2012-05-03 Calvert Gazette

May 3, 2012

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Everything Calvert County

Special Olympians Go For The Gold Page 8

Photo By Corrin M. Howe

The Calvert Gazette

Also Inside

3

County News

Feature Story

9 Newsmakers

Gabe Gross receives his medal from a member of the Prince Frederick’s Knights of Columbus during the Calvert County Special Olympics last week.

county news

The crowd applauds Delegate Tony O’Donnell’s remarks during the GOP state convention held at the Solomons Island Holiday Inn on April 27 and 28.

10 Obits 12 Community 13 Letters 14 Entertainment 15 Sports

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On T he Cover

7 Business 8

Thursday, May 3, 2012

community

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COUNTY NEWS Sierra Club Protests Dominion Cove Point Expansion The Calvert Gazette

Thursday, May 3, 2012

By Sarah Miller Staff Writer Dominion Cove Point LNG and the Sierra Club are going head to head over Dominion expanding their operation to include exporting liquefied natural gas (LNG).

With Dominion starting the process to add exporting LNG to their repertoire, the Sierra Club took action to halt the process and hold Dominion to a decades old agreement that states Dominion will not make any significant changes to their purpose or footprint.

On April 26, the Sierra Club issued a press release explaining they will reject a proposal from Dominion for an LNG Export Terminal In Cove Point.

“In a unique plot twist, a prior legal settlement entered in the 1970s … gives the Sierra Club the ability to reject any significant changes to the purpose or footprint of the existing Cove Point LNG import facility. Converting the facility to accommodate LNG exports would result in major damage to the Chesapeake Bay, coastal forests, and the local economy and tourism,” the press

release states.

Sierra Club Assistant Attorney Craig Segall told the Calvert Gazette the Sierra Club’s current stand doesn’t mean they are refusing to consider an export facility altogether, but they want to make sure environmental, logistical and economical issues, are researched and addressed. Currently there are too many unknowns, and they want to see a full accounting before they will sign off on the project.

Segall admitted “we aren’t optimistic” that the full accounting and Sierra Club’s signing off will happen.

Dominion Spokesperson Daniel E. Donovan said the facility already has permission from the Department of Energy to trade with Free Trade Agreement countries. A second part of the application, to trade with counties not under a free trade agreement, is still being studied, Donovan said.

The other major entity that must sign off on the project is the Federal Energy Regulation Commission (FERC). Donovan said they will begin the pre-application process this summer, which will include meetings with stakeholders, adjacent land own-

County Officials Travel to New York

By Sarah Miller Staff Writer The five members of the Board of County Commissioners, along with staff from the Finance and Budget department, economic development and even the county administrator, traveled to New York City to negotiate for a better bond rating for the county.

The Calvert delegation met with Fitch Ratings, Standard and Poor’s and Moody's Investors Service, Inc. Currently, the county has ratings of “AAA” from Fitch Ratings and Standard and Poor’s and a “Aa1” rating from Moody’s, one step below their equivalent of a “AAA.” “There are probably a lot of counties who are jealous of Calvert County’s AAA bond rating,” said Commissioner Evan K. Slaughenhoupt Jr. Calvert’s bond rating has been steadily increasing since 2002, according to Director of Finance and Budget Tim Hayden.

He said higher bond ratings save money in interest paid over time.

Local governments sell bonds to borrow money to pay for capitol projects.

In 2011, the county sold $23,045,000 in bonds with a 2.99 percent true interest rate. This year, the county plans to sell $16,115,000 in bonds. Hayden said Calvert hopes to get a true interest rate comparable 2011’s, but there are a number of variables

that affect that, including the economy at the local level and even the global level.

“It really is what’s going on the day of the sale,” Hayden said.

Some bonds will be sold to settle old debt. He said $6,760,000 of the bonds sold will be used to refund debt from 2005 and 2006. Hayden said this will remove the debts form Calvert’s books and will save approximately $170,000 in the long run.

Hayden said approximately $141,000 of the county’s budget is allotted for the annual bond rating trip to New York. This goes to pay for, among other things, the meetings with each of the rating agencies, attorneys, a financial advisor, statements and documents being drawn up, transportation, hotel and food for the Calvert delegation.

Slaughenhoupt said not all counties send all of their commissioners on a yearly basis, but county officials believe the presence of the whole board signifies solidarity.

Hayden said during the presentations made in New York, they outlined the county’s current economic situation as well as a plan out to 2016 for capital projects and other factors.

Slaughenhoupt said the county has asked to have the new ratings by May 10, in time for the bond sales May 15. sarahmiller@countytimes.net

ers and the community as a whole, in addition to applying for state and local permits.

The Sierra Club believes Dominion is going against their agreement by applying for permits and beginning the process before the Sierra Club signs off on the project, Segall said.

“They don’t get to smuggle in an enormous additional export facility,” he said.

“The damage this project would bring to the Maryland coast as well as the disastrous effects of the fracking boom on communities in states like Pennsylvania make it clear that exporting liquefied natural gas is bad news for Americans’ air, water and health,” Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune said in a press release. “The Sierra Club cannot and will not support LNG exports from Cove Point, and we will reject Dominion’s proposal.”

“As with any project of this magnitude, we would expect some opposition from various special interest groups. The Sierra Club, which is a party to an agreement restricting activities on portions of the Cove Point property, has previously expressed its opposition to all LNG export facilities,” Dominion President and CEO Thomas F.

Farrell II said in a press release. “We have reviewed the regulations and agreements governing the site and are confident we can locate, construct and operate a liquefaction plant at Cove Point. The project can be built within the footprint of the existing facility without amending the agreement involving the Sierra Club and the Maryland Conservation Council.”

Donovan and Segall both said the disagreement comes from the reading of the agreement between Dominion and the Sierra Club.

“Their view is they have a right to go forward, but we disagree with them,” Segall said.

Donovan said Dominion can construct at will inside the fence.

“We can basically do what we want in there,” he said.

He said Dominion hopes they can work the Sierra Club’s concerns to an end that is satisfactory for everyone involved.

He said the county, the state and both Dominion Cove Point and the Sierra Club have benefited from the partnership. sarahmiller@countytimes.net

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State and county officials visited Asbury Solomons to talk about PlanMaryland and the local implications it brings.

The League of Women Voters of Calvert and St. Mary’s counties and the Concerned Black Women of Calvert County, among other groups, called together Director of Planning Services with Maryland Department of Planning Rich Josephson, St. Mary’s Director of Land Use and Growth Management Phil Shire and Calvert Director of Planning and Zoning Chuck Johnston to discuss PlanMaryland.

The speakers took questions from the audience, which ranged from whether Johnston and Shire feel the state is trying to wrest control from individual jurisdictions to how the local Amish community will fare under new land use regulations.

Shire said the county started out being very critical of PlanMaryland, but as they learned more they discovered it is not drastically different from the county’s goals, and the county will retain a measure of con-

trol over growth.

