November 3, 2011
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ReStore Celebrates First Anniversary Page 12
The Calvert Gazette
Thursday, November 3, 2011
2
On T he Cover Longtime volunteer Genny Greene and ReStore Manager Laura Brubaker show off some of the merchandise available at the ReStore. The location in North Beach recently celebrated its one-year anniversary.
Also Inside
3 County News 8 Community 10 Crime 11 Education 12 Feature Story 14 History 15 Letters 16 Business 18 Newsmakers 19 Obits 20 Games 21 Entertainment Out and About 22 23 On The Water
county news
The panel of “Good Evening, Calvert” interviews a spokesperson from the Puritan Tiger Beetles, played by Erik Martin. During the interview, the beetle admitted to being willing to move to a sanctuary, and possibly running for mayor of Calvert Cliffs.
out & about business
For a second year in a row, 1991 Star Search Champion comedian and ventriloquist Taylor Mason entertained Calvert County Chamber of Commerce members at their annual meeting and awards ceremony.
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Thursday, November 3, 2011
COUNTY NEWS
The Calvert Gazette
Liquor Board Suspends Catamaran’s License, Court Issues Injunction Members Beth Swoap, Alonzo Barber and Ruth Reid during a meeting of the Calvert County Liquor Board.
Solomons Island Residents vs. Businesses By Sarah Miller Staff Writer During the Oct. 27 meeting of the Calvert County Liquor Board, bar owners in Southern Calvert were requested to appear in front of the board – including the Tiki Bar, Catamarans and even Vera’s White Sands Beach Club. The lawyer for the Tiki Bar, V. Charles Donnelly, started the meeting with a request to have more notice of such a meeting in the future, as there were several individuals who only heard about it by word of mouth either the day before, or the day of the meeting, including himself. Ronald Ross, a resident of Solomons Island and long-time opponent of the Tiki Bar, again made his contentions known about the Tiki Bar. His complaints included the live music, which he said the Tiki Bar is technically not supposed to have, and other concerns. Another Solomons resident voiced similar concerns about the noise from the bars on Solomons Island. “I’m not a bad guy because I hear your music,” the resident said. At the board’s direction, the local watering holes will be back in front of the board in early 2012 with plans for addressing the concerns of the citizens and the board. No action was taken against the Solomons establishments, but board chairman Alonzo Barber said he would like to find a way to balance the business and residential aspects of Solomons Island in a way that everyone can live with. sarahmiller@countytimes.net
By Sarah Miller Staff Writer Following a hearing during the Calvert County Liquor Board meeting, members voted unanimously to suspend Catamaran’s liquor license for 30 days. Currently, the suspension of the license has been stalled by court order until Catamarans has the opportunity to appeal the decision, according to Catamarans owner Jim Seymour. Following a Sept. 5 incident at the Solomons bar during which a fight broke out and a customer was stabbed, Seymour was called to appear in front of the liquor board. Seymour was joined by David Weigel and Mark Davis of Davis, Upton & Palumbo, LLC. Seymour plans to appeal the decision of the board, saying he knows they’re trying to keep
the peace and balance between the residential and business aspects of Solomons Island, but he believes they are going too far. “I understand it, but they’re out of line,” Seymour said. The residents of Solomons Island, who had the room packed during the meeting, had nothing to say in defense of Catamarans. One community member claimed she has stopped putting up fences around her property because they kept getting knocked down. Ronald Ross, a Solomons Island resident and long-time opponent of the Tiki Bar, spoke out against Catamaran’s, stating the liquor board has the ability to suspend or revoke a license to promote the peace and safety of a neighborhood. Beth Swoap made the motion to suspend Catamarans license, citing need to preserve the
peace and safety of Solomons Island, and the fact that after the stabbing, nobody thought to call the police upon finding a knife on the premises. She said the stabbing and the recovered knife was what worried her the most. “It never occurred to you there might have been a crime committed?” she asked Seymour and his lawyers. Seymour said such incidents are a rarity, especially ones of such violence, and they have security measures in place that were implemented as planned, and to the best of their knowledge there had been no damage done, and the person who had been stabbed left Catamarans and drove away under his own power. Catamarans is an established and active member of the community, hosting parties for NAVAIR, awards banquets, fundraisers for SMILE and the Wounded Warriors Project, Seymour said. While Swoap’s original motion was to suspend the license immediately, effective Oct. 27, Seymour’s lawyers persuaded them to change it to effective Oct. 31. As of Monday, Catamarans remains “100 percent open for business,” Seymour told The Calvert Gazette, due to a court injunction that put the ruling on hold until after an appeal. “It’s all been taken care of,” Seymour said. He said Catamarans will remain open at least until after they have gone through the appeals process and a decision has been made, and he has no doubt the verdict will be in Catamarans favor. sarahmiller@countytimes.net
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COUNTY NEWS
The Calvert Gazette
Thursday, November 3, 2011
4
Sheriff Proposes State Law Change to Protect Assistant Sheriff Position By Sarah Miller Staff Writer As part of the 2012 legislative proposals package that county government will be sending to Annapolis for consideration, Calvert County Sheriff Mike Evans is pushing for changes in the state law regarding the position of Assistant Sheriff. Evans’ proposal seeks to ensure that the assistant sheriff can be pulled from the current staff of the sheriff’s office, without a threat to that officer’s job if the sheriff is not reelected. Evans said in the past, the elected sheriff has appointed assistants who were close to retirement, and when the sheriff retired so did his second-in-charge. Now, Evans said he has
officers who have gone through leadership classes, the FBI academy and have earned degrees and other qualifications. Evans said he wants to have the option of appointing a highly qualified officer without that officer losing their job should Evans not be reelected when his term is up in 2014. To do that, Evans is proposing the law be changed to allow the assistant sheriff to go back to the position he or she held previously, such as lieutenant, and continue working toward their retirement. Evans said this change should have no effect financially on the sheriff’s office, even if the position was filled after the officer stepped up to assistant sheriff. “We always have vacancies in the sheriff’s office,” Evans said. The assistant sheriff being reassigned to the rank they
held previously would help fill the gaps without causing undue stress to the sheriff’s office budget. The number of vacancies in the sheriff’s office is the result of problems with retention due to injuries, retirements, pregnancies or other reasons. He said it is especially difficult to retain female employees, another issue that he is considering. Evans said retention issues are common throughout the tri-county area, and to entice people to join the sheriff’s office, Calvert County offers above average salaries and other benefits. As a result, Evans said Calvert’s retention issue is not as bad as it is in St. Mary’s and Charles counties. sarahmiller@countytimes.net
Fire Stations Due for Renovations By Sarah Miller Staff Writer Local fire stations are looking for ways to expand and improve their locations, making them better able to serve their communities efficiently. Both the Solomons Island and Prince Fredrick volunteer fire departments are facing “growing pains,” according to Calvert County Fire, Rescue and EMS Coordinator Jim Richardson. He said both buildings have simply become too small, and additional size is needed. For the Prince Fredrick Volunteer Fire Department, there is a need for more classrooms, in addition to the general expansion over all, Richardson said.
The Prince Frederick Volunteer Fire Department recently received some roof work.
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He said the Prince Fredrick Volunteer Fire Department is further along in their plan than Solomons. Prince Fredrick is looking for the money to get an architect and begin planning, while Solomons Volunteer Fire Department is still looking into the feasibility for their needed growth. Both plans have been in the county’s capital improvement plan (CIP) since 2008, which Richardson said is normal for projects such as these. “When you’re going through the county building process, you expect them to come in five to six years out,” Richardson said. The CIP goes out to 2017 currently. The plan sees Solomons Island getting the needed funding in 2014. County Commissioner Susan Shaw said the volunteer fire departments are at the top of both the county commissioner’s and her personal priority list, along with the new
Photo by Corrin M. Howe
library at the southern end of Calvert. She said the commissioner’s priority list is voted on by the commissioners, and while it will not necessarily match hers all the time, the fact that is does in this instance shows a need. She said they would funnel money toward the projects when possible. The fact of the matter is the county has had less revenue in the past few years and the list of things that can be accomplished with the money available haven’t quite matched up. She said the economy is often changing, and the capital budget has to change with it when necessary. “It’s constantly in flux,” Shaw said. “The capital budget, it’s constantly being reassessed.” sarahmiller@countytimes.net
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Thursday, November 3, 2011
COUNTY NEWS North Beach Council to Review Comprehensive Plan
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By Guy Leonard Staff Writer After three years of work by the town’s planning commission, the North Beach Town Council will get its first look at the draft comprehensive plan that will guide development as well as the look of the town for the next two decades. The town will receive the much-anticipated document tonight at their 7 p.m. work session. A citizen survey that preceded the comprehensive plan review found that residents want town government to take steps to ensure that they preserved the small town feel of North Beach, yet balance that with the need to expand the commercial zone in town to maximize revenue. Also, citizens want the town government to strengthen architectural guidelines for how homes are allowed to look. Town standards of that type have not been updated since about the 1980s, town officials said. Residents also called for more bicycle and pedestrian pathways to reach businesses and amenities, more parking downtown as well as road improvements to speed town revitalization. Mayor Mark Frazer said that while more bike paths are often desirable, they may not be feasible in a town so small. “The likelihood is there just isn’t enough room in our town for more bike paths,� Frazer said, adding that one already runs the length of the boardwalk. The plan notes that major parking problems persist in the town limits and that the town should seek to encourage residents to use bike paths and walkways to get around; one way to encourage this would be to provide bike racks around town, the document stated. One of the central parts of the updated plan is to encourage infill development into the older portions of the municipality as an economical way to provide the revitalization town government has sought in tough financial times. The draft document states that incentives from town government may be necessary to attract construction projects. One of the newest zoning districts approved in the town as a method of revitalization is the Waterfront Renaissance district, which in this plan has been expanded to include more of the mixed used areas of the town between Bay and Chesapeake avenues as well as Sixth and Fifth streets, the documents state. Frazer said that keeping the town’s charm and balancing it with the need for commercial revitalization would be difficult, since the needs businesses faced now were pressing. Already in the past several weeks between two to three businesses have already closed up, he said. guyleonard@countytimes.net
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COUNTY NEWS
The Calvert Gazette
Thursday, November 3, 2011
6
‘Good Evening, Calvert’ Makes Light of Serious Issues The League of Women Voters of Calvert County brought members of the community together for an evening of merriment at Annmarie Garden. The play, spoofing aspects of Calvert County such as the battle between the Puritan Tiger Beetle and the homeowners on Calvert Cliffs and the well-known Tiki Bar to Solomons Island. Nobody was safe during the night, with everyone from SMECO to County Commissioner Pat Nutter taking part in the parody, written by Meghan Russell, a reporter with The Calvert Recorder.
Attorney V. Charles Donnelly gives a brief on the Tiki Bar’s newest development plan – to cover the whole of Solomon’s Island with sand, litter it with tiki statues and make it accessible only for foot traffic, bikes and motorcycles.
