and emotional counseling to affected communities. “Our children are caring and compassionate, and they are interested in the world around them,” State Superintendent of Schools Nancy Grasmick said in a press release. “The Japanese people have experienced an unprecedented natural disaster, and this campaign will provide students an opportunity to get involved—and learn—in a tangible and important way.” Maryland students have become involved in other recent disaster relief efforts. Six years ago, when Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast, Maryland schools raised more than $1.3 million. Last year, following the Haiti disaster, schools raised close to $500,000. For more information on the campaign, visit www.MarylandPublicSchools.org, or call the Maryland State Department of Education at 410-767-0369.


Thursday, March 31, 2011

The County Times

Know

In The

15

Education

Ryken Team Rocks Mock Court Room By Sarah Miller Staff Writer Under the guidance of Leeanne Carr, faculty mentor and coach for the St. Mary’s Ryken mock trial team, and Samuel Baldwin Jr., the attorney coach for the team, the students won the 7th Circuit Championship and will be moving on to the Elite 8 Round on April 5. The St. Mary’s Ryken mock trial team faced DePhotos courtesy of St. Mary’s Ryken Matha High School at the Upper Marlboro Courthouse Ryan Kelley, left, confers with fellow teammates John Houser and on March 22 at the statewide Elohe Dereje during a session of the Mock Trial Competition. mock trial competition, a press release stated. Baldwin, an attorney with Baldwin and Briscoe, said this is his sixth year helping to coach the team and the fourth year the team has won the 7th Circuit Championship. Baldwin told The County Times that he used to sit as a judge for the competition and he always tried to explain to the teams what they could have done differently, or better, for a more favorable outcome. The problem was it was all after-the-fact advice. He then decided he wanted to get involved in a team and help “make the finished product.” He said he tries to teach the students general strategies before they receive the scenario they will be using at the mock trials. row, from left: Elohe Dereje, Rachel Murree, Ramon GonzalezAccording to Baldwin, Front Cela, and Leeanne Carr. Second row, from the left: Chelsea Lollar, there are several benefits for Samuel Baldwin, Alex Wyville, Ryan Kelley and John Houser. the students who get involved in the mock trials. They learn senior John Houser was recognized for the how to speak confidently and think quickly second consecutive year as the best overall in high stress situations, which will help attorney in the regional competition and juthem in interviews and other parts of life, nior Ryan Kelley was recognized as the best even if they don’t plan to become lawyers. defense attorney. He said a big difference between the On April 5, the team travels to Ellicott mock court and a real trial is that often, go- City for the net round and, if they are sucing into a real trial, the lawyer will have an cessful there, they will go to Annapolis for idea of what the outcome will be. In the mock the Final Four round. Approximately 200 trials, there are several different variables high schools compete statewide in eight cirthat could determine the outcome of the tri- cuits, and there are 32 schools in the 7th Cirals, like the talent of the opposing team and cuit representing Prince George’s, Calvert, the judge, and “you just don’t know what the Charles and St. Mary’s counties. result will be until the judge announces it,” Baldwin said. sarahmiller@countytimes.net At the competition, St. Mary’s Ryken

SMCPS Fine Arts Camp Schedule Changed St. Mary’s County Fine Arts Camps will be offered this summer on a revised schedule. Due to issues associated with the current 2011-2012 budget, the school system will be operating on a four-day week and so will the Fine Arts Camp. The new dates will be June 27 - 30, 2011, for students completing grades 3, 4, and 5; and July 11 - 14, 2011 for students completing grades 6, 7, and 8. Students will need to provide their own transportation to Leonardtown High School and their own lunch. The camp will provide a morning and afternoon snack. Students in band and orchestra will also need to provide

their instrument and any necessary supplies (reeds, strings, etc.). The camp will provide all other supplies. The tuition for the camp is $112 for students attending schools in St. Mary’s County and $152 for students attending schools not in St. Mary’s County. There will be no tuition refunds. There are a limited number of scholarships available. Students attending nonpublic schools are encouraged to attend. Applications for the Summer Fine Arts Camp can be downloaded at www.smcps. org. For more information, contact Lynne Morgan Smoot at 301-475-5511, ext. 112.

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Thursday, March 31, 2011

The County Times STORY

Calvert Cliffs Officials Tout Reactor Safety, Emergency Response Plans By Guy Leonard Staff Writer Emergency management officials here say that they have the resources to deal with the consequences of a critical accident at Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant in Lusby, while Constellation Energy officials told elected leaders that the plant is built to standards high enough to successfully withstand the kind of disaster that has befallen the reactors in Fukushima, Japan following a devastating earthquake and tsunami. George Gellrich, the site vice president for Constellation’s nuclear energy group, said that the company paid more than $26 million for security upgrades at the facility in 2010 and that the position of the facility on a 45-foot hill above sea level could defeat a wave the size of the one that hit in Japan estimated at about 30 feet. The plant was also hardened against a potential terrorist strike of a large, hijacked passenger plane, Gellrich said. The facility is also positioned on land where a large earthquake was deemed unlikely, Gellrich said. “We’re well positioned as far as a geographical location,” Gellrich told St. Mary’s commissioners Tuesday, adding that 2,500 feet of soil underneath the facility before a bedrock layer would provide dampening of any seismic forces that would hit the plant. Gerald Gardiner, emergency management manager for St. Mary’s County, said that the key to the local response would involve being proactive in telling residents to either take shelter or evacuate before a radiation leak from the plant occurred. “We’re not going to wait until there’s a crack [in the reactor’s containment shield],” Gardiner said. “We have a lot of people and we can’t wait.” Gardiner said that even the lowest level of an alert at the plant, for something like a trespasser, warranted informing

county officials, but the emergency operations center would not be staffed until there was a more serious threat at the plant. Government officials from all three counties in the 10mile emergency zone around the plant – St. Mary’s, Calvert and Dorchester – would keep in constant contact for the duration of any emergency, he said, and multiple lines of communication are available in case anyone of them failed. “There’s a lot of redundancy,” Gardiner said. If county officials decided to start evacuations from the 10-mile zone, residents would be guided out of the county by law enforcement and highway workers, he said, because intersections on routes 235, 5 and 234 would be closed off to ensure everyone headed only north. The issue, Gardiner said, was not with resources or preparation but with the fact that residents might not wish to evacuate or take potassium iodide pills designed to combat radiation absorption. Also residents should each have their own individual or family plan to cope with any such emergency by having food, water and other items available as well as an option of where to meet if separated once they’ve left the county. While the county has made preparations to shelter residents, he said, it is not a substitute for personal planning. County Health Officer Dr. William Icenhower said that radiation can be lethal in enough quantities to cause the body’s cells to produce cancer over time or massive, short term exposure can cause radiation poisoning leading to the destruction of cells that make up the body’s immune system. This can lead to death from a simple infection, he said. Currently the county has placed potassium iodide in all schools, daycare centers and first responder stations in the 10mile zone, with an additional 20, 000 potassium iodide tablets on hand as well as 600 bottles of liquid treatment for small children, according to the health department.

Bobby Fenwick, emergency management director for Calvert County, said that there were more than 92,000 doses of potassium iodide available for Calvert residents in the 10-mile zone. About 30,000 doses have already been distributed and there are still 62,000 available. Fenwick said that Calvert County’s emergency operations center would keep in constant contact with its Constellation counterpart on Skipjack Road in Prince Frederick in case of a reactor accident or emergency. Of the four levels of emergencies for the facility, the third, a site area emergency, activates the emergency response centers, and also alerts schools and parks within the 10-mile zone to possibly close down. At this level of emergency, radiation release from the nuclear reactors is possible. At the fourth and highest level of emergency, a general emergency, the redundant safety features at the facility have failed and a radiation release could be eminent. Officials could then open up evacuation routes as well as advise sheltering animals and taking potassium iodide pills. The reactor plant has only ever had one alert in its history, said Rick Woods, senior emergency preparedness analyst for CENG, when all outside power sources to the plant failed. This is a reactor emergency of the second kind, Woods said, and backup generators at the plant activated to forestall the emergency while main power was later restored; the situation did not call for the emergency centers to activate. “Everything worked as designed,” Woods said. “But that’s not a situation we want to be in.” A report was made public recently from a Calvert Cliffs plant manager warning of lax safety standards at the plant, (See Story Page 8) specifically roof leaks, which were linked to a February 2010 shutdown of the reactors after back up power generators failed. Thomas Trepanier, general manager at the plant, noted in an internal power-point presentation to the company that staff at the plant had become complacent. “The station had developed a reactive culture rather than a preventive strategy on dealing with roof leaks, thereby eliminating an increased sensitivity to and tolerating degraded roof conditions,” Trepanier stated in his presentation, though he praised plant personnel with ensuring last year’s failure did not get worse. “Good human performance, fundamental behaviors and training prevented the situation from deteriorating,” Trepanier stated in the presentation. Gardiner said St. Mary’s County would participate in a major emergency preparedness exercise in September, while the siren system would undergo its next test April 4. The sirens are one of the most important parts of the warning system, and are tested constantly even if it’s just to ensure that they are receiving command signals and not sounded. “There’s a silent test done everyday,” Gardiner said.

Bobby Fenwick, emergency management director for Calvert County, talks with members of the media about the county’s emergency response plans in the event of a radiation release from Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant. Behind Fenwick is an electronic display of a 10-mile radius for predicted fallout around the plant.

guyleonard @ count y times.net


Newsmakers

The County Times

Thursday, March 31, 2011

18

Making Music a Life Long Experience By Sarah Miller Staff Writer Learning music is like learning any other language – it’s easier if a person grows up with it. Jennifer Anderson is doing her best to make sure children of all ages, from infancy on up, are exposed to music in all its forms. Anderson uses “Musikgarten” instructional methods to instruct children from the cradle to age 9 using classes that are geared to their age groups and levels. For infants up to 16 months, there is Family Music for Babies. In that class, parents and their children experience music and rhythm through bouncing and rocking songs. Anderson said the parents also lift their children in the air during certain exercises, and the motions help with physical development. “It’s more than just fun for the moms,” Anderson said. Family Music for Toddlers is the next class, covering children from 16 months through 3 years old. They begin learning motor skills, body awareness, gross motor movement and impulse control through games and activities set to music. Some of the games include sudden stops and starts, which helps the children develop control over their bodies and impulse control. There are also moments where the children have to sit still and listen to a sound, like a bird’s chirp or a frog’s

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croak, without making any noise, which helps develop the toddlers listening skills. “We address the whole child,” Anderson said. Children ages 3 to 4 can attend the Cycle of the Seasons, which Anderson said begins integrating the imagination while listening to instrumental and classical pieces. Lately, they have been listening to a piece and pretending to plant a garden, where they act out the lives of daffodils, from planting them in the ground, to watching them sprout, bloom and die. Anderson said this also begins teaching the children about the life cycle. During different times of year, she uses frogs as the subject instead of daffodils.

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Laura Steiner helps her daughter beat the drum during Family Music for Babies. Photos By Sarah Miller

“The 3 and 4 year olds love how they use their imaginations more,” Anderson said. Children between the ages of 4 and 6 begin learning on a larger scale in Music Makers: At Home in the World, and Music Makers: Around the World. In these classes, children begin learning about tonal rhythms and patterns, as well as pitch and other more advanced musical concepts. “This is all leading up to beginning to read music,” Anderson said. Music Makers at the Keyboard is the final class, taking children from the ages of 7 up. In that class, they begin reading music, transposing pieces from one key to another and recognizing patterns and pieces of music. They learn the basics of ear training and sight-reading

as well. She said everything is centered on the key of D major, which is one of the easiest for the largest number of people to access and sing along to. Rebekah Kunz, one of the mothers who has been going to Music Time for nine years, said she likes that it help expose children to music young. She has put four children through the classes, including one in the Family Music for Babies and another in the Music Makers at the Keyboard. She also said the instructor is a big reason she keeps coming back. “I like Jennifer, she’s a good teacher,” Kunz said. The next mini session is from May 3 through May 25 in the mornings. The summer session is six weeks starting June 7. All the classes are held at 44150 Airport View Drive in Hollywood. For more information about Musikgarten, visit www.musikgarten.org. To enroll a child in Music Time, visit www. musictimesomd.com, e-mail info@musictimesomd.com or call 301-863-7836. sarahmiller@countytimes.net


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Thursday, March 31, 2011

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The County Times

Community

Parish Dinner/Festival

A Parish Dinner/Festival will be held on Sunday, May 1st from 12 Noon till 5 p.m., in Immaculate Conception Church Parish Center, located at 28297 Old Village Road, Mechanicsville, directly behind the church. The menu includes: Steamship Round, Crab Balls, Southern Fried Chicken, Green Beans, Beets, Applesauce, Coleslaw, Potatoes, Garden Salad, Rolls, Desserts, and Beverages. The cost is: $18.00 for adults and carry out and $7.00 for children ages 6 to 12,

and children under 6 eat free. Come out and enjoy a fantastic meal and participate in the festivities: Big Raffle, 50-50 Raffle, White Elephant Table, Bake Table, Plant Table, Door Prizes, Bingo and more. Lots of fun for the whole family. All proceeds to benefit the hall building fund. This year’s event is being chaired by the IC Angels (Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary). For information/tickets call 301884-3123 or 301-274-1931.

Plant Sale and Free Plant Exchange

Whether you are a novice or an experienced gardener, a long-time resident or new to the area, Sotterley Plantation invites you to revel in the wonders of springtime at the 13th Annual Plant Sale and Free Plant Exchange on Saturday, April 30. The Plant Sale, sponsored by the Sotterley Garden Guild, will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Because of their dedication to this National Historic Landmark, these nurturing volunteers have not only raised thousands of dollars in support of Sotterley Plantation, but they are also responsible for the maintenance of exquisite Colonial Revival Garden. Their passion for beauty is evident to the smallest of details, so take the opportunity to appreciate their horticultural artistry. The Free Plant Exchange will run from 10 a.m. to Noon. Your plants in exchange for other annuals, perennials, herbs, vegetables, shrubs, trees, bulbs and seeds. “Every year the warehouse overhang is filled and overflowing with plants – all from someone’s garden so they will thrive in this area,” stated Linda Bazemore, Free Plant Exchange Coordinator. “And as long as we have plants available, people can go through the line as many times as they would like.” For information regarding the Free Plant Exchange, call 301-904-3439. For more information on upcoming Sotterley Plantation events, visit our website at www.sotterley.org.

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Young Life Entertainment Night A night filled with entertainment by kids who are involved in the Young Life program is being held on Saturday, April 9 from 6:30 - 9pm at the Lexington Park United Methodist Church, 21760 Great Mills Road. The purpose of this event is to introduce parents and other interested adults to the Young Life mission, while showcasing our kids and helping them to raise funds to defray the cost of going to camp this summer. The target audience for the night is parents of Saint Mary’s County high school and middle school kids who are already involved with Young Life, parents who would like to know more about Young Life, potential adult leaders and support team members, teachers, and folks from Charles & Calvert Counties who might be interested in helping to get new Young Life ministries started. The cost of admission is only $5. Tickets will be available at the door. Space is limited - first come, first served.

FDR Boulevard Progress to be Discussed George Erichsen, Director of Public Works and Transportation for St. Mary’s County will be the guest speaker at the April 14 meeting of the League of Women Voters of St. Mary’s County. Mr. Erichsen will discuss the current status and future plans for FDR Boulevard. The luncheon meeting will be at Lenny’s Restaurant on Rte 235 in California at 11:30 a.m. For lunch

reservations please call 301-737-0790 no later than Monday, April 11. Interested members of the public are invited to attend and participate. The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan community-based political organization founded in 1920, encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government. Learn more at the website www.smc.lwvmd.org.

NARFE, Chapter 969 Luncheon/Meeting April 13, at 10 a.m., is the deadline for making reservations for the St. Mary’s County Chapter 969, National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE, luncheon/meeting. The luncheon/meeting will be held at Olde Breton Inn in Leonardtown, Friday, April 15. The cost of the luncheon buffet is $14.50. The social hour begins at 11:00 a.m., and lunch is at noon. The program for the April meeting will be music by Harold Wood, Kenny Wathen & Cecil Norris. Reservations for lunch are required -- call Judy Loflin, 301-872-0064. Members will be charged for the cost of lunch if reservations are not kept or cancelled by the deadline. If you are interested in only attending the meeting, it begins at 12:45 p.m.

Four Generations of Workers Expected at Job Fair The College of Southern Maryland is hosting its annual TriCounty Job and Career Fair for students and community members at the La Plata Campus April 7. “This is a different time in our community’s history. It’s the first time we have four generations of workers looking for jobs,” Assistant Director, Advisement and Career Services Lisa Warren said in a press release. Presented by the college’s Career Services office, the job fair brings more than 40 area employers representing area hospitals; utility, real estate and insurance companies; federal and local government; and non-profit organizations to the campus. Businesses in Southern Maryland will be recruiting for current job openings as well as advising on future career opportunities and internships within their organizations. In addition to employer booths, human resources professionals from the Naval Research Laboratory will lead a workshop on the federal government hiring process with up-to-date information on new forms and procedures. Career Services will have a Resume RX table staffed by career professionals who will review and provide feedback and recommendations to participants throughout the day. Attendees should be ready to sit for an interview with an employer on the spot, said Warren. “That means you are dressed as you would be for an interview, you have a polished resume in hand and you have practiced how you will answer questions about your experience and goals,” Warren said. “A lot of people make the mistake of going to a job fair unprepared. There is a lot of work to do before you get there if you want to make the most of your day and if you want to make the best first impression.” For information on CSM’s Career Services and a list of employers participating in the Job and Career Fair, visit http://www. csmd.edu/careerservices/.

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Attendees at the CSM hosted Tri-County Job Fair should arrive ready to sit for an interview with an employer on the spot.