He said St. Mary’s has been working to localize growth and keep some land untouched by using a TDR program. For areas developed, equal areas are preserved. He said PlanMaryland meshes somewhat with the growth the county has been trying to control by funneling it into town centers.

Calvert has implemented similar programs, Johnston said, keeping growth clustered to town centers instead of allowing strip development up and down Route 4.

Josephson said the state is trying to make sure resources are preserved for the future, adding that once land is cleared for development, it cannot go back to the way it once was.

As for the Amish, Shire said they’re taking care of themselves.

“We’re finding the Amish community does have some lobby power in Annapolis,” Shire said, adding they got exemptions added to legislative bills for houses not on the power grid. sarahmiller@countytimes.net

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Thursday, May 3, 2012

The Calvert Gazette

COUNTY NEWS

State GOP Convention Takes Over Solomons

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer

important because it is one of the super delegates sought after by presidential candidates to secure the GOP nomination for president.

Members of the state’s various Republican Central Observers also saw the fact that more than 40 RepubCommittees, as well as those running for delegate seats at licans sought election to 10 delegate seats at the upcoming the Republican National Convention in Tampa, converged national convention as a sign that the state’s party, long at the Holiday Inn for their annual state convention over the since in the minority in Maryland, is becoming energized. weekend.

Collins Bailey, of Charles County, who was running At stake was the election of their national committee- for an alternate delegate seat, said that he saw an upswing woman position, sought after by party veteran Audrey Scott in the youth coming into the party. of Queen Anne’s County and Nicolee Ambrose, who won “I hope the youth I see taking part in the party conthe vote on the convention’s second day, a representative tinues, it’s exciting,” said Bailey, who ran unsuccessfully of the party’s younger members and a change from the old against Congressman Steny Hoyer in 2008. guard according to some observers.

Others in the party saw the race between Ambrose and The national committeewoman’s position is deemed Scott as an example of younger members wanting more change, but others say that Scott, a former member of the Reagan Administration and a Prince George’s County Council member in a county dominated by Democrats, had the experience to keep the state party strong.

“They’re young and upcoming and they need to be encouraged,” said Montgomery County GOP Central Committee member Josephine Wang.

“But I’ve seen her [Scott] in action.”

Wang said aside from her political skills, Scott had a formidable fundraising record.

“She was able to connect with people,” Wang said of Scott’s appearQBH St M County TImes Half Ad:Layout 1 3/1/11 3:28 PM Page 1 House Minority Leader Anthony O’Donnell speaks to GOP central committee members from ance at fundraisers. “People will start around the state at their annual convention in Solomons on Saturday.

opening their wallets and start writing checks.”

J. Scott de Long, a delegate from Harford County, said that Ambrose, however, represents a part of the party that stands truer to conservative principals and that Scott is too used to compromise.

“It’s time for the Republican Party to turn the page, the current path isn’t working,” Scott said. “We cede the 18-35 demographic to Democrats every election.”

The campaign between the two saw supporters of Ambrose hit Scott over some decisions Scott made while acting as chairwoman, including her handling of the race against Democrat Attorney General Douglas Gansler and the party’s inability to find a GOP candidate in 2010.

Scott fired back, calling Ambrose’s campaign negative and decried her opponent’s push to allow independent voters to vote in the Republican primaries, which she believed diluted the beliefs of the party.

Ambrose thanked both her opponent and the outgoing committeewoman for their dedication to the party in a statement after the vote.

“Together [she and her supporters] we helped build a sense of momentum which helped us achieve victory.

I’m humbled by the support and many expressions of well wishes I have received,” Ambrose stated. “I’d also like to thank my predecessor, outgoing National Committeewoman Joyce Lyons Tehres, and my worthy opponent, immediate past [Maryland] GOP Chairman Audrey Scott, for their loyal decades of service to the party.

“Now, the hard part begins. We need to roll up our sleeves as a party and focus on the ultimate goal of building a sustainable two-party system in Maryland.” guyleonard@countytimes.net

MHBR No. 103

The Calvert Gazette

Thursday, May 3, 2012

COUNTY NEWS

6

Four Apply For Judge

By Corrin M. Howe Staff Writer Last week the deadline to apply for the vacancy in Circuit Court 7 closed with four applicants waiting to be reviewed by the Judicial Nominating Commission, which will meet and pass its recommendation on to the Governor on June 14.

According to the state’s website, “the public is encouraged to participate in the selection process by submitting written and signed comments concerning the qualifications of an applicant to The Judicial Nominating Commission, c/o The Administrative Office of the Courts, Program Services, 2001-D Commerce Park Drive, Annapolis, Maryland 21401.”

The applicants are William Ziegler Haskell, Tracey Ann McKirgan, Ian Alexander Pesetsky, and Honorable Edward Gregory Wells.

Haskell’s online resume states he is a member of the firm Haskell and Zimmerman in Upper Marlboro, specializing in Family Law. He attended the University of Maryland for both his undergraduate and Law School.

He was admitted to the Maryland Bar in 1978 and is a member of the Calvert County Bar. Pesetsky’s website indicates he has his own firm in Prince Frederick specializing in personal injury, criminal and traffic law. He was an assistant State’s Attorney in Prince George’s from 1996 to 2004, has his undergraduate degree from SUNY Oswego and his Law Degree from University of Maryland. He was admitted into the Maryland Bar in 1995 and is also a member of the Calvert Bar Association.

Wells has been a District 4 judge since September 2008. His prior experience includes Master in Domestic Relations and Juvenile Causes in Calvert, Deputy State’s Attorney Calvert, Calvert State’s Attorney and Assistant Attorney General Criminal Appeals Division. His undergraduate is from the College of William and Mary and his Law Degree from University of Virginia in 1986.

McKirgan is currently the Master in Domestic Relations and Juvenile Causes in Calvert. Her resume was not available at press time.

Scriber Found Guilty

By Corrin M. Howe Staff Writer

the case included elements of alleged bribery, incomplete police investigation, misidentification, and expert testimony about cell phone The trial took two days to usage and cell tower pinpointing the present testimony and evidence. location of a particular phone.

The jury took a day to deliberate. It State’s Attorneys Kathryn took a flow chart to understand how Marsh and Frances Longwell had victims, witnesses, family memto disprove testimony from witbers and suspect were related to one Eric Scriber nesses that Scriber was not at Caanother.

Last Thursday, the jury found Eric Scrib- lypso that night, but in fact was at another bar er, 29, not guilty of the top charge, attempted in St. Mary’s county. In doing so, they had to second degree murder, for a stabbing incident pit roommate against roommate and friend which took place in Solomons at Calypso Bay against friend. A number of the witnesses Bar and Grille on October 31, 2010. He was were unwilling participants in the trial since convicted on three of the five charges brought they knew both families represented.

The other defense that prosecutors had against him. These were first-degree assault, second-degree assault and carrying a weapon to overcome was that none of the victims or witnesses saw the knife or a stabbing motion. openly with intent to injury.