Photos by Sarah Miller The panel of “Good Evening, Calvert” interviews a spokesperson from the Puritan Tiger Beetles, played by Erik Martin. During the interview, the beetle admitted to being willing to move to a sanctuary, and possibly running for mayor of Calvert Cliffs.
The cast of “Good Evening, Calvert” take a bow at the end of the evening’s festivities.
‘White Gloves’ is New Business of The Year By Corrin M. Howe Staff Writer Helen White, owner of White Gloves Drug and Alcohol Testing, based in Severna Park with a second office in Huntingtown, joked that she and her husband think they could pull off a reality television show based on their stories of “collecting pee.” She told of a recent situation where a young man came in to the office. As standard protocol, Helen asked him to remove all items from his pockets. Aware of techniques to fool drug testers, she called him out on not removing a second cell phone hidden in his cargo pants. She explained some people bring in heaters and hidden urine brought in to pass a urine test. “When he pulled it out of his pocket, it dropped and broke open. He looked up at me and ran out the door,” she laughed. “I knew he was coming back because he left all of his pocket contents. About an hour later he came back and my husband handed him an envelope with his items.” White has been collecting samples for drug and alcohol testing long before it became mandatory. In fact, she is a part of history. She tested the crew responsible for the deadly train collision on January 4, 1987 in Baltimore County which resulted in the deaths of 14 passengers and two Amtrak employees. The locomotive crew from the at-fault train from Con-
rail failed to slow down at the signals and tested positive for marijuana. The engineer served four years in a Maryland prison, according to
Helen White prepares collected samples to send off to the laboratory for testing.
Internet reports which confirmed White’s explanation that this crash prompted Congress to mandate random drug testing for all employees in “safety-sensitive” jobs in industries regulated by the Department of Transportation. White started off working for other companies but opened her own in Severna Park in January 2009. While she has corporate and government clients, the fastest growing part of her business is in the private sector such as parents bringing their kids into her office to be tested for drugs and alcohol. She feels her niche is that she does “on site” collections. This saves employers the cost of downtime and paying employees to travel, wait and if they may or White accepts her award from the Chamber of Commerce may not return on a timely basis. Her company will collect samples $20 and tests for synthetic drugs are $80. anytime, day or night, whether for accidents or While she is passionate about getting the worried parents. She is passionate about pre- word out about the growing problem of prescription drug abuse and will send someone to scription drug abuse, she is more passionate a parent’s house if they call after midnight and about praising her God for all the blessings want their child tested. While she and her hus- she’s received since starting her business. band will do it for free in Severna Park, where She counts being honored as the New Busithey reside, she charges a nominal additional ness of the Year 2011 by the Calvert County fee in Calvert because she has to send out one Chamber of Commerce as one of her blessings. of her employees. For all the other services White Gloves ofParents can have a regular drug test for fers as well as their officer hours, go to www. $45. If they want hair tested, which will tell whiteglovetesting.com or call (410) 286-1830. them about drugs in their child’s system over the past 90 days, it costs $95. Alcohol tests are corrin@somdpublishing.net
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Thursday, November 3, 2011
The Calvert Gazette
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Community
The Calvert Gazette
David C. Weigel, an attorney with Davis, Upton and Palumbo in Prince Frederick, has joined the Prince Frederick Rotary Club. He was officially accepted as a member on Oct. 17. Weigel grew up in Calvert County after moving from Baltimore at age 1. He spent his formative years first in Lusby and then in Port Republic, where he currently resides. He attended elementary and middle school at Calverton and high school at St. Mary’s Ryken, where he was a member of the soccer and lacrosse teams. He earned his undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from Washington & Lee University, where he was a member and Philanthropy Chair of the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity and frequently anchored the school’s news program, The Rockbridge Report. A 2010 graduate of the University of Kentucky College of Law, Weigel was an Articles Editor on the Kentucky Law Journal, as well as a member of the school’s Moot Court Board. Following law school, Weigel spent a year clerking for the Honorable Marjorie L. Clagett, Associate Judge of the Circuit Court for Calvert County. In September 2011, he joined the Prince David Weigel pinned by Stovy Brown as the newest member of the Rotary Club Frederick law firm of Davis, Upton & Palumbo, of Prince Frederick. regions encourage high ethical standards and carry out LLC, where he currently is an associate. During his free time he enjoys boating, golfing, skiing and reading humanitarian projects to address such issues as poverty, health, hunger, education, and the environment. American history. The Rotary Club of Prince Frederick meets every The Rotary Club of Prince Frederick is the local affiliate of Rotary International, the oldest international service Monday at Stoney’s in Prince Frederick. For further inforclub. Rotary’s 31,000 clubs in more than 165 countries and mation, contact Dave Elkinton at 410-535-6139.
Christmas is Almost Here! The annual Christmas Market will be held Sat, Dec. 10, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at All Saints' Church, on the corner of Routes 2 & 4, Sunderland. Terrific craftspeople will help with your Christmas shopping. Lunch, baked goodies & glühwein add to holiday spirit! Rain, snow or shine! No admission fee. Proceeds benefit parish & community projects.
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Rotary Welcomes Newest Member, David Weigel
November is Hospice Month
Calvert County Commissioners this Tuesday signed a resolution declaring November as National Hospice Month in Calvert County, and encouraged all Calvert County residents to support and participate in Calvert Hospice activities. “We work hard year round to make sure people know that support, comfort and respect are available at a time when hope seems out of reach,” said Dr. Ray Noble, Executive Director. “Yet during November, we ramp up our efforts to raise awareness of the high-quality care that’s available during one of life’s most challenging times.” Calvert Hospice is making it easy to participate in Hospice month. “Support us by ‘liking’ Calvert Hospice on Facebook [http://www.facebook.com/pages/CalvertHospice/139146297057],” Janel Young, community relations coordinator, said in a press release. “Help us raise awareness by posting the following Facebook status: November is National Hospice Month. If you believe in end-of-life care that enables you to stay at home or in a home-like setting, surrounded by family and friends, free of pain with your symptoms under control -- please re-post this.” Community members can also support Calvert Hospice this month at “A Lot More Zep,” a rock opera concert taking place Nov. 19 at 8 p.m. at the Mary Harrison Cultural Arts Center in Owings and at the 23rd Annual Festival of Trees taking place Thanksgiving weekend at Huntingtown High School. Calvert Hospice provides support and care to those with a life-limiting illness and their families and bereavement services to any community member grieving the death of someone close. Visit www.calverthospice.org for more hospice and event information or call 410-535-0892.
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Thursday, November 3, 2011
The Calvert Gazette
Bay Trust Seeks Annual Awards Applicants Attention Southern Marylanders: The Chesapeake Bay Trust is seeking nominations or applications for five awards honoring Bay-related education and volunteerism. A $2,500 grant will be awarded to an educator who motivates and inspires students and two $5,000 scholarships will go to Maryland high school or college students who demonstrate a strong commitment to the Bay and environmental community leadership. The Trust will also name winners of the Allen Fraites Award, as outstanding Steward of the Year, and the Melanie Teems award for an exemplary CBT-funded project that engages the community or youth in restoration and education work. Bay advocates can apply directly and if you know someone who dedicates their time and talent to the betterment of the Bay, get details on how to nominate them by visiting www.cbttrust.org. The deadline for award applications and nominations is Dec. 16. The Chesapeake Bay Trust has a range of grant programs available which are now accepting proposals until Dec. 9. Last year, the group awarded grants totaling $109,480 to Calvert County and $46,340 to St. Mary’s County groups for Bay-related projects, programs and outreach initiatives.
Miss Maryland Serves as ‘Celebrity Reader’ Former College of Southern Maryland student and current Miss Maryland, Allyn Rose visited the St. Charles Children’s Learning Center at CSM as a “Celebrity Reader” on Oct. 24. Rose attended CSM as a student and a member of the volleyball team and she currently serves as Miss Maryland. Rose read from one of her favorite children’s book, “The Giving Tree,” by Shel Silverstein. Following the story the children asked Rose, shown here, about the many pins on her Miss Maryland sash, and Lynn Duff, director of the CLC, presented her with a gift thanking her for her visit. Celebrating its fifth anniversary where learning is child’s play, the Children’s Learning Center nurtures and enhances the lives of children and their parents by creating an environment that helps children interact with their world and peers, and building confidence, self-esteem and a life-long love of learning. For information on the Children’s Learning Center, visit www.csmd.edu/clc.
Ice Hockey Registration Open Registration is now open for the Southern Maryland Sabres Hockey Club’s Little Sabres program. For ages 4 - 10, Little Sabres is a four-level program that teaches children the fundamentals of ice hockey. Each level includes four, 45-minute sessions of skills-based instruction on ice. Children receive equipment at the end of each level so they have everything needed by the end of the program. The cost is $50 per four-week session. Annual USA Hockey Insurance is required at $35. (Free for ages 6 & under). The next four-week session begins Dec. 3 at
the Capital Clubhouse in Waldorf. Level 1: includes helmet, stick, jersey & gloves Level 2: includes elbow pads, shin guards & bag Level 3: includes hockey socks, pants & garter belt Level 4: includes shoulder pads & $40.00 voucher for skates at Mike’s Sporting Equipment at the Capital Clubhouse. Register online at www.somdsabres.org For more information, please contact Little Sabres Director Amanda Vaccaro at littlesabres@somdsabres.org.
Residents Save $130,000-Plus With Drug Discount Card Calvert County’s free prescription drug discount program, first offered in July 2009, has saved county residents more than $130,000 through Sept. 2011, a county press release states. Residents have filled more than 8,600 prescriptions at discounts averaging over 27 percent or $15.60 per prescription. The county makes the free prescription drug discount cards available under a program sponsored by the National Association of Counties (NACo). The cards may be used by all county residents, regardless of age or income and are accepted at all of the county’s pharmacies. A national network of more than 59,000 participating retail pharmacies also honors the card. To use the discount card, residents simply present it at a participating pharmacy. There is no enrollment form, no membership fee and no restrictions or limits on frequency of use. Cardholders and their family members who have insurance may use the card in situations where their insurance provider does not cover a particular medication. The card also covers pet medications available at participating pharmacies. The card cannot be used for co-pays or to obtain additional discounts on prescriptions that are covered by insurance. Cards are available at Calvert County libraries, senior centers, the Health Department, Calvert Memorial Hospital Emergency Room and Urgent Care Centers, and the Calvert County Department of Community Resources, located at 30 Duke Street in Prince Frederick. County residents can call toll free 1-877-3212652 or visit www.caremark.com/naco for assistance with the program.