21

The County Times

Thursday, March 31, 2011

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

301-870-7111 1-800-279-7545 www.pahotchkiss.com

Serving the Southern Maryland Area

Accepting All Major Credit Cards

301-866-0777

Est. 1982

snheatingac.com

Lic #12999

Pub & Grill

Bldg Service Worker Must have exp in commercial cleaning. Drug free environment. Must have valid Driver’s Lic. & clean criminal background. Send resume to rtlawnmaint@ aol.com or fax to 301-863-3366 Sparkling Touch Janitorial Service.

Yard and Estate Sales

www.dbmcmillans.com

HUGHESVILLE Indoor Estate Sale 4/02 & 4/03 8am-3pm 6915 Olive Damsel • Ct Lake Jameson

358 Days Till St. Patrick’s Day Entertainment All Day

Services

301-737-0777

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

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

Employment

Ground Maintenance Tech. Experience in ground maintenance a plus. Valid DL Required. Background check and drug testing required. RT’s Lawn Maintenance. 301-863-5199.

23415 Three Notch Road California Maryland

Hello, my name is Misty. I was thrown out of a car and left by the side of the road. Thankfully a kind person heard me scream and rescued me and called Feral Cat Rescue. I am now with Diane at my foster home. At first I was shy and scared; but she found out quickly that I am extremely sweet and loving. She made me trust people again; gave me lots of love and petting. I finally became friends with all the other cats that she is fostering. I am very affectionate and spend time on the couch with my foster mom sitting on her lap. Then I follow her to bed and sleep with her! I am looking for a permanent home with lots of love. If you would like to adopt me, please fill out an application at www.feralcatrescuemd.org and email it to moonandhunt@hotmail.com. or call Diane at 301-481-0171. P.S. I am less than a year old! Feral Cat Rescue is always looking for volunteers and foster homes as well as suitable outside accommodations for kitties who need to be outside all the time and fed. All of FCR cats are vetted and have all shots and are neutered. Please help them help us!

Small unfurnished one bedroom apt, $900.00 per month, Utilities included. Washer & Dryer on premises. Garage Parking, No Section 8, No Pets, Non Smoker. Minutes from PAX River. Lease and security deposit required. Applicants subject to background check. If interested, call Dana @ 301737-1257 or email dwcullison@smcm.edu

Home Cleaning Service Cleaning done right, Call Mr. Davis 301-247-3569

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


The County Times

Thursday, March 31 • Basket Bingo Benefit to Raise Funds for Chopticon High Mechanicsville Fire House Social Hall (28165 Hills Club Road, Mechanicsville) – 7 p.m. The Charlotte Hall Rotary Club will host their 6th annual basket bingo. Proceeds will benefit the 2011 college scholarship fund for graduating seniors at Chopticon High School. Reserve a seat in advance to be included in a free drawing for the 2011 Easter Basket. The person who brings the most people with them will win the new Maddy Handbag and Cell Phone Case Combo. All regular game baskets will have liners and protectors. Admission is $20 for 20 games and its an additional $5 for extra game packet. There will also be five fantastics, pull-tab for baskets, door prizes, 50/50 raffle, basket raffle, refreshments and more. Call Shirley at 240298-3885 or 301-904-0642 to be included in the basket drawing.

Friday, April 1 • St. John’s School Open House St. John’s School (43900 Saint Johns Road, Hollywood) – 10 a.m. St. John’s School will be holding an open house. They are now Enrolling Pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade. St. John’s School is fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. Before and after care is available. • Lenten Seafood Dinners Immaculate Heart of Mary Church (22375 Three Notch Road, Lexington Park) – 4:30 p.m. Everybody is welcome and carryout meals will be available. The prices range from $7 to $15 and children under the age of three eat free. The Lenten Dinners will be offered every Friday until April 15. For more information, call 301-863-8144. • Artisan of the Month Craft Guild Shop (26005 Point Lookout Road, Leonardtown) – 5 p.m. The Craft Guild Shop’s featured artisan for the month of April will be Tori Hosier of Granny Hoppers, who makes Black Hat Society soap, hand poured scented candles and faux food candles, plus a line of bath and body items. For more information, please call 301-997-1644. • Michael Bell Fenwick Street Used Books and Music (41655 Fenwick Street, Leonardtown) – 5 p.m. Fenwick Street Used Books & Music is proud to present Michael Bell for First Friday. Michael Bell is a local singersongwriter in the acoustic rock genre who has performed at a number of First Friday events as well as at other local venues such as The Coffee Quarter, The North End Gallery, and The Hilton Garden Inn. Michael’s music focuses on themes surrounding family, faith, and social and environmental responsibility.

Saturday, April 2 • Father Andrew White School Fun Run St. Mary’s Ryken High School (22600

Camp Calvert Road Leonardtown) – 7:30 a.m. The Father Andrew White School will host their 3rd Annual FAW 5K and 1-mile Fun Run at St. Mary’s Ryken High School. Start your spring off right with a great run on the beautiful rolling hill course through downtown historic Leonardtown. To pre-register, please complete the registration form found at http://fatherandrewwhite.org/faw-3rd-annual-5krun-april-2-2011/ and mail in. Registration is $20. There will also be same-day registration for a $25 fee. For more information or for questions, contact Christa Hayes at Christa.Hayes@smrhs.org or Kathy Magiera at KMagiera_5@hotmail. com. The run is sponsored by Chesapeake Bay Running Club. • Boating Instruction Southern Maryland Higher Education Center (44219 Airport Road, California) – 9 a.m. A full day of boating instruction by the Patuxent River Sail and Power Squadron. The first topic is using VHF & VHF/ DSC Marine Radio. The cost is $31 for USPS members/$51 non-members and people will learn everything they need to know using VHF/DSC including how VHF’s work and their controls, using the correct channels and procedures, advanced methods of communication and more. The second topic begins at 1 p.m. and is Partners in Command, An introduction to command for partners and crew. The price for admission is $36 USPS members/$56 non-members. This seminar can give family crews the confidence they need to handle an emergency that may strike at anytime while boating. Partners and crew will learn boat handling, rules of the road and navigation aids, emergencies on-board and safety equipment, and how to call for help using VHF Communications. • Asbury Solomons Sale Asbury Solomons Retirement Community (11100 Asbury Circle, Solomons) – 9 a.m. The sale will include Betty’s Closet resale clothing, a boutique with better quality gently used clothing and accessories. There will also have a collection of evening gowns. Books will also be on sale from the Asbury library. All proceeds go to benefit Asbury Solomons Benevolent Care Fund. For more information, call 410-394-3483. • Masonic Lodge Open House Thomas J. Shryock Lodge 223 (24410 Mervell Dean Road, Hollywood) – 10 a.m. The Grand Lodge of Maryland of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons invites the public to an open house at every lodge in the State of Maryland. Officers and members will be available to answer questions about Freemasonry and additional associated bodies such as the Eastern Stars, Scottish Rite, Job’s Daughters and MeMolay. Light refreshments will be served.

Sunday, April 3 • Spring Breakfast Mechanicsville Volunteer Rescue Squad (28120 Old Flora Corner Road Mechanicsville) – 8 a.m. The cost for adults will be $8 and

Thursday, March 31, 2011

22

children ages 8 and under will be $5. Breakfast will include 
pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, sausage gravy and biscuits, hash browns, donuts, orange juice, apple juice and coffee.

Monday, April 4 • Wire Wrapping Jewelry Class Garvery Senior Activity Center (41780 Baldridge Street, Leonardtown) – 1 p.m. The cost is $60 for individuals 60 years of age or older and $70 for all others. The class is Designed specifically for beginners. Wire wrap is a hand-fabricated method of jewelry design and creation. It involves the use of tools to bind and twist wires together. Some of the basic techniques include twisting the wire, wrapping a wire bundle, crimping or flattening the wrap, scrolling and shaping. This jewelry making technique is possible to learn and perform in home studios because the needed tools are simple. It does not involve the use of solder, fire, chemicals or complicated machinery. People will not leave with a finished product but with the knowledge to complete your own wrapped piece. To register for this class visit www. csmd.edu/OnlineServices/coned/registration.html or call 240-725-5300

Tuesday, April 5 • Nature Time At Greenwell Greenwell State Park (25450 Rosedale Manor Lane, Hollywood) – 10 a.m. Enjoy the wonders of nature at Greenwell State Park through games, crafts, stories, movement, and exploration. Nature Time is a program for young children and their families/caregivers. This week’s theme is “Hittin’ the White Trail.” Preregistration no later than 24 hours in advance is required via email at lpranzo@ greenwellfoundation.org or by calling the Greenwell Foundation office at 301-3739775. Visit www.greenwellfoundation.org or call 301-373-9775 for the schedule and for more information.

Wednesday, April 6 • Free Line Dance Lessons Hotel Charles (15100 Burnt Store Road, Hughesville) – 7 p.m. The Boot Scooters of Southern Maryland are offering free Line Dance Lessons. The lessons will be followed by the regular weekly practice session. Anyone interested in obtaining more information about these lessons or interested joining the Boot Scooters of Southern Maryland can contact them through link on their website at http://www.bootscootersofsomd.blogspot. com/

L ibrary Items • Families can enjoy free movie matinee Families can drop in for a free movie at Leonardtown on Apr. 1 at 2 p.m. The PG rated movie is about a bandit, Flynn Rider, who hides in a tower and finds Rapunzel. Snacks are provided. • LEGO fun and storytimes planned LEGO Fun is planned at Charlotte Hall on Apr. 1 for children ages 3-6 from 10-11:30 a.m. and for ages 6 and older from 1-2:30 p.m. Lexington Park will offer LEGO Fun for ages 6 and older on Apr. 1 from 2-3:30 p.m. LEGOs are provided at both libraries. An evening storytime will be held at Lexington Park on Apr. 6 at 6 p.m. followed by LEGO fun for all ages at 6:30 p.m. Charlotte Hall and Leonardtown will offer an evening storytime on Apr. 7 at 6 p.m. followed by LEGO fun for all ages at 6:30 p.m. • Poets can share poems Poets young and old are invited to come and share a favorite poem or an original one or just come to listen at the Poetry Open Mic on Apr. 6 at 6 p.m. at Leonardtown. Local poet, Wendy Kibler, will be the opening reader. • Ruth Mitchell will dig into St. Mary’s City’s past Ruth Mitchell, Senior Staff Archaeologist at Historic St. Mary’s City, will discuss her work on St. John’s Site Museum and her current project at Anne Arundel Hall in St. Mary’s City at a special program on April 13 at 7 p.m. at Leonardtown. • Reception planned for Relationship Tile Project An opening reception for the Walden Sierra Relationship Tile Project will be held on April 13 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Lexington Park Library Art Gallery. The mosaics, created in workshops held at Walden Sierra in spring 2010, depict relationships known to the contributor. The mosaics will be on display through May 15. • Teens invited to TAG Teens can meet and hang out with other teens, chat up books, and play Wii at the TAG (Teen Advisory Group) meeting at Lexington Park on April 12 at 5:30 p.m., at Charlotte Hall on April 14 at 5 p.m. and at Leonardtown on April 14 at 6 p.m. Snacks are provided.

Adopt A Pet! Hello there !!! My name is Milo. I am a lovable and happy 6 month old terrier mix. I am a little shy but very sweet and soft. I love peanut butter in my red barn bones. I am looking for a family to love and a home to call my own. I am up to date on vaccinations, neutered, crate trained, house trained and identification micro chipped. For more information, please call 240-925-0628 or email lora@secondhoperescue.org.


23

The County Times

Thursday, March 31, 2011

A Journey Through Time The

(705 to date). His volunteer activities, however, extend far beyond the college. On any given day, you’re likely to find him at the Historical Society, the Court House, Sotterly or out looking for historic mills, dams and such. And, I almost forgot, he serves of innumerable committees, all involving the history of this county. When the court house burned in 1831, our early deeds were lost. Deeds contain much valuable information, i.e., who owned the property, when, and where. For those of us researching our families, it’s a good resource to determine relationships (as our marriage records were lost as well). Along comes Pete who has spent many years researching, locating, and mapping out the properties of our ancestors. I don’t know about you, but I’d like to know where they lived. Just recently I asked him to show me the location of “Recompense.” This had belonged to Philemon Davis, an ancestor of mine. Within a few hours, I had a map and that evening my husband and I rode to that area (located near the end of Flora Corner Road as it intersects Rt. 6 in Mechanicsville). There and then Philemon came alive for me. This was his home (although the house is no Pete Himmelheber longer there) City, July 2010

Chronicle

By Linda Reno Contributing Writer Over the past weekend, there were a series of events to celebrate Maryland Day. One very special event occurred at St. Mary’s College on Saturday when Pete Himmelheber received the Cross Bottony Award. I, along with a multitude of other “fans of Pete” attended. This particular award was begun by the college in 1988 and is awarded to “recognize important contributions to the preservation of Historic St. Mary’s City and the interpretation of Maryland history.” Pete serves as a volunteer tour guide at Historic St. Mary’s City. He wears his early Maryland costume and carries a wooden walking stick on which he makes a notch for each tour given

Wanderings of an Aimless

A Day in the Sun

That was the quickest snow I have ever seen; just perfect in my opinion. I like snow when it is supposed to happen, but I’m not as crazy about it coming at the end of March. We had just transplanted three forsythia plants the day before. The plants seem to be okay though. Forsythia are pretty hardy – we have never lost any of them yet. In fact they seem to grow three feet overnight. Also, forsythia are high enough and visible enough, that they will not suffer the same fate of my azaleas and irises – razed by a riding lawn mower. Usually spring comes too early for me each year, and I think, “We only had 3 weeks of Spring, and 5 weeks of Fall, but we had 22 weeks of Winter and 22 weeks of hot Summer - something is not right”. This year I am savoring every minute, every second of Spring. We are already planning 4’ x 4’ raised beds for gardening this year. The higher the better, then the voles and moles can’t destroy nature’s bounty. I’m going to plant hyacinths and every smelly flower I can think of to keep the squirrels out. I can’t believe they have not eaten the hyacinths yet – now I will look out tomorrow and the flowers will all be gone. Day lilies seem to be immune from squirrel attacks too. So I transplanted twenty or so clumps from the back yard to fill in the forty foot arc of day lilies in the front yard; where we spend most of our time. The azaleas got fertilized and my husband raked and burned. It was a good day. I stayed outside most of the day, heading inside reluctantly about 8p.m. As many of you know, when you work inside all week any time spent out of doors is to be treasured. A day with sun is really nice. I did start off with a bike ride. This is my new thing, or rather return to a favorite thing. My bike has been inside the shed for quite a long time. I asked my husband

When growing up, your loving and nurturing reply when we would question you would be -- “because I’m $#%&* right - any more questions?” Pete: “ankle biters.” Daughters: “grandchildren.” Pete: “lawn maintenance.” Daughters: “An old-fashioned, non-motorized push mower for each daughter…” Pete: “diaper.” Daughters: “T shirt from under his softball uniform (postgame!) to change daughter Nancy when he left the diaper bag at home.” Pete: “love note.” Daughters: “Scribbled message to wife left on the kitchen table (surrounded by blood after knocking his two front teeth out), with no other explanation other than he has driven himself to the hospital (or was it dentist?).” Pete: “winner.” Daughters: “Taking the crown in the $1.98 beauty contest at work, much to mom’s embarrassment.”

d Book Review

Min

By Shelby Oppermann Contributing Writer

where he lived, farmed, raised his family, and later died. I was “coming home.” Pete and his wife Lillie (Fenwick) have four grown daughters (Becky, Diane, Nancy and Susan), all of whom were at Saturday’s presentation. Obviously they were raised in a loving home, filled with laughter based on some of their comments when they learned of his nomination.

to fill the tires, oil everything that needed oiling, and check out the gears. The gears slip every few seconds, making it twice as long to get anywhere. Now, he has them adjusted just right. The only remaining problem is the seat. It hurts! I would have thought I had enough padding to not even feel the seat. No, apparently not. I have a mini couch cushion I’m thinking of strapping to the seat. The jelly leg feeling after I dismount is kind of a problem too. I bounce around off of things for awhile until I can get to my bench in the front yard. Oh, and I forgot about my ears. My ears ache after I ride my bike – not the inside, the outside. They don’t feel cold at all, not with all this hair. I can’t figure it out. I won’t even mention the weird ear thing to my husband, that is a sure set-up for another Dumbo joke. And then my feelings will be hurt. Gosh, I didn’t realize I was going to need therapy just to ride a bike again. Life is complicated isn’t it. I think my subconscious is practicing avoidance technique without my permission. But the bike ride did give me lots of energy for all that planting later on. When we grilled chicken outside in the afternoon, you would have thought it was the first meal I had eaten in days. There is nothing like the smell of grilled food to make me happy. This is the time to be outside before mosquito season begins, and ticks are not crawling all over you. I don’t mind transplanting now before the ants take over and claim their turf. None of the no-see-ums are out yet either; you can eat in peace. I can’t wait for my next few days at home. I have so much I want to get done before our beautiful short, Spring is over. Please enjoy each day and find some time to spend out in the sun. To each new day’s adventure, Shelby Please send comments or ideas to: shelbys.wanderings@yahoo.com.

at Historic St. Mary’s

Beauty contest? No. Winner? Yes.