In her closing argument, Marsh defined Shortly before bar closing, Scriber and Terry Bailey, 27, got into a verbal confron- circumstantial evidence to the jury and pointtation. Bailey said he never saw the knife or ed out that in the jury instructions that physiScriber make a stabbing motion; however, he cal evidence and circumstantial evidence, by did see Scriber duck around the woman who law, carry the same weight.

Using the weather as a common point of stood between them in an attempt to break up the argument. At that time, Bailey felt what understanding, Marsh said that everyone can he described as “a poke” in his stomach. He look at a thermometer and see the temperalooked down at first and didn’t see anything. ture is below freezing. They can then hear the Then he looked down again and saw blood. forecast calling for snow. When they wake up in the morning there is snow on the ground.

By this time, Scriber was gone.

A second victim from Waldorf, Terry While they may not have seen it actually Dobbins, 54, witnessed the two men arguing snow, all the evidence surrounding the event and then felt a sharp item cut his leg as Scriber proves without a doubt that it snowed the night ran past him. Dobbins followed Scriber into before.

Defense attorney, James Papirmeister, the parking lot to confront him. At the time Dobbins didn’t know Bailey had been criti- said in his closing arguments, “These charges cally wounded. Dobbins said that Scriber took are outlandish. There is not a single iota of contact with this man and yet we are to believe off.

In a complex web of relationships, al- he (Scriber) wants to kill him.”

Scriber’s bail was revoked and he was most all the State and defense witnesses were family members, roommates, and friends taken into custody by the Sheriff’s department of Scriber or Bailey. Yet Scriber, Bailey and at the end of the trial. His sentencing hearing Dobbins confirmed that they had never met is scheduled for July 2. each other before that night.

Besides crisscrossing of relationships, corrin@somdpublishing.net

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Thursday, May 3, 2012

The Calvert Gazette you were made for this

Southern Maryland

Education, Information Mark the Fourth Annual Green Expo

By Corrin M. Howe Staff Writer The Calvert County Citizens Green Team hosted the Fourth Annual Green Expo at Annmarie Garden on Saturday. Although overcast with slight periods of light showers, a steady stream of people walked through vendor displays to inform the public about available green options from electric cars to renting goats to clear overgrown lots.

The Green Team greeted visitors at the front gate loading them up with stickers, pens made from recycled tires, reusable bags and a high quality booklet “From My Backyard to Our Bay: A Calvert County Resident’s Guide to Improving our Environment and Natural Resources.”

The booklet is chocked full of information explaining the environmental issues in the community such as defining a “watershed,” how pollutants get into the water and what is currently being done to save the bay. Backyard issues give tips to homeowners about controlling runoff, lawn care tips, controlling noxious weeds and managing pet waste, maintaining vehicles and recycling.

The Prosperity Acres tent run by the Bowen family drew constant interest as they talked

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Static displays from 15 county schools showed off what students are learning about the environment, pollution and ways to help. Dowell Elementary School’s Green Team had a large interactive display on how to make paper.

The event was free and open to the public.

Those who wandered into Annemarie’s building toward the back discovered artLAB, Annmarie’s new “upcycling center where visitors of all ages will learn how to turn trash into treasures! The artLAB is a recycling program that works with local businesses and individuals to divert clean usable waste materials for creative reuse and artistic learning.”

Adults were able to make decorative wine corks out of plastic bottles while kids made masks from Purina pet food bags, silver juice Jennifer Subda, kindergartner at St. Leonard pouches and many other reused items.

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The Calvert Gazette

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8

STORY

Gold Medal Weather for Special Olympics

By Corrin M. Howe Staff Writer This year, for the first time, each of the 104 Calvert County Special Olympics athletes had their own personal cheerleader throughout the day.

“Some of the schools already have Best Buddies. This year we expanded on that and had student volunteers from several schools be there for the athletes at the finish line, during awards and lunch,” said Jean Jason Reed was anxious to Hahn, event coordinator. start his race promising those Students from all four high at the finish line that he’s coming. schools and Plum Point and Calvert Middle schools participated in a small training session ceremonies ran simultaneously from beginbefore last week’s Special Olympics held on ning to end. As the athletes were running Wednesday at Calvert High School. various heats of races on the track, two The day started off with 12 represented awards platforms alternated back and forth. schools lining the track for the opening cerEvery athlete receives a first through emony, which included a parade of athletes fifth place ribbon depending upon where where each name was read, followed by stu- they placed in their event. Calvert Sheriff dent lead presentation of the flag, national deputies handed out ribbons on one stand anthem, Pledge of Allegiance and a short while the Knights of Columbus presented torch run. ribbons on the other.

Each athlete could participate in two Some of the 250 adult and student volfield events and one relay. There were 11 unteers prepared lunches for the athletes, different events in all. Just like the interna- rotating systematically through the schools. tional Olympics, competitions and award

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According to Hahn, each athlete received lunch, ribbons for their events, a certificate and a metal provided by Special Olympics. She further praised the local business support. “Without them this wouldn’t be possible.”

In order to participate, the athlete must be at least 8 years old by the day of the event, and must have a primary handicapping condition of Intellectual Disability or another handicapping condition that includes Alyssa Wood receives high praises as she crosses the finish line. cognitive/intellectual warming day for all who attend. We enimpairment and functional limitations in courage all family/friends of our athletes as general learning and adaptive skills. well as community members come support “This event is the highlight of ev- and cheer for our amazing athletes.” ery school year for our department,” says Jean Hahn, CCPS Special Olympics Event corrin@somdpublishing.net Director. “It is such a fun-filled and heart-

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Thursday, May 3, 2012

The Calvert Gazette

Newsmakers

From Hollywood to Hollywood Local Author Honored at Awards Ceremony

By Sarah Miller Staff Writer Emily Schadegg is living every aspiring writers dream – getting her creative short stories published, and even going to California to celebrate one of her works going mainstream.

Schadegg, who writes under the pseudonym Marie Croke, was recently honored at the 28th Annual L. Ron Hubbard Achievement Awards. In addition to the recognition, her winning short story “Of Woven Wood,” will be one of 25 published in “L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume XXVIII.” The book is comprised of 24 novice writers and one past winner.

Schadegg said she always wanted to try writing, and had finally hit the point where she knew if she didn’t start then she never would.

Since April 2008, she has been published in an online magazine, a print magazine and has even self-published a book, “The Rains of Imarcie,” before being selected for the Writers of the Fu- Emily Schadegg ture anthology.

Even getting into the anthology took an amount of determination. Schadegg said she submitted seven entries before having one accepted, in the first quarter of 2011. Because hers was one of the first accepted for the upcoming anthology, she said she has had the longest to wait.

“It’s a nice start to a career,” Schadegg said.

She said a person can only be in the anthology once as a novice writer. After being in the book, she said a writer is considered a professional. She said the anthology helps writers get out of the “slush pile” and break into the mainstream having their work be judged on merit alone.

Schadegg spent 10 days in California, work shopping under the tutelage of professional authors with the other competition winners. She said in one exercise, the writers were each given an object (hers was a key), sent to research a topic (aquariums) and told to find a stranger to talk to. After do-

ing that, the writers were given 24 hours to write a story. She said the experience was “very fun” and “a little nerve wracking” because of the 24 hour deadline.

