2012-03-22 Calvert Gazette

Gazette Calvert

March 22, 2012

Priceless

Everything Calvert County

Modern Day Treasure Hunters Page 8

The Calvert Gazette

Also Inside

3

Thursday, March 22, 2012

2

On T he Cover

County News

6 Community 7 Business 8

Feature Story

9 Letters 10 Obits

local news

Joe Arendes, left, Sam Keiffer and Calvin Cowell demonstrate the paper finger printing method on each other. The three men volunteer each week at the Maryland State Police Prince Frederick barrack.

12 Education 13 Newsmakers 14 Entertainment 15 Sports

entertainment

Yeager and3:28 DanePM Robey have1 been playing music together for a dozen years or so.

QBH St M County TImes Half Ad:Layout Billy 1 3/1/11 Page With their band, Car 54, they’ve had several line-ups, starting out playing originals, then transforming into a party band playing cover songs.

What do a firefighter, a guy who works in the post office and a Boeing employee have in common?

In the Southern Maryland Artifact Recovery Team (SMART) all three can be found working to uncover buried treasures.

MHBR No. 103

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COUNTY NEWS First Homelessness Forum Held The Calvert Gazette

Thursday, March 22, 2012

By Corrin M. Howe Staff Writer Project Echo and Safe Nights assembled a panel of service providers who work with the homeless population for what they hope is the first of many forums to educate county citizens about the complexities of solving the problem.

“It’s not a mathematical solution to solve. There are loopholes in the system that the people in the trenches can’t close,” Henry Trentman, Project Echo Board of Directors Chair, told an audience of nearly 50 gathered at St. John Vianney Family Center. “We had a wonderful experience with Safe Nights and Project Echo which started with discussions.”

Trentman referred to how several concerned citizens and churches came together to solve the issue of providing a warm and safe place for homeless people to stay during the winter months when there were no beds available at Project Echo.

The same people recognized a need to discover and work to close other gaps in homelessness care and asked for people representing various services within the county to meet. Representatives from the county’s Core Services, Mental Health and Detention Centers, Hospital Community Wellness, Southern Maryland Community Network and the Sheriff’s department all met and reviewed actual cases from within the county.

“We blundered. We had a perfect opportunity to in-

tervene and we missed it,” said Trentman about the cases discussed both among the panelists and presented to the forum.

Margaret Fowler, Director of Community Wellness for Calvert Memorial Hospital, emphasized her main observation from the agencies meeting together was that there are gaps.

“How do we have a continuum in order to progress these people through the systems before he reverts all the way back?” Fowler said of Case ‘M,’ a young man with schizophrenia who had been stabilized in a court-ordered state treatment program and released; however, did not follow up with his care.

Master Addiction Counselor Carol M. Porto said one of the issues the county faces is lack of understanding that mental health and substance abuse are chronic illnesses.

She likened them to diabetes or cancer. People don’t get over these diseases and they will relapse if they don’t follow up with their treatment plans.

Several in the audience expressed disappointment with the direction the forum took. All three case studies presented involved substance abuse or mental health issues. The last 30 minutes of the discussion revolved around the dramatic increase of prescription drug abuse within the county.

“I came to a homeless summit and learned about substance abuse,” said Rev. Kenneth Phelps of All Saints Parish. “This doesn’t address the children in the county who are homeless, who I doubt have mental illnesses and

Registered Dems and Republicans Exactly Equal

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer In the days leading up to the voter registration deadline March 13 some Republicans believed they would overtake Democrats as the party with the largest number of voters, but

by March 19 the numbers were dead even at 22,665 registrants for each party.

Unaffiliated voters counted for 10,229 of all the registrants in the county.

Staff at the county’s Board of Elections said the dead heat was unexpected.

“It’s a tie,” said Mike Rawlings, a board of elections worker. “It’s a long shot.”

Rawlings said Democrats held the lead in Calvert by just a handful of votes, with the difference closing fast.

Frank McCabe, chair of the Calvert Republican Central Committee, said he believed the GOP would once again gain a majority the same as it did in 2003 and 2004.

“I’m confident when they reopen registration … we’ll have a lead,” McCabe said. “It just seems incredible [the tie] given the size of the numbers.”

He lamented the fact that he and other Calvert GOP members would have to provide dinner as part of a friendly bet for their counterparts in St. Mary’s County, which just turned majority Republican last week for the first time in generations.

“And I’ve got to get up at the [state GOP] convention and say nice things about St. Mary’s County, which won’t be hard to do,” McCabe said.

Todd Eberly, professor of political science at St. Mary’s College of Maryland, said that Calvert had often been a reliable voting block for Republicans in presidential elections and that the increase in GOP voters was an indication of what was happening in St. Mary’s and other rural counties in Maryland.

Since the Democrat party here was changing from a statebased, big tent party to one that was much more liberal in ideology matching more the national party, moderate and conservative Democrats are leaving in large numbers.

“It is a Republican county and the registration is just starting to show that,” Eberly said.

Calls to the Calvert Democratic Central Committee were unreturned as of press time. guyleonard@countytimes.net

Margaret Fowler, Director Calvert Memorial Hospital Community Wellness, answers an audience question as other panel members listen.

addictions.”

“You’re talking about the hard problems here. The ones no one has an answer to. These guys are going to die young and tragically. What about the easy ones. The ones we can help?” asked Buck Rodda.

Many of the audience members used words like “frustrated,” “overwhelmed” and “disappointed.”

Dusty Rhoades, the moderator from Community Mediation Center of Calvert County, worked hard to keep everyone on task and from allowing the session to devolve into finger pointing.

The panelists and Trentman agreed that this was only the beginning of their discussion, but ultimately the solution will come from the citizens of Calvert.

Proposed Budget Takes $6.25 Million Out of Fund Balance

By Sarah Miller Staff Writer

the school district and the county expired last year, and a new one hasn’t yet been agreed upon. Even at the maintenance of effort level, Hayden said the school district accounts for more than half the budget expenditure.

Commissioner Evan K. Slaughenhoupt, Jr., has been vocal about his displeasure in how the budget is developed. He said he would prefer to see a ground up approach to building the budget, instead of taking the pervious year’s budget and building from there.

He said that’s an approach that works well when the economy’s good and the revenue stream is increasing, but with revenue at a standstill or decreasing they need to look at radical actions to trim the fat from the budget and make it work. He said the county should be looking at alternative ways to cut down on spending.

“I see no evidence that that’s been done,” Slaughenhoupt said.

Calvert County Commissioners took a look at the proposed draft budget last week, which calls for using more than $6 million from the fund balance to make income equal to money needed.

The goal is to not use any fund balance money to balance the budget, said Director of Finance and Budget Tim Hayden. He said the money was taken at the eleventh hour, when the news about the pension shift came in that sent them scrambling to take that into account as well.

Calvert Commissioner President Jerry Clark said he trusts Hayden and his team’s ability to make everything work.

“When all’s said and done, we’ll have a balanced budget without using reserve funds,” Clark said.

Normally, 90 percent of the money making up the budget comes from income taxes and property taxes. sarahmiller@countytimes.net The amount accrued from those sources is predicted by the state, using the last filed taxes. For FY 2013, the information from 2011 is used, because the 2012 taxes are not completed. Hayden said the estimates do not use real time Friday, March 30 - 6 p.m.

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COUNTY NEWS

The Calvert Gazette

MACO Takes Stand Against School Funding Bill

By Sarah Miller Staff Writer Maryland Association of Counties representatives were at the Board of County Commissioners meeting Tuesday to brief them on the legislative season, including teacher pensions, septic system legislation and the Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP).

Hanging over everyone’s heads is the potential pension shift, which legislators say will happen, but the question is how much and when.

MACO Executive Director Michael Sanderson said the original plan was for counties to take over paying for half of the full retirement system, though he doesn’t believe that will be the case now. Counties will be paying for some-

thing and the shift will be made over a three to four year period, he said.

Sanderson said there is also legislation to tighten up the Maintenance of Effort (MOE) requirements for the counties to supply funding to the schools.

“This bill’s going to pass, and we’re probably going to have to spend some time picking up the pieces,” Sanderson said.

Commissioner Evan K. Slaughenhoupt, Jr., said the MOE regulations will have a further effect on the county’s budget, especially with the pension shift.

“We are all being victimized by one party rule in this state,” he said.

He said the teachers are taking the brunt of the punishment, with money being taken from their pension systems and being used for general fund purposes.

The MACO representatives also talked about the septic bill and WIP. Commissioner Susan Shaw said the septic bill took any good news from Plan Maryland back. She said the problem isn’t state against county governments, but “it’s coming down to be an urban versus rural issue.”

MACO President Ingrid Turner said the septic issue will be on the senate floor during the next week. In addition, Turner said the state is talking about reviewing all developments for sewage systems, a proposal Shaw said would slow the process to a crawl, going through an already bogged down system.

Sanderson said the WIP is not the hottest issue in the legislature currently, but Clark said the county has run into problems with the WIP as well. Because they have taken preventative measures to preserve the land, there are no cheap and easy places to begin working. Unlike other counties that haven’t been working on land preservation there is no cheap, “low hanging Auto Accidents fruit” to start with. Anything Calvert does for the WIP is Workers’ comp bound to be expensive.

• Divorce/Separation Ending with a hope• Support/Custody ful note, Sanderson said there is little probability of • Domestic Violence the gas tax increase, or any • Criminal/Traffic transportation taxes, to go • DWI/MVA Hearings through the senate and the Power of Attorney house, though he warned • Name Change • Adoption there are “still three weeks • Wills • Guardianship to make mischief.”

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Thursday, March 22, 2012

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Traffic Stops Lead to Drug Charges On March 17, at 12:24 a.m. Cpl. R. Wilson conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle on Route 4 at Sherry Lane in Prince Frederick. He found the driver, identified as Michele L. Wills, 31 of Tarboro, N.C., and the lone passenger, later identified as Dwayne L. Buck, 30, of Lusby, to both be in possession of suspected drugs. Wills and Buck both initially gave a false name for Buck when questioned by Cpl. Wilson, police alleged. Wills was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana and making a false statement to a police officer. Buck was found to have an open retake warrant through the Department of Corrections. Buck was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana, possession of cocaine, possession of cocaine while detained in the Calvert County Detention Center, a place of confinement, making a false statement to a police officer and assuming the identity of another to avoid identification, apprehension or prosecution for a crime.