Community
A View From The
Bleachers Sources Of Motivation By Ronald N. Guy Jr. Contributing Writer I don’t like Ray Lewis. It’s not personal; it’s his employer. He plays for that other team that took up residence in the Maryland/D.C./Virginia cul-de-sac. It doesn’t need to be this way. Given the infrequency of their matchups (once every four years), ‘Skins and Ravens fans really don’t have to treat one another with such animosity. Nevertheless, it is what it is. I do not like them, Sam I am. Here’s the thing with the Ravens (from a ‘Skins fan). They are thoroughly annoying. They are the neighbors with the best lawn, the most polite kids, the cleanest cars and the perfect marriage. They somehow always have a warm pie to offer, a presentable home and milk that’s within date. They (Ravens) just do things better than we (‘Skins) do. What’s more irritating is, we used to be them. The prior owners of their residence (Colts) let their palatial estate fall into disrepair right about the time we finished a fabulous renovation project (Joe Gibbs era 1.0) that left us as one of the crown jewels of 123 NFL Way. Deeply shammed, they left in the middle of the night without saying goodbye or returning the circular saw we loaned them. So no, the disdain isn’t about Lewis, it’s about the uniform he wears. Still, I love football. Love it. Did I mention that I love it? This love makes it possible to appreciate the truly great players regardless of team. I’ve come to respect Lewis deeply. He’s a rare modern-era athlete whose effort has always equaled his talent and whose passion remains unaffected by age, accomplishment or wealth. He plays as relentlessly today as he did as a rookie in 1996. I find myself watching Lewis with increasing awe this season; the nostalgia’s grabbed me before Father Time has victimized Lewis. Lewis’ time in the middle of the Ravens defense is short, and when he’s gone it will end the greatest era of defensive football in my lifetime. You heard me. The mid-80’s Bears defense might have been better in spurts, Philly’s “Gang Green” more flamboyant and, sadly, infamous, but no one’s matched Ray’s Ravens’ excellence and longevity. Observing Lewis this season, I’ve been curious about what it is - with absolutely nothing to prove and presumably overflowing wealth - that keeps him motivated. Part of it is just his makeup; the dude is wired for football. Last Monday night, in a brutal defensive struggle with the Jacksonville Jaguars, he unexpectedly provided another part of the answer to that complex question without uttering a word. There’s no way to understate how grotesque the Ravens were offensively against the Jags. The stats tell a brutal tale: no 1st downs until the 3rd quarter and no points until late in the 4th. After another failed possession in the second half, the camera panned to Lewis who, with a disapproving shake of his head, snapped up his helmet and prepared to go back to work. Ahhhh, I thought, so that’s it. A substantial footnote to Lewis’ great Ravens defenses is how amazingly sub-par the offense has remained throughout his career. This footnote begs the question of how much more Lewis could have accomplished had his teams not been marked with such an offensive and defensive imbalance. The answer is probably more, but not nearly as much as you think. See, Lewis has been playing uphill – against that week’s opponent and the Ravens’ inept offense – his entire career. And truth be told, he wouldn’t have it any other way. He thrives on needing to will the Ravens to victory, individually and with his boys on defense, in spite of the offense. The motivation behind success sometimes springs from odd sources. Critiquing that which maintains our resolve and sharpens our focus on our goals is unimportant. What matters is defining the individual concoction, regardless of the origin or the ingredients, that creates and fans the enabling fire in our bellies and supports the realization of our potential. At first brush, spite and accomplishment may seem like strange bedfellows, but Ray Lewis has linked the two quite effectively. Send comments to rguyjoon@yahoo.com
The Calvert Gazette
POLICE BLOTTER Juvenile Charged For Shed Burglary
Man Charged With Wal-Mart Thefts On Oct. 29 at 2:50 p.m. an employee of the Dunkirk Walmart observed a man leaving the store with a cart full of unpaid items. When asked for his receipt, the man pushed the cart into the parking lot and Dep. N. Funchion made contact with the suspect, later identified as Justin S. Palmer, 19, of Edgewater. Funchion charged Palmer with theft under $1000.
Four Arrested at Hotel on LSD Charges DFC J. Smith responded to the Holiday Inn in Solomons on Oct. 30 at 3:45 a.m. for a complaint of an odor of burning marijuana. Smith arrested Landen W. Adams, 20 and Paul M. Jones, 18, both of Wheaton, and David A. Amaya, 19 and Nicholas H. McMillan, 19, both of Kensington, and charged each of them with possession of LSD and possession of marijuana, and possession with intent to use drug paraphernalia, a glass pipe. McMillan was also charged with an additional two counts of possession with intent to use drug paraphernalia, a metal grinder and a glass mason jar used to store marijuana, police alleged.
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Two Nabbed in Hotel Heroin Sting By Guy Leonard Staff Writer
A 14-year-old male from St. Leonard was charged on a youth report with burglary by DFC R. Weems after the victim said that they saw the youth with a stolen axe. The juvenile admitted to the breaking and entering of a shed on Side Saddle Trail, police said, and the theft of the axe. He said he did it sometime between Oct. 21 and 28. He was released to a parent.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Two defendants from neighboring St. Mary’s County were arrested and charged late last week with dealing heroin out of a Calvert County hotel, which detectives in both counties say was part of a larger distribution scheme. According to information from the St. Mary’s vice/narcotics officers, they began the investigation into Regan Muse Simpson, 29, and Daemon Scott Robertson, 27, both of Great Mills, as suspects plying the heroin trade. Detectives executed a search and seizure warrant at a residence in St. Mary’s where they recovered 10 baggies of heroin with a street value of about $500 and seized a 2006 Honda civic as well, police reported. Capt. Daniel Alioto, commander of St. Mary’s vice/narcotics officers, said Simpson was the original target of the investigation and was arrested during a vehicle stop while the warrants were being executed. “We’d been investigating Simpson for a while; heroin is her deal,” Alioto said. St. Mary’s detectives soon learned that the suspects were allegedly dealing heroin in Calvert and called on detectives there to assist.
“We assisted with the surveillance and the arrest,” said Calvert Investigative Team commander Lt. Steve Jones. “In a case like this, it takes a lot of manpower.” Detectives from both counties executed a search warrant on the hotel room where the suspects were known to be staying and found 18 baggies of heroin with a value of $1,000 on the street and an extra three grams of heroin valued at more than $300, police reported. They also seized jewelry believed to have been traded for drugs as well as a laptop computer and cell phones. Robertson, who had been in the car with Simpson during the initial traffic stop, attempted to get into the hotel room in Calvert to retrieve items, Alioto said, but was detained and arrested by Calvert detectives who were waiting for him in the room. Simpson is being held at the St. Mary’s County Detention center while Robertson is incarcerated in Calvert County on $50,000 bail, according to court records. Both Alioto and Jones said that the rise of prescription pill abuse continues to lead drug users to heroin, which offers a more powerful high at a lower price. guyleonard@countytimes.net
Regan Muse Simpson
Daemon Scott Robertson
Woman Indicted for Handgun Assault David A. Amaya
Landen W. Adams
Nicholas H. McMillan
Paul M. Jones
Four Charged for Attempted Boat Theft On Oct. 23 at 4:44 pm, Trooper First Class Lewis responded to a theft complaint on All Day Road in Huntingtown. Suspects were allegedly caught attempting to steal a boat from a pond. Pamela B. Dwier, 53 and Barbara J. Lowe, 28, both of Huntingtown and Robert W. Reed Jr., 30, of Woodbridge, VA, were charged with trespassing and theft. A juvenile was also involved and was charged with trespassing and theft.
Troopers Investigating Vehicle Thefts On Oct. 17 at 11:46 am, Trooper First Class Johns responded to the 12400 block of Coyote Court in Lusby for a reported theft from vehicles. Numerous vehicles were broken into and miscellaneous items were stolen. The investigation continues.
By Guy Leonard Staff Writer A woman who police alleged used a gun to try to take her wallet back from a man she knew has been formally indicted for the crime and her case has moved to Circuit Court. Melissa Elizabeth Donahue, 31, of St. Leonard, faces charges of first-degree assault, second-degree assault and use of a handgun in the commission of felony in the Sept. 9 incident on Mattapany Road, when Donahue came back to the residence of the victim where she had stayed the previous night to retrieve her wallet. The victim said he did not have the wallet and did not know where it was, police said, adding that Donahue returned to the victim’s home with another suspect both wearing bandanas in an attempt to disguise their appearance. The victim told police that he and a friend answered the door but when they opened it the suspects were gone. Donahue returned once again, the victim told police, and demanded her wallet. When the victim again stated he did not know where the wallet was, Donahue allegedly pulled out a black pistol, pointed it at him and demanded her wallet again. When the victim said he was calling the police, Donahue left, charging documents state, and went down to her home just a few hundred feet from where the incident took place. Court papers show that police detained Donahue and another suspect in the case, Clint Jason Myers, who were driving a black van that had been used to drive to the victim’s home. A search of the van turned up an empty pistol holster, three loaded magazines for a Glock semi-automatic pistol and several loose rounds of ammunition, police stated. guyleonard@countytimes.net
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The Calvert Gazette
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Approaching 30 Years of Middle School Sports in Calvert By Corrin M. Howe Staff Writer “It was 1983, I remember because I was in sixth grade and my father was the Director of Athletics,” said Kevin Hook, Calvert County Public School’s Director of Transportation and Athletics when asked about the beginning of competitive sports in middle school. Hook believes even then Calvert was on the cutting edge of implementing a competitive sports program at the middle school level in the state of Maryland. “I don’t believe anyone else had a program. There was no such thing as middle school rules. We had to modify the high school rules,” he said. The purpose of developing a middle school sports program was to give the high school varsity teams a boost by providing younger students quality playing time with other teams besides the ones offered through Parks and Recreation, according to Hook. The 1982-1983 school year had the first middle school sports team in the winter. At the time it was basketball. In the summer
there was slow pitch softball for both boys and girls. “Nobody had any equipment, so we had to go with sports where the gym teachers had the equipment. We wore our gym uniforms.” In the beginning Calvert had three middle schools and a 10-game season. “Now we doubled the number of schools and cut the number of games.” Over the years the middle school sports program has changed, mostly due to budget constraints. The cost of travel and paying officials being one of the drivers. Instead of eliminating the program all together, the middle school principals proposed a “Pay to Play” program. Now at the beginning of each season, the middle schools offer sports clinic opened to all interested students. For two weeks they have the opportunity to learn skills. At the end of two weeks, they can try out for one of the middle school teams. If they make the team, they will practice with their team and play each of the other middle schools during a short season. During the fall, the schools
offer co-ed soccer and girls volleyball. In the winter is boys and girls basketball and cheerleading. In the spring is girls softball, boys baseball and co-ed track. The clinics cost $35. If the student makes the team it is an additional $30. The money helps to defray the costs of uniforms, equipment, travel and paid officials. Hook said to keep expenses down, each school has a reversible uniform shirt like Parks and Recreation. All teams have their players wear their gym shorts with the exception of baseball, which national high school baseball rules state they must wear “pants.” Each middle school only receives $600 a year for their sports budget. “The whole point is the get our kids out there. Get them moving and exposed to coaching and playing on a team.” Hook said he’s seen where some kids come to clinics in the sixth grade and don’t make the team, but will make the team in the following years. These same kids will go on to make the high school teams, which may not have happened if they hadn’t played middle school sports.