“Emily and Einstein” by Linda Francis Lee

c.2011, St. Martin’s Press

$24.99 / $28.99 Canada

By Terri Schlichenmeyer Contributing Writer Your dog can’t talk. But you know exactly what he wants. One woof means “out.” A different grumble means he wants a treat. A certain look means “scratch my belly.” Sure, he may not carry on a conversation with you, but he communicates just the same and he gets you to do his bidding. One of you is very well-trained. Because of that, despite what scientists say, it’s hard not to attribute human qualities to animals that share your home. But you’ll never look at your dog again in the same way, once you’ve read “Emily and Einstein”, the new novel by Linda Francis Lee. Alexander “Sandy” Portman was going to ask his wife for a divorce. When he first laid eyes on Emily, he knew he had to have her – and since Sandy got everything he wanted, it was only a matter of time before he cajoled Emily into his arms, daring her to love him. She couldn’t resist. Alas, that was two years ago and now it just wasn’t working for Sandy. Divorce would break Emily’s heart. Oddly, he didn’t care. But that was all before he died. It was all before he begged the old man in feathers for a second chance. Before the old man, cruel jokester that he was, gave Sandy a new body he wasn’t happy having… Saving the scruffy, wire-haired little mutt was all that was important to Emily in the days after Sandy’s accident. Not her shaky job at Caldecote Press, not her wild younger sister,

356 pages

not the fact that Sandy’s mother was being a harridan, nothing else distracted her like taking care of the dog she named Einstein. She had spent money she didn’t have on saving the pooch and though she initially had no intention of adopting him, she was ultimately glad she did. He was a curmudgeonly little guy, kind of stand-offish, but he surely lived up to his name! Einstein was so smart. He seemed to know everything about Emily and he acted as if he’d lived in her Dakota apartment all his life. Strangest of all, he reminded her so much of Sandy… Who really resides within the fur of the four-legged one at your feet? You’ll think of plenty of possibilities to ponder when you’re finished reading this adorably smart book. “Emily and Einstein” is one of those novels that captures your imagination and takes it for a ride. I really enjoyed the way author Linda Francis Lee leads her readers with observations through the eyes of a small, fuzzy, accidentallyquadrupedal man, and the way she envisions his spiritual life is just perfect. Lee was so good at creating Einstein, in fact, that you shouldn’t be surprised if your mind is drawn to your own pet and his human-like characteristics: what, exactly, is going on behind those liquid “Pet Me” eyes? More fun than a squeaky ball, tastier than a bacon-flavored bone, “Emily and Einstein” will charm you quick. If you’re looking for something cute to read, this is the book you want.


The County Times

• Dave Norris DB McMillan’s (23415 Three Notch Road, California) – 5 p.m. • Gretchen Richie “The Music of Cole Porter” Cafe Des Artistes (41655 Fenwick Street, Leonardtown) – 6 p.m. • Special Olympics No Limit Poker Night Bennett Building (24930 Old Three Notch Road, Hollywood) – 7 p.m. • No Rake Hold ‘Em Tournament R.T.S. Event Building (21030 Point Lookout Road, Callaway) – 7 p.m. • Live Music with the Piranhas Ruddy Duck Brewery (13200 Dowell Road, Dowell) – 7:30 p.m.

• Mike Mead The Blue Dog Saloon (7940 Port Tobacco Road, Port Tobacco) – 9 p.m.

Friday, April 1 • Dave Norris DB McMillan’s (23415 Three Notch Road, California) – 5 p.m. • Fractal Folk First Friday Event Big Larry’s Comic Book Café (22745 Washington Street, Leonardtown) – 5 p.m. • Randy Richie on Piano Cafe Des Artistes (41655 Fenwick Street, Leonardtown) – 6:30 p.m. • Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament VFW Post 2632 (41655 23282 Three Notch Road, California) – 7 p.m.

• Salsa Thursday House of Dance (24620 Three Notch Road, Hollywood) – 7:30 p.m.

• Fraternal Order of Police Poker Tournament Fraternal order of Police (21215 Chancellors Run Road, Great Mills) – 7 p.m.

• All You Can Drink Ladies Night with DJ Chris Big Dogs Paradise (28765 Three Notch Road, Mechanicsville) – 8 p.m.

• Smoke Creek Rounders Live Acoustic Music Ruddy Duck Brewery (13200 Dowell Road, Dowell) – 7:30 p.m.

• Harlen Simple Apehangers Bar and Grill (9100 Crain Highway, Bel Alton) – 9 p.m. • Martini Karaoke with DJ Steve Martini’s Lounge (10553 Theodore Green Boulevard, White Plains) – 9 p.m.

Limi te

150

ime Only!

$

• Dance DJ Martini’s Lounge (10553 Theodore Green Boulevard, White Plains) – 9 p.m. • Hollow Point The Blue Dog Saloon (7940 Port Tobacco Road, Port Tobacco) – 9 p.m.

Saturday, April 2 • Fair Warning DB McMillan’s (23415 Three Notch Road, California) – 6 p.m. • The Redwine Jazz Trio The Westlawn Inn (9200 Chesapeake Avenue, North Beach) – 6 p.m. • Randy Richie on Piano Cafe Des Artistes (41655 Fenwick Street, Leonardtown) – 6:30 p.m.

Sunday, April 3

• 24th Annual Coming Out Car and Bike Show Charlotte Hall Plaza (29946 Three Notch Road, Charlotte Hall) – 8:30 a.m. • Live Music with Damion Wolf Rustic River Bar and Grill (40874 Merchant’s Lane, Leonardtown) – 12 p.m. • Fraternal Order of Police Poker Tournament Fraternal order of Police (21215 Chancellors Run Road, Great Mills) – 2 p.m.

Monday, April 4 • Mason Sebastian DB McMillan’s (23415 Three Notch Road, California) – 5 p.m. • Family Night Rustic River Bar and Grill (40874 Merchant’s Lane, Leonardtown) – 5 p.m. • Trivia, Pizza and Pint Ruddy Duck Brewery (13200 Dowell Road, Dowell) – 7 p.m.

Tuesday, April 5

• All You Can Drink Night with DJ Chris Big Dogs Paradise (28765 Three Notch Road, Mechanicsville) – 8 p.m.

• Fair Warning DB McMillan’s (23415 Three Notch Road, California) – 5 p.m.

• Anthony Ryan County Band Jake and Al’s Chop House (258 Town Square Drive, Lusby) – 8:30 p.m.

• Anthony Ryan Country Band CJ’s Backroom Saloon (12020 Rousby Hall Road, Lusby) – 8 p.m.

• Team Trivia Night Rustic River Bar and Grill (40874 Merchant’s Lane, Leonardtown) – 6:30 p.m.

• Karaoke Contest Dance Party Abner’s Crab House (3725 Harbor Road, Chesapeake Beach) – 8 p.m.

• Open Pool Tables and a List of Specials Big Dogs Paradise (28765 Three Notch Road, Mechanicsville) – 7 p.m.

• Bob Wire and the Fence Posts Rustic River Bar and Grill (40874 Merchant’s Lane, Leonardtown) – 8:30 p.m.

• Trivia Night with Damion Wolf Island Bar and Grill (16810 Piney Point Road, Piney Point) – 7 p.m.

Special n -I e Mov Discounted Cable Playground Free on Site Storage with Every Apartment Walk to Shopping/ Restaurants

301-862-5307

Amenity Package Available

Owned and Operated by

Call For More Information: Bella Bailey, Marketing & Leasing MGR.

• Hate the Toy Vera’s White Sands Beach Club (1200 White Sands Drive, Lusby) – 9 p.m.

24

• Gretchen Richie “Jazz After Hours with Dancing” Cafe Des Artistes (41655 Fenwick Street, Leonardtown) – 8 p.m.

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

dT

• Karaoke Finals Issac’s Restaurant and Pub at Holiday Inn Solomons (155 Holiday Drive, Solomons) – 8:30 p.m.

301-737-0737

23314 Surrey Way • California, Maryland 20619 Fax: 301-737-0853 • leasing@apartmentsofwildewood.com

• Pajama Jam Party Featuring One Louder Vera’s White Sands Beach Club (1200 White Sands Drive, Lusby) – 9 p.m. • Wicked Juzabel Martini’s Lounge (10553 Theodore Green Boulevard, White Plains) – 9 p.m. • Hy Jinx with Miles from Clever Hotel Charles (15110 Burnt Store Road, Hughesville) – 9 p.m.

Wednesday, April 6 • Mason Sebastian DB McMillan’s (23415 Three Notch Road, California) – 5 p.m. • 2-3-4-5 You Pick It and Karaoke with DJ Harry Big Dogs Paradise (28765 Three Notch Road, Mechanicsville) – 7 p.m.

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

• Fraternal Order of Police Poker Tournament Fraternal order of Police (21215 Chancellors Run Road, Great Mills) – 7 p.m.

• Karaoke with DJ Tommy and DJ T California Applebee’s (45480 Miramar Way, California) – 9 p.m.

• Free Line Dance Lessons Hotel Charles (15110 Burnt Store Road, Hughesville) – 7 p.m.

• Craze Big Dogs Paradise (28765 Three Notch Road, Mechanicsville) – 9:30 p.m.

• Anthony Ryan County Band Ruddy Duck Brewery (13200 Dowell Road, Dowell) – 7:30 p.m.

n O g Goin

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

What’s

Thursday, March 31

Thursday, March 31, 2011

In Entertainment


25

Thursday, March 31, 2011

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

Weekend of Comedy Set for Southern Maryland By Sarah Miller Staff Writer Communities on both sides of the bridge are preparing for a weekend bound to tickle your funny bone and leave you with a smile just in time for April Fool’s Day. For individuals on the St. Mary’s side of the bridge, there will be a double dose of comedy at the Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department on Saturday. Doors open at 6 p.m. for an Attitude Adjustment, followed by dinner and “two really awesome comedians,” according to Roger Mattingly, who helped to coordinate the event for the fire department. For $50, Mattingly said people can come have dinner, which consists of round of beef, crab imperial and roasted turkey and all of the trimmings. There will also be an open bar all evening. All proceeds benefit the Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department. Mattingly said the show is meant for an adult audience and, while he said they steer clear of anything obscene, he would give the evening a PG-13 rating. He also said it is best to purchase tickets in advance. The comedians making an appearance at the fire department will be Laurence Mullaney and headliner Scott Angrave. Angrave’s website, www.comedymax. com, names him England’s funniest export. “Scott Angrave is a college graduate, a former accountant and a ‘not-so-perfect’ English gentleman. Born in Liverpool some ‘forty-odd’ years ago, he is often asked about his connection to The Beatles. His only claim to fame to the Fab Four is that he ‘was born the same year George Harrison finally reached puberty’,” Angrave’s website states. “Since 1987 he has spent approximately seven months out of every year touring the United States making fun of the people that inhabit his ‘home away from home.’” Angrave also has a book published called “How To Speak Proper English (Like What I Do).” Mullaney is an actor as well as a comedian and will be taking the stage first to get he audience warmed up, Mattingly said. According to his website, www.laurencemullaney.com, “audiences are drawn to Laurence’s signature intensity as he explores topics from being in the Marine Corps to finding God in a flower. Ok, he never found God in a flower but it sounded cool. Despite that, he does talk about deeply personal experiences in a way that relates to everyone.”

As an actor, Laurence has landed roles on both “Law & Order: CI” and “Forensic Files.” His film work includes “Shooter” with Mark Wahlberg along with key roles in Indie films like “Sheep Skin” and “Karma.” He is currently working on the sitcom pilot “Get a Grip” with 3PPG Productions.” For more information, or to make a reservation, call Mattingly at 301-475-5966 or email Rogr69@verizon.net. Individuals who don’t think the double-header comedy event Saturday night will completely quench their funny bone, there will also be a show in Calvert County on Friday night. Jason Linett’s stage hypnosis show will be at 7 p.m. on April 1 at Calvert High School. Tickets will be $5 at the door, which goes to benefit the school. Linett’s show includes bringing people up to the stage, putting them under hypnosis and suggesting them to do things like pretend they’re on a beach, or a movie star. Unlike cinema hypnosis, where a person can be persuaded to do anything under the sun, Linett said in

real life, people will not take suggestions they would not accept in their normal frame of mind. None of the volunteers are made to do anything embarrassing, or what could be seen as inappropriate even out of context. Because Linett performs at so many schools, he said he keeps his act family and kid friendly. Linett described his show as an “interactive comedy event where you can be the star of the show.” He said he does between 60 and 80 shows a year, in addition to appearing at 120 schools across the country. He said it’s rewarding to go to a place he’s been in the past and find that people are still talking about what happened the year before. “It’s really great to go back for a second year,” he said. Linett is being brought to Calvert High School by the Parent, Teachers and Student Association (PTSA). For more information on Linett and his show, visit www. jasonlinett.com. sarahmiller@countytimes.net


The County Times

ner

KiddKioer

CLUES ACROSS 1. Obstructed water 7. Brewed beverage 11. Cellulose nitrate 12. Wheel shaft 13. A large and scholarly book 14. Rated horsepower (abbr.) 15. Soviet ballistic missile 16. Book of tickets 18. Off the usual track 20. Puckered fabric finish 21. Jewish state 23. A neutral fat 24. Lesotho currency 25. Indigenous people of India 26. Single Lens Reflex 27. Near (abbr.) 29. Partridge Family’s Susan 30. Point midway between NE and E 31. Pekoe or green 33. Atomic #37 34. CNN’s Turner

Thursday, March 31, 2011

35. Thou ____ sinned 37. Midget suckermouths 39. Fitzgerald & Cinder 41. Stirring implements 43. Food consumers 44. Facial planes 46. The far east 47. Harvest 48. A matt of grass and roots 51. One stride 52. Paris airport 53. Foes 55. Mama ____, rock singer 56. Following the first thing

CLUES DOWN

1. 1086 English survey 2. Narrow ridge in rugged mountains 3. Doctor designation 4. Russian commune 5. Ethiopia (abbr.) 6. Leave 7. Count _____, jazz legend

26

8. Spreadsheet software 9. 12th Jewish month 10. Actor Foxx 11. Take into account 13. Camera support 16. Corporal (abbr.) 17. Settled onto 19. Lacking courage 21. Malady 22. Made painful to the touch 26. Her heart was ___ __ it 28. Real properties 32. Not awake 36. Small lake 38. Thrashes 40. Obsolete jet airplane 41. Cachets 42. Samuel _____, diarist 43. Stain for studying cell structure 44. Crocodile (abbr.) 45. Queen of the gods 49. Being a single unit 50. Last month 54. 24th state

Last Week’s Puzzles Solutions


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Thursday, March 31, 2011

Wed., Mar. 23

Sat., Mar. 26

Baseball Chopticon 2, Patuxent 1 Northern 11, Great Mills 7

Baseball Chesapeake 11, Chopticon 1

Softball Patuxent 8, Chopticon 5 (eight innings)

Thurs., Mar. 24 Girls’ Lacrosse Huntingtown 16, Chopticon 1 McDonough 13, Great Mills 2 Leonardtown 20, Northern 5

Thurs., Mar. 24 Boys’ Track and Field Great Mills 69, Lackey 46 Great Mills 69, McDonough 58 Thomas Stone 73.33, Great Mills 49.66 Girls’ Track and Field Great Mills 65.5, McDonough 52.5 Lackey 66, Great Mills 55 Thomas Stone 84, Great Mills 47

Fri., Mar. 25 Baseball Chopticon 8, Northern 0 Leonardtown 5, Great Mills 4 Boys’ Lacrosse Northern 14, Leonardtown 1

SPORTS DESK

Boys’ Lacrosse St. Mary’s Ryken 17, Woodberry Forest 6

Baseball Returns – and Not a Moment Too Soon

Softball Northern 10, Chopticon 0 (five innings) Leonardtown 11, Great Mills 0

Mon., Mar. 28 Baseball Chopticon 17, McDonough 4 (five innings) North Point 6, Great Mills 3 Leonardtown 18, Westlake 0 (five innings) St. Mary’s Ryken 13, Good Counsel 6 Softball Chopticon 15, McDonough 13 North Point 11, Great Mills 10 Leonardtown 22, Westlake 0 (five innings) Tennis Great Mills 9, North Point 0 Leonardtown 9, Westlake 0

Tues., Mar. 29 Boys’ Lacrosse Gonzaga 15, St. Mary’s Ryken 8

Girls’ Lacrosse Patuxent 19, Great Mills 5 Bishop Ireton 14, St. Mary’s Ryken 5

Boys’ Track and Field Leonardtown 95, McDonough 42 Patuxent 72.66, Leonardtown 64.33

Tennis Great Mills 9, Thomas Stone 0 Leonardtown 6, Huntingtown 3 Chopticon 4, Patuxent 4 (suspended due to darkness)

Girls’ Track and Field Leonardtown 103, McDonough 34 Leonardtown 121, Patuxent 16

By Chris Stevens Staff Writer With all the talk of labor grievances and other sports-related soap operas, America’s pastime returns in full effect today with Major League Baseball action getting started from New York to Los Angeles. With baseball’s return, it’s going to be nice to talk about professional sports on the field and in MLB’s 143rd season, there are plenty of proper story lines that we should all pay attention to. It is only fitting we lead off with the defending World Series champions, the San Francisco Giants. The Giants won their first ever world title since moving to the Bay Area way back in 1958, defeating the Atlanta Braves, odds-on-favorite Philadelphia and the upstart Texas Rangers to win the crown. The Giants will face a tough road to repeat, but with starting pitching the likes of Tim Lincecum, Jonathan Sanchez and Matt Cain as well as hitters like Pablo Sandoval mashing at the plate, the Giants will more than likely win the NL West again. Their closest competition for the National League penant will more than likely be the Phil-

lies, who have reunited with Cliff Lee to create a pitching staff resembling the Four Horsemen (think Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Tully Blanchard and Ole Anderson for my old school wrestling fans). Yet and still, the Phils’ offense raises questions, and with injuries to young outfielder Domonic Brown and second baseman Chase Utley holding up progress, the Phils may have trouble winning the NL East, facing competition from a revived Atlanta Braves squad. A sleeper team to look out for in the National League would be the Milwaukee Brewers. Even though prized-off season acquisiton Zack Grienke is starting the season on the disabled list, the Brewers can get by with big boppers Prince Fielder, Corey Hart and Ryan Braun until Grienke is well enough to pitch. By then, the Brewers could be well ahead of Cincinnati and St. Louis in the NL Central, as both teams are facing issues of age and injury with their pitching staffs. Meanwhile in the American League, the usual suspects reside in the toughest division in baseball, the AL East. The Red Sox had a very productive season, snatching Carl Crawford away from the division rival Tampa Rays to fill the need for a Gold Glove outfielder who swings

a pretty consistent bat. If the Sox’ pitchers can stay healthy and focused, there’s no reason they shouldn’t win the division. The Yankees, while still a very powerful offensive unit, have A.J. Burnett and Bartolo Colon pitching behind C.C. Sabathia and that spells nothing but trouble for a team that had trouble with mutually decent offensive production last season. Last season’s AL Pennant winner, the Texas Rangers, lost Cliff Lee and Vladimir Guerrero (Orioles fan should be excited because he can still do damage in your lineup) but still have plenty of talent left over to win the AL West again. The Central Division should be the same three again (Minnesota, Detroit and the Chicago White Sox) fighting for the top spot, and since all are similar in terms of talent (consistent pitching and just enough offense), it will be hard to pick a winner. Of course, over a 162 game season that will take us to the end of September anything can happen. But at least we’ll be talking about what will be happening on the field instead of boardroom foolishness. Play ball. Questions? Comments? Complaints? Send ‘em all to Chris at chrisstevens@countytimes.net.