On March 16 at 7:43 p.m., Trooper First Class Donaldson stopped a vehicle for traffic violations on Emmanuel Church Road at Queensberry Drive in Prince Frederick. A strong odor of marijuana was emitting from inside the vehicle, police said. A search revealed a baggie of suspected marijuana hidden on the driver.

Richard M. Morrison, 21, of Prince Frederick, was arrested and incarcerated at the Calvert County Detention Center.

On March 15 at 10:55 a.m., Trooper First Class Lewis stopped a vehicle for traffic violations on Route 261 south of Route 260 in Chesapeake Beach. The odor of marijuana was emitting from inside the vehicle, police said, and flakes of marijuana were observed on the passenger’s lap. A search of the vehicle revealed additional alleged marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Edward R. Coleman, 40, of Quinwood, WV, and Vincent C. Poole, 39, of Charmco, WV, were arrested and incarcerated at the Calvert County Detention Center.

42-Year Navy Employee Pleads Guilty Retired U.S. Navy employee Gregory Roger Penk, 64, of Patuxent River, Maryland, pleaded guilty last week to unlawfully disclosing procurement contractor bid and source selection information, according to U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein.

According to Penk’s plea agreement, from 1969 to July 2, 2011, Penk was employed with the Navy at a location in St. Inigoes, St. Mary’s County. On June 30, 2010, the Navy solicited bids for a new Naval Air Warfare Center - Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) contract as part of a competitive procurement process. The services had previously been provided by Booz Allen Hamilton (BAH), one of the companies submitting bids on the new contract. Penk was responsible for assisting the contracting officer with funding, performance and technical issues related to the program.

Penk admitted that on three separate occasions, he disclosed contractor bid and source selection information about the NAWCAD contract to BAH, Rosenstein reports.

Specifically, on Feb. 14, March 2 and March 4, 2011, Penk called a BAH employee and provided specific information about the contract, including the fact that BAH might not win the project and that BAH’s bid was $7.5 million higher than a competitor’s bid. Penk also informed the employee that the Navy would be issuing a best and final offer request and that BAH should prepare for that request. Penk disclosed the information to give BAH a competitive advantage in the award of the contract.

The Navy learned about Penk’s illegal disclosures and had to rebid the contract, Rosenstein’s release states.

Penk faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a fine of $250,000. As part of his plea agreement, Penk and the government have agreed to recommend that the Court enter an order requiring Penk to pay restitution of $24,108, with $5,000 to be paid no later than the date of sentencing and the remainder in $500 monthly installments. U.S. District Judge Alexander Williams, Jr. has scheduled sentencing for June 13, 2012 at 9:30 a.m.

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COUNTY NEWS Volunteers Keep Troopers Entertained

Thursday, March 22, 2012

The Calvert Gazette

By Corrin M. Howe Staff Writer Walking into the Maryland State Police Barracks in Prince Frederick on Thursday mornings between 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. is like walking into the middle of a Vaudeville act as volunteers and troopers alike are full of one-liners.

Last week Joe Arendes, Sam Keiffer and Calvin Cowell didn’t have many citizens to fingerprint for background checks. They estimated they had three or four compared to their average of 15 to 20 citizens who come in to get their fingerprints for various reasons.

The three gentlemen attributed their slow morning to the word getting out that the MSP is moving from taking paper and ink fingerprints to an electronic system in order to comply with the FBI mandate.

“Are we buying the machine?” Keiffer asked Detective Sergeant Al Paton.

Keiffer was implying that the money come out of the three volunteers’ pockets.

“The machine is very expensive. We are cheaper. Dirt cheap. We just require free parking.”

After retiring from being a State Trooper, Keiffer came back 15 years ago to volunteer in the barracks.

“He’s the Brett Favre of the MSP,” said Paton. “He keeps coming back.”

Cowell said he started volunteering in 1998, but had been a volunteer in the fire departments longer.

Arendes said he’s only been there four years. He responded to an advertisement in the paper when the MPS sought volunteers.

Joe Arendes, left, Sam Keiffer and Calvin Cowell demonstrate the paper finger printing method on each other.

The two longer term volunteers will say they started off with many other duties, but computerization has reduced them down to taking fingerprints for non-arrest purposes.

“We are ready, willing and able – with nothing to do,” Keiffer leans back in his chair. He was afraid after the new electronic fingerprinting machine came in that the volunteers might have to switch to painting walls and cleaning floors.

Water Leaking into Solomon’s Sewer System

By Sarah Miller Staff Writer Solomons Island is seeing problems with rainwater getting into the wastewater system, forcing the county to spend money treating water that doesn’t need to be cleaned.

Flow monitoring began in May 2011 and concluded August 2011, according to a report submitted to the Calvert County Government Department of Public Works Water and Sewerage Division.

Project Engineer Richard Mason said the project was started because they say large surges in flow when it rained.

He said normal surges are expected during the morning, when people are getting ready for school and work, or in the evening, but the surges they were seeing occurred at abnormal times.

He said the study did not account for the amount of water getting in, and the department of Water and Sewage will continue smoke testing to identify trouble spots. During smoke testing, smoke is pumped into the system and breaches

are identified when smoke is seeping out.

Mason said.

He said the sewage system in Solomons is only 25 years old, with the system designed to last 50 years or more before needing to be replaced. He also said Solomons Island can be rough on systems, with the tides and the water table being so close to the surface.

Some inflow and infiltration is to be expected, but even with all the factors taken into account, the amount of water coming into the system on Solomons Island was “worrisome enough to authorize a study to solve it.”

He said there are no environmental concerns. The waste is not escaping the system and the water getting in dilutes the waste. The concern is that the county is treating water that doesn’t need to be treated, and it is more costly to treat the extra water. He said finding the source of the inflow and infiltration is in the best interest of the ratepayers, whose money supports the treatment plants. sarahmiller@countytimes.net

Paton laughed and said the barrack could use it, but that the volunteers didn’t give themselves enough credit for all the non-finger printing work they do in the of-

fice. “They always are taking on things as needed. They do good at whatever we ask.”

Cowell said he used to go around to schools and fairs with a trooper and take fingerprints of children. In the schools it was to show the students how it was done, but the MSP didn’t keep any of the prints. At fairs, it was for parents to have on file in case the child went missing.

“Parents would want us to get them as young as six months old. It’s really hard to get a good print when they are that young.

They are scared. At best, we can usually get a foot print,” said Cowell.

Arendes said they used to process paperwork, pay bills and keep supplies ordered.

Cowell misses the couple of years they were heavily involved with planning the Open Houses for the MSP. However, they continue to help with the Camp Cops over the summer.

“The barracks is well staffed now. Most of the duties are taken,” said Keiffer.

The guys were worried about how they will fill their Thursday mornings once the barrack moves to the electronic finger printer.

Paton said they will be trained on how to use it and that they didn’t have to worry about not having anything to do.

“We enjoy having them around here too much,” said Paton.

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The Calvert Gazette

Meals On Wheels Looking for Drivers

By Corrin M. Howe Staff Writer Since its inception in 1982, Calvert County’s Meals On Wheels program has delivered 350,000 meals to home-bound seniors and those who can’t prepare for themselves.

“More people are able to stay home by virtue of this program,” said Peg Dann, President.

Helping people to stay at home and live independently for as long as possible is one of the purposes of the volunteer organization.

“We always need drivers,” said Dann.

Drivers need to have their own vehicle and pay their own expenses. The organization attempts to make it easier on the drivers by having the meals delivered to senior centers. The meals are prepared at the hospital in Prince Frederick. A dietician plans for the meals to meet the government’s nutritional standards for a 52-year-old male.

The county picks up 150 hot meals and distributes them to the senior centers throughout the county where volunteer Meals On Wheels drivers pick them up and take them to residents. Dann said maybe four times a year the volunteer driver may have to go straight to the hospital to pick up the meal first.

Meals on Wheels volunteer drivers deliver the meals around noon five days a week. A local church works with the program to deliver on the weekends. The meals are kept hot and cold by a device plugged into the vehicle’s cigarette lighter.

Twice a year the drivers will also deliver a five-meal mix-and-match shelfready package for those days when conditions prevent drivers from delivering meals.

These meals also meet the government nutritional standards, according to Dann.

Those receiving meals must be home to accept the meal or cancel in a timely manner. Meals on Wheels asks for an emergency contact number. Occasionally the drivers find residents in need of assistance.

Currently there are seven routes and a driver can expect to deliver an average of 15 meals. A volunteer can sign up a minimum of once a month, but can take more days.

Meals On Wheels is a United Way agency but also receives funding from private sources and from the clients themselves. For more information call the Office on Aging at: 410-535-4606 or 301-855-1170 or email calvertmealsonwheels@comcast. net.

“Volunteering up to two hours once a month can help a neighbor in need,” Dann said.

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Thursday, March 22, 2012

6

2012 Sprout Film Festival This Weekend

By Corrin M. Howe Staff Writer “Be My Brother” is a seven minute video which won the top award in an Australian Short Topic Film Festival. It is about a young man with Down Syndrome practicing being an actor while waiting at a public bus stop.

At first, the beautiful female stranger is put off by the strange behavior, but finds herself giggling as Richard describes everything she is doing into a hand-held tape recorder.

This is just one of the films to be shown during the 2012 Sprout Film Festival on Saturday, March 24 at the La Plata Campus of the College of Southern Maryland.

It is the second year The Arc of Southern Maryland has combined entertainment, education and fundraising together.

“The film festival is meant to break down stereotypes. People are never going to be the same. They (the films) are that inspiring,” said Nkishi Free, Development Public Relations Director for Arc. Last year the local Arc showed a film from Spain with subtitles called Dancing with Down Syndrome. Free said the film was amazing.

“Not everything is serious and heavy.