Spotlight On
Two Local Sea Scouts Attend ‘SEAL’ Training Twenty four Sea Scouts attended the National Sea Scout Advance Leadership Training (SEAL) at four locations around the United States. SEAL Training is a relatively new training experience conducted each year in some of the Boy Scout Regions around the country. Ship 548’s Boatswain Meredith Billiter of Leonardtown and Chesapeake Bay Flotilla Boatswain Brenda Renninger of Lusby, both members of local Ship 548 in Avenue, were selected to attend SEAL this past summer. Renninger was assigned to Galveston Bay, Texas and Billiter went to Newport Beach, Calif. Meredith Billiter Each SEAL training is conducted aboard motor or sail boats of 45 to 60 foot in length, both in port and underway, a press release states. It is a Management/Leadership course. It includes classes in Goal Setting, Planning, Preparing and Implementing, Coordinating Commanding and Delegating, Evaluations, Motivating, Team Building, Leadership, Training, Communicating, Problem Solving, and Counseling. Some locations also have classes in Use of the Boatswin’s Pipe, How to Handle Procrastination, Shackleton style of Leadership, 15 Steps to Professional Development, and Recruiting tips. These learned skills are then used as the Scouts rotate Brenda Renninger through the different leadership positions aboard ship while underway. Each Scout takes a turn of duty as the vessels navigator for the day. The next day as the vessels Boatswain with full Command of the vessel and its crew. Then the remainder of days underway were spent as the Helmsmen, Foreword Lookout, and Deck crew, rotated each hour. More then 50 percent of SEAL graduates are selected for the Naval and Coast Guard Academy. Both Meredith and Brenda passed the course and returned to lead their units with new leadership skills. Sea Scout Ship meets at Holy Angels Church Hall in Avenue on Tuesday evenings at 6:30 PM. For more information contact Skipper Doug Yeckley on douglas.yeckley@ Comcast.net.
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The Calvert Gazette
Thursday, November 3, 2011
STORY
ReStore Celebrates First Anniversary By Sarah Miller Staff Writer The staff at Patuxent Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore in North Beach is celebrating the successful completion of its first year. They marked the occasion with a special sale and a Halloween party for volunteers and dedicated customers last weekend. Laura Brubaker, the manager for the Calvert ReStore branch, said the store in Northern Calvert has been getting attention, but there is still a ways to go. “A lot of people still don’t know about us in Calvert,” Brubaker said. Forty regular volunteers work at the ReStore, in addition to Brubaker. She said some of them come once per week, or every other week, and others come to the ReStore to volunteer on a daily basis. Brubaker said they are getting new volunteers every week, and she is happy to take anybody, regardless of how much time they have to dedicate to the ReStore. “We survive on volunteers,” she said. The bulk of the volunteers come in to the North Beach store on Fridays, but more volunteers are still needed on Wednesdays, Thursdays and especially Saturdays. “It never seems like there’s enough
hands on Saturdays,” Brubaker said. The volunteers are not required to go through a rigorous screening process. In the case of one recently recruited volunteer, Brubaker said she just came in and started cleaning the “man cave” in the back of the store, without being asked to do so. At first, staff thought it was a customer browsing, but that turned out to not be the case when they found her pulling things off the shelves and reorganizing them. “I said ‘you gotta be kidding,’” said Genny Greene, a longtime daily volunteer with the ReStore, when she went to investigate the situation, and the ReStore got another volunteer. “It’s amazing,” Greene said. “Absolutely amazing.” Volunteers at the ReStore include retired folks who are looking for something to do, people who are unemployed and trying to keep in the rhythm of a work week until they get another job to high school students working to fulfill their graduation volunteer requirement. Many people coming into the ReStore become frequent customers, Brubaker said. She said this is because the volunteers are friendly, and actually take the time to talk to the customers. “We like to party,” Brubaker said.
“We have a great attitude, we have a great atmosphere.” Several regulars come in on a daily basis just to have somebody to talk to for a minute while they browse, and the atmosphere is relaxed enough to allow the volunteers and the customers to get to know each other. “You know the show ‘Cheers’? It’s kind of like that,” Brubaker said. The proceeds from the ReStores go to support the Patuxent Habitat for Humanity home building projects in Calvert and St. Mary’s counties. The recipients of the homes are required to help with the house and help give back to the Habitat for Humanity. She said many house recipients end up driving delivery trucks or finding other ways to work for the ReStores. “When we give a house, we give a hand up, not a hand out,” Brubaker said. She said the prices at the store are kept low, and while they will not haggle over the posted prices, they will lower them if the product is not moving quickly. It took a while to figure out the threshold for pricing, Brubaker said, but after a year they are getting into the rhythm of supply, demand and affordability. Greene said she rearrangess the furniture around in the displays, another trick of the trade for moving product. Moving
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The Calvert Gazette
Thursday, November 3, 2011
STORY
Photos by Frank Marquart
furniture is something she said she enjoys doing, and often does in her own house, so doing it at the ReStore is neither unusual nor out of her way. All volunteers have something different to offer to the ReStore, and all talents are needed and welcome. Between the volunteers and the customers, the Calvert County ReStore has been a welcome addition to the community. “The community has been great,” Brubaker said. “We’ve been welcomed with open arms.”
Customers include young people looking for inexpensive furniture, men and women looking for materials to use in various projects and sales representatives looking for pieces to use in staging houses for sale. Just as the customers are widely varied, so is the list of locations the ReStore gets its products from. In addition to individual donations from private citizens, the ReStore gets donations from Sneads, WalMart and Lowes. The Chesapeake Beach Resort and Spa also donated a large number of items to the ReStore when they were redecorating the hotel. “It’s like Christmas in here every day,” Brubaker said. “You never know what’s coming through the door.” There is both pickup and delivery service available for individuals looking to donate or purchase larger items, like entertainment cabi-
Volunteers Bob Douglass, Charlie Bauerdorf and Paul Flanagan move furniture in the store.
nets and couches. For more information, visit www.patuxenthabitatrestore.org. The Calvert County ReStore is open Wednesday through Friday from
Super Basket
B I N G O
10 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. and is located at 8900 Chesapeake Avenue in North Beach. sarahmiller@countytimes.net
12th Annual Charlotte Hall Rotary Club Super Basket Bingo to Benefit
Stephen’s Fund
Helping Special Needs Children in the Community
Sunday, November 6, 2011 Doors Open 12:30 PM • Early Birds 1:30 PM • Regular Games 2P
New Location
Mechanicsville Fire Department Social Hall
Over $5000 in prizes to be won!! 20 Door Prizes 5 Fantastics
Pull Tabs for Baskets
King Tutt
Two for one….All regular game baskets will be filled with another Longaberger Basket!!!! Call 240-298-3885 to be included in the drawing for the new Holiday Gift Basket Set The person who brings the most people with them will win the new Fill-It Hurricane For more information or reservations for 6 or more please call Shirley at 240-298-3885 or 301-904-0642. All baskets will have protectors and/or liners. No children permitted unless they have their own ticket and are accompanied by an adult. This Basket Bingo is in no way affiliated or endorsed by the Longaberger ® Company, though the prizes to be won are genuine Longaberger ® Baskets.
P ages P
The Calvert Gazette
Thursday, November 3, 2011
14
ast
The Eleventh Hour of the Eleventh Day of the Eleventh Month By Joyce Baki On June 28, 1919, World War I officially ended with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles. However, the actual fighting between the Allied Forces and Germany had ended seven months earlier with the armistice. The armistice, a temporary suspension of hostilities by agreement of warring parties, went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918. In 1926, November 11 became Armistice Day, an official holiday in the United States, and a national holiday in 1938. On June 1, 1954, the name was changed to Veterans Day to honor all U.S. Veterans.
President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed an Armistice Day for November 11, 1919. Seven years later Congress passed a resolution requesting President Calvin Coolidge to issue another proclamation to observe November 11 with appropriate ceremonies. On May 13, 1938, an Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U.S. Code, Sec. 87a) made the 11th of November a legal holiday, “a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as Armistice Day.” A Kansas businessman, Alvin King, had the idea to expand Armistice Day to celebrate all veterans, not just those who died in World War I. King, who lost his stepson John Cooper in Belgium during World War II, had been actively involved with the American War Dads. He encouraged the Emporia, Kansas, Chamber of Commerce to take up the cause by closing their businesses on November 11 to honor all veterans. With the help of U.S. Representative Ed Rees, a bill for the holiday was pushed through Congress and signed into law by President Dwight Eisenhower on June 1, 1954. In 1968, a trend spread to encourage long weekends known as the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. Legislation
was introduced to change the commemoration of Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October. Many Americans opposed this change citing the historical significance of the date. In 1978, Congress returned the observance to its traditional date. Educate your children about the history Veterans Day and the sacrifice and dedication of our U.S. veterans. The Department of Veterans Affairs and EducationWorld.com suggest the following: 1. Teach your children about the history of Veterans Day by having them create a timeline of events leading to the observance of the holiday. 2. Have your kids write short articles or essays of how veterans are honored around the world. 3. If you know any veterans locally, propose that your kids interview them about what it's like to serve in the U.S. military. 4. Research how American veterans were treated after they returned from various military conflicts, ranging from the French and Indian War to the Persian Gulf War. Ask your
children to compare and contrast their findings. Also compare and contrast how women and minorities who served in those conflicts were treated. 5. Have children draw a picture of Veterans Day, and what this holiday means to them. Military children can draw a picture of a parent who is currently deployed or a relative who has served. 6. Make a thank-you card for veterans. Children can give this card to veterans whom they know or to veterans are listed through the local VA medical facility. 7. Ask your children's teacher to invite veterans to their classroom. Veterans can discuss what it's like to serve in the military and how important it is to observe this holiday. 8. Have your kids make a colorful and fun poster with the names and pictures of relatives who are veterans. Teaching children about the significance of this holiday will give them a deep appreciation of our nation's service members and veterans. And the next time you see a veteran or one of our many men and women serving in the armed forces, thank them for their service.
Our Lady Star of the Sea School Christmas Shopping Bazaar Saturday, November 19, 9 am – 2 pm The 2nd Annual OLSS Christmas Shopping Bazaar will be held in our Providence Room. There will be approximately 40 craft and specialty vendors, Silent Auction, Holiday Raffle, fresh baked goods, hotdogs, pizza, sodas, coffee, hot chocolate and more!
Sample of our amazing vendors: Grandma’s Girl : homemade herb dips Stella Dot: vintage modern jewelry
Color Storm Dragon: scarves and handbags Cookie Lee: assorted jewelry
In the Chesapeake room, we will be featuring "Grandma's Basement." This will feature gently used, donated items from our Parish and they will be on sale to our customers
Arbonne: swiss beauty, health & wellness products Silapada: jewelry Peggy Maio: tie blankets Texann Hughes: finger puppets & wood plaques Bottle of Light: recycled hand painted wine bottles
Santa will be there to greet everyone and give out Candy Canes
Willow House: home decor & jewelry Hip Hop Lady Bug: handmade girl dresses & hair bows BND Designs: floral arrangements & glassware
If you have any questions, have an item to donate or would like to join us as a vendor, please contact Diane Allen @ 443-226-5575 or familyallen@comcast.net Please join us for this exciting event, in support of OLSS School! It is going to be another fun-filled event!