Sabres Hockey Registration is Open Online registration is now open for the Southern Maryland Sabres Ice Hockey Spring Skate Sessions. Thurs., Mar. 31 Baseball St. Mary’s Ryken at Chopticon, 4:30 p.m. Boys’ Lacrosse Westlake at Chopticon, 6 p.m. Girls’ Lacrosse Great Mills at Leonardtown, 6:30 p.m. Golf Holy Cross vs. St. Mary’s Ryken at Breton Bay, 3:15 p.m. Softball St. Mary’s Ryken at Chopticon, 4:30 p.m.

Fri., Apr. 1 Boys’ Lacrosse Leonardtown at Great Mills, 6:30 p.m. Paul VI at St. Mary’s Ryken, 7 p.m. Girls’ Lacrosse Chopticon at Westlake, 6:30 p.m. St. Mary’s Ryken at Paul VI, TBA

Mon., Apr. 4 Baseball Bishop McNamara at St. Mary’s Ryken, 4 p.m. Lackey at Chopticon, 4:30 p.m. North Point at Leonardtown, 4:30 p.m. Boys’ Lacrosse Leonardtown at Thomas Stone, 6:30 p.m. Good Counsel at St. Mary’s Ryken, 7:15 p.m. Girls’ Lacrosse St. Mary’s Ryken at Good Counsel, 4 p.m. Golf St. Mary’s Ryken at Good Counsel, 3:15 p.m. Softball St. Mary’s Ryken at Bishop

McNamara, 3:30 p.m. Lackey at Chopticon, 4:30 p.m. North Point at Leonardtown, 4:30 p.m. Tennis Chopticon at Lackey, 4 p.m. Leonardtown at North Point, 4 p.m.

Tues., Apr. 5 Baseball St. Mary’s Ryken at Bishop Ireton, 4 p.m. Boys’ Lacrosse North Point at Chopticon, 6:30 p.m. Boys’ Tennis Bishop McNamara at St. Mary’s Ryken, 3:30 p.m. Girls’ Lacrosse Chopticon at North Point, 6:30 p.m. Thomas Stone at Leonardtown, 6:30 p.m. Golf St. John’s vs. St. Mary’s Ryken at Breton Bay, 3:15 p.m. Track and Field Chopticon/Huntingtown at Lackey, 4 p.m. Leonardtown/Westlake at Thomas Stone, 4 p.m.

Wed., Apr. 6 Baseball St. Mary’s Ryken at DeMatha, 4:15 p.m. Great Mills at Chopticon, 4:30 p.m. Girls’ Lacrosse Pope John Paul the Great at St. Mary’s Ryken, 4 p.m. Softball St. Mary’s Ryken at St. John’s, 4 p.m. Great Mills at Chopticon, 4:30 p.m.

8 Sessions - 1.5 hours each 45 minutes - Skills with Skating Skills Instructor Brian Magill 45 minutes - Scrimmage $ 140.00 Sign-up today online at www. somdsabres.org Please register at your USA Hockey age for next season 2011-2012

Atoms, Mites (8:30 - 10:00 am) Saturday Apr 2, 9, 16, 23, 2011 Sunday May 1, 2011 Saturday May 7,14, 21, 2011 10:30 - 12:00 pm Saturday June 11, 2011 Squirts (6:15 - 7:40) Tuesday March 29, 2011 Tuesday April 5, 12, 19, 26, 2011 Tuesday May 10, 17, 24, 2011 Pee Wee (6:15 - 7:40) Thursday Mar 31, 2011

USTA Junior Team Tennis Registrations Begins Friday

Thursday April 7, 14, 21, 28, 2011 Thursday May 12, 19, 26, 2011 Bantam (7:50-9:15) Tuesday March 29, 2011 Tuesday April 5, 12, 19, 26, 2011 Tuesday May 10, 17, 24, 2011 Midget (7:50-9:15) Thursday Mar 31, 2011 Thursday April 7, 14, 21, 28, 2011 Thursday May 12, 19, 26, 2011

USA Hockey 2011-2012 Age Groups Mite 2003-2004 Squirt 2001-2002 PeeWee 1999-2000 Bantam 1997-1998 U-16 1996-1996 U-18 1993-1994

Pax River Raiders Cheerleading and Player Registration Is Open

Registrations Begin for Junior Team Tennis, April 1, 2011. 10U, 14U, and 18U divisions. Please contact Derek Sabedra at ddsabedra@smcm.edu or 410-610-4300 for further information on locations and dates. Season begins May 25, 2011! Sign-up at http://jrteamtennis.usta.com/

Pax River Raiders has opened Registrations for the 2011 Fall Football and Cheerleading Season. Registrations are available Online at www.paxriverraiders.org or walkin registrations begin Saturday April 2nd 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Wal Mart in California, MD and continue each Saturday. Also available are the 2011 Contact Camp and Cheer Camp. Please visit www.paxriverraiders.org for more details.

USTA Kids Campus Day Takes Place in April

Pax River Rugby Seeks Players for Adult Rugby League

First Annual Kids Campus Day, April 2, 2011, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at St. Mary's College of Maryland. Free Event and Tournament! Win prizes, 14U and 18U divisions. Contact Derek Sabedra at ddsabedra@smcm.edu or 410-610-4300.

The Pax River Men and Women’s Rugby clubs are looking for new players with no experience necessary. We will teach you all you need to know about playing one of the nation’s fastest growing sports. Free medical insurance during all practices and matches. More details can be found on paxrugby.com or by calling Justin Thomson at 732-4929760 or 1-877-806-7775.

Youth basketball championships tip off at Chopticon Thursday The St. Mary’s County Rec and Parks youth basketball championship games will take place at Chopticon High School starting Thursday. The 5th and 6th grade girls’ final will be played Thursday at 6 p.m., while the boys’ 5th and 6th grade final will be Friday at 6:30 p.m. and the 7th and 8th grade boys’ championship game will tip-off at 7:30 p.m. For more information, contact Kenny Sothoron at 301-475-4200, extension 1830.


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The County Times

Thursday, March 31, 2011

28

Track and Field

Hornets Staying Focused in Defending Tennis Title By Chris Stevens Staff Writer GREAT MILLS – Even though the Great Mills tennis team is trying to put last season’s surprising Southern Maryland Athletic Conference team championship

Alex Lapka of Great Mills sends a return to his opponent during his 6-2, 6-2 victory Monday. Photo by Frank Marquart

behind them, it will be hard to do so if they continue playing like champions. The Hornets ran their 2011 record to 4-0 (2-0 in conference matches) with a 9-0 win over North Point on a breezy Monday afternoon, their third such match sweep this season. “I’m real excited about the progress they’ve been making, they continue to work hard,” Hornets coach Treva Eversole said. “We talked about the championship and said ‘That was last year.’ They have to prove what this year’s team can do.” “Last year was last year,” said junior Robert Bishop, who along with doubles partner Thomas Ganther came away with a Number One doubles win in straight sets (6-2 and 6-0) over Will Still and Muheeb Hameed Monday. “There’s always a team like us that was on the bottom that can come up and do what we did.” Sophomore Vicki Weber, who also took care of business in straight sets (6-1, 6-1) Monday, says that not only would another team conference championship be nice, but she would also like to see her someone on her team take home an individual title later this spring. “I think it would be great if at least one of us took the whole thing instead of just overall,” she said. Of course Great Mills still has an entire regular season to play, but starting 4-0 certainly helps with confidence. “We have to keep a positive attitude,” Thomas Ganther said. “If we can do that and keep going, we’ll keep winning.”

The Hornets’ Hope Ironmonger makes contact. Photo by Frank Marquart

Eversole believes that her Hornets are peaking at the right time in the season (and their careers) because of the way public school athletics goes in cycles. “I think in tennis, especially this year, we’re the most experienced team,” she says. “A lot of teams in the conference lost top players and our 11th and 12th graders have been starting since the 9th grade.” chrisstevens@countytimes.net

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The County Times

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Lacrosse

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Frustrated Knights Handled by Gonzaga By Chris Stevens Staff Writer

bit better,” said senior Jared Baranowski, who led the Knights with three goals in a losing effort. “They’re the defending champions and they played like it,” explained senior attackman Connor Cook, who had a goal and two assists on the evening. “We started out slow and we had the heart to come back, but it has to be a team effort.” The Knights are hopeful they can turn the season around, and they know it is going to take a lot of work to get it done.

LEONARDTOWN - A difficult night got worse as it wore on for the St. Mary’s Ryken boys’ lacrosse team. After surrendering five early goals to defending Washington Catholic Athletic Conference champion Gonzaga, the Knights had a hard time catching up as the Eagles cruised to a 15-8 win Tuesday night, dropping the Knights to 3-3 overall and 1-2 in conference games. “We played the best team in the conference tonight and they showed us why,” Knights coach John Sothoron said. Sothoron felt that the offense was getting in gear, but Ryken’s success depends on the defense coming together. “We hit the post six times. If those go in, it’s 15-14, so I know we can score,” he said. “The defense let us down tonight and until they can get better, we’re going to struggle.” The Eagles out-shot the Knights 27-22 and led the entire match. Ryken closed within three goals twice in the game, but could never catch up. Gonzaga got five goals from attacker Kyle Bruun and Alex Corboy and Sean Whitcomb Photo by Chris Stevens each added two goals. The Knights’ Daniel Batong moves into the Gonzaga zone during Tuesday ”We could‘ve played a little night’s WCAC boys’ lacrosse match.

Potomac Speedway By Doug Watson Potomac Speedway BUDDS CREEK – “I couldn’t be happier than to be standing here in victory lane right now” were the words from defending Potomac Speedway Late Model champion David Williams after his victory in the 35-lap Cody Endicott memorial last Friday night at Potomac speedway. The Late Model division was making its first appearance of the season, and for race winner Williams, it was his first-ever start for new car owner Pete Cameron. Polesitter Dale Hollidge and Williams brought the field down to the initial green flag of the event. Williams flexed his muscle early as he would grab the top spot as the pack raced off turn two. Williams would eventually go on to lead every lap of the 35-lap grind, but it was by far no easy trip to victory lane. Dale Hollidge kept Williams in his sights through the first 14-laps, but Walker Arthur, the defending “Steel Block Bandits” late model series champion, was the story of the show. Arthur, who started eighth, reached third by lap seven. Utilizing the high-side of the speedway Arthur would then take second on lap 17and set his sights on leader Williams. Arthur would get close to Williams on more than one occasion, but would have to settle for runner-up money. “This is a great way to start the season,” a very happy Williams stated. “We put a lot of pressure on ourselves to do good here (Potomac) because this is our home track.” Winning for the first time in a car owned by former track promoter Pete Cameron was very gratifying for the Charlotte Hall chauffeur. “This deal came together late in the winter,” Williams said. “They wanted to try and sell this car, so they figured the best way to do that was to put it on the track and I’m very fortunate they asked me to drive it.” Williams knew he had his work cut out for him when he saw Walker Arthur’s number show up on the scoreboard. “Oh yeah, I knew he was there,” Williams said. “He had to start pretty far back and when I saw he was in second I knew he

Photo by Chris Stevens Connor Cook had a goal and two assists in St. Mary’s Ryken’s 15-8 loss to WCAC defending champion Gonzaga Tuesday night.

“We just need to get it together as a team and not as individual,” Baranowski said. “We have the heart and the talent, we just need to put it together.”

“We played scared tonight, we just need to play harder and play like we’re capable of playing,” Cook added. chrisstevens@countytimes.net

Defending Champ Williams Scores First Win For New Car Owner

must have been pretty good, but the track came to us late in the race and I was able to hold him off.” The $2000 win for Williams was his 26th career Potomac Late Model feature win and his overall 77th career win at the speedway. Dale Hollidge would settle for third, Ninth-starting Keith Jackson was fourth and Matt Quade would complete the top five. Heats for the 17 cars on hand went to Hollidge and DJ Myers. Coming off a second place finish in the season opener the previous week, defending track champion Tommy Wagner Jr. completely dominated the 20-lap Limited Late Model feature. Wagner started second and would take the lead on the first lap. From that point on, it would be a race for second as Wagner would decimate the field to post his ninth career limited late model win at Potomac. Ben Bowie took second, Brad Rigdon was third, Derrick Quade rebounded from an early race spin to collect fourth and Tanner Kerr rounded out the top-five. The heat win also went to Wagner. In other action, Eric Johnson ended a six-year win drought with his win in the 16-lap Street Stock feature. Bud Pickeral was victorious in the 15-lap Hobby Stock main, while five-time track champion Greg Gunter drove to his 55th career win in the 15lap four-cylinder feature.

Late Model Feature Finish 1. David Williams 2. Walker Arthur 3. Dale Hollidge 4. Keith Jackson 5. Matt Quade 6. DJ Myers 7. Roland Mann 8. Kyle Hardy 9. Deane Guy 10. Kyle Merkel 11. Wesley Bonebrake 12. Jamie Lathroum 13. Ryan Hackett 14. Kyle Lear 15. Sean Merkel 16. Rick Hulson 17 Daryl Hills (DNS)

Limited Late Model Feature Finish 1. Tommy Wagner Jr. 2. Ben Bowie 3. Brad Rigdon 4. Derrick Quade 5. Tanner Kerr 6. Dave Adams 7. Kenny Moreland 8. Tyler Emory


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The County Times

Thursday, March 31, 2011

30

Baseball

Raiders Rally to Defeat Great Mills By Chris Stevens Staff Writer LEONARDTOWN – As far as first games go, Leonardtown baseball coach Zach Adams saw room for improvement, even as the Raiders rallied from two runs down to walk off with a 5-4 win over county rival Great Mills Friday afternoon. “Against a country rival and in SMAC any win is fantastic,” Adams said. “But you can always improve. We had some nerves, some guys are having their first varsity experience, but we played through it.” The Raiders were going up against a Great Mills team that defeated McDonough 3-1 Monday and gave up an early lead on the way to an 11-7 loss at Northern on Wednesday. The Hornets were trailing 2-1 in the top of the fourth when their offense started to click against Leonardtown starter Kevin Daly, aided in part by a dropped fly ball from left fielder Matt Carpenter. Back-to-back run-scoring doubles by Tyler Baker and Paul Goldsborough, as well as an RBI groundout by catcher Delonta Mackall put Great Mills ahead 4-2 and chased Daly after 3 1/3 innings of work. Enter senior David Sapp, who started the game at third base before relieving Daly on the mound with two men on and one out. Sapp got Anthony Smith to pop up a bunt directly to him and doubled Brandon Teston off of first base, who was headed for second base on Smith’s bunt attempt. “That was a huge play, those kind of plays lift a team up,” Adams said. “I just wanted to pick Kevin up – he did a good job and everything wasn’t his fault out there,” Sapp explained. “I caught a break on that play and it gave us confidence going into the next inning.” “Sapp came in and threw fastballs for strikes and we didn’t answer,” Hornets coach Kevin Rodgers said. While Sapp held the Hornets scoreless, the Raider offense went about the task of rallying, cour-

tesy of an RBI double by Logan Eaker to shave the Great Mills lead to 4-3. In the bottom of the seventh, the Raiders made their final push against Hornets reliever Devyn Tremblay. After Jared Eaker led off with a single, pinch runner Kevin Mattingly scored on a single by Jonathan Bean. Two batters later, Carpenter smoked a pitch into the left-centerfield alley, scoring Bean with the winning run. “We just try to be positive and never put our heads down,” Carpenter explained. As for Great Mills, Rodgers hopes his team can eliminate their mistakes sooner rather than later. “We’re showing that we can play with these teams, but we have to limit our mistakes because we’re not at the point where we can win in spite of those mistakes,” he said.