It’s meant to be laugh-out-loud funny and

to show the normalcy of individuals and not focus on their disability,” said Free.

March is National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. The festival is designed to raise awareness, hope, and break down stereotypes about individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The festival will consist of three show times and with a different theme for each show. The first show will focus on families and siblings, the second on life transitions and the third show will focus on individuals with Autism.

The films are a collection of features films, documentaries and videos designed to inspire, raise awareness and breakdown stereotypes of people with developmental disabilities. The festival is supported by Sprout, a New York City non-profit organization, which has been making videos and films about folks with developmental disabilities since 1995.

Show times are 10:30 a.m., 1 and 3:30 p.m. and all films will be shown in the Center for Business and Industry Building in room 113. Ticket costs are $10 per show or $25 for all three.

For information about the 2012 Sprout Film Festival visit www.arcsomd.org or for tickets call 410-535-2413, Ext. 113.

Washington Gas Funds Museum School Trips The Calvert Marine Museum (CMM) was awarded a $5,000 grant from Washington Gas for the establishment of a Fossil Fuel Fund. The support will help offset the cost of transportation to bring elementary and middle school students from the Washington metropolitan area that is more than 40 miles from the museum.

Local schools have been severely impacted by the economic downturn, and many school systems have been forced to eliminate class fieldtrip programs, a press release states. Transportation costs are the most expensive aspect and this fund will assist schools with getting their students to the Calvert Marine Museum.

“Our educational programs are the lifeblood of the museum, and their primary focus on impactful and resonant environmental programs is a perfect fit for this Washington Gas partnership,” said Deputy Director Sherrod Sturrock.

For more than 160 years, Washington Gas has been a responsible corporate citizen and an integral part of the growing Metropolitan community. The company has made a lasting impact on the communities in which they serve with direct contributions, in-kind support, and volunteer resources. Washington Gas is no stranger to CMM as they were the key funder of the concert stage built in 1997. The museum is delighted to continue this partnership, the release states.

For more information on the Fossil Fuel Fund at the Calvert Marine Museum, please call Melissa McCormick at 410-326-2042, ext. 41 or email mccormmj@co.cal. md.us.

Taste of Solomons Set for Next Weekend

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On Saturday, March 31, between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., visitors to the Solomons Island area can enjoy the 12th Annual Taste of Solomons, a one-day food festival showcasing the many wonderful places to eat in this lovely waterfront community, a press release from the Solomons Business Association states.

Food and drink tickets are only $4 each, and are available for purchase at each participating restaurant. An area map showing restaurant locations and menus will also be available at each location.

As an added feature this year, most restaurants will be participating in a Gift Certificate Prize Program. Some of the tickets at each location will be designated as prize winners, and the lucky purchasers will be awarded a gift certificate for future use at the respective restaurant.

This is truly a wonderful way to kick off the new season, and proceeds benefit the Solomons Business Association's annual July 4th Fireworks Display. So, bring your family and friends, and enjoy Solomons' food and beverages, and help keep our Fireworks display a glorious tradition that everyone enjoys.

For further information, visit www.solomonsmaryland.com, or call Richard at 410-326-9900.

7

Thursday, March 22, 2012

The Calvert Gazette

‘Virtual Assistant’ Is Like Having An Officer Manager And More

By Corrin M. Howe Staff Writer Small business owners can no longer wear all their hats, according to Karen Schatz, owner of Virtually With You. Therefore, Virtual Assistants may be the way to increase their productivity and revenue stream.

When a potential client comes to Schatz to ask what she can do for them, she often hears, “oh my gosh, this is exactly what I need.”

According to AssistU.com, which provides a 20-week training program, Virtual Assistants or VAs “are micro business owners who provide administrative and possibly personal support while working in long-term collaborative relationships with only a handful of terrific clients. Using phone, fax, email, as well as other emerging technologies, VAs support their clients' needs, across the board, without having to ever step foot inside the clients' offices.”

Schatz works primarily for executive coaches who require similar tasks. She sets up speaker engagements, works with book publishers, creates tele-classes, puts together newsletters, and works on Internet marketing to drive people to the client’s websites through blogs and article submissions.

Often VAs work with other VAs to meet all the needs of a particular client.

“I don’t have to know it all. I just have to have the biggest Rolodex,” said Schatz. Her team consists of an assistant who works out of Schartz’s home and two VAs who live in Colorado.

One thing that Schatz won’t do for clients is answer their phones. She will help them find another solutions, but she can’t be tied to a phone and still provide all the other services they require.

The hardest part for potential VA clients is to budget the expense for the hourly rate or the package deals charged. The benefit to the client is that they do not have to pay for taxes, social security, and benefits. Nor do they have to provide work space, computers, phones and other equipment, according to Schatz.

When a small business owner is considering hiring a VA, Schatz has some advice.

“It’s a different kind of working relationship. It’s not an employer to employee.”

Therefore, compatibility, competence, and experience are important. While certification is not required for VAs, nor do many have specialized training, Schatz said it is good to ask. She went through the AssistU course.

“That much training and professional development makes them that much better.”

Virtual Assistants can hold CPVA (Cer-

tified Professional Virtual Assistant) or CMVA (Certified Master Virtual Assistant) credentials behind their names.

Owner can find VAs by word-of-mouth, VA networks or on-line training programs like AssistU. Likewise, small business owners, who know they need help but don’t know what they can give to a VA, should spend a week making notes of their work. The notes should be about what they don’t like to do and don’t have to do themselves, like bookkeeping.

Consider hiring out tasks that aren’t hard to do, but take a lot of time. VAs are also great for areas of small business that need developing like social networking.

Schatz said that a VA should be a long term relationship. Both the owner and VA should understand each other’s short, mid and long term goals and how they can help one another.

Her philosophy is similar to the one taught at AssistU which writes, “In our opinion, what makes a person a VA isn't that the services can be performed at a distance, but rather that the services that are being performed are administrative in scale and scope, and are provided with the desire to support the client across the board, not with just one specific function or task, no matter how ongoing that might be.”

To contact Schatz call 443-550-3138 or go to her website at www.VirtuallyWithYou. com

The Calvert Gazette

Thursday, March 22, 2012

8

STORY

Modern Day Treasure Hunters Metal Detectors Unearth Hidden History in Southern Maryland

By Sarah Miller Staff Writer What do a firefighter, a guy who works in the post office and a Boeing employee have in common? In the Southern Maryland Artifact Recovery Team (SMART) all three can be found working to uncover buried treasures.

You don’t need to travel to exotic locations with a bunch of expensive equipment to find buried treasure. The men and women with SMART, based in Prince Frederick, are finding things right in Southern Maryland with nothing more than their metal detectors and shovels.

During one of their most recent gatherings, a group of about 10 SMART members went to a site in Chaptico with significance to the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812 and the Civil War. The group had the permission of property owner Jim Wilt. During their outing, the group found such items as a 1903 Barber Quarter minted in New Orleans, belt buckles and bullets.

Hunters sweep their metal detectors just over the ground, listening to the beeps and using the readout on the detectors to determine what the metal is. On some machines, different metal compositions have different tones, and normally detectors can tell a person approximately how deep the metal is.

SMART President Clarence “Bunker” Hill said when the detector finds something “it’s like a scratch off. You know you’ve got something, but you don’t know what.”

Leonard Valley had the find of the day with a 1903 Barber Quarter.

Individuals normally have to dig deep to find older items. Leonard Valley, a SMART member from Lexington Park who has been metal detecting since 1978, said the rule of thumb is one inch down equals one year. This theory can become corrupted in areas where clearing and construction has occurred because the disturbance of the earth brings older items higher. During last weekend’s hunt, one detector found a modern soda can six inches deep.

Another thing that can interfere with metal detectors are power lines. SMART member Jesse Ashbey said the electromagnetic interference can lead to false readings and play havoc with the metal detectors.

Hill said the members try to leave sites cleaner than they find them, which includes picking up litter and removing soda cans and bottle caps they dig up rather than just leaving the junk where it lies.

Hill said the policy is that the members don’t metal detect on private property without permission. It is also prohibited to detect on state property, though the county government hasn’t prohibited them from going out on county-owned property.

The members of SMART don’t just use their metal detectors for personal gain. Hill said members were out recently scouring a local beach in search of a lost wedding ring. The members have also been contacted to search a stretch of Flat Iron Road for another lost wedding band. Hill said the second ring was lost during an argument, when the man’s fiancée threw the ring out the car window during an argument, and the owner wants it back.

Hill said they have also worked with police in the past to locate items people have thrown from windows dur- Jesse Ashbey scours a hill for early-American artifacts. ing chases or when being pulled over. packs his detector even before his underwear, to which he He said the service is one SMART performs free of charge to give back to their responds that he needs something to pack around it to keep it safe. community.

Metal detectors can cost anywhere from $100 to Ashbey said he’s been metal detecting for six years, “on and off,” and said $5,000.

In addition to combing beaches and land, metal deteche likes seeing really old things come out tors can be used when prospecting for gold, which Hill has of the ground.

“Modern day treasure hunting, I done in Seattle. In addition to digging up items, he said he suppose is a way you could put it,” Ash- has also left “buried treasure” in places he has visited with a note telling the finder the treasure it theirs to keep, but askbey said.

He said an interesting fact is that ing they let him know when they find the treasure. He said gold rings and bottle caps look the same some of the finders have contacted him, but until they do to a metal detector, and the only way to he doesn’t know if a treasure has been found or if the finder just didn’t contact him. find out what you have is to dig it up.

Hill also makes metal detecting a family activity. Each “You kind of have to dig up everything to get anything good,” Ashbey said. of his three daughters have metal detectors, and they have The things they dig up can be as all gone out together and found items.

Some people only hunt for certain items, like rings or worthless as an old bit of wire or as valuable as a golden wedding ring with 13 coins. They can even set their detectors to ignore everydiamonds, which Hill said he found in thing but the specific metals they are looking for. Ken Kirk, Virginia Beach, after a frustrating af- a three-year member of SMART, said he’s a “coin shooter,” ternoon of hunting and coming up with and focuses his searches primarily on coins, and has found some dating back to the 1700s. He said it is surprising what nothing but junk.