Coming home from California was a bit jarring, Schadegg said.

“You become accustomed to that elation period,” she said, adding that the whole experience was “a little surreal” and there is a little bit of fear after getting into the anthology that nothing you write will ever be that good again.

Schadegg is getting right back into the swing of her everyday life. She said she spends four hours per day, Monday through Friday, wring in a home office.

She said it is important to approach writing like a job, something that has to be done, instead of a hobby that can be set aside when it is inconvenient. Currently, Schadegg is working on several short stories and another book.

Photo By Sarah Miller Her writing takes normal people, places and things and alters them a little, Schadegg said. In “Of Woven Wood,” a character is made of baskets. In “The Rains of Imarcie,” the rain is deadly and people have to take precautions from coming into contact with it. While Schadegg classifies her writing as fantasy, she admits she is inspired by the work of Anne McCaffrey, who she said takes fantasy elements and justifies them using science, mixing fantasy and science fiction.

The anthology will be released June 16, and Schadegg will be at the Books-A-Million in Waldorf signing books on that day from 1 to 3 p.m. sarahmiller@countytimes.net

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The Calvert Gazette

Sybil Caparratto, 88

Russell DeVaughn, 82

Sybil Dean Caparratto, 88, of Huntingtown, MD passed away Saturday, April 28, 2012 at her residence.

She was born September 21, 1923 in Chattanooga, TN to Charles Franklin and Mary Florence (Atchley) Jones.

She was raised on her family farm in Steele, Alabama until moving with her family to Washington, D.C. when she was a teenager. She graduated from Eastern High School in the District and attended college in Washington, D.C. for two years.

Sybil married Dominick Joseph Caparratto on March 28, 1942 and made their home in Southeast Washington. She was employed as a telephone operator for C&P Telephone Co. for 12 years. In 1970 her family moved to Huntingtown, MD, where she was an active member at Emmanuel Baptist Church and the Red Hat Society. Sybil enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, attending church outings and going to bible study.

Sybil was preceded in death by her husband Nick on December 26, 1993, and also by a daughter Sharon Rose Caparratto.

She is survived by daughters Gale J. Howard of Edenton, NC, Cynthia R. Bonolis of Lusby, MD; sons Paul F. Caparratto of Brunswick, ME, James V. Caparratto of Tampa, FL, Ralph K. Caparratto of Chesapeake Beach, MD and Gary J. Caparratto of Millersville, MD. Also surviving are 12 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren; sisters Ethelyn White of Melbourne, FL, Virginia May of East Peoria, IL, Mary C. Bjorum of Pensacola, FL, Charlcie May Vaughn of Trussville, AL and Lois C. Walker of Gadsden, AL and a brother B.F. Jones of Attalla, AL. Family and friends were received Wednesday May 2, 2012 at Rausch Funeral Home, P.A., Owings, MD. A funeral service and celebration of Sybil’s life will be held at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, May 3, 2012 at Emmanuel Baptist Church, Huntingtown, MD. Interment will be private.

Charles Russell DeVaughn, 82, of Owings, MD passed away April 27, 2012 at Calvert County Nursing Center in Prince Frederick, MD where he had resided for several months.

Known as Russell, he was born July 30, 1929 in Upper Marlboro, MD to Charles J. and Lucy V. (Richards) DeVaughn. He was raised in Upper Marlboro and graduated from Upper Marlboro High School in 1947. He served in the US Air Force and was honorably discharged March 2, 1952.

He married Margaret A. Norfolk November 17, 1950 and they resided in Prince George’s County until moving to Owings in 2000.

Russell was employed as purchasing agent with the Maryland State Highway Administration, retiring March 1, 1990. He was also a long farmer having supervised farm operations and raising cattle and tobacco.

Russell was preceded in death by his parents and by a brother Charles DeVaughn.

He is survived by his wife Margaret A. DeVaughn, a daughter Patricia A. Scroggins of Lusby, MD and a son Marvin R. DeVaughn and wife Cynthia of Owings.

Also surviving are grandsons Russell J. DeVaughn of St. Leonard and Phillip D. Whitehurst of New York, NY, and a stepgrandson Brent S. Morris of Port Republic, MD. A memorial service and celebration of Russell’s life will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday May 5, 2012 at Trinity Episcopal Church, Upper Marlboro, MD. Inurnment will follow in the church cemetery.

Joseph Fonfara, 58 Joseph Lester Fonfara died on April 22, 2012 in Clearwater, Florida at the age of 58.

He was formerly of Annapolis, Maryland.

He was born on April 19, 1954 to the late Edward and Agnes (Murphy) Fonfara.

Joseph is survived by Mary Anderson of Dunkirk, Maryland, Edward Fonfara, Jr. of Severna Park, Maryland, James Fontara,

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Joseph lived in Maryland for over 40 years before moving to Clearwater, Florida 10 years ago.

Memorial services and inurnment will be private.

Joanna Holland, 92 Joanna Holland, 92, of Sunderland, MD passed away on April 18, 2012 at Calvert County Nursing Center, Prince Frederick, MD. Joanna Holland was born in Calvert County, Maryland to the late General and Alice Chase. Joanna grew up in Huntingtown, Maryland. She attended public schools in Calvert County, Maryland.

Joanna was joined in holy matrimony to the late Raymond Henry Holland in 1938.

From this union there was one son, Frederick Lee Holland, known as Freddy.

She spent many years traveling from Calvert to Prince George's County doing domestic work. She was a faithful and dedicated worker for Mr. and Mrs. Raymond LaPaca. Joanna was a faithful and active member of Patuxent United Methodist Church. She was a member of the Usher Board, Senior Choir, and participated in various activities until her illness. Joanna enjoyed dancing, fishing, joking and cooking. She really enjoyed having fun. As a homebody her home was the place where family and friends gathered for good times.

Joanna was a feisty, fresh young lady who loved to tease.

Joanna leaves a legacy of love and cherished memories to one son, Frederick Lee Holland; daughter-in-law, Mazie Holland; one foster daughter, Aletha "Sandy" Streat (Clarence); 15 grandchildren; 50 great-grandchildren; four sisters-in-Iaw, Mary Holland (Sis), Lovelett Reid, Safronia Holland, Beulah "Betty" Watts (Robert); one brother-in-law, Wilford Jones; one nephew, Gene Long; four nieces, Ethel "Kitty" Burrough, Betty Wallace (James), Rose Holland and Leona Gray and host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. Her special friends were Irene Wallace, Willa Mae Cook and Mr. & Mrs. Raymond La Paca and family. Preceding her in death were her beloved brothers and sisters and a special friend Mary Jenkins.