The Raiders’ Kevin Daly unleashes a pitch in Leonardtown’s 5-4 victory over Great Mills Friday afternoon. Photo by Victor Marquart

chrisstevens@countytimes.net Leonardtown’s Casey Payne slides safely into second base as Kody Kralle of Great Mills is late applying the tag. Photo by Victor Marquart

New Baseball Coach Has Braves Starting Well By Chris Stevens Staff Writer

SMCM

Ricky Ryce maybe the new head baseball coach at Chopticon High School, but he’s certainly not a new name to the program. Ryce was an assistant under Steve Williams and Dan Velez for 12 years before Velez’s leaving Southern Maryland for a job at his alma mater (Seton Hall University in New Jersey) elevated Ryce to head coach. “I think the reason they bumped me up was to keep that continuity going,” Ryce said after the Braves pulled out a walk-off 2-1 win over Patuxent last Wednesday afternoon. “We’re planning on keeping things the same.” Ryce returns all but four players from last season’s 12-11 team that made it to the 3A South semifinals before falling to Northern

2-0 in May. After the win against Patuxent (keyed by Alex Murphy’s tworun homer in the bottom of the seventh), the Braves gained a measure of revenge by beating the Patriots 8-0 on Friday. The Braves are currently 3-1 (2-0 in Southern Maryland Athletic Conference games) after losing to 4A State Semifinalist Chespeake 11-1 Saturday and a 17-4 win over McDonough Monday afternoon. Last Wednesday’s win was a relief for starting pitching Austin Murphy, who pitched all seven innings, retiring 14 straight Patuxent batters at one point and recording a career-high 11 strikeouts on the afternoon. “I pretty much just wanted to keep my team in the game,” he said. “Anything can happen and this a great way to start the season.” “I told our guys that Austin kept us in the game,” Ryce said.

“This win definitely gives us confidence and for Alex to come off the bench cold like that and hit a pinch-hit home run, this was a big win for us.” The younger Murphy was happy that he was able to lift his team to such a dramatic victory after struggling with their bats for most of the contest. “It’s exciting and it feels great,” he said. “A good way for us to start to the season.” Alex Murphy’s late-inning heroics aside, Ryce believes that the offense will be the part of his team that needs the most work, with pitching being the least of his concerns. “I can go seven deep with pitching – that’s unheard of,” Ryce said. “The key is we have to be good in all three phases of the game – good pitching, good defense and we must hit the ball.” chrisstevens@countytimes.net

Spring Break Basketball Camp at St. Mary’s College

SMCM Accepting Registration for One-Day Fielding and Baserunning Camp

The Chris Harney Basketball School at St. Mary’s College will hold a two-day Spring Break Basketball Camp for boys and girls ages 7-18. Thursday April 21st and Friday April 22nd from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Fee is $75. For info contact Coach Nick Wilson, nawilson@smcm.edu or (240) 895-4318.

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


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Thursday, March 31, 2011

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The Ordinary

Angler

The Information Tackle Box By Keith McGuire Contributing Writer A fellow angler who is relatively new to the sport stopped by The Tackle Box booth at the Solomon’s Fishing Fair last weekend to ask me how I managed to choose a particular fishing lure among the vast array of choices at the show, or for that matter, among the many choices in most tackle shops. “How do you know which one works?” he asked. Of course, my answer is that they all do! But, I knew what he meant. It seems that our sport is definitely encumbered by too many choices. Even ordinary bottom fishing for croakers and spot is more difficult than a person might realize if they’ve never tried to catch one. Fortunately, most anglers like to share their successes. Oh sure, there is always a little tidbit of information that they won’t share like a secret spot, a secret potion, or a special family method that has been handed down for generations like an old recipe. But, most fishing people love to tell their stories of the big striper or the limit of yellow perch that they caught, offering pictures as proof. When asked the question, “How do you know which lure works?” I immediately thought of my tackle box. It’s huge and full of lures that work, some of which I have never used! On top of that, there are cabinets and boxes and hooks on the wall full of tackle that won’t fit in my tackle box. My wife – like many non-fishing wives – doesn’t understand how I can continue to buy fishing tackle when I haven’t used up all that I’ve got. “It’s not like trading cars,” I tell her. The angler who asked me the question was surprised when I told him that he already knew how to find the answer to his question. He knew that he couldn’t silently and stubbornly buy one lure after another, trying each one to determine if it worked

before buying another, and another, and another. The answer is networking with other fishers, talking to tackle shops, reading how-to books for specific species, visiting web-sites and asking questions. One of the most interactive ways to learn about sport fishing in our region of the Chesapeake Bay is to get a bunch of your friends together and book a couple of charter fishing trips. Watch what they do, how they organize their tackle, which lures they use, and where they go to catch fish. Ask questions! These are anglers too, and they love to talk about our sport. Next, wrangle a ride on a friend’s fishing boat with an offer to share expenses. Even if you’ve already got your own boat, fishing with friends is a sure fire way to get information about how to be successful on the water. My favorite way to share information is through sport fishing and conservation groups like the Maryland Saltwater Sportfishing Association (www.mssa.net) and the Coastal Conservation Association, Maryland (www.ccamd. org). Both of these organizations have local chapters that meet regularly in our area. A primary purpose of each local chapter meeting is to share information about fishing methods and locations common to our part of the Bay. These groups like to recruit new members, but you don’t have to be a member to attend one of their meetings. Stop by one or both of the local chapter meetings, listen to what they have to say and then decide. They can help you become a better angler. riverdancekeith@hotmail.com. Keith has been a recreational angler on the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries for over 50 years; he fishes weekly from his small boat during the season, and spends his free time supporting local conservation organizations.

! n w o D w o h S . . . . n w o D w Mo Saturday, April 2, 2011 Gates open @ 4 p.m. Racing @ 7 p.m.

Sunday, April 3, 2011 Gates open @ 11 a.m. Racing @ 1 p.m.

Sneak Preview Lawn Mowers 7PM to 8PM, Friday April 1 Free Admission!! No Stock Cars

General Admission $8 • Kids 8 and Under- Free Info: 301-481-8855 or visit us at www.potomacspeedway.com Track Line: 301-884-4200


The County Times

Thursday, March 31, 2011

32

THURSDAY March 31, 2011

Hornets Serve Thesmelves Success Page 28

County Fires Two Department Heads Story Page 5

Photo By Frank Marquart

Student Project Ready for Shuttle Launch Story Page 14

Navy Chiefs Helping to Build Two Homes

Story Page 20


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Thursday, March 31, 2011

The County Times WHILE SUPPLIES LAST, NO RAIN CHECKS

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The County Times

Community

Parish Dinner/Festival

A Parish Dinner/Festival will be held on Sunday, May 1st from 12 Noon till 5 p.m., in Immaculate Conception Church Parish Center, located at 28297 Old Village Road, Mechanicsville, directly behind the church. The menu includes: Steamship Round, Crab Balls, Southern Fried Chicken, Green Beans, Beets, Applesauce, Coleslaw, Potatoes, Garden Salad, Rolls, Desserts, and Beverages. The cost is: $18.00 for adults and carry out and $7.00 for children ages 6 to 12,

and children under 6 eat free. Come out and enjoy a fantastic meal and participate in the festivities: Big Raffle, 50-50 Raffle, White Elephant Table, Bake Table, Plant Table, Door Prizes, Bingo and more. Lots of fun for the whole family. All proceeds to benefit the hall building fund. This year’s event is being chaired by the IC Angels (Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary). For information/tickets call 301884-3123 or 301-274-1931.

Plant Sale and Free Plant Exchange

Whether you are a novice or an experienced gardener, a long-time resident or new to the area, Sotterley Plantation invites you to revel in the wonders of springtime at the 13th Annual Plant Sale and Free Plant Exchange on Saturday, April 30. The Plant Sale, sponsored by the Sotterley Garden Guild, will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Because of their dedication to this National Historic Landmark, these nurturing volunteers have not only raised thousands of dollars in support of Sotterley Plantation, but they are also responsible for the maintenance of exquisite Colonial Revival Garden. Their passion for beauty is evident to the smallest of details, so take the opportunity to appreciate their horticultural artistry. The Free Plant Exchange will run from 10 a.m. to Noon. Your plants in exchange for other annuals, perennials, herbs, vegetables, shrubs, trees, bulbs and seeds. “Every year the warehouse overhang is filled and overflowing with plants – all from someone’s garden so they will thrive in this area,” stated Linda Bazemore, Free Plant Exchange Coordinator. “And as long as we have plants available, people can go through the line as many times as they would like.” For information regarding the Free Plant Exchange, call 301-904-3439. For more information on upcoming Sotterley Plantation events, visit our website at www.sotterley.org.

Thursday, March 31, 2011

FDR Boulevard Progress to be Discussed George Erichsen, Director of Public Works and Transportation for St. Mary’s County will be the guest speaker at the April 14 meeting of the League of Women Voters of St. Mary’s County. Mr. Erichsen will discuss the current status and future plans for FDR Boulevard. The luncheon meeting will be at Lenny’s Restaurant on Rte 235 in California at 11:30 a.m. For lunch

reservations please call 301-737-0790 no later than Monday, April 11. Interested members of the public are invited to attend and participate. The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan community-based political organization founded in 1920, encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government. Learn more at the website www.smc.lwvmd.org.

Young Life Entertainment Night A night filled with entertainment by kids who are involved in the Young Life program is being held on Saturday, April 9 from 6:30 - 9pm at the Lexington Park United Methodist Church, 21760 Great Mills Road. The purpose of this event is to introduce parents and other interested adults to the Young Life mission, while showcasing our kids and helping them to raise funds to defray the cost of going to camp this summer. The target audience for the night is parents of Saint Mary’s County high school and middle school kids who are already involved with Young Life, parents who would like to know more about Young Life, potential adult leaders and support team members, teachers, and folks from Charles & Calvert Counties who might be interested in helping to get new Young Life ministries started. The cost of admission is only $5. Tickets will be available at the door. Space is limited - first come, first served.

NARFE, Chapter 969 Luncheon/Meeting April 13, at 10 a.m., is the deadline for making reservations for the St. Mary’s County Chapter 969, National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE, luncheon/meeting. The luncheon/meeting will be held at Olde Breton Inn in Leonardtown, Friday, April 15. The cost of the luncheon buffet is $14.50. The social hour begins at 11:00 a.m., and lunch is at noon. The program for the April meeting will be music by Harold Wood, Kenny Wathen & Cecil Norris. Reservations for lunch are required -- call Judy Loflin, 301-872-0064. Members will be charged for the cost of lunch if reservations are not kept or cancelled by the deadline. If you are interested in only attending the meeting, it begins at 12:45 p.m.

Four Generations of Workers Expected at Job Fair The College of Southern Maryland is hosting its annual TriCounty Job and Career Fair for students and community members at the La Plata Campus April 7. “This is a different time in our community’s history. It’s the first time we have four generations of workers looking for jobs,” Assistant Director, Advisement and Career Services Lisa Warren said in a press release. Presented by the college’s Career Services office, the job fair brings more than 40 area employers representing area hospitals; utility, real estate and insurance companies; federal and local government; and non-profit organizations to the campus. Businesses in Southern Maryland will be recruiting for current job openings as well as advising on future career opportunities and internships within their organizations. In addition to employer booths, human resources professionals from the Naval Research Laboratory will lead a workshop on the federal government hiring process with up-to-date information on new forms and procedures. Career Services will have a Resume RX table staffed by career professionals who will review and provide feedback and recommendations to participants throughout the day. Attendees should be ready to sit for an interview with an employer on the spot, said Warren. “That means you are dressed as you would be for an interview, you have a polished resume in hand and you have practiced how you will answer questions about your experience and goals,” Warren said. “A lot of people make the mistake of going to a job fair unprepared. There is a lot of work to do before you get there if you want to make the most of your day and if you want to make the best first impression.” For information on CSM’s Career Services and a list of employers participating in the Job and Career Fair, visit http://www. csmd.edu/careerservices/.

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Attendees at the CSM hosted Tri-County Job Fair should arrive ready to sit for an interview with an employer on the spot.


21

The County Times

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Business

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

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

Want Personal Local Service?

Cross & Wood

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

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

Mary Clifton Financial Advisor

Retirement Planning • Stocks • Bonds Mutual Funds • IRAs • CDs CALL 301-884-4575 for Consultation

Deadlines for Classifieds are Tuesday at 12 pm.

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

Classifieds Real Estate A 20 acre lot, with perk, mostly cleared flat land backed with trees- great for a single family with lots of privacy and plenty of room for pasture with a stream running along edge of property, or can be subdivided. In a great location in the middle of Hollywood on a private road in a quite neighborhood. If interested call 301-373-8462 or e-mail jlaowens@aol.com. Price: $349,900.

Real Estate Rentals

Law Offices of

Cozy 2 bedroom, 1 bath home nestled in wooded area. Living Room with gas fireplace and beautiful bright sunroom. Hardwood floors. Large open kitchen with ceramic tile. Shed with power and light. Walk to lake, fishing, beaches close by. On a cul de sac. 1200.00/mo. 410-610-7072.

Since 1987

Apartment Rentals

12685 Amberleigh Lane La Plata, MD 20646

28231 Three Notch Rd, #101 Mechanicsville, MD 20659

Member SIPC

28103 Three Notch Road • Mechanicsville

P.A. Hotchkiss & Associates WHERE YOUR LEGAL MATTER-MATTERS

Auto Accidents – Criminal – Domestic Wills – Power of Attorney DWI/Traffic – Workers’ Compensation

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

301-870-7111 1-800-279-7545 www.pahotchkiss.com

Serving the Southern Maryland Area

Accepting All Major Credit Cards

301-866-0777

Est. 1982

snheatingac.com

Lic #12999

Pub & Grill

Bldg Service Worker Must have exp in commercial cleaning. Drug free environment. Must have valid Driver’s Lic. & clean criminal background. Send resume to rtlawnmaint@ aol.com or fax to 301-863-3366 Sparkling Touch Janitorial Service.

Yard and Estate Sales

www.dbmcmillans.com

HUGHESVILLE Indoor Estate Sale 4/02 & 4/03 8am-3pm 6915 Olive Damsel • Ct Lake Jameson

358 Days Till St. Patrick’s Day Entertainment All Day

Services

301-737-0777

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

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

Employment

Ground Maintenance Tech. Experience in ground maintenance a plus. Valid DL Required. Background check and drug testing required. RT’s Lawn Maintenance. 301-863-5199.

23415 Three Notch Road California Maryland

Hello, my name is Misty. I was thrown out of a car and left by the side of the road. Thankfully a kind person heard me scream and rescued me and called Feral Cat Rescue. I am now with Diane at my foster home. At first I was shy and scared; but she found out quickly that I am extremely sweet and loving. She made me trust people again; gave me lots of love and petting. I finally became friends with all the other cats that she is fostering. I am very affectionate and spend time on the couch with my foster mom sitting on her lap. Then I follow her to bed and sleep with her! I am looking for a permanent home with lots of love. If you would like to adopt me, please fill out an application at www.feralcatrescuemd.org and email it to moonandhunt@hotmail.com. or call Diane at 301-481-0171. P.S. I am less than a year old! Feral Cat Rescue is always looking for volunteers and foster homes as well as suitable outside accommodations for kitties who need to be outside all the time and fed. All of FCR cats are vetted and have all shots and are neutered. Please help them help us!

Small unfurnished one bedroom apt, $900.00 per month, Utilities included. Washer & Dryer on premises. Garage Parking, No Section 8, No Pets, Non Smoker. Minutes from PAX River. Lease and security deposit required. Applicants subject to background check. If interested, call Dana @ 301737-1257 or email dwcullison@smcm.edu

Home Cleaning Service Cleaning done right, Call Mr. Davis 301-247-3569

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


The County Times

Thursday, March 31 • Basket Bingo Benefit to Raise Funds for Chopticon High Mechanicsville Fire House Social Hall (28165 Hills Club Road, Mechanicsville) – 7 p.m. The Charlotte Hall Rotary Club will host their 6th annual basket bingo. Proceeds will benefit the 2011 college scholarship fund for graduating seniors at Chopticon High School. Reserve a seat in advance to be included in a free drawing for the 2011 Easter Basket. The person who brings the most people with them will win the new Maddy Handbag and Cell Phone Case Combo. All regular game baskets will have liners and protectors. Admission is $20 for 20 games and its an additional $5 for extra game packet. There will also be five fantastics, pull-tab for baskets, door prizes, 50/50 raffle, basket raffle, refreshments and more. Call Shirley at 240298-3885 or 301-904-0642 to be included in the basket drawing.

Friday, April 1 • St. John’s School Open House St. John’s School (43900 Saint Johns Road, Hollywood) – 10 a.m. St. John’s School will be holding an open house. They are now Enrolling Pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade. St. John’s School is fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. Before and after care is available. • Lenten Seafood Dinners Immaculate Heart of Mary Church (22375 Three Notch Road, Lexington Park) – 4:30 p.m. Everybody is welcome and carryout meals will be available. The prices range from $7 to $15 and children under the age of three eat free. The Lenten Dinners will be offered every Friday until April 15. For more information, call 301-863-8144. • Artisan of the Month Craft Guild Shop (26005 Point Lookout Road, Leonardtown) – 5 p.m. The Craft Guild Shop’s featured artisan for the month of April will be Tori Hosier of Granny Hoppers, who makes Black Hat Society soap, hand poured scented candles and faux food candles, plus a line of bath and body items. For more information, please call 301-997-1644. • Michael Bell Fenwick Street Used Books and Music (41655 Fenwick Street, Leonardtown) – 5 p.m. Fenwick Street Used Books & Music is proud to present Michael Bell for First Friday. Michael Bell is a local singersongwriter in the acoustic rock genre who has performed at a number of First Friday events as well as at other local venues such as The Coffee Quarter, The North End Gallery, and The Hilton Garden Inn. Michael’s music focuses on themes surrounding family, faith, and social and environmental responsibility.