Some things, like jewelry not a person can find, and where. One time, he said he found a claimed by the owner, Hill said he keeps brand new 2010 penny in the middle of the woods, far from in a box at home as souvenirs. The wed- the normal flow of traffic.

Floys Lynch, a Prince Frederick member of SMART ding band is among those keepsakes.

Other things, like coins, he said he will who has been using metal detectors since the early 1970s, sell and use toward the purchase of said he enjoys researching his finds and has always been interested in history. He said he has found coins from the equipment.

“It’s one of the few hobbies I know 1500s, and a golden thimble form the 1700s.

People interested in learning more about metal dethat pays for itself,” Hill said.

One of his first metal detectors was tecting, or to seek helping locating something lost, can ata gift from his wife, which he said he still tend the monthly meetings in Prince Frederick in the Elk’s has along with the more sophisticated Lodge located at 1015 Dares Beach Road at 7 p.m. The next detectors and coils, the part that goes on meeting will be April 2. Individuals can also contact Hill the end of the detector. Like many other directly at 636-299-2599 or www.treasuresearching.com. metal detectors, Hill said he doesn’t go on vacation without taking his metal sarahmiller@countytimes.net detector. He said his wife jokes that he

The Calvert Gazette

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Federal Employees Jumping Ship I must say I found the letter to the editor from Ms. Anne Allen concerning current federal employees both interesting and somewhat amusing.

So, Ms. Allen retired from the federal government, but now she now says the current working Federal employees are overpaid, have cushy jobs, job security etc. and evidently she didn’t. I don’t understand that. What makes it more amusing is that Ms. Allen is on the lucrative “old system” of the CSRS, where retirees can make up to 80 percent of their salary at retirement for the rest of their lives. How sweet would that be? So, I can understand why we’re not hearing any whining from Ms. Allen.

As for me, I’m a current working federal employee, not lucky enough to be on the lucrative CSRS retirement plan that Ms. Allen is and that was discontinued decades ago because it was so lucrative. And in fact, many retires on the CSRS system make more in retirement than many, if not most, of the federal employees who get up and go into work day after day. As a federal employee on the “new system,” FERS, as the majority of the current federal employees are, I have to rely on Social Security as my major source of retirement income, and we all know how scary that is.

And, as far as job security, evidently Ms. Allen has never heard of the A-76 program that has cost thousands of Federal employees their “secure” jobs.

If Ms. Allen thinks it’s just fine that current Federal employees should continue to get their salaries frozen in the name of gnawing down national debt, I would like to think that she would want to offer up a portion of her lucrative retirement to also assist. I figure that due to all of the salary freezes over the last few years, I’m short 20 percent of what my income would’ve been. Ms. Allen, would you be willing to offer that portion of your federal retirement for an indefinite time to help the cause?

Also, as far as contractors being over worked and under paid, that’s a perfect example of not being able to put everyone into one bin. I know contractors with less education and experience than I have making tons more money, being flown around the country on vacations, being bought dinners with unlimited budgets, etc.

Along those lines, as a result of all the pay freezes etc., many of our best federal employees are jumping ship and going to work for the contractors. That should concern the American people that they are losing the best of the best to keep your government running in addition to losing the critical corporate knowledge.

Connie Dunkerson North Beach, MD

I recently received my annual bill and a newsletter from my property owners association in Drum Point (DPPOA) and I must say both are deceptive, misleading and possibly bordering on fraud.

My annual bill at first glance clearly states in the amount owed block that I owe more money than I should. I’m sure this is an intentional misrepresentation and some of my neighbors just pay the listed amount without understanding they don’t have to.

Then I read my newsletter which as usual is full of half truths, it is stated that the association and board of directors represent all property owners. That everyone in the community has the right to elect members of the board and that everyone has the opportunity to become a member of the board.

How could that be true if you don’t pay the community poll tax which is the billing item mentioned you don’t get a vote so your not represented and you can’t run for office. Furthermore it states that no one has the right to command or dictate how our community is run well maybe someone should explain that to the board members and who without hesitation tell property owners who are within their rights to speak that they should shut up during meetings when their opinion or idea differs from the boards.

The newsletter complained that DPPOA can’t get volunteers, wonder why? The intent of the newsletter appeared to be to give the illusion of inclusiveness while at the same time the Board of directors is trying to throw out one of its own for having differing views from the group. Inclusiveness by definition means letting everyone take part even if you don’t like what they have to say.

The idea that DPPOA is now telling the whole truth and nothing but the truth is ludicrous.

When it was pointed out repeatedly they were operating in violation of their bylaws they changed them. Now that they are operating in violation of our covenants they are trying to change them.

When people stopped paying the poll tax because they disapproved of what they were doing they changed the bill to deceive people into paying it.

Now about half of property owners pay and if the

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bills were not deceptive even less would pay. The association goes onto to state that a small group of individuals claiming to represent the majority lobbied the county Commissioners. Well why shouldn’t they? They’re property owners and isn’t DPPOA just a small group claiming to represent the majority? I’m not a member of either group but the small group of individual owners hasn’t been lying and telling people to shut up and sit down for last 10 years so I might be inclined to believe what they say over DPPOA. DPPOA’s goal as stated by a past president is to get the covenants thrown out so that mandatory fees can be raised by over 1000% while also keeping a small STD coming from the county. The reason increased mandatory fees are preferred over STD monies is the Commissioners will NOT dictate to the board how that money will be spent. That’s not a word for word quote but it is pretty close. Short and sweet no oversight means we the property owners get screwed by the minority. I believe that is the form of government they practice in communist countries like North Korea.

How any reasonable person can take DPPOA’s word for anything defies common sense and logic.

The association over the past ten years that I have lived in Drum Point has routinely shut out property owners with differing ideas, mislead, deceived and out and out lied about what the truth is. Example the bylaws stated “members get to vote on ALL EXPENDITURES” even past president Max Munger stated this in print but when we asked to vote on Special tax district proposals we were told that wasn’t what it meant. Then they changed the bylaws and left that part out, sounds like they were covering up a lie to me. DPPOA is not trustworthy and our county commissioners and anyone else should tread lightly and exercise great caution if considering doing business with these people, you are judged by the company you keep.

Arthur W. Dawson Lusby, MD

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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

Virgil Bowen, 89 Virgil Leroy Bowen, 89, of Amherst, VA formerly of Calvert County, MD passed away on March 7, 2012 at Fairmont Crossing Nursing Home in Amherst, VA. He was born on June 17, 1922 in Calvert County to the late Virgil H. and Effie Fowler Bowen.

Virgil was a self employed gravedigger for over 20 years.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his first wife Sarah in 1993.

He is survived by his wife, Fannie H. Bowen of Amherst, VA; children, Barbara B. Selenas of Prince Frederick, MD, Patricia B. Burch of Gladstone, VA, Charles Leroy Bowen of Lovingston, VA, William Robert Bowen of Smyrna, DE, George Franklin Bowen of Lusby, MD, Richard Edward Bowen of Alton, MO, and Virgil Marion Bowen of Spartanburg, SC; step-children, William Tyree and Faye Tyree both of Gladstone, VA, and Debbie Tyree of Madison Heights, VA; 26 grandchildren, 65 great grandchildren, and 4 great-great grandchildren.

A funeral service was held on Saturday, March 10, 2012 at Antioch Pentecostal Holiness Church in Elma, VA. Interment followed in the church cemetery.

Wayne Catterton, 63 John Wayne Catterton, 63, of Deale, MD passed away March 14, 2012 at his residence.

Known as Wayne, he was born Feb. 10, 1949 in Churchton, MD to William W. and Ella Mae (Marquess) Catterton. He was raised in Deale, MD and attended Deale Elementary, Southern Middle and Southern Sr. High School in Lothian, graduating with the class of 1968.

Wayne enlisted in the U.S. Army April 14, 1969 and was discharged from active duty March 17, 1971. He was a veteran of Vietnam and was awarded the National Defense and Vietnam Service Medals, the Combat Infan-

try Badge, the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, Vietnam Campaign and Air Service Medals, the Sharpshooter and Machine Gun Expert Badges, and the Purple Heart, among other commendations. He completed his Reserve obligation April 13, 1975 as a Sergeant.

Wayne married Barbara J. Windsor on May 4, 1974 and they made their home in Deale, MD. He owned and operated Wayne Electrical Services for 25 years, retiring in 2010 due to health reasons. In his leisure time Wayne enjoyed NASCAR, horse racing, football, grooming his lawn, and gardening, especially his rose bushes. He was especially fond of spending time with his family and friends.

Since 2006 Wayne had enjoyed attending reunions of his US Army unit, the Bravo Company 2/5, 1st Cavalry Airmobile Division.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers Robert “Sonny Boy”, Charles, and Linwood Catterton.

He is survived by his wife Barbara J. (Windsor) Catterton; a daughter Tonya L. Catterton of Boring, MD; a son Wayne W. Catterton of Deale, MD; a sister Shirley Norfolk and husband Sam of Riva, MD; and brothers Norman Catterton of Wayson’s Corner, MD and Morris Catterton of Churchton, MD. Family and friends were received on Monday, March 19, 2012 at Rausch Funeral Home, P.A., 8325 Mt. Harmony Lane, Owings, MD 20736. A Mass of Christian burial and celebration of Wayne’s life was held Tuesday March 20, 2012 at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, 101 Owensville Road, West River, MD 20778. Interment followed at Lakemont Memorial Gardens, Davidsonville, MD. Memorial contributions in Wayne’s name may be made to the American Cancer Society, Anne Arundel County Unit, 1041 Route 3 North, Gambrills, MD 21054.

Roy Holloway, Sr., 79 Roy Willie Holloway, Sr., 79, of Sunderland, MD passed away on March 11, 2012. He was the son of the late Willie and Ada Holloway and was born on Nov. 27, 1932 in Calvert County, Maryland. He was baptized at Cooper’s United Methodist Church where he accepted our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

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Roy attended Calvert County Schools and continued his education, becoming certified in the field of masonry. His skills extended into the field of auto mechanics and home building. He was truly a jack-of-all-trades. He enjoyed fishing, gardening, hunting, traveling, motorcycle riding, and restoring classic automobiles. His pride and joy is a 1967 Chevrolet Camaro, which he restored with his cousin Dale Curtis.