Funeral service was held on Thursday, April 26, 2012 at Patuxent UM Church, Huntingtown, MD with Rev. Bryan Fleet officiating. The interment was at Mt. Hope United Methodist Church Cemetery, Sunderland, MD. The pallbearers were Douglas Oliver, Dean Holland, Leroy Holland, Carroll Holland, Michael Holland and Gene Long. The honorary pallbearers were Gaines Jones, Wardell Gray, Lawrence Gray, Rhandel Gray, Eugene Gray and Felbert Jones.

Thursday, May 3, 2012

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Rosella Jordan, 86 Rosella Mae Jordan of Solomons, Maryland died on April 30, 2012, at the Asbury Nursing Center, at the age of 86.

She was born in Spokane, Washington on October 21, 1925 to Clarence and Elizabeth Eckhart.

For 61 years, she was the beloved wife of the late James Jordan, Jr. and the loving mother of Vicky Mitchell and her husband, John and Janice Lazzari and her husband, Joseph. She was a devoted grandmother to Katrina and Jennifer Mitchell and David Lazzari. Rosella was a sister to Loretta Walton and the late Orville Eckhart.

She and her husband loved to travel. Besides their many travels as a Navy family, they went on a six month adventure touring the United States and visiting family and friends. Rosella never believed in sitting idle, she was always busy. She worked in various fields during her time of employment - the radiology department at Greater Southeast Hospital, doing the billing for the Rhodes Department Store. She was also a media assistant at Crossland High School and volunteered for many years at Anne Arundel Medical Center. Her many interests included playing golf, square dancing with the Harbor Squares Club or volunteering at the hospital. She was a member of the Christ Episcopal Church in Clinton, Maryland and the Acacia Eastern Stars in Steilacome, Washington.

The family invites friends to Lee Funeral Home Calvert, 8200 Jennifer Lane (Rt 4 & Fowler Road), Owings, MD 20736 on Friday, May 4, 2012, at 4 pm until time of Funeral Service at 6:30 pm.

Inurnment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Rosella’s name to the American Lung Association, 1301 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20004.

Ginny Mackey, 68 Virginia Mary “Ginny” Mackey, 68, of Chesapeake Beach, MD passed away April 27, 2012 at her residence. Ginny was born September 25, 1943 in Brooklyn, NY to Frank J. and Ethel G. (Cade) Carroll.

She was raised in Brooklyn where she attended public schools and graduated from Prospect Heights High School in 1961. She married William F. “Bill” Mackey on June 13, 1964 and they lived in Brooklyn, NY and Suitland, MD un-

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The Calvert Gazette

Thursday, May 3, 2012

til moving to Chesapeake Beach, MD in 1977. Ginny worked as a clerk at the J.C. Penney department store in Forestville, MD and after moving to Chesapeake Beach was the manager of the former Sea Breeze Restaurant in Chesapeake Beach.

She was a devoted homemaker, wife and mother, and loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed shopping, especially at dollar stores. She was also fond of her dog J.P. Ginny was preceded in death by her parents and by a son James Patrick Mackey.

She is survived by her devoted husband William F. Mackey, Sr., sons William F. Mackey, Jr. of Chesapeake Beach and Kevin J. Mackey of Nanjamoy, MD; granddaughters Amanda Kathryn Mackey of Chesapeake Beach and Celenia Pennifill of Lusby, MD; a “step-daughter” LaWanda A. Blanchard of Lusby; and sisters Jean E. Vicari of Sparrow Bush, NY, Eleanor F. Carroll of Brooklyn, NY and Elizabeth A. Bassett of Spring, TX. Friends and family were received Tuesday May 1 at Rausch Funeral Home, Owings, MD, where a service and celebration of Ginny’s life was held Wednesday May 2, 2012. Interment followed at Southern Memorial Gardens in Dunkirk, MD. Expressions of sympathy in Ginny’s name may be made to the American Cancer Society, Calvert County Unit, P.O. Box 752, Prince Frederick, MD 20678 or to Calvert Hospice, P.O. Box 838, Prince Frederick, MD 20678, online at www.

CalvertHospice.org.

Billy Phipps, 68 William “Billy” Phipps, 68, of Shady Side, MD passed away April 6, 2012 at Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis, MD. Billy was born February 5, 1944 to William Chester and Blanche Linton Phipps.

Billy graduated from Southern High School in Lothian, MD where he met and later married his high school sweetheart, Barbara Cullember, all of Shady Side, Maryland. On April 6, 2012, while the world celebrated Good Friday and Passover, the Lord tapped him on the shoulder and very peacefully took him home.

Billy was in the National Guard for six years and retired from the Anne Arundel County Police Department after 27 and one half years of service. Barbara and Billy had two sons, Scott and Shawn and five grandchildren, Taylor 15, Colin 12, Ethan 7, Gavin 6 and Drew 3. Billy delighted in watching his grandsons play sports, having coached his own sons as they grew up. He liked fishing with friends, working in the yard, and going to Florida every year, but his greatest joy was spending time with his family and watching them grow and build their lives.

Billy is survived by his wife Barba-

ra, son Scott and wife Jennifer, their sons Taylor, Colin and Ethan of Shadyside, and son Shawn and wife Kim, and their sons Gavin and Drew of Mayo, MD. Life can be the same after a trinket has been lost, but never after the loss of a treasure. Billy left behind a place that cannot be filled, and that is his tribute to us.

A Memorial Service and celebration of Billy’s life was held Thursday April 12, 2012 at Centenary United Methodist in Shady Side.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests tribute donations be made in the name of William “Billy” Phipps to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, 26 Broadway, 14th Floor, NY, NY 10004 or online at www.

JDRF.org

Dennis Scott, 61 Dennis Kevin Scott, 61, of Lusby, MD formerly of Leonardtown and LaPlata, MD passed away on April 23, 2012 at his residence. He was born on April 23, 1951 in LaPlata, MD to Sheila C. Ferris Scott and the late Raymond F. Scott.

Dennis graduated from LaPlata High School in 1969 and went on to work for Verizon from which he retired. He then went to work for DMI as a Communications Specialist and was an avid golfer.

Dennis is survived by his mother, Sheila C. Scott of Annapolis, MD; wife, Eva Scott of Leonardtown, MD; stepdaughter, Kandace Lesher of San Francisco, CA; siblings, Eugene F. Scott of Woodbridge, VA and Joanne Sykes of Annapolis, MD; and former spouse, Peggy Steltzer.

A memorial service was held on Monday, April 30, 2012 in St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 25550 Pt. Lookout Rd., Leonardtown, MD, officiated by Rev. John Wundelich. Inurnment followed in the church cemetery.

Pat Smith, 67 Patricia Ann “Pat” Smith, 67, of Owings, MD passed away Friday, April 27, 2012 at her residence. Pat was born August 15, 1944 in Washington, D.C. to James Thomas and Betty Ann (Anderson) Ellis.

She was raised in the Prince George’s County suburbs, graduating from Surrattsville High School. Pat married Raymond S. Smith on December 7, 1963 and they lived and raised their family in District Heights, Clinton, Friendly, and Temple Hills, MD. For the past five years they had resided in Owings, MD. Pat was employed for nearly 20 years in the credit department at the former Woodward and Lothrop department store in Marlowe Heights, MD. She was a devoted homemaker who enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

She also enjoyed vacationing in Florida and playing the slots in Dover, DE. Pat was preceded in death by her parents and by a sister-in-law Joyce Eudy.