Mary Kay: skincare & fragrances Making Scents: candles & tarts Thirty One: purses & totes Lia Sophia: jewelry Sewing by Laura: homemade items & knick knacks
Our Lady Star of the Sea School is located on scenic Solomons Island at 90 Alexander Lane, Solomons, MD 20688
The Calvert Gazette
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Have You Heard About PlanMD?
By Susan Shaw President, Calvert County Board of Commissioners Have you heard about PlanMD? WIP plans? A septic bill? If not, you will, because each of these governmental initiatives has the potential to change the way we live in Maryland and in Calvert and St. Mary’s Counties. They are all inter-related. PlanMD is the proposed statewide development plan whose goal is to foster greater coordination between the state and county governments to make the best use of resources, especially state dollars. It is a laudable goal. About 20 years ago, the State of MD initiated Priority Funding Areas, or PFAs, where commercial development had already occurred, or was projected to occur. Each County in MD designated PFAs, which made schools and other facilities located within their boundaries, eligible for state funding participation. Each County is mandated to have a Comprehensive Plan that expresses the visions and goals for land use in that County, including, in Calvert, our Town Centers, where commercial and more dense residential growth is slated to go, and our Priority Preservation Areas, or PPAs, where farms and forests are encouraged. Our Comprehensive Plan was developed with extensive local public input. PlanMD calls for implementing new designated areas with the designations being done at the state level by non-elected officials. The state of MD also strictly controls what you are able to do on your property in the Critical Area, which is within 1000 feet of mean high tide. Since the Patuxent River is tidal, as are many of our creeks, the Critical Area is extensive. The State requires many plans, including the Water Resources Element (an additional part of the Comprehensive Plan mandated in the last few years), the Water and Sewerage Plan, the Transportation Plan, the Floodplain Plans, Storm water management plans and many more. All are expensive to produce and to follow. At least part of the goal for mandating all these plans was to reduce the pollution in the Chesapeake Bay as well as to encourage so-called “Smart Growth,” which can loosely be defined as the opposite of sprawl. Now along comes the WIP or Watershed Improvement Plans mandated by the federal government through President Obama’s directive to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to clean up the Chesapeake Bay with renewed vigor as opposed to the failed clean-up plans from the past. We are awaiting our targets, which will tell us how much of our Total Maximum Daily Load of pollutants (TMDLs) we have to eliminate by 2017. Yet, there are huge question marks about the accuracy of the scientific assumptions used to calculate those pollution loads. The septic bill which failed in the legislature this year, but is likely to be reintroduced in some form, would limit development on septic systems, making it harder to build in the countryside, directing growth to more densely developed areas or towns on sewer systems. Do you see where all this planning is headed? Yes, the state of Maryland appears to be incrementally taking over local land use planning even though we know that one size does not fit all. Clearly, what you want Calvert County to look like and to be like is very different from Baltimore, for example. These plans could have a significant effect on your lifestyle choices! Yet, I haven’t touched on the cost to implement these behemoth plans, a cost you will bear. Some jurisdictions are already saying that they cannot comply and remain financially solvent. Stay tuned for more details as they become available.
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Guest Editorial:
Currie Double Standard By Marta Hummel Mossburg
“No one would call him smart.” His verbal skills and memory are “not good.” Plus, he’s not organized. These are not comments about a high school dropout with a drug and alcohol problem, but the former head of the powerful Budget and Taxation Committee, state Sen. Ulysses Currie. And they were made by high-profile witnesses, including U.S. House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, called to his defense in a federal bribery trial. As a reminder, Currie is black, and he used to be in charge of parsing the $30 billion state budget. The fact that he is using this defense speaks to four possible scenarios. First and least likely, it shows that we live in a color-blind society where everyone can be dumb or smart without that status reflecting on one’s race. Two, it reveals once again the double standard with regard to racism in America. In any other setting the opinions of defense witnesses would have been excoriated loudly and repeatedly by anyone in power to the media, but so far the no-racist-shall-be-left-unturned Revs. Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson Sr. have been mum as well as every other powerful minority representative in the state. What’s the deal? Are they lost in silent prayer, or does their muteness signal a recognition that harsh words against an African-American are only racist when used to put him in prison?
Remember, it was only last year that former Baltimore City State’s Attorney Patricia Jessamy, who is black, said a win by challenger Gregg Bernstein, who is white, would “set us back 60 years.” Three, few smart people choose politics. Or four, right and wrong don’t matter when hard time is on the line. Personally, I think it’s a combination of scenarios two, three and four. The “stupid” defense also speaks volumes about the character of the man who would pimp himself out for a large fee to a company, Shoppers Food Warehouse, and gleefully catalog his achievements on its behalf without ever noting his affiliation on state ethics forms. When caught, he had so little integrity he approved a defense that tarnishes not only the very essence of his being, but every member of the General Assembly by affiliation. As an editorial in The [Baltimore] Sun stated recently, “... the public is left now to choose whether to believe Mr. Currie -- and, by extension, the institution that entrusted him with tremendous responsibility -- was bumbling or corrupt. The way things are going, many in the public may well conclude the answer is both.” At the very least, Currie’s trial should prompt changes to state transparency laws. No law can prevent legislators from hiding their jobs on financial disclosure forms, but the General Assembly could make it much easier to review the paperwork they do submit. As it stands, financial disclosure forms are not available online and an inquirer must submit a name and address to obtain them. It’s time for legislators to fear retribution for false statements and inappropriate behavior instead of those who seek to hold them accountable. Marta Hummel Mossburg is a senior fellow at the Maryland Public Policy Institute.
Publisher Thomas McKay Associate Publisher Eric McKay Editor Sean Rice Office Manager Tobie Pulliam Graphic Artist Angie Stalcup Advertising sales@somdpublishing.net Email info@somdpublishing.net Phone 301-373-4125 Staff Writers Guy Leonard Sarah Miller Corrin Howe Contributing Writers Joyce Baki Keith McGuire
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Calvert Gazette
P. O. Box 250 . Hollywood, MD 20636 The Calvert Gazette is a weekly newspaper providing news and information for the residents of Calvert County. The Calvert Gazette will be available on newsstands every Thursday. The paper is published by Southern Maryland Publishing Company, which is responsible for the form, content, and policies of the newspaper. The Calvert Gazette does not espouse any political belief or endorse any product or service in its news coverage. Articles and letters submitted for publication must be signed and may be edited for length or content. The Calvert Gazette is not responsible for any claims made by its advertisers.
The Calvert Gazette
Chamber Awards
Thursday, November 3, 2011
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Comedian and his Dummy Heckle Business Owners By Corrin M. Howe Staff Writer
Photo by Corrin M. Howe The 2011 Calvert County Chamber of Commerce award recipients Leo Mallard of Chesapeake Pharmacy, left, Wilson Parran, Rich and Helen White of White Glove Drug and Alcohol Testing, Ron Smith, Smith Insurance Services, Dave Lysinger, DJ Dave’s (missing is Jacqueline Molinson of Jax Photography).
For a second year in a row, 1991 Star Search Champion comedian and ventriloquist Taylor Mason entertained Calvert County Chamber of Commerce members at their annual meeting and awards ceremony, held last week. His sidekick puppet, Romeo, told the audience how he “tweeted” the entire bible. “You can’t tweet the entire bible. How did you do that with only 144 characters?” Mason asked. Then he fed the puppet questions about various biblical books and stories. “The Ten Commandments?” “Don’t.” Romeo answered. “Revelations?” “Uh, oh.” “Abraham marries his sister.” “Rednecks of the Old Testament.” But local business owner, Dave Lysinger, owner of DJ Dave Karaoke & Entertaining Services and 2011 Home Based Business of the Year, turned the tables on Romeo, who constantly called out Lysinger during the 45 minutes performance. “Hey, Dave. Where are you from?” Romeo asked. “From Lusby.” Lysinger paused. “I’m a Lusbian.” Romeo dropped his puppet jaw and was speechless for a few moments as he tried to think of a comeback. Romeo heckled Maryland State Delegate Mark Fisher for arriving late, intimidated many into remaining in their seats despite needing to use the restroom, and made fun of people who actually spoke to the puppet as if he was real. Despite Mason’s joke that he can only get work with Disney and McDonald’s as a “clean comedian who makes puppets” the Chamber CEO Carolyn McHugh said she didn’t know if they’d be able to bring him back again because he’s in heavy demand. Mason and Romeo can be seen on the comedian’s website at www.taylormason.com.