He married Elizabeth L. Wills, daughter of the late Edward and Lola Wills of Sunderland Maryland and from their union they were blessed with six children, twenty-two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Roy was a loving father and a wonderful friend to many. On many occasions he would sing to his children, playing a one note tunehonky-tonk blues on his guitar. His children danced and pranced as he filled the air with joyful noise. He was truly a remarkable father, or as they called him “DADDY” - a HERO!!

Roy leaves to cherish his memories, his wife Elizabeth L. Holloway of Sunderland MD; children Diane D. Holloway and Lynn M. Holloway of Sunderland, MD, Carla D. Holloway-Gross and Gabriel L. Holloway of Lusby, MD, Roy W. Holloway, Jr. of Huntingtown, MD, and Ada H. Holloway of Atlanta, GA; brothers Elmer & James Holloway, and sister, Mildred Stroud of Baltimore, MD; sisters-in-law, Geraldine Sharps, Christine Wills, Madeline Spriggs, Debra Holloway, and Frieda Holloway; brothers in-law, Lee Wills and Richard Sharps; daughter-in-law, Paula “Trisha” Holloway and son-in-law, Claye “Roni” Gross; special friends and cousins, George Contee, Jr., Winfield Harvey, Enoch “Shag” & Barbara Harvey, Dale Curtis, Warren Harvey, John Long Jr., Weldon Randall, Gene “Jeep” Long, John Contee; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Funeral service was held on Thursday, March 15, 2012 at Sewell Funeral Home, Prince Frederick, MD with Pastor Ronald Titus officiating. The interment was at Cooper’s UM Church Cemetery, Dunkirk, MD. The pallbearers were Enoch Harvey, Larry Harvey, Winfield Harvey, Korey Ray, Jemar Holloway and Roy W. Holloway, III. The honorary pallbearers were John Long, Jr., Weldon Randall, Casey Holloway, Warren Harvey and Dale Curtis.

Rose Hooper, 80 Rose Marie Hooper nee Buckmaster, 80, of Prince Frederick, MD passed away on March 18, 2012 in Prince Frederick, MD. Rose was born on Aug. 22, 1931 in Bowens, MD to the late James Issac Buckmaster and Evelyn Barrett Buckmaster.

Rose loved to play bingo, gardening, canning, reading books and word finds. She also loved to eat out at different restaurants.

Rose was preceded in death by her parents and her husband the late John W. Hooper, Jr. She is survived by her son Wayne Buckmaster of Prince Frederick, MD and her daughter, Sherri Hooper of Prince Frederick, MD. She is also survived by her sister Dorothy Joy of Prince Frederick, MD and her brother Man Buckmaster also of Prince Frederick, MD. The family will receive friends on Friday, March 23, 2012 from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. at the Rausch Funeral Home, 4005 Broomes Island Road, Port Republic, MD where services will be held on Saturday, March 24, 2012, 11 a.m.. Interment will follow in Asbury Cemetery.

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Jim Moore, 71 James R. “Jim” Moore, 71, passed away March 13, 2012 at his home in Annapolis, MD. Jim was born Jan. 29, 1941 in Largo, MD to George C. and Hazel L. (Binger) Moore.

He graduated from Frederick Sasscer High School in 1959. He was employed

by Washington Art Glass, where he was a stained glass artist for eighteen years, working on church stained glass windows including the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. and the Mormon Temple in Silver Spring, MD. He later worked for the Prince George’s County Board of Education as a glass technician, retiring in September 2003.

He was also a lifelong farmer. In his leisure time Jim was an avid softball player and won many state championships. He loved hunting, fishing and spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, a son Virgil Anthony Moore, a step daughter Pamela Crandell and brothers George and Tommy Moore.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 26 years, Sandra Parks Moore; sons Maurice Moore and wife Ellisa of Bushwood, MD, and Ronald Moore of Washington, D.C.; a daughter Wendy Cramer and husband Joseph of Lothian, MD; step daughters Patricia Couto and husband Wayne of Prince Frederick, MD and Bonnie Lovelady and husband Randy of Easton, MD. Also surviving are eleven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Jim is survived by his brothers Eddie, Robert, Kenny, Donnie, Paul and Stevie Moore and sisters Regina Atkins, Ann Wade and Doris Gee, and by his former wife Elizabeth Jean Gribble of French Creek, WV. Family and friends will be received Thursday, March 15, 2012 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at Rausch Funeral Home, P.A., 8325 Mt. Harmony Lane, Owings, MD. A funeral service and celebration of Jim’s life will he held at 1 p.m. on Friday, March 16, 2012 at St. James’ Parish, 5757 Solomons Island Rd, Lothian, MD. Interment in the parish cemetery will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you consider making a donation to St. James’ Parish, 5757 Solomons Island Road, Lothian, MD 20711 or Hospice of the Chesapeake, 455 Defense Highway, Annapolis, MD 21401.

Nick Nicholson, 72 Albert “Nick” Henry Nicholson, Jr. of Dunkirk, Maryland, formerly of St. Mary’s County, died peacefully on March 19, 2012 at the age of 72.

Nick was born on February 25, 1940 in Washington, DC to Albert H. Nicholson, Sr. and Agnes Harriett (Herbert) Huppmann.

He is the beloved husband of Mary Ann Nicholson, for over 51 years. Nick is the loving father of John Nicholson (Donna Biscielgia) and a devoted grandfather to John Albert and Fawn Michelle Nicholson. He is also survived by his favorite cousin Carolyn McKin-

11

The Calvert Gazette

Thursday, March 22, 2012

ney and her husband, Danny; sister-in-law of Wanda Hilt and niece, Kimberly Musgrove and her husband, Bert. He is the brother of Suzanne DeWitt, Michael, Russell and Joseph Huppmann and the late Robert Huppmann.

Nick grew up and lived his life in the Southern Maryland area. From an early age, he had a passion for cars and motorcycles, especially Harley Davidsons. All his business adventures revolved around the automobile industry, from repairing to owning…and everything in between. Over the years, he has been the owner of various types of businesses involving automobiles.

He had a wide range of hobbies. He enjoyed hunting for elk and deer and fishing with friends. He enjoyed watching numerous types of sports. But is favorite hobby was spending time with his family and friends. If Nick felt he was able to help someone, he was there for them. If you were considered one of Nick’s close friends, then to him you were family.

Nick was a member of the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge in Upper Marlboro, Maryland.

He was one of the first Trustees and a member since 1976. He was so president of the Eastover Optimist Club from 1982 to 1985.

Funeral Service will be Friday, March 23 at 11 a.m. at Grace Brethren of Calvert County, 9870 Old Solomons Island Road, Owings, MD 20736. Interment will follow at Southern Memorial Gardens, Dunkirk, Maryland.

In lieu of flowers, family requested donations to Calvert Hospice, P O Box 838, Prince Frederick, MD 20678 or Hospice of Chesapeake, 445 Defense Highway, Annapolis, MD 21401.

Funeral arrangements were made through Lee Funeral Home Calvert, P.A.

Carla Jones-Pinkney, 40 Carla Nadine Jones-Pinkney, 40, of Baltimore, MD passed away on March 5, 2012 at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD. Carla was born on April 29, 1971, to the late Rudolph C. Jones, Jr. and Rosetta Marie Johnson of Calvert County, Maryland. She attended Calvert County and Prince George’s County Schools.

Carla met and officially started to date the love of her Todd Pinkney, Sr. in May 1988.

Later the two were married on Jan. 10, 1995.

She was the loving and caring mother of Kenny and Kendra Jones as well as Toddisha, Todd Jr., Kimberly (Deceased) and Courtney Pinkney. Her favorite pastime was spending time with her children and husband. Additionally, she loved cooking, soap operas, playing bingo and taking care of her family. Her children had no problem telling whoever that would listen that she was a wonderful mother and grandmother. Carla will be remembered for her beautiful smile and tremendous love for her family.

In addition to her children, Carla leaves to cherish her precious memories, her husband Todd Pinkney, Sr.; her grandchildren, Tyler Pinkney, Andrea Tyler, Aries Tyler, Michael Tyler and NaShay Jones; her mother, Rosetta Marie Johnson; her sister, Doriane M. Reeves(husband Michael); her brothers, Kelvin C. Jones, Sr.(wife Debra), Glen D. Jones, Anthony M. Jones; her mother -in-law Constance Turner; brother-in-law Troy Pinkney; 2 nephews; 4 nieces; 1 great-niece and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral service was held on Saturday, March 10, 2012 at Sewell Funeral Home, Prince Frederick, MD with Bishop Michael Reeves officiating. The interment was at Holland Cemetery, Huntingtown, MD.

Donna Quinn, 58 Donna Lee Quinn of Port Republic died on March 18, 2012.

She was born on Dec. 30, 1953, in Bethesda, MD to Donald S. and Margaret (Peggy) Foley.

She was raised in Bradbury Heights, MD and attended Suitland High School. She married David C. Quinn of Clinton, MD in 1977 where they lived until 1997 when they moved to Port Republic.

Donna loved working with animals and while living in Clinton, she rescued several horses and provided a loving and caring environment for them. In addition to working with animals in need of rescue, she assisted in running several “Back to School” events for children residing in homeless shelters so as to provide the children with new clothes and supplies for them to start school.

After moving to Calvert County, Donna began volunteering at Project Echo and then she became the Volunteer Coordinator. In addition to volunteering at Project Echo, she volunteered with the Red Cross thru the Calvert County Chapter. She became a disaster relief worker working on the tornado disaster and the hurricane. She advanced her Red Cross volunteer work becoming an instructor the Red Cross. Volunteer and giving back was Donna, even to adopting a portion of Broomes Island Road where she and her husband did litter pick up for several years.