She is survived by her husband Raymond S. Smith, Sr., sons Raymond S. Smith, Jr. and wife Janie and Dennis L. Smith, all of Owings; grandchildren Meagan, Shannon, Dillon, MaryGrace and Olivia Smith, Megan Hermosillo and Lauren Pavlock. Also surviving are sisters Mary R. Winston and husband Robert of Englewood, FL, Barbara J. Smith and husband Bill of Merritt Island, Fl; a brother Frederick H. Ellis and wife Debbie of Owings, and brother in law Thomas Smith and wife Trudy of Port Charlotte, Fl, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Family and friends were received Monday, April 30, 2012 at Rausch Funeral Home, P.A., Owings, MD. A Mass of Christian Burial was held Tuesday, May 1, 2012 at Jesus the Good Shepherd Catholic Church, Owings, MD. Interment followed at Ft. Lincoln Cemetery, Brentwood, MD. Memorial contributions in Pat’s name may be made to Calvert Hospice, P.O. Box 838 Prince Frederick, MD 20678 or online at www.calverthospice.org.

Mary Taylor, 96 Mary Caroline Taylor, 96, of Dunkirk, MD passed away Saturday, April 28, 2012 at Calvert County Nursing Center, Prince Frederick, MD. She was born July 26, 1915 in Philadelphia, PA to Edward and Caroline (Clark) Kelly.

Her parents died when she was very young and she was raised by her aunt and uncle in West Philadelphia, where she attended public schools. Mary was employed as a silk screener with Sun-Ray Drugs in Philadelphia. She married William Jennings Taylor at the age of 27 and they made their home in the Philadelphia area. They moved to Dunkirk in January 2006 to live with their nephew and his wife. Mr. Taylor passed away May 12, 2006 and Mary moved to Calvert County Nursing Center in March 2012. Mary was a devoted homemaker and enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. She also enjoyed fresh water fishing with her husband.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, a sister Caroline M. DeJames and by her husband William. She is survived by a nephew Leonard Gordon, Jr. and wife Judy of Dunkirk, MD and nieces Patricia Lee DeJames of Burke, VA and Attricia Lee DeJames of Norfolk, VA. Family and friends will be received on Thursday May 3, 2012 from 12:30 to 1:00 P.M. at Rausch Funeral Home, P.A., Owings, MD where a funeral service and celebration of Mary’s life will be held at 1:00 P.M. Interment will follow at Southern Memorial Gardens, Dunkirk, MD.

Jeff Verbeten, 60 J e f f r e y Charles “Jeff” Verbeten, 60, of Port Republic, MD passed away on April 22, 2012 in Solomons, MD. He was born in January 1952 in Appleton, WI to Hilda Verbeten and the late Charles Verbeten. He was the beloved husband of Catherine Verbeten whom he married on November 19, 1975 in Landover, MD. Jeff graduated high school in Appleton, WI and went on to join the US Navy.

He served his country honorably from 1970 to 1976. While in the Navy he received the National Defense Service Medal and a Good Conduct Award. Jeff went on to become a Communication Analyst for the Executive Office of the President of the United States where he worked for 30 years. In his spare time, he enjoyed shark tooth hunting, computer pinball, reading, and watching the Green Bay Packers.

Jeff is survived by his mother, Hilda Verbeten; wife, Catherine Verbeten; children, Elisa VanDevander and husband Brian, Joshua Verbeten and wife Alice, and Katherine Verbeten; grandchildren, Vanessa Verbeten, Michael Verbeten, Natalie VanDevander, Dylan VanDevander, and Madelyn VanDevander and siblings, Bruce Verbeten and Debbie Verbeten.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial was held on Tuesday, May 1, 2012 at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, Solomons, MD officiated by Monsignor Michael Wilson.

Honorary Pallbearers are Thomas Cratty, Brain VanDevander, and Ben Cratty.

The family request memorial contribution be made in Jeff’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011 or online at http://www.alz.org.

To Place A Memorial, Please Call 301-373-4125

Community Community Helping Community The Calvert Gazette

By Sarah Miller Staff Writer From the shingles on the roof to the insulation in the basement, volunteers with Christmas in April turned out April 28 to work on 30 homes scattered between Chesapeake Beach and Lusby.

For homeowner Gingell Rogers, the Christmas in April work is helping to fulfill a dream. She and her husband bought a fixer-upper house and when he died, much of the work was not completed. She said her family has lived in the house for 12 years and it has survived three hurricanes and “a lot of Nor-Easters.”

In addition to downed trees littering

the property, there were insulation and siding issues with the house. Also, the porch needed to be replaced, due to rot.

Rogers said she applied to Christmas in April, but never expected to hear anything.

“I was amazed at how many people showed up,” she said.

Rogers and her daughter, Mary Rogers, both joined in and got their hands dirty, helping clear brush and dig holes to plant azalea bushes.

Calvert Christmas in April Board of Directors member Christa Conant said they encourage homeowners to get involved in the work when they are able.

Work for Christmas in April begins in August, Conant said. Once applications are

Thursday, May 3, 2012

received, the House Selection Committee meets and members visit application sites to determine the homeowner’s eligibility and the feasibility of repairs.

“Some of the houses are too far gone,” Conant said.

The committee then makes recommendations to the Board based on the need and Christmas in April’s ability to do the work. The Board makes the final decision in early December. Letters go out to homeowners in January once Christmas in April knows it has a House Captain and group to do the work, Conant said.

“Some houses require more skills than others,” she said.

They match the skills of the workers available to the houses, and with a pool of 400 to 500 volunteers, a lot can be accomplished in just one day. Conant said 20 to 50 volunteers are assigned to a single house to work on several projects simultaneously.

Christmas in April gets volunteers from all over the community, including a group of students from Huntingtown High

12

School, a couple of softball teams, Dominion Cove Point and Constellation Energy.

“We just wanted to do something, so we talked to them [Christmas in April],” said Mandi Kuidlan with IED Corp.

When they announced the company would be putting a team together, Kuidlan said people kept calling to come out and help. They ended up at the Rogers property, cutting and clearing trees, working on siding and insulation and even building a new front porch.

The materials for the projects are purchased and donated, Conant said. She said they hold an annual fundraiser and apply for grants. Businesses also make donations, sometimes giving money and other times giving needed materials. Other businesses offer the materials as a discounted rate, Conant said.

For more information about volunteering or supporting Christmas in April, visit christmasinaprilcalvertcounty.com. sarahmiller@countytimes.net

Mayfest is Coming

DJ Bailey and Tuan Wo construct a front porch.

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Photo by Sarah Miller

Middleham and St. Peter's Parish will hold its annual MAYFEST on Saturday, May 12, from 6:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Parish Hall, 10210 H. G. Trueman Road, Lusby.