Saturday, April 2 • Father Andrew White School Fun Run St. Mary’s Ryken High School (22600

Camp Calvert Road Leonardtown) – 7:30 a.m. The Father Andrew White School will host their 3rd Annual FAW 5K and 1-mile Fun Run at St. Mary’s Ryken High School. Start your spring off right with a great run on the beautiful rolling hill course through downtown historic Leonardtown. To pre-register, please complete the registration form found at http://fatherandrewwhite.org/faw-3rd-annual-5krun-april-2-2011/ and mail in. Registration is $20. There will also be same-day registration for a $25 fee. For more information or for questions, contact Christa Hayes at Christa.Hayes@smrhs.org or Kathy Magiera at KMagiera_5@hotmail. com. The run is sponsored by Chesapeake Bay Running Club. • Boating Instruction Southern Maryland Higher Education Center (44219 Airport Road, California) – 9 a.m. A full day of boating instruction by the Patuxent River Sail and Power Squadron. The first topic is using VHF & VHF/ DSC Marine Radio. The cost is $31 for USPS members/$51 non-members and people will learn everything they need to know using VHF/DSC including how VHF’s work and their controls, using the correct channels and procedures, advanced methods of communication and more. The second topic begins at 1 p.m. and is Partners in Command, An introduction to command for partners and crew. The price for admission is $36 USPS members/$56 non-members. This seminar can give family crews the confidence they need to handle an emergency that may strike at anytime while boating. Partners and crew will learn boat handling, rules of the road and navigation aids, emergencies on-board and safety equipment, and how to call for help using VHF Communications. • Asbury Solomons Sale Asbury Solomons Retirement Community (11100 Asbury Circle, Solomons) – 9 a.m. The sale will include Betty’s Closet resale clothing, a boutique with better quality gently used clothing and accessories. There will also have a collection of evening gowns. Books will also be on sale from the Asbury library. All proceeds go to benefit Asbury Solomons Benevolent Care Fund. For more information, call 410-394-3483. • Masonic Lodge Open House Thomas J. Shryock Lodge 223 (24410 Mervell Dean Road, Hollywood) – 10 a.m. The Grand Lodge of Maryland of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons invites the public to an open house at every lodge in the State of Maryland. Officers and members will be available to answer questions about Freemasonry and additional associated bodies such as the Eastern Stars, Scottish Rite, Job’s Daughters and MeMolay. Light refreshments will be served.

Sunday, April 3 • Spring Breakfast Mechanicsville Volunteer Rescue Squad (28120 Old Flora Corner Road Mechanicsville) – 8 a.m. The cost for adults will be $8 and

Thursday, March 31, 2011

22

children ages 8 and under will be $5. Breakfast will include 
pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, sausage gravy and biscuits, hash browns, donuts, orange juice, apple juice and coffee.

Monday, April 4 • Wire Wrapping Jewelry Class Garvery Senior Activity Center (41780 Baldridge Street, Leonardtown) – 1 p.m. The cost is $60 for individuals 60 years of age or older and $70 for all others. The class is Designed specifically for beginners. Wire wrap is a hand-fabricated method of jewelry design and creation. It involves the use of tools to bind and twist wires together. Some of the basic techniques include twisting the wire, wrapping a wire bundle, crimping or flattening the wrap, scrolling and shaping. This jewelry making technique is possible to learn and perform in home studios because the needed tools are simple. It does not involve the use of solder, fire, chemicals or complicated machinery. People will not leave with a finished product but with the knowledge to complete your own wrapped piece. To register for this class visit www. csmd.edu/OnlineServices/coned/registration.html or call 240-725-5300

Tuesday, April 5 • Nature Time At Greenwell Greenwell State Park (25450 Rosedale Manor Lane, Hollywood) – 10 a.m. Enjoy the wonders of nature at Greenwell State Park through games, crafts, stories, movement, and exploration. Nature Time is a program for young children and their families/caregivers. This week’s theme is “Hittin’ the White Trail.” Preregistration no later than 24 hours in advance is required via email at lpranzo@ greenwellfoundation.org or by calling the Greenwell Foundation office at 301-3739775. Visit www.greenwellfoundation.org or call 301-373-9775 for the schedule and for more information.

Wednesday, April 6 • Free Line Dance Lessons Hotel Charles (15100 Burnt Store Road, Hughesville) – 7 p.m. The Boot Scooters of Southern Maryland are offering free Line Dance Lessons. The lessons will be followed by the regular weekly practice session. Anyone interested in obtaining more information about these lessons or interested joining the Boot Scooters of Southern Maryland can contact them through link on their website at http://www.bootscootersofsomd.blogspot. com/

L ibrary Items • Families can enjoy free movie matinee Families can drop in for a free movie at Leonardtown on Apr. 1 at 2 p.m. The PG rated movie is about a bandit, Flynn Rider, who hides in a tower and finds Rapunzel. Snacks are provided. • LEGO fun and storytimes planned LEGO Fun is planned at Charlotte Hall on Apr. 1 for children ages 3-6 from 10-11:30 a.m. and for ages 6 and older from 1-2:30 p.m. Lexington Park will offer LEGO Fun for ages 6 and older on Apr. 1 from 2-3:30 p.m. LEGOs are provided at both libraries. An evening storytime will be held at Lexington Park on Apr. 6 at 6 p.m. followed by LEGO fun for all ages at 6:30 p.m. Charlotte Hall and Leonardtown will offer an evening storytime on Apr. 7 at 6 p.m. followed by LEGO fun for all ages at 6:30 p.m. • Poets can share poems Poets young and old are invited to come and share a favorite poem or an original one or just come to listen at the Poetry Open Mic on Apr. 6 at 6 p.m. at Leonardtown. Local poet, Wendy Kibler, will be the opening reader. • Ruth Mitchell will dig into St. Mary’s City’s past Ruth Mitchell, Senior Staff Archaeologist at Historic St. Mary’s City, will discuss her work on St. John’s Site Museum and her current project at Anne Arundel Hall in St. Mary’s City at a special program on April 13 at 7 p.m. at Leonardtown. • Reception planned for Relationship Tile Project An opening reception for the Walden Sierra Relationship Tile Project will be held on April 13 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Lexington Park Library Art Gallery. The mosaics, created in workshops held at Walden Sierra in spring 2010, depict relationships known to the contributor. The mosaics will be on display through May 15. • Teens invited to TAG Teens can meet and hang out with other teens, chat up books, and play Wii at the TAG (Teen Advisory Group) meeting at Lexington Park on April 12 at 5:30 p.m., at Charlotte Hall on April 14 at 5 p.m. and at Leonardtown on April 14 at 6 p.m. Snacks are provided.

Adopt A Pet! Hello there !!! My name is Milo. I am a lovable and happy 6 month old terrier mix. I am a little shy but very sweet and soft. I love peanut butter in my red barn bones. I am looking for a family to love and a home to call my own. I am up to date on vaccinations, neutered, crate trained, house trained and identification micro chipped. For more information, please call 240-925-0628 or email lora@secondhoperescue.org.


23

The County Times

Thursday, March 31, 2011

A Journey Through Time The

(705 to date). His volunteer activities, however, extend far beyond the college. On any given day, you’re likely to find him at the Historical Society, the Court House, Sotterly or out looking for historic mills, dams and such. And, I almost forgot, he serves of innumerable committees, all involving the history of this county. When the court house burned in 1831, our early deeds were lost. Deeds contain much valuable information, i.e., who owned the property, when, and where. For those of us researching our families, it’s a good resource to determine relationships (as our marriage records were lost as well). Along comes Pete who has spent many years researching, locating, and mapping out the properties of our ancestors. I don’t know about you, but I’d like to know where they lived. Just recently I asked him to show me the location of “Recompense.” This had belonged to Philemon Davis, an ancestor of mine. Within a few hours, I had a map and that evening my husband and I rode to that area (located near the end of Flora Corner Road as it intersects Rt. 6 in Mechanicsville). There and then Philemon came alive for me. This was his home (although the house is no Pete Himmelheber longer there) City, July 2010

Chronicle

By Linda Reno Contributing Writer Over the past weekend, there were a series of events to celebrate Maryland Day. One very special event occurred at St. Mary’s College on Saturday when Pete Himmelheber received the Cross Bottony Award. I, along with a multitude of other “fans of Pete” attended. This particular award was begun by the college in 1988 and is awarded to “recognize important contributions to the preservation of Historic St. Mary’s City and the interpretation of Maryland history.” Pete serves as a volunteer tour guide at Historic St. Mary’s City. He wears his early Maryland costume and carries a wooden walking stick on which he makes a notch for each tour given

Wanderings of an Aimless

A Day in the Sun

That was the quickest snow I have ever seen; just perfect in my opinion. I like snow when it is supposed to happen, but I’m not as crazy about it coming at the end of March. We had just transplanted three forsythia plants the day before. The plants seem to be okay though. Forsythia are pretty hardy – we have never lost any of them yet. In fact they seem to grow three feet overnight. Also, forsythia are high enough and visible enough, that they will not suffer the same fate of my azaleas and irises – razed by a riding lawn mower. Usually spring comes too early for me each year, and I think, “We only had 3 weeks of Spring, and 5 weeks of Fall, but we had 22 weeks of Winter and 22 weeks of hot Summer - something is not right”. This year I am savoring every minute, every second of Spring. We are already planning 4’ x 4’ raised beds for gardening this year. The higher the better, then the voles and moles can’t destroy nature’s bounty. I’m going to plant hyacinths and every smelly flower I can think of to keep the squirrels out. I can’t believe they have not eaten the hyacinths yet – now I will look out tomorrow and the flowers will all be gone. Day lilies seem to be immune from squirrel attacks too. So I transplanted twenty or so clumps from the back yard to fill in the forty foot arc of day lilies in the front yard; where we spend most of our time. The azaleas got fertilized and my husband raked and burned. It was a good day. I stayed outside most of the day, heading inside reluctantly about 8p.m. As many of you know, when you work inside all week any time spent out of doors is to be treasured. A day with sun is really nice. I did start off with a bike ride. This is my new thing, or rather return to a favorite thing. My bike has been inside the shed for quite a long time. I asked my husband

When growing up, your loving and nurturing reply when we would question you would be -- “because I’m $#%&* right - any more questions?” Pete: “ankle biters.” Daughters: “grandchildren.” Pete: “lawn maintenance.” Daughters: “An old-fashioned, non-motorized push mower for each daughter…” Pete: “diaper.” Daughters: “T shirt from under his softball uniform (postgame!) to change daughter Nancy when he left the diaper bag at home.” Pete: “love note.” Daughters: “Scribbled message to wife left on the kitchen table (surrounded by blood after knocking his two front teeth out), with no other explanation other than he has driven himself to the hospital (or was it dentist?).” Pete: “winner.” Daughters: “Taking the crown in the $1.98 beauty contest at work, much to mom’s embarrassment.”

d Book Review

Min

By Shelby Oppermann Contributing Writer

where he lived, farmed, raised his family, and later died. I was “coming home.” Pete and his wife Lillie (Fenwick) have four grown daughters (Becky, Diane, Nancy and Susan), all of whom were at Saturday’s presentation. Obviously they were raised in a loving home, filled with laughter based on some of their comments when they learned of his nomination.

to fill the tires, oil everything that needed oiling, and check out the gears. The gears slip every few seconds, making it twice as long to get anywhere. Now, he has them adjusted just right. The only remaining problem is the seat. It hurts! I would have thought I had enough padding to not even feel the seat. No, apparently not. I have a mini couch cushion I’m thinking of strapping to the seat. The jelly leg feeling after I dismount is kind of a problem too. I bounce around off of things for awhile until I can get to my bench in the front yard. Oh, and I forgot about my ears. My ears ache after I ride my bike – not the inside, the outside. They don’t feel cold at all, not with all this hair. I can’t figure it out. I won’t even mention the weird ear thing to my husband, that is a sure set-up for another Dumbo joke. And then my feelings will be hurt. Gosh, I didn’t realize I was going to need therapy just to ride a bike again. Life is complicated isn’t it. I think my subconscious is practicing avoidance technique without my permission. But the bike ride did give me lots of energy for all that planting later on. When we grilled chicken outside in the afternoon, you would have thought it was the first meal I had eaten in days. There is nothing like the smell of grilled food to make me happy. This is the time to be outside before mosquito season begins, and ticks are not crawling all over you. I don’t mind transplanting now before the ants take over and claim their turf. None of the no-see-ums are out yet either; you can eat in peace. I can’t wait for my next few days at home. I have so much I want to get done before our beautiful short, Spring is over. Please enjoy each day and find some time to spend out in the sun. To each new day’s adventure, Shelby Please send comments or ideas to: shelbys.wanderings@yahoo.com.

at Historic St. Mary’s

Beauty contest? No. Winner? Yes.

“Emily and Einstein” by Linda Francis Lee

c.2011, St. Martin’s Press

$24.99 / $28.99 Canada

By Terri Schlichenmeyer Contributing Writer Your dog can’t talk. But you know exactly what he wants. One woof means “out.” A different grumble means he wants a treat. A certain look means “scratch my belly.” Sure, he may not carry on a conversation with you, but he communicates just the same and he gets you to do his bidding. One of you is very well-trained. Because of that, despite what scientists say, it’s hard not to attribute human qualities to animals that share your home. But you’ll never look at your dog again in the same way, once you’ve read “Emily and Einstein”, the new novel by Linda Francis Lee. Alexander “Sandy” Portman was going to ask his wife for a divorce. When he first laid eyes on Emily, he knew he had to have her – and since Sandy got everything he wanted, it was only a matter of time before he cajoled Emily into his arms, daring her to love him. She couldn’t resist. Alas, that was two years ago and now it just wasn’t working for Sandy. Divorce would break Emily’s heart. Oddly, he didn’t care. But that was all before he died. It was all before he begged the old man in feathers for a second chance. Before the old man, cruel jokester that he was, gave Sandy a new body he wasn’t happy having… Saving the scruffy, wire-haired little mutt was all that was important to Emily in the days after Sandy’s accident. Not her shaky job at Caldecote Press, not her wild younger sister,

356 pages

not the fact that Sandy’s mother was being a harridan, nothing else distracted her like taking care of the dog she named Einstein. She had spent money she didn’t have on saving the pooch and though she initially had no intention of adopting him, she was ultimately glad she did. He was a curmudgeonly little guy, kind of stand-offish, but he surely lived up to his name! Einstein was so smart. He seemed to know everything about Emily and he acted as if he’d lived in her Dakota apartment all his life. Strangest of all, he reminded her so much of Sandy… Who really resides within the fur of the four-legged one at your feet? You’ll think of plenty of possibilities to ponder when you’re finished reading this adorably smart book. “Emily and Einstein” is one of those novels that captures your imagination and takes it for a ride. I really enjoyed the way author Linda Francis Lee leads her readers with observations through the eyes of a small, fuzzy, accidentallyquadrupedal man, and the way she envisions his spiritual life is just perfect. Lee was so good at creating Einstein, in fact, that you shouldn’t be surprised if your mind is drawn to your own pet and his human-like characteristics: what, exactly, is going on behind those liquid “Pet Me” eyes? More fun than a squeaky ball, tastier than a bacon-flavored bone, “Emily and Einstein” will charm you quick. If you’re looking for something cute to read, this is the book you want.


The County Times

Thursday, March 31 • Dave Norris DB McMillan’s (23415 Three Notch Road, California) – 5 p.m. • Gretchen Richie “The Music of Cole Porter” Cafe Des Artistes (41655 Fenwick Street, Leonardtown) – 6 p.m. • Special Olympics No Limit Poker Night Bennett Building (24930 Old Three Notch Road, Hollywood) – 7 p.m. • No Rake Hold ‘Em Tournament R.T.S. Event Building (21030 Point Lookout Road, Callaway) – 7 p.m. • Live Music with the Piranhas Ruddy Duck Brewery (13200 Dowell Road, Dowell) – 7:30 p.m.

• Mike Mead The Blue Dog Saloon (7940 Port Tobacco Road, Port Tobacco) – 9 p.m.

Friday, April 1 • Dave Norris DB McMillan’s (23415 Three Notch Road, California) – 5 p.m. • Fractal Folk First Friday Event Big Larry’s Comic Book Café (22745 Washington Street, Leonardtown) – 5 p.m. • Randy Richie on Piano Cafe Des Artistes (41655 Fenwick Street, Leonardtown) – 6:30 p.m. • Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament VFW Post 2632 (41655 23282 Three Notch Road, California) – 7 p.m.

• Karaoke Finals Issac’s Restaurant and Pub at Holiday Inn Solomons (155 Holiday Drive, Solomons) – 8:30 p.m. • Hate the Toy Vera’s White Sands Beach Club (1200 White Sands Drive, Lusby) – 9 p.m. • Dance DJ Martini’s Lounge (10553 Theodore Green Boulevard, White Plains) – 9 p.m. • Hollow Point The Blue Dog Saloon (7940 Port Tobacco Road, Port Tobacco) – 9 p.m.

Saturday, April 2 • Fair Warning DB McMillan’s (23415 Three Notch Road, California) – 6 p.m.

• Salsa Thursday House of Dance (24620 Three Notch Road, Hollywood) – 7:30 p.m.

• Fraternal Order of Police Poker Tournament Fraternal order of Police (21215 Chancellors Run Road, Great Mills) – 7 p.m.

• All You Can Drink Ladies’ Night with DJ Chris Big Dogs Paradise (28765 Three Notch Road, Mechanicsville) – 8 p.m.

• Smoke Creek Rounders Live Acoustic Music Ruddy Duck Brewery (13200 Dowell Road, Dowell) – 7:30 p.m.

• Harlen Simple Apehangers Bar and Grill (9100 Crain Highway, Bel Alton) – 9 p.m.

• All You Can Drink Night with DJ Chris Big Dogs Paradise (28765 Three Notch Road, Mechanicsville) – 8 p.m.

• Gretchen Richie “Jazz After Hours with Dancing” Cafe Des Artistes (41655 Fenwick Street, Leonardtown) – 8 p.m.

• Martini Karaoke with DJ Steve Martini’s Lounge (10553 Theodore Green Boulevard, White Plains) – 9 p.m.

• Anthony Ryan County Band Jake and Al’s Chop House (258 Town Square Drive, Lusby) – 8:30 p.m.