Her love for animals drew her to working with wildlife where she became a Master Wildlife Rehabilitator and a love she shared until her passing. She became known as the Opossum lady because she raised and released back to nature several hundred opossums that needed a second chance. She was devoted to educating the public on wildlife and conducted 2-3 education sessions within the tri-county area schools and civil groups.

She was always available to assist other rehabilitators and would take their calls for them if they needed assistance.

She is survived by her husband David Quinn; children, Mary Elizabeth Quinn, David Lawrence. Quinn, Susan Marie Quinn, and Donald Christopher Quinn; four grandchildren; Jonathen Quinn, Michael Quinn, Samantha Mish, Trevor Swanson and her mother, Margaret Foley.

Family will receive friends from 10 - 11 a.m., Thursday, March 22, 2012 at Rausch Funeral Home in Port Republic, where a memorial service and celebration of life will follow.

Memorial contributions may be made in her name to Back to the Wild Rescue and Rehab Inc., 44029 Saint Andrews Church Road, California, MD 20619 or using the website www.backtothewildrescueandrehab.org.

Earl Thorne , 75 Earl S. Thorne , 75, of Prince Frederick, MD was born on May 11, 1936, to the late Mary E. Thorne.

He was reared by the late Minnie and Norman Smith. After a hard fought battle with pancreatic cancer, he departed this earthly life to ascend into glory on Sunday, March 11,

2012.

Earl spent his childhood years in both Baltimore, Maryland and Coatesville, Penn.

He later moved to Howard County, MD and finished his secondary education at Harriet Tubman High School in 1955. He matriculated to Bowie State Teachers College where he was nicknamed “Doc” and “Professor”. In 1959, he received his Bachelors of Science in Education. While attending Bowie State, he met Veronica Irene Mason, the woman who later became his life partner. They were married on Aug. 22, 1959, and from this union, two children were born.

Earl spent 36 years in the Calvert County Public School System. His teaching career began in 1959, as a social studies teacher at Brooks High School. Following integration of the school system, he moved to Calvert Middle School, and later was offered the position of vice principal. From there, he worked as vice principal at Northern Middle School. In 1970, he was named the principal at Southern Middle School and became the first African American middle school principal in Calvert County. He later returned to Northern Middle School in the role of principal, and retired in 1995. Doing his job meant more than just going to work. As a classroom teacher, he was involved with the Calvert Education Association and even held the office of president for a term. As a principal, he was active with the Maryland Association of Secondary School Principals. In addition, he was a lifetime member of the Maryland PTA. His tenacity and enthusiasm for education were also evident in his involvement in social and community activities. He was a member of the Red Cross, St. John Vianney Parish Council, Calvert Memorial Hospital Board of Directors, and appointed to the Calvert County Planning and Zoning Commission, Calvert County Citizens Advisory Board and several other organizations. He was also very dedicated, involved, and proud of the accomplishments of the Calvert Sandettes and Strutters, a community majorette, color corps and marching band group.

In the late 70’s Earl and Veronica became Independent Shaklee Distributors. After retiring, Earl started playing a more active role in the business, and enjoyed traveling to several conventions. Shaklee was not the only business he helped grow. In 1996, his daughter and son-in-law started Smart Ride, Inc., a transportation company. He was an integral part of the growth and stability of the company offering advice, labor, office space, and funds to help keep the business going. He touched many people through both of these businesses and formed many strong friendships.

His favorite pastime was fishing. His hobbies included watching the Washington Redskins, reading, playing pinochle, building and fixing things, gardening, and spending time with his family and friends.

Earl was a devoted brother to all members of the Knights of Columbus. After achieving the status of a 4th Degree Knight, he served as the Color Corp Commander, District Warden for three Masters in the Archdiocese of Washington , and Faithful Navigator for the Lord Baltimore Assembly.

The 4th Degree of the Knights of Columbus focuses on Patriotism. Earl took that to heart in that he started a flag program in several of the county schools - both public and private.

He later opened this program up to the community by providing flags to individuals.

Throughout his life, he imparted advice and words of wisdom to many people. He lived by the motto “It’s better to be prepared and not go, then to go and not be prepared.”

He empowered students, influenced col-

leagues, and welcomed and embraced friends and family. Anyone he met was immediately drawn to his integrity, character and smile.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his foster brother, Norman “Sonny” Smith. He leaves to cherish his loving memories, a devoted wife of 52 years, Veronica Mason Thorne, two daughters, Cynthia Thorne-Carter (George) of Prince Frederick, MD, and Christine Veronica Thorne of Upper Marlboro, MD.; three granddaughters, Tobi, Triana and Tarah Carter of Prince Frederick, MD; one brother in law, Harry F. Mason of Leonardtown, MD; four sisters in law, Sarah A. Milburn, and Alberta Campbell , both of Leonardtown, MD, Nellie Lawrence-Clayton (Ralph) of Callaway, MD, and Idella DeLeaver (Jesse) of Prince Frederick, MD; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Funeral Mass was held on Friday, March 16, 2012 at St. John Vianney Church, Prince Frederick, MD with Father Peter Daly officiating. The interment was at St. John Vianney Catholic Church Cemetery, Prince Frederick, MD. The pallbearers were Steven Bayliff, Lorenzo Gross, Elford Lawrence, Leroy Blake, Dennis Lawrence and Aubrey Wallace. The honorary pallbearers were Wendell Brady, Randolph Holly, Harry Mason, Richard Hayes, James Jones and Chester Pearson.

Funeral arrangements provided by Sewell Funeral Home, Prince Frederick, MD.

LyTre Woodland, 18 LyTre Garrett Woodland, 18, of Lusby, MD passed away on March 1, 2012 at Children’s National Medical Center, Washington, DC after a long battle with leukemia.

LyTre’ Garrett Woodland was born on July 5, 1993 to Felecia Mae Purvey and Garrett Lee Woodland (who preceded her in death on April 3, 1993).

LyTre’ grew up and attended the Calvert County Public School System where she graduated on May 2, 2011. She was an excellent student and a member of the Honor Society. LyTre’ favorite things were wrestling, steak, all types of melons, school, brain teasers, and of course me her mom.

She was a very quiet and shy person who liked to stay to herself; however when she was interested in something she was very vocal about it.

LyTre’ leaves behind her mother Felecia, maternal grandmother Lillie Mae Johnson and paternal grandmother Mary Woodland; sister Amaris Ford; brothers AntonioPurvey (Melanie), and Marcus Curtis; niece Aalayah Purvey; nephews Larrelle Carey and Jackson Purvey; her brother in love Adrian McWhorter; a very special friend Timmy Richardson and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. LyTre’ also had a very special group of friends which includes Lucretia, Lanisha, Tobias, and Gregory.

Funeral service was held on Monday, March 12, 2012 at Brooks UM Church, St. Leonard, MD with Pastor Jason L. Robinson officiating. The interment was at Chesapeake Highlands Memorial Gardens, Port Republic, MD. The pallbearers were Patrick Taylor, Tobias Height, Gregory Janey, Kenneth Long, Anthony Butler and Curtis Height.

Funeral arrangements provided by Sewell Funeral Home, Prince Frederick, MD.

The Calvert Gazette

Spotlight On

‘Career Exploration’ Educates Students and Potential Employers Five young adults sat around the conference table last Tuesday morning. They were full of smiles and good humor as they talked about their experiences in Calvert County Parks and Recreation’s Career Exploration Program.

“These students were coming out of school and don’t know what they want to do. We are hoping these four-week programs will broaden their horizons,” said Crystal Haislip, Recreational Therapist.

Once a week for an hour, students can sign up to learn more about career fields such as clerical, day care, restaurant, automobile repair, landscaping, animal care services, retail and housekeeping.

The first week the students learn about the career field – the different positions, the type of training they will need, and what requirements they must meet to make them eligible. The second week, they will role play. For example, during the restaurant career exploration, the teachers set up mock stations such as hostess stand, cashier, busboy and servers. The next two weeks the students go out into the field and meet actual employers and tour the job site. Papa John’s Pizza and Saffrons hosted the students during the restaurant classes.

“March is National Disability Employment Awareness Month,” said Nkeshi Free, Southern Maryland Arc Development Public Relations Manager, “Some people may have a disability who you’d never know.”

Programs like Career Exploration educate both the student and potential employer.

“It is about breaking down barriers. If you don’t know what someone is capable of if you don’t give them a chance,” Free said. “These people are our children, brothers, sisters, cousins … they are living and participating in the community like everyone else.”

Josh Bisson, of Lusby, took advantage of the landscaping class offered through Parks and Rec’s Therapeutic Services even though he’s owned his own mowing company for three years. He said he learned that there are two different types of mower heights and other mowers beyond the yard mowers.

Through a grant, he was able to purchase a weed whacker, edger, leaf blower and most recently a snow blower. However, he lamented that he didn’t have an opportunity this year to use it.

All the students and adults around the table laughed as his self-effacing.

Cami Coblentz, of Chesapeake Beach, signed up for the

Career Exploration students learn about landscaping equipment.

day care and animal services classes and plans to sign up for the upcoming cosmetology course. So far, she enjoyed the animal services class and thinks she plans to work in that field.

Travis Engholm, of Lusby, said he currently has a job at World Gym which he enjoys, but he liked the animal services career class the most and would eventually like to work in that area.

Jesse Sanders, of Chesapeake Beach, is called the “resident fix it man.” According to Haislip he is excellent with small engines. He took the landscaping class and took apart the weed whacker; however, he enjoyed the automotive class the most. He listed out all the things the Dodge dealer showed them starting with checking the oil all the way through changing tires. But the highlight of his day was sitting behind the steering wheel of a brand new Challenger.

Tony Humpreys, of Port Republic, listed all the career exploration courses he’s attended. It sounded like all of them.

“I think so,” he confirmed and the entire room laughed. He said he liked the automotive course the best so far, but expressed interest in the May 8 computer services class.

The courses are open to the community. People can find information about them under the Therapeutic Services section of the quarterly Parks and Recreation flier.

“We are connected with a lot of local businesses and we are making new connections,” said Haislip. “We do support the students so that they can have meaningful jobs.”