MAYFEST will include outdoor plant sale and huge indoor white elephant with jewelry, antiques, collectibles, toys, books, baked goods, and more. Breakfast will be available. For information call Anne 410 610 2705 or the church office at 410 326 4948.

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13 Thursday, May 3, 2012 Guest Editorial

The Calvert Gazette

By Marc Kilmer Maryland Public Policy Institute So it seems Maryland is going to see two special sessions of the General Assembly to deal with supposedly unfinished legislative business. It’s unclear to me why we need one special session, never mind two of them, but have them we will. Considering the fact that these sessions are such bad ideas, and considering that they have little to no say on what goes on during any legislative session, perhaps the Republican members of the General Assembly should just skip this session. Let the Democratic majority own the mess they are going to make.

While Gov. O’Malley and legislative leaders are claiming we’ll have doomsday without a special session or two, many disagree with that assessment. It’s not just conservatives, either. The Washington Post, for instance, editorialized that there’s no need for a special session to avert a “doomsday budget.” The Post sums up what will happen if the current budget goes into effect: The truth is that if lawmakers in the

L

General Assembly were to stay home and skip the special sessions, the effect would be to cancel plans for a tax increase; spare the state a senseless expansion of casino gambling; eliminate some dubious spending programs; and ensure that Maryland’s $35 billion budget still manages to grow by a respectable $700 million, about 2 percent.

As the Post’s editor say, “None of that sounds exactly like doomsday.”

If the Democratic majority in the state want to reconvene to accomplish all these worthy (sarcasm) goals, then let them do it.

Republicans, who claim to stand for fiscal conservatism, should simply stay home.

The boycott would have little or no effect on the substance of what the special sessions produce. The Republican members of the General Assembly don’t have much power to affect change there. But it would highlight the fact that this is a one-party state and that this one-party rule results in some very bad policy.

I’ve written previously about how the state would be improved if there were more political competition. Perhaps the voters of

TER T E to the Editor

To Place a Classified Ad, please email your ad to: info@somdpublishing.net or Call: 301-3734125 or Fax: 301-373-4128 for a price quote. Office hours are: Monday thru Friday 8am - 4pm.

The Calvert Gazette is published each Thursday.

S

Stay Home Republicans

Deadlines for Classifieds are Tuesday at 12 pm.

Classifieds Real Estate Rentals Private, wooded lot. Driveway with direct access to Rousby Hall Rd., no waiting for Ranch Club or Drum Point snow removal.

5 minutes to schools, shopping, etc. This is a clean, respectable, well kept house. New carpet in L/R, fresh paint in kitchen. Full walkout basement (unfinished), large eat-in kitchen with dishwasher & ceiling fan, mud room with washer/dryer & pantry. Decks on front and back of house. Includes access to community beach & boat ramp. $1350/m plus utilities with annual lease. No smokers, pets on case by case basis. References and credit check required. Available now. Call Bill @ 410-610-7937. Rent: $1350.

Maryland don’t want this competition, but the Republican General Assembly members should provide them with a stark alternative so the voters can choose.

Perhaps the GOP members can even hold their own mock special session and “pass” a budget that doesn’t raise taxes, doesn’t burden counties with new fiscal problems, isn’t filled with pork and corporate welfare, and doesn’t continue to heedlessly expand spending. It would provide a good contrast to the real General Assembly in action, at the very least.

So, to the GOP General Assembly members, I say “boycott.” At the very minimum, it will give you more time to spend with your family. That’s probably more worthwhile than anything the Democrats will let you accomplish in Annapolis, anyway.

2 BR, 2 BA FURNISHED-what a lifestyle, what a home! Gourmet eat-in-kitchen, many upgrades, GE Profile appliances, w/d, fp, custom ceramic tile and backsplash, gas stove, beverage center, screened wrap around deck, wooded/water views, sleek and elegant furnishings, master with super bath and deck access, pool, tennis, fitness ctr., walk or bike to Solomons Island for shopping, dining, entertainment. Rent: $1850.

Call 615-668-3215.

Marc Kilmer is a Maryland Public Policy Institute senior fellow

Community Made Beach Bay Luau Auction a Hit The Beach Elementary School PTA held its seventh annual Beach Bay Luau Auction for Education on April 2, 2011. This event is the PTA’s largest fundraiser of the year and is truly a community event in support of our youngest citizens.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the community members who helped to make our event such a success. Our business partners, both here in our community and in the larger metropolitan area, were again very generous with their contributions.

Everyone has been adversely affected by our recent economic times, but despite that, business owners welcomed us and donated very generously.

We would also like to thank the members of the Chesapeake Beach community who contributed so generously to our efforts. The

Buy Your Mom A

kind folks at the American Legion Stallings-Williams Post #206 acted as our hosts for the evening and they could not have been more gracious. We also had the support of the towns of North Beach and Chesapeake Beach along with community friends at Calvert Library, Chesapeake Beach Railway Museum and the Calvert County Offices of Parks and Recreation and Economic Development. In addition, we wish to thank our local elected officials who were very supportive of our efforts, in particular Delegate Mark Fisher, Sheriff Mike Evans, Commissioner Susan Shaw and Chesapeake Beach Town Council members Pat Mahoney and Valerie Beaudin.

Mostly, we wish to thank everyone who attended this year’s auction and helped to make it one of the most successful ever. At Beach Elementary, the PTA is proud to be part of a community that is committed to supporting its youngest members. Everyone who contributed to this year’s event aptly demonstrated that they share that commitment, as well, and it is very much appreciated.

Sandy Hunting, President Beach Elementary School PTA Chesapeake Beach, MD

Block!

To be placed in the May 10th publication.

$25 With No Picture $35 With Picture Please Contact: Matt Suite

mattsuite@countytimes.net 301-399-6417

Jennifer Stotler

jennifer@somdpublishing.net 301-247-7611

Mickey Ramos

mickeyramos@countytimes.net 240-298-0937

Employment Staff Position available at Trinity United Methodist Church, 90 Church St, Prince Frederick, MD Needed: Secretary/Administrative Assistant Start date early June. 30 Hours a week .

Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

If interested in applying for position, please contact church office at 410-535-1782 or churchoffice@trinityumchurch.org .

Important

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

Publisher Associate Publisher Editor Graphic Artist Office Manager Advertising Email Phone

Thomas McKay Eric McKay Sean Rice Angie Stalcup Tobie Pulliam sales@somdpublishing.net info@somdpublishing.net 301-373-4125

Staff Writers Guy Leonard Sarah Miller Corrin Howe

Law Enforcement Government, Education Community, Business

Contributing Writers Joyce Baki Keith McGuire Susan Shaw Sherrod Sturrock

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

Thursday, May 3, 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.

Summer Concert Series: Big Acts, Benefits Close to Home

Boston

By Carrie Munn Staff Writer With temperatures climbing and folks in Southern Maryland beginning to think about their summer plans, two venues will offer concerts from big acts that benefit the local community.