• Anthony Ryan Country Band CJ’s Backroom Saloon (12020 Rousby Hall Road, Lusby) – 8 p.m.

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

• Karaoke Contest Dance Party Abner’s Crab House (3725 Harbor Road, Chesapeake Beach) – 8 p.m. • Bob Wire and the Fence Posts Rustic River Bar and Grill (40874 Merchant’s Lane, Leonardtown) – 8:30 p.m. • Pajama Jam Party Featuring One Louder Vera’s White Sands Beach Club (1200 White Sands Drive, Lusby) – 9 p.m. • Wicked Juzabel Martini’s Lounge (10553 Theodore Green Boulevard, White Plains) – 9 p.m. • Hy Jinx with Miles from Clever Hotel Charles (15110 Burnt Store Road, Hughesville) – 9 p.m. • Dee Jay Christian The Blue Dog Saloon (7940 Port Tobacco Road, Port Tobacco) – 9 p.m. • Karaoke with DJ Tommy and DJ T California Applebee’s (45480 Miramar Way, California) – 9 p.m. • Craze Big Dogs Paradise (28765 Three Notch Road, Mechanicsville) – 9:30 p.m.

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Sunday, April 3 • 24th Annual Coming Out Car and Bike Show Charlotte Hall Plaza (29946 Three Notch Road, Charlotte Hall) – 8:30 a.m. • Live Music with Damion Wolf Rustic River Bar and Grill (40874 Merchant’s Lane, Leonardtown) – 12 p.m. • Fraternal Order of Police Poker Tournament Fraternal order of Police (21215 Chancellors Run Road, Great Mills) – 2 p.m.

Monday, April 4 • Mason Sebastian DB McMillan’s (23415 Three Notch Road, California) – 5 p.m. • Family Night Rustic River Bar and Grill (40874 Merchant’s Lane, Leonardtown) – 5 p.m. • Trivia, Pizza and Pint Ruddy Duck Brewery (13200 Dowell Road, Dowell) – 7 p.m.

Tuesday, April 5 • Fair Warning DB McMillan’s (23415 Three Notch Road, California) – 5 p.m. • Team Trivia Night Rustic River Bar and Grill (40874 Merchant’s Lane, Leonardtown) – 6:30 p.m. • Open Pool Tables and a List of Specials Big Dogs Paradise (28765 Three Notch Road, Mechanicsville) – 7 p.m. • Trivia Night with Damion Wolf Island Bar and Grill (16810 Piney Point Road, Piney Point) – 7 p.m.

Wednesday, April 6 • Mason Sebastian DB McMillan’s (23415 Three Notch Road, California) – 5 p.m. • 2-3-4-5 You Pick It and Karaoke with DJ Harry Big Dogs Paradise (28765 Three Notch Road, Mechanicsville) – 7 p.m. • Fraternal Order of Police Poker Tournament Fraternal order of Police (21215 Chancellors Run Road, Great Mills) – 7 p.m. • Free Line Dance Lessons Hotel Charles (15110 Burnt Store Road, Hughesville) – 7 p.m. • Anthony Ryan County Band Ruddy Duck Brewery (13200 Dowell Road, Dowell) – 7:30 p.m.

n O g Goin

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

What’s

Limi te

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

• The Redwine Jazz Trio The Westlawn Inn (9200 Chesapeake Avenue, North Beach) – 6 p.m.

Thursday, March 31, 2011

In Entertainment


25

The County Times

Thursday, March 31, 2011

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

Weekend of Comedy Set for Southern Maryland By Sarah Miller Staff Writer Communities on both sides of the bridge are preparing for a weekend bound to tickle your funny bone and leave you with a smile just in time for April Fool’s Day. For individuals on the St. Mary’s side of the bridge, there will be a double dose of comedy at the Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department on Saturday. Doors open at 6 p.m. for an Attitude Adjustment, followed by dinner and “two really awesome comedians,” according to Roger Mattingly, who helped to coordinate the event for the fire department. For $50, Mattingly said people can come have dinner, which consists of round of beef, crab imperial and roasted turkey with all the trimmings. There will also be an open bar all evening. All proceeds benefit the Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department. Mattingly said the show is meant for an adult audience and, while he said they steer clear of anything obscene, he would give the evening a PG-13 rating. He also said it is best to purchase tickets in advance. The comedians making an appearance at the fire department will be Laurence Mullaney and headliner Scott Angrave. Scott Angrave

Angrave’s website, www.comedymax. com, names him England’s funniest export. “Scott Angrave is a college graduate, a former accountant and a ‘not-so-perfect’ English gentleman. Born in Liverpool some ‘forty-odd’ years ago, he is often asked about his connection to The Beatles. His only claim to fame to the Fab Four is that he ‘was born the same year George Harrison finally reached puberty’,” Angrave’s website states. “Since 1987 he has spent approximately seven months out of every year touring the United States making fun of the people that inhabit his ‘home away from home.’” Angrave also has a book published called “How To Speak Proper English (Like What I Do).” Mullaney is an actor as well as a comedian and will be taking the stage first to get he audience warmed up, Mattingly said. According to his website, www.laurencemullaney.com, “audiences are drawn to Laurence’s signature intensity as he explores topics from being in the Marine Corps to finding God in a flower. Ok, he never found God in a flower but it sounded cool. Despite that, he does talk about deeply personal experiences in a way that relates to everyone.”

As an actor, Laurence has landed roles on both “Law & Order: CI” and “Forensic Files.” His film work includes “Shooter” with Mark Wahlberg along with key roles in Indie films like “Sheep Skin” and “Karma.” He is currently working on the sitcom pilot “Get a Grip” with 3PPG Productions.” For more information, or to make a reservation, call Mattingly at 301-475-5966 or email Rogr69@verizon.net. Individuals who don’t think the double-header comedy event Saturday night will completely quench their funny bone, there will also be a show in Calvert County on Friday night. Jason Linett’s stage hypnosis show will be at 7 p.m. on April 1 at Calvert High School. Tickets will be $5 at the door, which goes to benefit the school. Linett’s show includes bringing people up to the stage, putting them under hypnosis and suggesting them to do things like pretend they’re on a beach, or a movie star. Unlike cinema hypnosis, where a person can be persuaded to do anything under the sun, Linett said in Laurence Mullaney

real life, people will not take suggestions they would not accept in their normal frame of mind. None of the volunteers are made to do anything embarrassing, or what could be seen as inappropriate even out of context. Because Linett performs at so Jason Linett many schools, he said he keeps his act family and kid friendly. Linett described his show as an “interactive comedy event where you can be the star of the show.” He said he does between 60 and 80 shows a year, in addition to appearing at 120 schools across the country. He said it’s rewarding to go to a place he’s been in the past and find that people are still talking about what happened the year before. “It’s really great to go back for a second year,” he said. Linett is being brought to Calvert High School by the Parent, Teachers and Student Association (PTSA). For more information on Linett and his show, visit www. jasonlinett.com. sarahmiller@countytimes.net


The County Times

ner

KiddKioer

CLUES ACROSS 1. Obstructed water 7. Brewed beverage 11. Cellulose nitrate 12. Wheel shaft 13. A large and scholarly book 14. Rated horsepower (abbr.) 15. Soviet ballistic missile 16. Book of tickets 18. Off the usual track 20. Puckered fabric finish 21. Jewish state 23. A neutral fat 24. Lesotho currency 25. Indigenous people of India 26. Single Lens Reflex 27. Near (abbr.) 29. Partridge Family’s Susan 30. Point midway between NE and E 31. Pekoe or green 33. Atomic #37 34. CNN’s Turner

Thursday, March 31, 2011

35. Thou ____ sinned 37. Midget suckermouths 39. Fitzgerald & Cinder 41. Stirring implements 43. Food consumers 44. Facial planes 46. The far east 47. Harvest 48. A matt of grass and roots 51. One stride 52. Paris airport 53. Foes 55. Mama ____, rock singer 56. Following the first thing

CLUES DOWN

1. 1086 English survey 2. Narrow ridge in rugged mountains 3. Doctor designation 4. Russian commune 5. Ethiopia (abbr.) 6. Leave 7. Count _____, jazz legend

26

8. Spreadsheet software 9. 12th Jewish month 10. Actor Foxx 11. Take into account 13. Camera support 16. Corporal (abbr.) 17. Settled onto 19. Lacking courage 21. Malady 22. Made painful to the touch 26. Her heart was ___ __ it 28. Real properties 32. Not awake 36. Small lake 38. Thrashes 40. Obsolete jet airplane 41. Cachets 42. Samuel _____, diarist 43. Stain for studying cell structure 44. Crocodile (abbr.) 45. Queen of the gods 49. Being a single unit 50. Last month 54. 24th state

Last Week’s Puzzles Solutions


27

The County Times

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Wed., Mar. 23

Sat., Mar. 26

Baseball Chopticon 2, Patuxent 1 Northern 11, Great Mills 7

Baseball Chesapeake 11, Chopticon 1

Softball Patuxent 8, Chopticon 5 (eight innings)

Thurs., Mar. 24 Girls’ Lacrosse Huntingtown 16, Chopticon 1 McDonough 13, Great Mills 2 Leonardtown 20, Northern 5

Thurs., Mar. 24 Boys’ Track and Field Great Mills 69, Lackey 46 Great Mills 69, McDonough 58 Thomas Stone 73.33, Great Mills 49.66 Girls’ Track and Field Great Mills 65.5, McDonough 52.5 Lackey 66, Great Mills 55 Thomas Stone 84, Great Mills 47

Fri., Mar. 25 Baseball Chopticon 8, Northern 0 Leonardtown 5, Great Mills 4 Boys’ Lacrosse Northern 14, Leonardtown 1

SPORTS DESK

Boys’ Lacrosse St. Mary’s Ryken 17, Woodberry Forest 6

Baseball Returns – and Not a Moment Too Soon

Softball Northern 10, Chopticon 0 (five innings) Leonardtown 11, Great Mills 0

Mon., Mar. 28 Baseball Chopticon 17, McDonough 4 (five innings) North Point 6, Great Mills 3 Leonardtown 18, Westlake 0 (five innings) St. Mary’s Ryken 13, Good Counsel 6 Softball Chopticon 15, McDonough 13 North Point 11, Great Mills 10 Leonardtown 22, Westlake 0 (five innings) Tennis Great Mills 9, North Point 0 Leonardtown 9, Westlake 0

Tues., Mar. 29 Boys’ Lacrosse Gonzaga 15, St. Mary’s Ryken 8

Girls’ Lacrosse Patuxent 19, Great Mills 5 Bishop Ireton 14, St. Mary’s Ryken 5

Boys’ Track and Field Leonardtown 95, McDonough 42 Patuxent 72.66, Leonardtown 64.33

Tennis Great Mills 9, Thomas Stone 0 Leonardtown 6, Huntingtown 3 Chopticon 4, Patuxent 4 (suspended due to darkness)

Girls’ Track and Field Leonardtown 103, McDonough 34 Leonardtown 121, Patuxent 16

By Chris Stevens Staff Writer With all the talk of labor grievances and other sports-related soap operas, America’s pastime returns in full effect today with Major League Baseball action getting started from New York to Los Angeles. With baseball’s return, it’s going to be nice to talk about professional sports on the field and in MLB’s 143rd season, there are plenty of proper story lines that we should all pay attention to. It is only fitting we lead off with the defending World Series champions, the San Francisco Giants. The Giants won their first ever world title since moving to the Bay Area way back in 1958, defeating the Atlanta Braves, odds-on-favorite Philadelphia and the upstart Texas Rangers to win the crown. The Giants will face a tough road to repeat, but with starting pitching the likes of Tim Lincecum, Jonathan Sanchez and Matt Cain as well as hitters like Pablo Sandoval mashing at the plate, the Giants will more than likely win the NL West again. Their closest competition for the National League penant will more than likely be the Phil-

lies, who have reunited with Cliff Lee to create a pitching staff resembling the Four Horsemen (think Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Tully Blanchard and Ole Anderson for my old school wrestling fans). Yet and still, the Phils’ offense raises questions, and with injuries to young outfielder Domonic Brown and second baseman Chase Utley holding up progress, the Phils may have trouble winning the NL East, facing competition from a revived Atlanta Braves squad. A sleeper team to look out for in the National League would be the Milwaukee Brewers. Even though prized-off season acquisiton Zack Grienke is starting the season on the disabled list, the Brewers can get by with big boppers Prince Fielder, Corey Hart and Ryan Braun until Grienke is well enough to pitch. By then, the Brewers could be well ahead of Cincinnati and St. Louis in the NL Central, as both teams are facing issues of age and injury with their pitching staffs. Meanwhile in the American League, the usual suspects reside in the toughest division in baseball, the AL East. The Red Sox had a very productive season, snatching Carl Crawford away from the division rival Tampa Rays to fill the need for a Gold Glove outfielder who swings

a pretty consistent bat. If the Sox’ pitchers can stay healthy and focused, there’s no reason they shouldn’t win the division. The Yankees, while still a very powerful offensive unit, have A.J. Burnett and Bartolo Colon pitching behind C.C. Sabathia and that spells nothing but trouble for a team that had trouble with mutually decent offensive production last season. Last season’s AL Pennant winner, the Texas Rangers, lost Cliff Lee and Vladimir Guerrero (Orioles fan should be excited because he can still do damage in your lineup) but still have plenty of talent left over to win the AL West again. The Central Division should be the same three again (Minnesota, Detroit and the Chicago White Sox) fighting for the top spot, and since all are similar in terms of talent (consistent pitching and just enough offense), it will be hard to pick a winner. Of course, over a 162 game season that will take us to the end of September anything can happen. But at least we’ll be talking about what will be happening on the field instead of boardroom foolishness. Play ball. Questions? Comments? Complaints? Send ‘em all to Chris at chrisstevens@countytimes.net.

Sabres Hockey Registration is Open Online registration is now open for the Southern Maryland Sabres Ice Hockey Spring Skate Sessions. Thurs., Mar. 31 Baseball St. Mary’s Ryken at Chopticon, 4:30 p.m. Boys’ Lacrosse Westlake at Chopticon, 6 p.m. Girls’ Lacrosse Great Mills at Leonardtown, 6:30 p.m. Golf Holy Cross vs. St. Mary’s Ryken at Breton Bay, 3:15 p.m. Softball St. Mary’s Ryken at Chopticon, 4:30 p.m.

Fri., Apr. 1 Boys’ Lacrosse Leonardtown at Great Mills, 6:30 p.m. Paul VI at St. Mary’s Ryken, 7 p.m. Girls’ Lacrosse Chopticon at Westlake, 6:30 p.m. St. Mary’s Ryken at Paul VI, TBA

Mon., Apr. 4 Baseball Bishop McNamara at St. Mary’s Ryken, 4 p.m. Lackey at Chopticon, 4:30 p.m. North Point at Leonardtown, 4:30 p.m. Boys’ Lacrosse Leonardtown at Thomas Stone, 6:30 p.m. Good Counsel at St. Mary’s Ryken, 7:15 p.m. Girls’ Lacrosse St. Mary’s Ryken at Good Counsel, 4 p.m. Golf St. Mary’s Ryken at Good Counsel, 3:15 p.m. Softball St. Mary’s Ryken at Bishop

McNamara, 3:30 p.m. Lackey at Chopticon, 4:30 p.m. North Point at Leonardtown, 4:30 p.m. Tennis Chopticon at Lackey, 4 p.m. Leonardtown at North Point, 4 p.m.

Tues., Apr. 5 Baseball St. Mary’s Ryken at Bishop Ireton, 4 p.m. Boys’ Lacrosse North Point at Chopticon, 6:30 p.m. Boys’ Tennis Bishop McNamara at St. Mary’s Ryken, 3:30 p.m. Girls’ Lacrosse Chopticon at North Point, 6:30 p.m. Thomas Stone at Leonardtown, 6:30 p.m. Golf St. John’s vs. St. Mary’s Ryken at Breton Bay, 3:15 p.m. Track and Field Chopticon/Huntingtown at Lackey, 4 p.m. Leonardtown/Westlake at Thomas Stone, 4 p.m.

Wed., Apr. 6 Baseball St. Mary’s Ryken at DeMatha, 4:15 p.m. Great Mills at Chopticon, 4:30 p.m. Girls’ Lacrosse Pope John Paul the Great at St. Mary’s Ryken, 4 p.m. Softball St. Mary’s Ryken at St. John’s, 4 p.m. Great Mills at Chopticon, 4:30 p.m.

8 Sessions - 1.5 hours each 45 minutes - Skills with Skating Skills Instructor Brian Magill 45 minutes - Scrimmage $ 140.00 Sign-up today online at www. somdsabres.org Please register at your USA Hockey age for next season 2011-2012

Atoms, Mites (8:30 - 10:00 am) Saturday Apr 2, 9, 16, 23, 2011 Sunday May 1, 2011 Saturday May 7,14, 21, 2011 10:30 - 12:00 pm Saturday June 11, 2011

Thursday April 7, 14, 21, 28, 2011 Thursday May 12, 19, 26, 2011

Squirts (6:15 - 7:40) Tuesday April 5, 12, 19, 26, 2011 Tuesday May 10, 17, 24, 2011

Midget (7:50-9:15) Thursday Mar 31, 2011 Thursday April 7, 14, 21, 28, 2011 Thursday May 12, 19, 26, 2011

Pee Wee (6:15 - 7:40) Thursday Mar 31, 2011

USTA Junior Team Tennis Registrations Begins Friday

Bantam (7:50-9:15) Tuesday April 5, 12, 19, 26, 2011 Tuesday May 10, 17, 24, 2011

USA Hockey 2011-2012 Age Groups Mite 2003-2004 Squirt 2001-2002 PeeWee 1999-2000 Bantam 1997-1998 U-16 1996-1996 U-18 1993-1994

Pax River Raiders Cheerleading and Player Registration Is Open

Registrations Begin for Junior Team Tennis, April 1, 2011. 10U, 14U, and 18U divisions. Please contact Derek Sabedra at ddsabedra@smcm.edu or 410-610-4300 for further information on locations and dates. Season begins May 25, 2011! Sign-up at http://jrteamtennis.usta.com/

Pax River Raiders has opened Registrations for the 2011 Fall Football and Cheerleading Season. Registrations are available Online at www.paxriverraiders.org or walkin registrations begin Saturday April 2nd 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Wal Mart in California, MD and continue each Saturday. Also available are the 2011 Contact Camp and Cheer Camp. Please visit www.paxriverraiders.org for more details.