Photo by Corrin M. Howe
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Thursday, November 3, 2011
The Calvert Gazette
Carpenter Takes Over as Bay Biz Group President By Corrin M. Howe Staff Writer Pat Carpenter recently took over as president of the Bay Business Group, which has about 100 members who meet monthly to support, encourage and resource one another during difficult economic times. “Some real positive initiatives have come out of this group. The Beach Trolley, a cookbook/visitors Pat Carpenter guide and a Holiday Parade,” said Carpenter, who owns Celebrate!, a full service florist and event planning company she operates out of her home. The group is a home-grown organization which started out as the Beach Business Group. Over the years it merged with the Calvert Business Alliance and picked up Anne Arundel Chamber of Commerce as a member. According to their booklet, local businesses from North Beach, Chesapeake Beach, Dunkirk, Deal and other communities on the Western Shore have banded together for over 20 years. The third Wednesday of the month the group meets at either Herrington Harbour South or Rod and Reel from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m. over pastries and coffee. The group opens with brief introduction of the members, moves onto business, has one
or two speakers and closes with announcements. The speakers come with subjects ranging from changes in the political climate, to learning how to use social networking to changes in county regulations which effect business. “Really about anything which is going to enlighten us about our own business,” said Carpenter. The cost of membership is $150 a year which the group uses to provide benefits to its members such as advertisement in their business guide, discounts on advertising in local newspapers and advertising in the BBG’s E-News, “which goes out to hundreds of residents in the local communities” The group also speaks on behalf of its businesses to local, state and national legislative issues. Carpenter hopes to continue to build on what past president Lyn Striegel did during the last seven years. “I have a strong board with new and innovative ideas. It’s tough in this economy so I want to be a support and resource,” she said. “There are a lot of bright people in this organization. When we don’t have a guest speaker we brainstorm for new ideas and new avenues to support our businesses.” corrin@somdpublishing.net
First Steps In Comprehensive Review of Sign Ordinances By Corrin M. Howe Staff Writer Calvert County Board of County Commissioners tasked its Planning and Zoning division to complete a comprehensive review of the counties sign regulations. Various local business associations report looking forward to being part of the Ad Hoc Sign Committee created in the near future. Planner Chris Finamore reports she and Miriam Gholl have visited or planned to visit local business associations, homeowner associations, sign companies, realtors and the Agriculture Commission to explain the process involved in a comprehensive review. In fact, planning officials are at the beginning of the process by meeting with interested parties. The next step is for groups to choose a representative for the Ad Hoc Sign Committee, followed by a brainstorming session followed by staff drafting amendments based upon these sessions. These drafts will be reviewed by the committee sent to the board of commissioners, revised, sent to the county departments for review and comment, presented to the public for comment and finally presented to the board for final review and insertion into
the sign regulation and Town Center Sign Ordinances. According to the agenda of the meetings between Planning and Zone and local groups, the known issues the Commissioners asked be reviewed are: • Regulation of signs on vehicles (“rolling billboards” as well as banners attached to vehicles); • Weekend temporary signs; • Placement of such signs in close proximity to competitors’ businesses; • Lack of enforcement; • Size of signs – some too small to read at high speeds; • Farm signs for farms not located on a “main” road; • Off-premise/directional signs; • Allowing Electronic signs; • on- and off-premise, and • for individual businesses and/or shared by multiple businesses. Lusby Business Association’s Nance Pretto Simmons and Bay Business Group’s Pat Carpenter confirmed meeting with Planning and Zoning about the review of the county’s sign ordinances and looking forward to having input. corrin@somdpublishing.net
Newsmakers
The Calvert Gazette
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Local Lacrosse Official Heading to Finland
By Sarah Miller Staff Writer Mike Hyland of Huntingtown will be one of three United States officials heading across the ocean to officiate the 2012 Federation of International Lacrosse U-19 Men’s World Lacrosse Championships in July. The championship will be held in Turku, Finland. Hyland is the only official from Maryland. The other two are from New York and Virginia. He said he was chosen to be an official in the same way the players are chosen to go to Finland – they apply, come out for a tryout in Baltimore and are chosen by process of elimination. The officials’ tryouts included refereeing games for the students. Tryouts for both officials and the U-19 team (under 19 years old) were held July 7 though 10 at the University of Maryland. “These are the best players in the country,” Hyland said. While the young players are picked by the coaches, the officials are chosen by a group of experienced officials who are not in the running themselves. Hyland said these are often officials who are past their prime but know the sport inside and out. To referee at the international games, Hyland said he has to learn the international rules, which are somewhat different than the rules followed at games in the United States. The officials are given a “crash course” on the rules, and assessed by other officials and coaches Hyland said. In the end, three officials and 23 students are chosen to go to the international game. Hyland said they are currently in the process of fundraising for the trip to Finland. It will cost upwards of $250,000 to send everyone overseas, a total of 40 to 50 people once the coaches, players, officials and support staff are all counted. They will be in Finland for two weeks, with the officials going before the players to take fitness and written tests that have to be passed before they can coach the high level games. Hyland said he has also been to England in a similar capacity. He has been coaching and officiating lacrosse since 1983. He also played the game for a long time, before injuries forced him to find a different way to be involved in the sport he loves. “Officiating is where I’m at in my life,” Hyland said. He said being an official for lacrosse isn’t for everybody and requires a thick hide, among other things. “The idea of going out on strikes and getting screamed at by parents doesn’t appeal to everybody,” Hyland said. Hyland was born and raised in Ridley Park, Penn.,
then moved to Prince Georges County and moved to Huntingtown in 1999 for his job. Both his sons play lacrosse, one is currently on the team at Huntingtown High School where Hyland is an assistant coach. His daughter plays field hockey. He said lacrosse is the sort of game that becomes a family thing. Hyland and his six brothers played lacrosse as children. “I think there’s a lot of people out there like me,” he said. He explained since he first started playing the game, there has been more effort made to involve children in elementary and middle school. In Southern Maryland alone, there are more than 1,000 boys and girls playing lacrosse, Hyland said. While it was once common for a player to first pick up a stick as a freshman in high school, now it is very uncommon to find a freshman player with no previous experience. sarahmiller@countytmes.net
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Patricia Berube, 77 Patricia (Pat) Berube, 77, of The Villages, Florida died Oct. 23, 2011. Mrs. Berube was born in Montpelier, VT. and moved to the Solomons area in 1990. She was an accomplished artist. A member of the Calvert County Artist Guild, Arts Council of Calvert County, Color and Light Society and National Museum of Women in the Arts. The Calvert Recorder featured her painting, “The Courtship Ritual”, the dance of the male heron to win his lady love. She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Bertrand, The Villages, FL; son Norman; daughters Jean Hardy-Berube and Joan Berube, Hollywood, FL; and son George, Fredricksburg, VA; sisters Janice Lambert, Sandra Bordeau, Robin Burkhart, Mary Ann Moran, and brothers Michael Philip and George Philip III; nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 4 at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church in Solomons Island, with the Rev. Msgr. Michael Wilson officiating Memorial contributions may be made to Cornerstone Hospice of The Villages, 601 Casa Bella, The Villages, FL 34990.
Amon Brown, Jr. 75 Amon “Randy” Brown, Jr., of Huntingtown, died on October 28, 2011. He was born on October 9, 1936, in Washington, DC to Amon R. Brown, Sr. and Dorothy E. (Collinson) Brown. For 52 years, Amon was the beloved husband of Bea (Whitmer) Brown and a loving father to Amon R. Brown, III and his wife, Bonnie; Linda Johnson and her husband, Tim; Dottie Holtzclaw; Barbara Hayes and her husband, Mike; and the late Arnie and Allen Brown. He was the proud grandfather to 15 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He was the brother of Delores Hall and Joann Martin and the nephew of Norman Collinson. He is also survived by numerous family and friends. For over 30 years, Amon was a master electrician, designing and installing equipment for the Sherman Car Wash Equipment Company. Amon served in the Air Force during the Vietnam War. He was a big Redskins fan and also enjoyed Nascar, with Kyle Busch being his favorite driver. He was a member of the Morningside Sportsman Club and the Alligator “CB Radio” Club, also known as the “WashRag”. Family will receive friends at Lee Funeral Home Calvert, Owings, on Thursday, November 3, 2011, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 pm; where Funeral Services will be held on Friday, November 4, 2011, at 11 am. Internment will take place at Chesapeake Highland Memorial Gardens, Port Republic following service.
Eugene Gorrell, 93 Eugene Bernard “Gene” Gorrell, 93, of Lusby, MD passed away peacefully on October 24, 2011 at his residence. He was born on January 18, 1918 in Pittsburgh, PA to the late Warren A. and Eda Kelly Gorrell. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Helen Elizabeth “Betty” Gorrell and daughter,
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Suzanne Lindsay. Gene is survived by his loving children, Grier Smokovich, Beth Wilkinson, and Kelly Gorrell; grandchildren, Stephanie, Jay, Amy, Kelly Anne, Marybeth, Molly, Kate, Keegan, Emily, Kelly, Keith Allen, and Christopher; and 16 great grandchildren. The family received friends on Saturday, October 29, 2011 from 11 AM – 12 PM at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, 90 Alexander Lane, Solomons, MD 20688, where a Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 12 PM. Interment is private. Should friend’s desire, memorial contributions may be made in Gene’s memory to Calvert Hospice, www.calverthospice.org, P.O. Box 838, Prince Frederick, MD 20678. Arrangements provided by Rausch Funeral Home, P.A., Lusby, MD.
Raymond Schmidt, 90 Raymond George Schmidt, 90 of Solomons, MD formerly of Silver Spring, MD died on October 19, 2011, peacefully at home with his loving family by his side. He was born on May 27, 1921 and raised in Bound Brook, NJ by his loving parents Maud Lenore and Charles Schmidt. As a child of the Depression, he learned the meaning of hard work and ingenuity. He would say he had a “normal” upbringing, playing and camping in his backyard. Education was important to Ray. He graduated in 1939 from Bound Brook High School, Bound Brook, NJ; and in 1948 Ray graduated from Bliss Electrical School, Takoma Park, MD. Ray thoroughly enjoyed the work at the college level. Enjoying it so much, that he pursued college level courses from 1948-1968 and came within one semester of graduation. His love of learning was something he passed on to his daughters, both of whom became teachers with long careers. He left home on February 23, 1942. Saying goodbye to his mother at the railroad station and riding into New York City with his father, he reported to the US Navy Induction Center and took the oath of the United States Navy. Ray held the rank of Aviation Machinist Mate, 1st Class, serving as the flight engineer for one of 12 PBM Martin Mariners in Patrol Squadron VP 212, stationed in San Juan NAS, Puerto Rico and later in Port of Spain NAS, Trinidad. The job of the squadron was to cover and protect convoys in the south Atlantic. Ray received the Combat Aircrew Badge, Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal with one Bronze battle star and the World War II Victory Medal. He was honorably discharged on December 23, 1947 from USNAS Norfolk, VA. In February 1943, Ray met Jane at her home in Washington, DC. Given the urgency of a country at war, they were married on April 11, 1944 in Hamline United Methodist Church, Washington, D. C. and have had a strong, solid, loving marriage for 67 years. Ray worked for Harry Diamond Laboratory, Department of the United States Army as a Senior Electrician Technician for thirty two years until his retirement in June of 1974. Ray moved from Montgomery County to Calvert County in 1983. Ray and Jane enjoyed over 25 years of sailing on their Cape Dory 27 out of Zahniser’s Marina, Solomons, MD. Ray was an amateur radio operator, a member of the United States Power Squadron, helped with Meals on Wheels, was a counselor with the Boy Scout of America, an active Member of Marvin Memorial, Hughes, Smithville
and Trinity United Methodist Churches, an avid sailor and active in the Asbury~Solomons community. Ray and Jane were blessed to experience over thirty years of retirement. Family, sailing, volunteer work and travel made for a fulfilling time. Ray was a gentle man and an honorable man. His loyalty and devotion to his wife, family, country and to God made him a person of high regard to all that knew him. Ray is survived by his wife of 67 years, Jane Leitzel Schmidt of Solomons, MD; daughters, Laraine Kretchman and husband John of Meyersdale, PA and Susan Cox and husband David of Prince Frederick, MD; six grandchildren John S. Kretchman and his partner Christopher Hyde, Jennifer Darnell and husband Arthur, Amy Rippey and husband Brian, David Cox and wife Cathy, Catherine Cox and Charles Cox; six great grandchildren Eliza, Ella, Elaina, Elyssa, David A. Cox, III and Ethan Rippey and many other family and friends. A celebration of Ray’s life will be held on Friday, November 11, 2011, 1:30 PM (Veterans Day), at Asbury~Solomons Auditorium, 11100 Asbury Circle, Solomons, MD. with the Rev. Randall Casto officiating. Inurnment will take place in Maryland Veterans Cemetery, Cheltenham, MD with military honors rendered by the United States Navy. Honorary pallbearers are John R. Kretchman, John S. Kretchman, Brian Rippey, David A. Cox, Sr., David A. Cox, Jr., Arthur Darnell, J. Scott Whitney, Charles R. Cox, Christopher Hyde and Robert Hamilton. Should friends desire memorial contributions may be made to Calvert Hospice, P. O. Box 838, Prince Frederick, MD 20678. Donations are encourage on-line at www.calverthospice.org. Or, to Asbury~Solomons Benevolent Care Fund, c/o Melissa Carnes, 11100 Asbury Circle, Solomons, MD, 20688. Funeral arrangements were provided by the Rausch Funeral Home, P. A., Lusby, MD. www.rauschfuneralhomes.com.