This year, the Calvert Marine Museum (CMM) will kick off the season with Bret Michaels storming their PNC Pavillion in Solomons. First breaking onto the music scene as the frontman of glam metal group Poison, with hits like “Every Rose Has It’s Thorn” and “Nothing But a Good Time,” Michaels has also gained celebrity through appearances on reality shows like The Apprentice and Rock of Love.

You are cordially invited to attend the

St. Mary’s County ANNUAL

LINCOLN-REAGAN DINNER Hosted by The St. Mary’s County Republican Central Committee

Friday May 11, 2012 Olde Breton Inn 21890 Society Hill Rd Leonardtown, MD 20650

6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Social Hour 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Dinner and Speakers Keynote Speaker Chairman of “Change Maryland” Larry Hogan

will be collected Tickets are Leonard Volunteer Fire currently on sale Department’s Bayside at the gate of these for the Bret MiToyota Pavillion will great concerts, prochaels show on host Eric Church on June viding additional Sunday, May 27, 2 touring behind his support by helping where the rocker Billboard-topping latest keep the tri-county will play Poison album release, “Chief.” area’s food pantries favorites and Tickets are on sale stocked. solo material. now to catch Church, a To find out more On Aug. North Carolina native about St. Leonard’s 16, rock group with hits like “Drink In all-volunteer squad Boston, which Bret Michaels My Hand” and “Love and get ticket inforbroke onto the Photo by Paul Groggatt Starpulse.com Your Love the Most,” mation, check out Eric Church rock scene in the along with an as-yet-toCourtesy of ericchurch.com www.slvfd.org or late ‘70s and delivered such hits as “More be announced opening act. visit Bayside Toyota Than a Feeling” and “Amanda,” will take On July 6, Luke Bryan will in Prince Frederick the stage at the museum. Tickets go on get the audience moving with Monday through Frisale to CMM members Tuesday, June 19 mega-hit “Country Girl (Shake day from 9 a.m. to 5 and to the general public June 26.

It For Me)” among other chartp.m.

Vanessa Gill, CMM development toppers. Tickets are now on sale For details on director, said it’s important for concert- for this show with special guests the Calvert Marine goers to keep in mind the shows are not River City Gang. only great entertainment but also a main The duo Big & Rich will Museum and to purfundraiser for the museum, which offers bring their big personalities chase tickets, visit a bevy of educational and history-based and their brand of country to www.calvertmarineprograms. Gill said, “The concerts have the St. Leonard stage on Sept. museum.com or call been successful in the past which is great 1. The group, sure to perform 410-326-2042. considering they provide about 40 percent their breakout hit “Save a Horse Luke Bryan Gill said, as the Courtesy of billboard.com of the non-profit’s annual fundraising.”

(Ride a Cowboy)” among many museum’s developWith an artist like Bret Michaels, other country radio favorites, welcomes ment director and a St. Leonard resiGill explained, they are looking to expand special guests Cowboy Troy and Bradley dent, she sees these events as mutually the audience, while groups like Boston, Gaskin. beneficial. and in past years, Steve Miller Band and A fourth show, on July 22, will “The ticket buyer needs to underStyx, resonate well with Southern Mary- be announced this weekend and this stand they’re not only going to see a great land music fans. She said a third show is annual concert series raises funds to show but they’re also doing something also in the works and will be announced support the fire, rescue and EMS sergood for this community at the same as soon as a performer is booked. vices provided to the southern Calvert Another popular summertime Cal- community. Non-perishable food items time.” vert County venue will bring hot coun- for the Southern Maryland Food Bank carriemunn@countytimes.net try acts to Southern Maryland. The St.

Kentucky Derby Party at the Duck!

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Delegate Tony O’Donnell Congressional Candidate MD 5th

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Tickets are $60.00 per individual and may be purchased by contacting Mary Burke-Russell

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Please R.S.V.P. by May 4, 2012

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Photo by Matt Becker

• Live showing of the Derby • Wear your biggest and most ridiculous hat in the spirit of the Derby!

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Big and Rich

Photo Courtesy of gactv.com

15

The Calvert Gazette

Thursday, May 3, 2012

The Ordinary

Angler

MOther’s day!

COMe see what’s New & BlOOMiNG

If It Ain’t Chartreuse!

By Keith McGuire Contributing Writer

can get on the water and get your trolling spread set by sunrise, there’s a good chance that you’ll land your limit of 1 per person over 28” in no time at all. In fact, the odds are good that you’ll be back in time for breakfast! Similar results have been achieved in the evenings. Mid-day could take a while.

This weekend is tournament weekend. The Maryland Saltwater Sportfishing Association sponsors the largest tournament on the Bay on May 4 – 6.

Other tournaments, like the Rod and Reel Captain’s Pro-Am Tournament, share the same dates. There are big bucks to be won in these tournaments and, as you might expect, they will put a lot of boats on the water this weekend.

The cooler weather has put the croaker into deeper holes for now. After we get warmer days and nights, we should expect the hardhead to return.

Warmer weather will also put the white perch and crabs into more favorable locations to feed.

Remember to take a picture of your catch and send it to me with your story at riverdancekeith@gmail.com.

Keith has been a recreational angler on the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries for over 50 years; he fishes weekly from his small boat during the season, and spends his free time supporting local conservation organizations.

Anglers can be a colorful bunch.

Check the tackle box of anyone and you’re likely to find a rainbow of color among the lures stored there. I love the striper season because you can watch the boats being towed up and down the highway with white, pink, chartreuse, purple, green and yellow lures blowing in the breeze. My better half is an avid gardener, and swears that she loves the colors of spring in her garden. I could say similar things about the boats on the highway during striper season.

There are many theories about the most effective colors to use for striper trolling lures. You have the basic, “If it ain’t white, it ain’t right!” or “If it ain’t chartreuse, it ain’t no use!” Then things begin to get a little more scientificsounding: “Use darker colors on overcast days and brighter colors on bright, sunny days….” Or “Choose lures based on the depth that they will be used because certain colors become indistinguishable deeper in the water column.” Of course, there’s always the macho-man approach, “Never use pink or chartreuse or fuchsia to catch man-sized fish!”

Notable author and avid Bay angler, Lenny Rudow, refers to spring trolling as “collision fishing” because, once the lures are set, you putt around the water waiting for your lures to intersect with one of the rockfish migrating in or out of the Bay during the spawning season. If that’s truly the case, what difference does color really make? Many anglers have kept logs of fish caught on certain colors – specifically white and chartreuse. The data frequently reveals little or no difference.

So, one could conclude that the colors matter in the tackle shop to entice knowing anglers to buy, but make little or no difference on the water.

I know that many of you will disagree, but before you send me an abusive e-mail about the stupidity of such a statement, let me say that I have favorite colors that I use more than any others. Why? I’ve caught fish with them!

The Spring Trophy Season is still in full swing. When the weather has permitted, lots of anglers have caught big stripers. The early morning bite is still the one that has people talking. If you Martin Stuble with a 40 inch trophy caught last Thursday.

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5/5/2012

The Calvert Gazette

Thursday, May 3, 2012

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16