USTA Kids Campus Day Takes Place Saturday

Pax River Rugby Seeks Players for Adult Rugby League

First Annual Kids Campus Day, April 2, 2011, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at St. Mary's College of Maryland. Free Event and Tournament! Win prizes, 14U and 18U divisions. Contact Derek Sabedra at ddsabedra@smcm.edu or 410-610-4300.

The Pax River Men and Women’s Rugby clubs are looking for new players with no experience necessary. We will teach you all you need to know about playing one of the nation’s fastest growing sports. Free medical insurance during all practices and matches. More details can be found on paxrugby.com or by calling Justin Thomson at 732-4929760 or 1-877-806-7775.

Youth basketball championships tip off at Chopticon Thursday The St. Mary’s County Rec and Parks youth basketball championship games will take place at Chopticon High School starting Thursday. The 5th and 6th grade girls’ final will be played Thursday at 6 p.m., while the boys’ 5th and 6th grade final will be Friday at 6:30 p.m. and the 7th and 8th grade boys’ championship game will tip-off at 7:30 p.m. For more information, contact Kenny Sothoron at 301-475-4200, extension 1830.


Sp rts

The County Times

Thursday, March 31, 2011

28

Tennis

Hornets Staying Focused in Defending Tennis Title By Chris Stevens Staff Writer GREAT MILLS – Even though the Great Mills tennis team is trying to put last season’s surprising Southern Maryland Athletic Conference team championship

Alex Lapka of Great Mills sends a return to his opponent during his 6-2, 6-2 victory Monday. Photo by Frank Marquart

behind them, it will be hard to do so if they continue playing like champions. The Hornets ran their 2011 record to 4-0 (2-0 in conference matches) with a 9-0 win over North Point on a breezy Monday afternoon, their third such match sweep this season. “I’m real excited about the progress they’ve been making, they continue to work hard,” Hornets coach Treva Eversole said. “We talked about the championship and said ‘That was last year.’ They have to prove what this year’s team can do.” “Last year was last year,” said junior Robert Bishop, who along with doubles partner Thomas Ganther came away with a Number One doubles win in straight sets (6-2 and 6-0) over Will Still and Muheeb Hameed Monday. “There’s always a team like us that was on the bottom that can come up and do what we did.” Sophomore Vicki Weber, who also took care of business in straight sets (6-1, 6-1) Monday, says that not only would another team conference championship be nice, but she would also like to see her someone on her team take home an individual title later this spring. “I think it would be great if at least one of us took the whole thing instead of just overall,” she said. Of course Great Mills still has an entire regular season to play, but starting 4-0 certainly helps with confidence. “We have to keep a positive attitude,” Thomas Ganther said. “If we can do that and keep going, we’ll keep winning.”

The Hornets’ Hope Ironmonger makes contact. Photo by Frank Marquart

Eversole believes that her Hornets are peaking at the right time in the season (and their careers) because of the way public school athletics goes in cycles. “I think in tennis, especially this year, we’re the most experienced team,” she says. “A lot of teams in the conference lost top players and our 11th and 12th graders have been starting since the 9th grade.” chrisstevens@countytimes.net

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29

The County Times

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Lacrosse

Sp rts

Frustrated Knights Handled by Gonzaga By Chris Stevens Staff Writer

bit better,” said senior Jared Baranowski, who led the Knights with three goals in a losing effort. “They’re the defending champions and they played like it,” explained senior attackman Connor Cook, who had a goal and two assists on the evening. “We started out slow and we had the heart to come back, but it has to be a team effort.” The Knights are hopeful they can turn the season around, and they know it is going to take a lot of work to get it done.

LEONARDTOWN - A difficult night got worse as it wore on for the St. Mary’s Ryken boys’ lacrosse team. After surrendering five early goals to defending Washington Catholic Athletic Conference champion Gonzaga, the Knights had a hard time catching up as the Eagles cruised to a 15-8 win Tuesday night, dropping the Knights to 3-3 overall and 1-2 in conference games. “We played the best team in the conference tonight and they showed us why,” Knights coach John Sothoron said. Sothoron felt that the offense was getting in gear, but Ryken’s success depends on the defense coming together. “We hit the post six times. If those go in, it’s 15-14, so I know we can score,” he said. “The defense let us down tonight and until they can get better, we’re going to struggle.” The Eagles out-shot the Knights 27-22 and led the entire match. Ryken closed within three goals twice in the game, but could never catch up. Gonzaga got five goals from attacker Kyle Bruun and Alex Corboy and Sean Whitcomb Photo by Chris Stevens each added two goals. The Knights’ Daniel Batong moves into the Gonzaga zone during Tuesday ”We could‘ve played a little night’s WCAC boys’ lacrosse match.

Potomac Speedway By Doug Watson Potomac Speedway BUDDS CREEK – “I couldn’t be happier than to be standing here in victory lane right now” were the words from defending Potomac Speedway Late Model champion David Williams after his victory in the 35-lap Cody Endicott memorial last Friday night at Potomac speedway. The Late Model division was making its first appearance of the season, and for race winner Williams, it was his first-ever start for new car owner Pete Cameron. Polesitter Dale Hollidge and Williams brought the field down to the initial green flag of the event. Williams flexed his muscle early as he would grab the top spot as the pack raced off turn two. Williams would eventually go on to lead every lap of the 35-lap grind, but it was by far no easy trip to victory lane. Dale Hollidge kept Williams in his sights through the first 14-laps, but Walker Arthur, the defending “Steel Block Bandits” late model series champion, was the story of the show. Arthur, who started eighth, reached third by lap seven. Utilizing the high-side of the speedway Arthur would then take second on lap 17and set his sights on leader Williams. Arthur would get close to Williams on more than one occasion, but would have to settle for runner-up money. “This is a great way to start the season,” a very happy Williams stated. “We put a lot of pressure on ourselves to do good here (Potomac) because this is our home track.” Winning for the first time in a car owned by former track promoter Pete Cameron was very gratifying for the Charlotte Hall chauffeur. “This deal came together late in the winter,” Williams said. “They wanted to try and sell this car, so they figured the best way to do that was to put it on the track and I’m very fortunate they asked me to drive it.” Williams knew he had his work cut out for him when he saw Walker Arthur’s number show up on the scoreboard. “Oh yeah, I knew he was there,” Williams said. “He had to start pretty far back and when I saw he was in second I knew he

Photo by Chris Stevens Connor Cook had a goal and two assists in St. Mary’s Ryken’s 15-8 loss to WCAC defending champion Gonzaga Tuesday night.

“We just need to get it together as a team and not as individual,” Baranowski said. “We have the heart and the talent, we just need to put it together.”

“We played scared tonight, we just need to play harder and play like we’re capable of playing,” Cook added. chrisstevens@countytimes.net

Defending Champ Williams Scores First Win For New Car Owner

must have been pretty good, but the track came to us late in the race and I was able to hold him off.” The $2000 win for Williams was his 26th career Potomac Late Model feature win and his overall 77th career win at the speedway. Dale Hollidge would settle for third, Ninth-starting Keith Jackson was fourth and Matt Quade would complete the top five. Heats for the 17 cars on hand went to Hollidge and DJ Myers. Coming off a second place finish in the season opener the previous week, defending track champion Tommy Wagner Jr. completely dominated the 20-lap Limited Late Model feature. Wagner started second and would take the lead on the first lap. From that point on, it would be a race for second as Wagner would decimate the field to post his ninth career limited late model win at Potomac. Ben Bowie took second, Brad Rigdon was third, Derrick Quade rebounded from an early race spin to collect fourth and Tanner Kerr rounded out the top-five. The heat win also went to Wagner. In other action, Eric Johnson ended a six-year win drought with his win in the 16-lap Street Stock feature. Bud Pickeral was victorious in the 15-lap Hobby Stock main, while five-time track champion Greg Gunter drove to his 55th career win in the 15lap four-cylinder feature.

Late Model Feature Finish 1. David Williams 2. Walker Arthur 3. Dale Hollidge 4. Keith Jackson 5. Matt Quade 6. DJ Myers 7. Roland Mann 8. Kyle Hardy 9. Deane Guy 10. Kyle Merkel 11. Wesley Bonebrake 12. Jamie Lathroum 13. Ryan Hackett 14. Kyle Lear 15. Sean Merkel 16. Rick Hulson 17 Daryl Hills (DNS)

Limited Late Model Feature Finish 1. Tommy Wagner Jr. 2. Ben Bowie 3. Brad Rigdon 4. Derrick Quade 5. Tanner Kerr 6. Dave Adams 7. Kenny Moreland 8. Tyler Emory


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Baseball

Raiders Rally to Defeat Great Mills By Chris Stevens Staff Writer LEONARDTOWN – As far as first games go, Leonardtown baseball coach Zach Adams saw room for improvement, even as the Raiders rallied from two runs down to walk off with a 5-4 win over county rival Great Mills Friday afternoon. “Against a country rival and in SMAC any win is fantastic,” Adams said. “But you can always improve. We had some nerves, some guys are having their first varsity experience, but we played through it.” The Raiders were going up against a Great Mills team that defeated McDonough 3-1 Monday and gave up an early lead on the way to an 11-7 loss at Northern on Wednesday. The Hornets were trailing 2-1 in the top of the fourth when their offense started to click against Leonardtown starter Kevin Daly, aided in part by a dropped fly ball from left fielder Matt Carpenter. Back-to-back run-scoring doubles by Tyler Baker and Paul Goldsborough, as well as an RBI groundout by catcher Delonta Mackall put Great Mills ahead 4-2 and chased Daly after 3 1/3 innings of work. Enter senior David Sapp, who started the game at third base before relieving Daly on the mound with two men on and one out. Sapp got Anthony Smith to pop up a bunt directly to him and doubled Brandon Teston off of first base, who was headed for second base on Smith’s bunt attempt. “That was a huge play, those kind of plays lift a team up,” Adams said. “I just wanted to pick Kevin up – he did a good job and everything wasn’t his fault out there,” Sapp explained. “I caught a break on that play and it gave us confidence going into the next inning.” “Sapp came in and threw fastballs for strikes and we didn’t answer,” Hornets coach Kevin Rodgers said. While Sapp held the Hornets scoreless, the Raider offense went about the task of rallying, cour-

tesy of an RBI double by Logan Eaker to shave the Great Mills lead to 4-3. In the bottom of the seventh, the Raiders made their final push against Hornets reliever Devyn Tremblay. After Jared Eaker led off with a single, pinch runner Kevin Mattingly scored on a single by Jonathan Bean. Two batters later, Carpenter smoked a pitch into the left-centerfield alley, scoring Bean with the winning run. “We just try to be positive and never put our heads down,” Carpenter explained. As for Great Mills, Rodgers hopes his team can eliminate their mistakes sooner rather than later. “We’re showing that we can play with these teams, but we have to limit our mistakes because we’re not at the point where we can win in spite of those mistakes,” he said.

The Raiders’ Kevin Daly unleashes a pitch in Leonardtown’s 5-4 victory over Great Mills Friday afternoon. Photo by Victor Marquart

chrisstevens@countytimes.net Leonardtown’s Casey Payne slides safely into second base as Kody Kralle of Great Mills is late applying the tag. Photo by Victor Marquart

New Baseball Coach Has Braves Starting Well By Chris Stevens Staff Writer

SMCM

Ricky Ryce maybe the new head baseball coach at Chopticon High School, but he’s certainly not a new name to the program. Ryce was an assistant under Steve Williams and Dan Velez for 12 years before Velez’s leaving Southern Maryland for a job at his alma mater (Seton Hall University in New Jersey) elevated Ryce to head coach. “I think the reason they bumped me up was to keep that continuity going,” Ryce said after the Braves pulled out a walk-off 2-1 win over Patuxent last Wednesday afternoon. “We’re planning on keeping things the same.” Ryce returns all but four players from last season’s 12-11 team that made it to the 3A South semifinals before falling to Northern

2-0 in May. After the win against Patuxent (keyed by Alex Murphy’s tworun homer in the bottom of the seventh), the Braves gained a measure of revenge by beating the Patriots 8-0 on Friday. The Braves are currently 3-1 (2-0 in Southern Maryland Athletic Conference games) after losing to 4A State Semifinalist Chespeake 11-1 Saturday and a 17-4 win over McDonough Monday afternoon. Last Wednesday’s win was a relief for starting pitching Austin Murphy, who pitched all seven innings, retiring 14 straight Patuxent batters at one point and recording a career-high 11 strikeouts on the afternoon. “I pretty much just wanted to keep my team in the game,” he said. “Anything can happen and this a great way to start the season.” “I told our guys that Austin kept us in the game,” Ryce said.

“This win definitely gives us confidence and for Alex to come off the bench cold like that and hit a pinch-hit home run, this was a big win for us.” The younger Murphy was happy that he was able to lift his team to such a dramatic victory after struggling with their bats for most of the contest. “It’s exciting and it feels great,” he said. “A good way for us to start to the season.” Alex Murphy’s late-inning heroics aside, Ryce believes that the offense will be the part of his team that needs the most work, with pitching being the least of his concerns. “I can go seven deep with pitching – that’s unheard of,” Ryce said. “The key is we have to be good in all three phases of the game – good pitching, good defense and we must hit the ball.” chrisstevens@countytimes.net

Spring Break Basketball Camp at St. Mary’s College

SMCM Accepting Registration for One-Day Fielding and Baserunning Camp

The Chris Harney Basketball School at St. Mary’s College will hold a two-day Spring Break Basketball Camp for boys and girls ages 7-18. Thursday April 21st and Friday April 22nd from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Fee is $75. For info contact Coach Nick Wilson, nawilson@smcm.edu or (240) 895-4318.

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


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The Ordinary

Angler

The Information Tackle Box By Keith McGuire Contributing Writer A fellow angler who is relatively new to the sport stopped by The Tackle Box booth at the Solomon’s Fishing Fair last weekend to ask me how I managed to choose a particular fishing lure among the vast array of choices at the show, or for that matter, among the many choices in most tackle shops. “How do you know which one works?” he asked. Of course, my answer is that they all do! But, I knew what he meant. It seems that our sport is definitely encumbered by too many choices. Even ordinary bottom fishing for croakers and spot is more difficult than a person might realize if they’ve never tried to catch one. Fortunately, most anglers like to share their successes. Oh sure, there is always a little tidbit of information that they won’t share like a secret spot, a secret potion, or a special family method that has been handed down for generations like an old recipe. But, most fishing people love to tell their stories of the big striper or the limit of yellow perch that they caught, offering pictures as proof. When asked the question, “How do you know which lure works?” I immediately thought of my tackle box. It’s huge and full of lures that work, some of which I have never used! On top of that, there are cabinets and boxes and hooks on the wall full of tackle that won’t fit in my tackle box. My wife – like many non-fishing wives – doesn’t understand how I can continue to buy fishing tackle when I haven’t used up all that I’ve got. “It’s not like trading cars,” I tell her. The angler who asked me the question was surprised when I told him that he already knew how to find the answer to his question. He knew that he couldn’t silently and stubbornly buy one lure after another, trying each one to determine if it worked

before buying another, and another, and another. The answer is networking with other fishers, talking to tackle shops, reading how-to books for specific species, visiting web-sites and asking questions. One of the most interactive ways to learn about sport fishing in our region of the Chesapeake Bay is to get a bunch of your friends together and book a couple of charter fishing trips. Watch what they do, how they organize their tackle, which lures they use, and where they go to catch fish. Ask questions! These are anglers too, and they love to talk about our sport. Next, wrangle a ride on a friend’s fishing boat with an offer to share expenses. Even if you’ve already got your own boat, fishing with friends is a sure fire way to get information about how to be successful on the water. My favorite way to share information is through sport fishing and conservation groups like the Maryland Saltwater Sportfishing Association (www.mssa.net) and the Coastal Conservation Association, Maryland (www.ccamd. org). Both of these organizations have local chapters that meet regularly in our area. A primary purpose of each local chapter meeting is to share information about fishing methods and locations common to our part of the Bay. These groups like to recruit new members, but you don’t have to be a member to attend one of their meetings. Stop by one or both of the local chapter meetings, listen to what they have to say and then decide. They can help you become a better angler. riverdancekeith@hotmail.com. Keith has been a recreational angler on the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries for over 50 years; he fishes weekly from his small boat during the season, and spends his free time supporting local conservation organizations.

! n w o D w o h S . . . . n w o D w Mo Saturday, April 2, 2011 Gates open @ 4 p.m. Racing @ 7 p.m.

Sunday, April 3, 2011 Gates open @ 11 a.m. Racing @ 1 p.m.

Sneak Preview Lawn Mowers 7PM to 8PM, Friday April 1 Free Admission!! No Stock Cars

General Admission $8 • Kids 8 and Under- Free Info: 301-481-8855 or visit us at www.potomacspeedway.com Track Line: 301-884-4200


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THURSDAY March 31, 2011

Hornets Serve Themselves Success Page 28

Gaps in Veteran’s Services Exposed Story Page 4

Photo By Frank Marquart

Ryken Team is Mock Trial Champ Story Page 15

Weekend of Comedy Set for SoMd Story Page 25


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