Budget Shortfall Could Mean 158 Less Teachers In the face of funding cuts from the state and the county, Calvert County Public Schools could be cutting as many as 158 teachers during the next year.

With major changes on the horizon for what they have to pay for and how much money they have to balance the budget, the county is tightening everyone’s belts.

Calvert County Director of Finance and Budget Tim Hayden said there was a funding formula for the schools that expired this year. Maintenance of Effort, according to him, is a per pupil funding model where each student represents a dollar amount that went to the schools.

Because enrollment dropped 1.5 percent, the Maintenance of Effort funding

12

State, County Officials Talk ‘Brass Tacks’ of Education Funding

By Carrie Munn Staff Writer

By Corrin M. Howe Staff Writer

By Sarah Miller Staff Writer

Thursday, March 22, 2012

for the school would be their allotment form last year reduced by 1.5 percent.

Deputy Superintendent Robin Welsh said going down to maintenance of effort will leave the school district with $4.5 million less than their request, and they also stand to lose state funding.

Everything combined could see a potential cut of at least 158 positions.

“It was just the timing of everything,” Welsh said.

She said the district had already planned to cut eight positions due to decreased enrollment, and loosing state funding could cost another 75 positions, the majority of which would be in the teaching field. Welsh said the cuts would begin starting with teachers with the least seniority and trimming from there.

She said the cut in funding would mean cutting into programs or possibly

not launching new ones, but because 85 percent of the budget goes to salaries school staff will have to cut.

“The budget is pretty bare as it stands,” Welsh said.

There is also the specter of the new common core curriculum looming, which will take money to get launched, and to put teachers through professional development in order to be able to teach the new curriculum.

158 teachers would staff two elementary schools, Welsh said, and the loss of them would be “devastating for a school system our size.”

Hayden said the school district and the county are working to come up with a new funding formula, but there is noting in place right now. sarahmiller@countytimes.net

Delegates John Bohanan (D-29B) and Anthony O’Donnell (R-29C) joined the St. Mary’s Board of County Commissioners recently in a discussion about pressing education funding issues.

The meeting was not open to public comment, but rather was a direct and public communication between the county and state officials to understand the latest actions to the teachers’ retirement cost shifting onto the counties and the maintenance of effort laws in Maryland, among other topics.

The commissioners had submitted their letter of opposition to the pension shift. Bohanan said he was not surprised at the stance.

“Counties don’t like it, and we understand that, but we don’t like it either,” the delegate stated. “Ultimately, this year, there will be some sort of pension shift.”

Bohanan explained the legislators had made reforms before shifting that obligation onto the counties and had started modifying the governor’s plan in an effort to spread the impact of the cost, “trying to soften the blow.”

O’Donnell said this was one of the rare occasions he agreed with the teachers’ unions in that it’s terrible timing for the shift to occur, “It could be devastating,” he said.

“As statesmen, we have to look at not only our own county but all counties,” O’Donnell said, adding many have big deficits.

The explanation is that this retirement bill, the OPEB (other post employee benefits) payment, is something the state can simply no longer afford.

“I’m of the understanding some form of pension shift will come down … and whether we’re prepared or not, we’ll have to figure out how to handle it,” Commissioner Todd Morgan said after the meeting.

“I think they’ve already made up their minds … this bill is on the fast track and I don’t see any way, at this point, we can do anything to change that.”

Commissioner Cindy Jones drew attention to data that showed a discrepancy between state aid to public schools and state aid to the counties, arguing that counties had already taken significant decreases and adding to the burden was unwise. “This is not the time,” she said.

Commissioners Jones and Morris argued that when it comes to per-pupil funding and Maintenance of Effort (which Bohanan explained as the state’s assurance that the county must fund at a stabilized level from year to year) the formulas are flawed.

Morris said the field is not leveled out, with a jurisdiction like Baltimore City receiving a lot more federal and state funding than St. Mary’s County. “That just doesn’t seem right,” he said.

Del. O’Donnell stated, “Just looking at one metric isn’t taking a balanced view … that ranking is a skewed picture of how we fund education.” He also said he felt throwing more money into to a school system doesn’t always produce a better performance.

Bohanan said the overall purpose is to provide equal access to quality education, whether they go to school in wealthy St. Mary’s or in the more at-risk Baltimore City. “The intent of maintenance of effort is money that goes into the classroom,” he said.

O’Donnell said a bill that may change the MOE law had just recently been introduced and had not been fully analyzed yet.

“My general sense is there’s an effort in Annapolis to take away the decision-making and choice of the local jurisdictions, much like they’re doing with planning and zoning,” he said. “The trends do concern me.” carriemunn@countytimes.net

13

Thursday, March 22, 2012

The Calvert Gazette

Newsmakers

Girl Scouts Assist Project ECHO

Calling All Artists Planning Underway for First-Ever North Beach Art Fair

By Sarah Miller Staff Writer Organizers are looking for artists of all types to populate the inaugural North Beach Art Fair, starting May 25.

Wheel Clothing Store owner Celia Molofsky has been a driving force behind getting the Calvert Art Fair initiative off the ground, working with local officials in North Beach to make it happen this summer. She said the idea is one that has been mentioned a few times in the past, but when the farmers market was expanded last year, she saw the idea could really work.

“It was festive, it was fun, it was an evening out,” Molofsky said.

This year, the farmer’s market will be shrinking back down to it’s normal location on 5th Street, and the art fair will be taking over 7th Street on Fridays from 6 to 9 p.m.

To ensure the quality of the art for sale, Molofsky is asking that juried artists apply to be in the fair. She said the goal is to sell wares that are high quality, not mass-produced items.

“It’s not a yard sale,” Molofsky said.

For artists who are interested and whose work would fit the bill, Molofsky said she is willing to help them start the process of being juried by their peers.

Molofsky said her vision is that “the street will be full of artists.” Already she said she is “beginning to get bombarded by artists” wanting more information.

Molofsky said the art fair is open to all interested artists, not just those from Southern Maryland. She said she is hoping the art fair will help to make North Beach a destination area, and bring in tourist traffic, benefiting both the community and the artists.

Molofsky received permission in mid-March to go ahead with the project, and has been given a month to get the fair off the ground. She said she hopes she won’t have any trouble filling the 50 to 60 spaces in the fair from week to week. She is working with the Calvert Art Council, Art Works, CalvART and other groups to get the word out.

“I personally think it’s a great idea,” said local acrylic and watercolor artist Peggy Hovermale. She said she has every intention to sign up for the first art fair.

Artists interested in participating don’t have to worry about the time commitment – Molofsky said the spaces are first come, first served and artists can come out as often as they have time to do so, even if it’s only once or twice per month.

Sue Page, a local glass artist, said she’s planning to be involved. She said Molofsky approached her about participating in the fair a couple months ago “and I said, but of course.”

She said she’s excited to see a venue where quality art will be sold, and sees the North Beach and Chesapeake Beach area as a great venue, and believes the fair will bring attention to them.

“It absolutely will bring people here,” Page said.

For more information, stop into The Wheel Clothing Store at 4109 7th Street North Beach or call 410-286-0000. sarahmiller@countytimes.net

Photo By Sarah Miller

By Sarah Miller Staff Writer Many Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts earn their high level achievements by working with Project ECHO. Brianna Fraher with Girl Scout Troop 2285 is working to earn her Silver Award, which she hopes to have finished by May. She and a fellow scout are building bookshelves to go in the new children’s room in the basement, and collecting books to fill them.

Fraher said she has always been interested in helping Project ECHO and she is excited to dedicate her silver award project to them. She will be building the bookshelves from scratch and, after painting them with a base color, she will have children put their hand prints on them.

She has a collection box at the Prince Frederick Library to take donations of new and gently used children’s books, and plans to go to local elementary schools to collect more.

The shelves will be going into a brand new room, and Project ECHO Executive Director Trisha Gipson is excited to see the finished project.

“It’ll be neat, the way it’s done,” Gipson said.

Gipson said the Project ECHO house gets a lot of scouts in to work on projects for various badges.

She remembers one Girl Scout who sat outside the grocery store and passed out grocery lists to people going in with basic needs for the Project ECHO house, such as toilet paper and paper towels.

Gipson those are the kind of things that are always needed, but get used so fast that it’s expensive to keep them stocked. She said the Girl Scout at the grocery store talked to people as they were going

in to shop, asking them to add an additional item or two to their regular shopping. In the end, Gipson said the Girl Scout brought in “a ton” of additional paper products.

Another girl built a dollhouse from scratch for the kids area, hand crafting the entire thing and donating it to Project ECHO. She said there have been several Boy Scouts who have come in to do their Eagle Scout projects, and she is happy to see younger people getting involved in the house.

“These are the youngsters who are going to be our bosses,” Gipson said.

Fraher said she started Girl Scouts as a Brownie in first grade, and she is now in eighth grade at Northern Middle School. She has to earn her silver star award in middle school, while she is a cadette.

According to the Girl Scout website, the silver awards can only be earned by girls in sixth through eight grade and are registered Girl Scout Cadettes.

The project is also more independent than the bronze award, Fraher said. Instead of working with the whole troupe, the girls either work on their own or in small groups to identify, develop and implement their projects.

For her gold award, the highest achievement a girl scout can earn, Fraher said wants to host a summer camp to help younger girls earn badges in sewing, theatre and other areas. The gold awards are open to Girl Scout seniors or ambassadors who are in high school. She said the gold award project is done completely solo, and she’s looking forward to the project.

“I’d love to get that,” she said. sarahmiller@countytimes.net

The Calvert Gazette

Thursday, March 22, 2012

14

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.

Loose Jam, Tight Talent: Car 54 & Friends

By Carrie Munn Staff Writer Billy Yeager and Dane Robey have been playing music together for a dozen years or so. With their band, Car 54, they’ve had several line-ups, starting out playing originals, then transforming into a party band playing cover songs. The latest version is the two musicians, offering their veteran talents as an acoustic act.

On a recent Saturday, the duo played Cookie’s Hometown Sports Bar and Grill, (formerly known as Fat Boys Country Store), with a little help from their friends.