Loretta Thomas, 70 Loretta Carolyn Thomas, 70, of Suitland, MD departed this life at her residence and was received by God on October 8, 2011. Loretta, the beloved daughter of the late Calvin and Virginia Young, was born on September 15, 1941 in Baltimore, Maryland. Loretta was educated in the Calvert County Public School system and she retired from the District of Columbia Public School system as a Food Service Manager in 1999 after serving the D.C. Government for over 40 years. Loretta received Christ as her personal sav-
ior in 1957, and was baptized at Carroll Western United Methodist Church and later at the Galilee Baptist Church, serving under the leadership of Pastor Eugene Weathers. Loretta was a faithful member of Galilee Baptist Church where she served on the Women’s Usher Ministry, Renaissance Senior’s Academy, Picnic Committee, Project Angel Tree Ministry, Widows and Widowers Ministry and the Volunteer Ministry where she provided the church office with assistant whenever needed. She loved the Inspired Sanctuary Chorus and loved to sing with the Renaissance Senior’s Academy. Loretta was a very energetic, free-spirited individual who always had a smile on her face, and a warm heart which allowed her to treat everyone the same and communicate with them in her own special way. Loretta enjoyed collecting all kinds of angel figurines, attending quartet concerts, eating homemade cakes and pies, shopping, arts and crafts, watching the Young & the Restless, reading her Bible, and the Daily Word but most of all, she enjoyed attending bible study on Tuesdays with the Renaissance Senior’s Academy and participating in their outings to various places. Loretta was a volunteer of the Community Ministry of Prince George’s County where she served as Assistant Coordinator of the We Do Care Produce Distribution and Outreach Ministry under the leadership of Jimmie L. Slade, Executive Director. If you needed food she would always invite you to come and be blessed by this community ministry. Loretta was also a member of the Eastern Star Chapter No. 9. Loretta leaves to cherish her beautiful memories her ex-husband, Richard Thomas, Sr., four children Richard Thomas Jr., Rodney Thomas (Barbara), Adriainie Thomas and Wanda Ashe (Arthur). Two sisters Gerlean Etheridge (Clifton), and Barbara Young. Eleven grandchildren Corey Thomas (Tiara), Andre Thomas, Andrew Thomas, Tinesha Halmon, Jemall Walker, Jordann Walker, Rodney Thomas, Jr., Kevin Thomas, Raymond Thomas, Jesse Thomas, and Latasha Thomas. Five great-grandchildren Jazmine Thomas, Jalen Thomas, Jurnee Thomas, N’Dia Walker, and Tamia Thomas. Three adopted granddaughters Peta-gae Andreda, Asya Hedgepath, and Ericka Hazel and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Doretta Thomas, her sister Frances Young, her brother William Young and her son-in-law Ronald Ashe. Loretta was truly loved by many and she will be dearly missed. Memorial service was held on Saturday, October 15, 2011 at Galilee Baptist Church, Suitland, MD, with Rev. Dr. Lloyd T. McGriff, eulogist. Funeral arrangements provided by Sewell Funeral Home, Prince Frederick, MD.
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CLUES ACROSS 1. Wooden strip 5. Adolph S. ____, NY Times 9. Divine Egyptian beetle 11. Revolve 13. Indelible skin marks 15. President Lyndon 16. Ethiopia 17. Ice hockey equipment 19. Possessed 20. Ecclesiastical you 22. Satiate 23. Indium Tin Oxide 24. Stray 25. Belong to he 26. Without (French) 28. Satiny finished cotton fabric 31. Tennis player Bjorn 32. Impudence 33. Segregating operation 34. Scottish tax 35. Progenies 37. Face covering 38. Superior grade wine 39. Member of Congress (abbr.) 41. Man-child
Thursday, November 3, 2011
42. Land frog 43. A university in Connecticut 45. Feline 46. Montana herb used on bruises 49. Shellac ingredient 50. Seed of anise 53. Day of rest and worship 55. State of being rejected 56. An island in the W Pacific 57. Mother of the Celtic fairies 58. Tells on
CLUES DOWN
1. Criticize severely 2. Soaps 3. “Honeymooners” actor Carney 4. High NM city 5. Express delight 6. Cardboard box (abbr.) 7. Mixing corned beef & potatoes 8. Summer ermines 9. Remain as is
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10. ___ choy: cabbage 11. Pasadena flower 12. Inside 14. Pane frameworks 15. Aeroplanes 18. Paper-thin tin plate 21. Rubs out 26. Plural of sorus 27. Major blood vessel 29. Chore 30. The letter S 31. Short haircut 33. Citizens of Riyadh 34. Spanish saloon 35. Husk of wheat 36. Used as a driveway coating 37. Groaned 38. A standard stack of wood 40. Flat dishes 41. Large number (usually pl.) 42. Chinese silver weight 44. Repeating sound 47. Taxi 48. Tribal Indian language 51. Violate a law of God 52. Cologne 54. Woman’s undergarment
Last Week’s Puzzle Solutions
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Thursday, November 3, 2011
The Calvert Gazette The Calvert Gazette is always looking for more local talent to feature! To submit art or band information for our entertainment section, e-mail sarahmiller@countytimes.net.
Artists’ Guild Welcomes All By Sarah Miller Staff Writer With the end of the year quickly approaching, the Calvert Artists’ Guild is wrapping up its final workshops of 2011 and preparing for the 2012 series of activities. The Calvert Artists’ Guild welcomes all members interested in joining, be they artisans themselves or just individuals with an appreciation for art. Gerry Wood, a past president of the guild and current treasurer, said there are more than 100 members in the guild. Instead of meetings, which would be difficult to coordinate with so many in the guild, the group hosts monthly workshops, shows and oth- Previous presidents Cindy Pond and Gerry Wood, right, with current president Lonnie Harkins during a guild event. er events. Attendance at the monthly programs ber 1978 when, upon completion of the Calvert is optional. “We do not have all 100 attend all the time,” Memorial Hospital, a group of three women organized and obtained local artworks to decorate and Wood said. Becoming a member of the artists’ guild is hang in the newly built facility. From this activity, a nucleus of county artists easy. Wood said individuals can do so “any number of ways. All they have to do is contact us.” was formed. Then, on the suggestion of former There is no jurying; all people have to do is pay County Commissioner Mary D. Harrison, these three women, Nancy Callahan, Carolyn Deputy the $30 yearly dues. “We have some people who don’t do art at Weikert Crone-Aamot, and Gerry Spore Wood, combined their ideas, talents, and organized the all,” Wood said. Wood said the dues are kept cheap to al- guild. The Calvert Artists’ Guild was incorporated low anybody interested access to the guild, and becoming a member gets individuals entry into in 1981, Wood said. Since its inception, the guild the monthly programs at a discounted rate. The has always tried to promote art in Calvert County and to develop interest and appreciation in all events are also open to the general public. Membership is also not limited to any one mediums of art. The activities of the guild were age group. Wood said there are people from their previously funded in part by the state of Maryland through the Calvert County Cultural Arts 20s to past retirement age. The origins of the guild date back to Septem- Council. The Calvert Artists’ Guild will host their next workshop Nov. 5, making stained glass with Barney Harris at the Calvert Pines Center in Prince Fredrick from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. For more information on the class, contact Lonnie Harkins at 410-326-7199 or baronvonsmoogle@ netscape.net; or Gerry Wood at 301-863-9663 or gbwood2@verizon.net. “The guild filled a needed void to unite artists and offer opportunities for learning and sharing,” Wood said. According to information sent by Wood, the guild has continued its progress and successes over the years with many wonderful officers and members, and continues to seek out new gallery spaces to hold informative programs and workshops and help the community. The guild also awards a college scholarship, and offers special member opportunities to show and sell artworks. For more information about the guild, visit www.calvertartistsguild.org. Photos courtesy of Gerry Wood Nancy Thompson conducts a recent workshop.
sarahmiller@countytimes.net
Enterainment Calendar Thursday, Nov. 3 Live Music: “Sam Grow Band” The Tides Restaurant (46580 Expedition Drive, Lexington Park) - 8 p.m. Live Music: “No Green Jelly Beanz” Acoustic Greene Turtle (6 St. Mary’s Avenue, Suite 104, La Plata) – 8 p.m. Live Music: “TCB” Icon Bar and Lounge (2106 Crain Highway, Waldorf) - 8 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 4 Live Music: “17 Scars,” Burn Avenue,” and Medusa Switch Memories Nightclub and Bar (2360 Old Washington Rd., Waldorf) – 8 p.m. Live Music: “Bob Wire and the Fence Posts” Rustic River Bar and Grill (40874 Merchants Lane, Leonardtown) 8 p.m. Live Music, Leonardtown First Friday The Brewing Grounds (41658 Fenwick Street, Leonardtown) – 6:30 p.m. Comedy: “Kelly Terranova” Southern Md. Sailing Association Clubhouse (14490 Solomons Island Road, Solomons) – 8 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 5 Live Music: “Thrill” Plus Jager Promos Hotel Charles (15110 Burnt Store Road, Hughesville) - 9:30 p.m. Live Music: “Brent and Co.” Casey Jones Pub (417 E. Charles St., La Plata)- 9:30 p.m.
Live Music: “Snakebite” Beach Cove Restaurant (8416 Bayside Road, Chesapeake Beach) – 9 p.m. Live Music: “The Not So Modern Jazz Quartet” The Westlawn Inn (9200 Chesapeake Avenue, North Beach) - 8 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 6 Live Music: “Country Memories Band” St. Mary’s Landing (29935 Three Notch Road, Charlotte Hall) - 4 p.m. Live Music: “Paul Adkins Band” and Bluegrass Concert Jameson-Harrison American Legion Post 238 (6265 Brandywine Road, Hughesville) - 2 p.m. NFL Sunday w/ $1 Drafts Fat Boy’s Country Store (41566 Medleys Neck Road, Leonardtown) - all day
Monday, Nov. 7 $2.50 Margaritas Every Monday Big Dogs Paradise (28765 Three Notch Road, Mechanicsville) - 10 a.m. Girl’s Night Out: Wine and Dish Annmarie Sculpture Garden and Arts Center (13480 Dowell Road, Dowell) – 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 8 Trivia Night Island Bar and Crab House (16810 Piney Point Road, Piney Point) – 7 p.m. $2 Guiness Night DB McMillan’s (23415 Three Notch Road, California) – 4 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 9
Live Music: “Three Days Rain” Big Dogs Paradise (28765 Three Notch Road, Mechanicsville) – 9 p.m.
Live Music: “Sam Grow Band” Ruddy Duck Brewery (13200 Dowell Road, Dowell) - 8 p.m.
Live Music: “Impact” Cryer’s Back Road Inn (22094 Newtowne Neck Road, Leonardtown) – 9 p.m.