Lead singer Yeager had, for the first time

in his lengthy musical career, experienced laryngitis the previous week. Wanting to make sure they didn’t disappoint the audience, he called on young singer-songwriter Dylan Galvin and local beat legend Russell “Rusty” Williams to share the stage with he and his long-time musical cohort Robey.

The results were a loose jam that showcased all of the performers’ talents and the veteran duo’s comfort and confidence on stage.

Robey explained to The County Times that he and Yeager have played together so long, there’s no practicing or set lists, they simply vibe off each other on stage and have fun playing music.

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With a day job and two kids, plus coaching, Robey, of Hughesville, said he’s happy with where his music has taken him and the more scaled back version of Car 54 of the present day.

In the past, he and Yeager said, the group booked a lot of shows and traveled a lot to support the popular party band. Yeager gained a reputation for wild stage antics, often, he said losing several pounds each night due to his high-energy performances.

Yeager too is now a father, residing in Leonardtown, and is happy for the slower pace of things, adding the work of coordinating and performing so many shows while trying to manage a family became strenuous.

“These days,” he said, “Dane and I are just a couple of Southern Maryland guys who work for a living, happen to have a little bit of musical talent and enjoy the acoustic, free-styling type of shows.”

He drank honey, straight from a little plastic bear, throughout the night to soothe his throat, while singing, joking and sharing some off-the-wall dance moves with the audience.

Robey said Yeager knows how to work a crowd and has taken several young, talented musicians in the area under his wing and helped them build confidence and stage presence.

Galvin, who had never previously played with Car 54, shared his impressive skills on guitar and vocals during Saturday’s lengthy jam session. Playing lesserknown songs like Paul Simon’s “50 Ways To Leave Your Lover” and Bob Marley’s “Stir It Up”, as well as joining in with Yeager in several medleys which melded ev-

erything from rap to rock to country, Galvin seemed to enjoy the experience.

Galvin can be found playing solo gigs around Southern Maryland and shares the stage with Rusty Williams, a percussionist who creates invigorating beats by hand on bongos and a cajon, along with another local musician, Justin Myles, in the band Rusty in the Middle. Williams is an esteemed studio musician who has played with many big-name acts including Carlos Santana.

He shared his rap talents at one point during the show, busting out the “Fresh Prince of BelAir” theme, in its entirety.

Russell and Galvin offered up a unique version of Michael Jackson’s “The Way You Make Me Feel” and later jammed along with Robey and Yeager to Tom Petty, John Mellencamp and Third Eye Blind.

Though the set performed was unstructured, musically it was triumphant. As 1 a.m. approached, the musicianship continued to be top-notch as all four musicians on the stage tightened up what began as a loose, acoustic jam of Pearl Jam’s “Black.”

Yeager said he’s amazed with the volume of raw talent in Southern Maryland and likes to encourage young musicians to pursue their dreams. While Car 54 may have hit its peak, Yeager and Robey both said they have a lot of fun with the acoustic performances and still play to the bigger crowds occasionally, like for this upcoming Saturday’s show in the front bar of Hotel Charles.

For more details on Car54, find them on Facebook at Car Fivefour Acoustic or call 240-299-8866. carriemunn@countytimes.net

15

Thursday, March 22, 2012

The Calvert Gazette

Fishing Fair The Ordinary

Angler

By Keith McGuire Contributing Writer The Southern Maryland Chapter of the Maryland Saltwater Sportfisherman’s Association is hosting their 19th annual fishing fair this weekend, March 24 and 25 at the Solomons Fire Hall from 8:00 AM until 3:00 PM each day. This is always the best place to find the latest and most necessary fishing items needed for the season. Whether you are a troller or light tackle angler, the needed supplies are available at this event.

There will be more than 80 vendors at the fair selling everything from used fishing tackle and supplies for bargain basement prices, to new and used boats, and great deals on Fishing Charters.

This is a great time to book a charter for yourself and a bunch of your best friends who like fishing. I can tell you that booking a guide or charter is one of the best ways to learn the best methods and locations to catch fish during

the season. After all, who knows more about where and how to catch fish in the local area than a Captain who depends on catching fish to stay in business?

As for boats, some of the local dealers see this as their last opportunity of the boat show season to display the latest in new fiberglass.

You can find boat show prices on most of the new boats offered here. In addition, many of the local anglers who have upgraded their platforms are offering their used boats that are priced to sell.

For fishing supplies and tackle, many of the vendors are offering deals that you won’t find in tackle shops and big chain sporting goods stores. In addition, some of the items that you’ll find at this show are items that you won’t find anywhere during the rest of the year.

One of the things that I like best about the show is talking to the vendors. Most of them are

A View From The

Maryland Saltwater Sportfishermen’s Association anglers in their own right, so Southern Maryland Chapter they’re offering new items that they actually use to catch fish.

19th Annual While you’re at the show, everything you need to be comfortable is available including snacks, coffee, soft Solomons Firehouse drinks and beer. Door prizes are also drawn every hour.

March 24 & 25, 2012 There’s little doubt that 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. the Southern Maryland Chapter of the Maryland Saltwater Sportfisherman’s Association makes money with this show – 80+ INDOOR AND OUTDOOR VENDORS which is the latest show of the year. You might be interested Fishing Tackle & Supplies to know that they use these Fishing Charters | New & Used Boats funds to support the largest Food & Drink | Door Prizes array of “kids” fishing activities in Maryland throughout Admission $3 the summer months. Some (Kids age 12 and under are free) examples include “How-to” fishing clinics for the summer camp kids at Greenwell State Park, including a chance to go fishing on the Patuxent River on chapter members’ boats.

Another event, co-sponsored by the St. Mary’s County Department of Recreation and www.mssasmc.com Parks, is the fishing day at Point Lookout Fishing Pier.

If you go fishing and catch something This event includes as many as 300 children from ages 8 – 12 who get an slightly more worthwhile than a cold, be sure opportunity (the first ever for many) to catch a to take a picture and send it to me at riverfish under the watchful eyes of many chapter dancekeith@gmail.com.

Keith has been a recreational angler volunteers. The chapter maintains hundreds of fishing rods and reels to support these events on the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries and offers brand new rods and reels as prizes for over 50 years; he fishes weekly from his small boat during the season, and spends for many of the participants.

Remember, an angler can never have too his free time supporting local conservation organizations. many fishing rods!

FISHING FAIR

Bleachers

By Ronald N. Guy Jr. Contributing Writer

The rearview mirror has great utility on the open road. In life, though, it can be one’s enemy. As a constant reminder of the past, life’s rear-view is the irritating source of revisionist history: a place where mistakes, missed opportunities, personal transgressions and misguided nostalgia forever thrive. Hindsight offers valuable lessons but it can also skew the reality of the past and, when dwelled upon, can erode self-confidence and create a regretful tentativeness in the present.

And so, as the recently unemployed Peyton Manning faced an unfamiliar and uncomfortable fork in his career road –

the end to his 14-year stint with the Colts during which he earned four MVP awards and won a Super Bowl - wallowing in his glorious past, even wrongfully perpetuating it, would have been an understandable inclination. However, after a few awkward moments early in the offseason, the Colts and Manning handled the situation admirably, arriving at the only rational outcome: Manning’s outright release and entry into free agency. Once the decision was made, Colts owner Jim Irsay and Manning held a press conference, bid one another a heartfelt adieu and poof…it was over. The Colts moved on quickly with their bottoms-up rebuild, likely starting with the selection of Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck, Manning’s successor, in the upcoming draft. Manning, too, wasted no time hopping on a plane and beginning his flirtations with potential suitors.

The Colts and Manning may have turned the page, but I’m not quite ready to go gleefully bounding into Manning’s post-Indianapolis career. I want to wallow in that dastardly and dangerous world of hindsight for at least a couple hundred more words. There’s more to this sad di-

Sp rts

Peyton’s Former Place

vorce than simply Manning playing for another team. Just two years ago, Manning’s Colts flirted with a perfect season and came up a few plays short of a second Super Bowl title.

One year ago the Colts were a playoff team and Manning held an impressive consecutive games played streak. There was absolutely nothing in any tea leaves, psychic’s ball or tarot cards to indicate that Peyton Manning would be anything but an Indianapolis Colt for as long as he wanted to be. Even Professor Marvel had money on Manning forever residing in Indy…either in this world or the one over the rainbow.

So what happened? Circumstances…a lot of bizarre ones arriving in unison. A troublesome neck forced Manning to have surgery. It didn’t go well, necessitating a few follow-up procedures and shelving Manning for the entire 2011 season. In that year without Manning, the Colts disintegrated into the worst team in the league and “earned” the #1 overall pick where Luck, a once-in-a-generation quarterback, waits. Further complicating the situation, Manning’s contract included a $20M-plus bonus in early March – basically a go/no-go decision point for his future in Indy. In the end, Manning’s health and contract, the depreciation of the Colts’ roster and a juicy carrot (Luck) congealed to prematurely dissolve what was one of

the greatest player-team-city unions in the history of professional sports.

The Colts and Manning may have been rare mature adults, but this unthinkable breakup couldn’t have been easy on either of them. They were victims of perfectly aligned circumstances that forced upon them an unimaginable scenario: a future without one another. And while we live knowing nothing lasts forever, Manning under center for the Colts seemed like it could be the one thing that would.

Manning’s exit from Indy is a sobering reminder though that nothing in life is immune to a confluence of change agents.

Anything can change, even those things held most dear, and probably will, if not in whole then at least in part.

Manning may find success elsewhere and Indy may hit the quarterback lottery again with Luck, but it’s doubtful either will be as successful apart as they were together. I only wish I had enjoyed their run together more. I momentarily forgot that the end to anything could be just around the corner. Shifting my viewpoint from the rear-view to the windshield, I’ll also be sure to not take for granted the goodness that currently surrounds me.

Send comments to rguyjoon@yahoo. com

Thursday, February 9, 2012 16 The Calvert Gazette FAMILY OWNED • FAMILY OPERATED • FAMILY TRADITIONS

Thursday, March 22, 2012 16 The Calvert Gazette FAMILY OWNED • FAMILY OPERATED • FAMILY TRADITIONS

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