Live Music: “Mason Sebastian” DB McMillan’s (23415 Three Notch Road, California) - 5 p.m.
Out&About By Joyce Baki • As part of the Young Artists Program, the CalvART Gallery, Prince Frederick Shopping Center, will show “The Art of the Tidewater School Students” through Nov. 30 in the Mary Beth Harry Student Art Gallery. The Young Artists Program was created in support of the Arts Council’s mission to invest in and encourage the arts in Calvert County. By giving every school-aged child the opportunity to display their work in a professional setting the Arts Council hopes to sow a seed of interest in future members of Calvert County’s artistic community. The gallery is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit www.calvertarts.org.
• Visit Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum on the first Wednesday of every month for back-toback tours of the Maryland Archaeological Conservation Laboratory (MAC Lab) and Point Farm’s house and gardens. Discover Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum with state-of-the-art science, local history and lore. The next tour date is Wednesday, Nov. 2, at 12:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.jefpat.org. • The Wheel Clothing Store holds First Friday Festivities on the first Friday of each month! On Nov. 4, they will host Mr. Tompkins, also known as “The Cheese Man” from the North Beach Friday Night Farmers’ Market. The Cheese Man will be selling his seasonal pumpkin cheesecake, goat cheese cake and all of his specialty cheeses. For your shopping convenience, The Wheel Clothing Store will be open until 8 p.m. on the first Friday of each month. The Wheel Clothing Store is located at 4109 7th Street, North Beach. For more information, call 410-286-0000. • Friday, Nov. 4, is “First Free Friday” at Calvert Marine Museum. The museum is open free to the public from 5 to 8 p.m. Enjoy free half-hour cruises on the “Wm. B. Tennison” sponsored by M&T Bank. Docents will be available in each gallery to discuss the exhibits. Enjoy a performance by maritime performer Bob Zentz at 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium. Visit www.calvertmarinemuseum.com for more information.
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• The Twin Beach Players will present Count Dracula thru Nov. 6 at the North Beach Volunteer Fire Department. Show times Nov. 4 to 6 are at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 general admission; $12 for seniors, military, students and TBP members. Special rate for groups of 10 or more is $10. Save the date for the all-children’s musical, A Christmas Carol, to be performed Nov. 25 thru December 11 at the North Beach Volunteer Fire Department. For more information, visit their website at www.twinbeachplayers.com.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
• As Maryland begins to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812, it is important to know the origins of this war. On Thursday, Nov. 10, at 7 p.m. the Calvert Library Fairview Branch hosts Jeff Korman, manager of the Maryland Department at Enoch Pratt Library, who will review the events that forced the United States to sever ties with England and officially go to war. Learn what this war was really about. For more information or to register call 410-535-0291 or visit http://calvert. lib.md.us. • Chesapeake Community Chorus’ next concert “Holiday Concert and Jingle Bell Workshop” is at Olivet United Methodist Church, 13575 Olivet Road, Lusby, MD, Sunday, Nov. 13, at 5 p.m. The concert will feature contemporary, gospel, classical Christian, and secular music plus Christmas Music of the Season by John Rutter, Phillip Bliss, Andy Beck, Victor Johnson, G. F Handel, and others. A free-will offering will be taken to support the Pastoral Counseling Center of Saint Mary’s County. The Chorus is a volunteer group of over thirty singers in its 9th season giving concerts for the benefit of charities in Calvert and nearby counties. The chorus has raised over $50,000 for these charities.
teorologist, followed by a regular business meeting. Also, join us for an early lunch at 11:15, this month at Mama Lucias in PF. Active and Retired Federal employees, spouses, members, non-members and guests are welcome. For NARFE membership Information and Application, Call 410-586-1441. • On Friday, Nov. 18, the Calvert Marine Museum will host a free open house for families with special needs from 5 to 7 p.m. This program is a partnership with the Calvert County Parks and Recreation Therapeutic Recreation Services. For more information call 410-326-2042 ext. 11. • Vendor / Craft Fair at the Chesapeake Ranch Estates Club House, Saturday, Nov. 19, 9 am to 3 pm at the CRE Clubhouse, 500 Clubhouse Drive, Lusby. Come look for holiday gifts - shop early for the best selection. Bring a friend! Table Rentals $15. Rental fees will go towards Thanksgiving Food Baskets to help families in need. Call 410-326-3182 or email info@poacre.org. • On Saturday, Nov. 19, the Calvert Library offers a Genealogy Workshop as part of their Lifelong Learning Series at the Prince Frederick branch from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Kathie Eichfeld has years of experience compiling biographical and genealogical data and will present the genealogy databases available at Calvert Library. Learn about other websites that can help with your search. Along with Kathie, Conni Evans who has done extensive research overseas will answer questions on the strategies to use when searching for far-flung forebears. For more information or to register call 410-535-0291. • On Saturday, Nov. 19, engineer some holiday fun with the “Sweet Treat Express.” The Friends of the Chesapeake Beach Railway Museum will help you and your children make Rice Krispie® train engines. The fun happens at the Northeast Community Center, Cheasapeake Beach, from 1 to 3 p.m. www.cbrm.org.
• Annmarie Sculpture Garden hosts Maker’s Market on Saturday, Nov. 5, from 9 a.m. to noon. The Maker’s Market is a farmer’s market and more. It is THE place to find handmade, homemade or homegrown products including arts and crafts, hanging baskets, organic skincare products, cut flowers, batik and fleece clothing, handmade soaps and candles, herbal teas, ornaments, folk art and more. Find special treasures – or begin your Christmas shopping early! Admission is free. (www.annmariegarden.org). • On Sunday, Nov. 6, commemorate Solomons’ role in World War II at the annual On Watch Memorial Service for Veterans at 2 p.m. at the WWII Veterans Plaza. The WWII Veteran’s Plaza is located at the end of Dowell Road on the Dowell Peninsula. Refreshments and entertainment by the Navy Band will follow the service at the Calvert Marine Museum at 3 p.m. This event is sponsored by Northrop Grumman. Also, in honor of Military Month, on Veterans’ Day, Friday, Nov. 11, the Calvert Marine Museum will offer free admission to active military, veterans, DOD employees and their families.
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• Come explore the night sky and discover its many wonders with the Astronomy Club of Southern Maryland! Learn how to choose, set up and use telescopes and other amateur astronomy gear. Interested? Meetings are held at Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum. The next meeting will be Saturday, Nov. 19, from 7 to 10 p.m. For more information call 301-602-5251 or email tom_dugan@hotmail.com. (http://somd-astro.s5.com/)
• The fabulous, fun, famous Harlem Wizards will take on the Friendship Methodist Fever on Sunday, Nov. 13, at 2 p.m. at Huntingtown High School. Advance tickets are available, with all proceeds benefiting the building fund. Advance ticket prices are $12 for adults or $10 for students/seniors $10. At the door, adults, $15, students/seniors, $12. For more information, call 301-980-1411 or 410-474-4436. • Enjoy PEM Talks at the Calvert Marine Museum with thoughtful discourse on paleontology, the environment and maritime history, the three themes covered by the museum’s exhibits. The 2011-2012 PEM Talks focus on Lost Landmarks, the ‘bones’ of the past that lie hidden around us. Learn to look with new eyes at the places you pass every day and better understand how the past informs our lives today. On Thursday, Nov. 17, the Lost Landmarks series will feature Greg Bowen talking about “Growing Up on a Tobacco Farm.” The talks begin at 7 p.m. in the museum auditorium and are free to the public. For more information about the 2011-2012 PEM Talks Series, visit the website at www.calvertmarinemuseum.com. • The National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE), Calvert County Chapter 1466, will meet at 1:00 pm on Thursday Nov 17 at the Calvert County Public Library, Prince Frederick, MD. There will be a special presentation by guest Doug Hill, ABC Chief Me-
• It is time to start your holiday shopping! On Sunday, Nov. 20, visit the Holiday Gift Extravaganza Show at the Dunkirk Fire Department from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sponsored by Windows of Strength, there will be an array of unique items from which to choose a special gift for that hardto-please person on your holiday list. Windows of Strength is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing assistance with nonmedical costs not covered by insurance and government programs to organ transplant recipients and their caregivers. For more information contact Sandy Walker-Samler at 443-951-5125 or email mywish@windowsofstrength.org. • On Sunday, Nov. 20, during Calvert Marine Museum’s “Sunday Conversations with Maryland Authors,” meet Raymond McAlwee, author of “Chesapeake Bay Stories.” A lifelong denizen of the Bay, his short stories include a little history, travel, food, and fiction about the diverse people who make the Chesapeake Bay their home. The free presentation begins at 2 p.m. in the museum lounge. www.calvertmarinemusuem.com • View one-of-a-kind ornaments at the 4th Annual Ornament Show & Sale at Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center. These beautiful hand-crafted ornaments are created by talented artists from across the region. Beginning Nov. 23, Annmarie Garden makes a great stop for your holiday shopping. Find special gifts in their amazing gift shop. For more information, visit www.annmariegarden.org.
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The Calvert Gazette
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Season Recap By Keith McGuire
Tim Lowe with February Yellow Perch
On the
Water
The Ordinary
Angler
I’m getting pretty tired of writing about the weather, but it continues to get top billing. The wind, rain and snow (for some) resulted in postponement of the Monster Rockfish Tournament scheduled for last Saturday. It will now be held on this coming Saturday, November 5th. The Monster Rockfish Festival did occur on Sunday, October 30th, and according to Greenwell Foundation reports, was a tremendous success. There will be other tournaments before the striper season ends on December 15th like the Maryland Saltwater Sportfishermen’s Association Fall Classic Tournament on November 19 and 20 (www.mssa.net). Those of us who continue to fish on the nice days of the fall will find willing rockfish in the Potomac and Patuxent Rivers, and the Bay. On the Bay, there are plenty of birds and breaking fish feeding on baitfish at the surface in or near the main shipping channel. Correctly rigged lures for trolling should produce keeper fish for everyone onboard your boat. If you decide to cast to some breaking fish, be prepared to change lures frequently to find the one that the finicky eaters like. Water clarity is better now than it was during the summer, so lure and leader choice is important. Some of us fish all year long or, at least, devote ourselves to fishing, the study of fishing, or gathering supplies and tackle for fishing. The Ordinary Angler Column started this year on February 17th, and this will likely be the last one until early next year. The photos below represent some of the most memorable catches of the year. These fish made memories for many of us. Watch this space for the Fur and Feathers Column beginning next week. If you have a particularly interesting hunting story drop me a line at riverdancekeith@gmail.com.
Kaden Cotugno’s First Fish
Scott McGuire with March 18 Catch and Release
Bill and Mitchell Goddard with Father’s Day Catch
Daniel Stock with First Croaker on April 10
James Cotugno and Mom with Mother’s Day Striper
Anna Wilhelm’s 20 in Flounder
Mike Henderson’s May Flounder
Alan Gower with First fish in the USA
My Bucket List Fish
MHBR No. 103