Gazette Calvert
May 10, 2012
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Everything Calvert County
New Principal Coming to ‘Our Lady’ School Page 12
Photo By Sean Rice
The Calvert Gazette
Also Inside 3 County News
2
On T he Cover
11 Letters 12
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Feature Story
14 Obituaries 16 Community
out & about
This spring Patuxent Voices takes a sentimental journey through the great pop tunes from the 1940s, 50s, and 60s. The group has performances set for May 12, 19 and 20.
17 Business 18 Education 19 Newsmaker 20 Entertainment 21
Out & About
22 Games 23 Sports
county
QBH St M County TImes Half Ad:Layout 1 3/1/11 3:28 PM Page 1 Charlie Brown, left, and John Studds find some keepers during Free Comic Book Day at Third Eye Comics in Prince Frederick. Upwards of 300 people were in the store on Saturday for the event.
Msgr. Michael Wilson and Sister Carolyn Marie Betsch stand with Ashlynn Dziekiewicz (left), Patrick Lynch and Lauren Weber in front of Our Lady Star of the Sea School. Sister Carolyn Marie’s last day as principal will be July 1. After that, she plans to remain as a teacher at OLSS.
MHBR No. 103
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Thursday, May 10, 2012
COUNTY NEWS
The Calvert Gazette
Sheriff’s Open House Educational and Fun By Corrin M. Howe Staff Writer Residents on their way home from soccer and baseball games on Saturday stopped by the Calvert County Sheriff’s Open House to learn more about local law enforcement services, have little bit of fun at a mini carnival and sample food from some local restaurants. CFC R.L. Hood and Cpl. Scott from the Detention Center drew interest throughout the day as they showed and explained various weapons taken from previous inmates. Although the display was dated, it showed the ingenuity of men and women who have nothing but time on their hands. “They are always one step ahead because they have the time,” Scott said. What looked like a romance novel, when opened had been gutted out and cigarettes were hidden within. Another item which was sharp enough to stab someone turned out to be seven Styrofoam cups melted together and sharpened to a point. However, not all the resourcefulness of the inmates is dangerous. Hood said he saw the inmates stack a bunch of books across the table to use as a
ping pong net. For the ball, they used wealth of information. the ball from a roll-on deodorant bottle. Sgt. Gregory and his team drew Scott said inmates now have to a large crowd when K-9 Edo showed use a brush attached to their fingers to how he protects officers by biting and brush their teeth because regular tooth- not letting go until his handler calls brushes can be made into weapons. him off. Animal Control had its van out According to Sheriff Mike Evans, and open so people could see the cages the open house held every other year inside. Officer Ditcher demonstrated is just another way to give back to the all the different tools he uses to safely community. catch animals. S.W.A.T. showed off their new corrin@somdpublishing.net vehicle, which carries “everything we need from vests to water bottles.” Members of the team recently traveled to Florida to pick up the sleek new black truck in time for the Tiki Bar opening. Sgt. V. Bortchevsky explained how various tools help the Sheriff’s department reconstruct an automobile accident. The tools included a fragment of a tire filed with cement used in conjunction with a scale to determine the “drag” on the road – which ultimately helps determine the speed of the vehicle at the time of the accident. Airbag modules, according to Bortchevsky, are a Cpl. Scott stands by the Detention Center display case of
Photos by Corrin M. Howe Sgt. V. Botchevsky holds up a tail light bulb to demonstrate how an accident reconstruction expert knows whether or not a vehicle’s lights were on at the time of the collision.
confiscated contraband to display the ingenuity of inmates.
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COUNTY NEWS
The Calvert Gazette
Thursday, May 10, 2012
4
Special Session Called to Revisit Taxes, Pension Shift “doomsday budget.” House Minority Leader Anthony O’Donnell (R-Dist.29C) slammed the special session as a detriment to prosperity in an already down economy because it would not only raise taxes on struggling families but force counties to raise taxes again to pay for teacher pensions. He said that despite the $500 million in cuts the budget still increased overall by $700 million. “They called it doomsday because two percent wasn’t enough,” O’Donnell said. “This is going to be a killer for families who are struggling to pay their bills and put food on their tables.”
By Guy Leonard Staff Writer When the legislature left Annapolis without passing Gov. Martin O’Malley’s key tax increase provision, it meant $500 million in cuts to services like education and money to counties, but with the May 14 special session looming lawmakers seem poised to increase taxes on those earning more than $100,000 and begin making counties responsible for teacher retirement. Political observers on both sides of the aisle say the O’Malley administration likely has the votes to pass the legislation that would bridge the gap left by the so-called
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Still, O’Donnell believed that there are enough votes in the House of Delegates to pass the measure. It already has enough support in the Senate. “The Democrats will fall in line and say ‘Yes sir, yes sir three bags full’,” O’Donnell said. Del. John Wood (D-Dist.29A) said he will not support the package as it was left at the end of the session unless there were changes made to it to lessen the impact on taxes and teacher pension costs. “It’ll affect a lot of people,” Wood said of the legislation as proposed. “I didn’t support it then and the chances are pretty likely I will not.” Sen. Roy Dyson said he would also oppose tax increases but he believed O’Malley had worked to line up the votes for the package’s passage. To go into the special session without the votes lined up would be too big of a political risk for a governor who did not look good during the initial session, Dyson said. “This would be a political disaster [for O’Malley] if not,” he said. Todd Eberly, political science professor at St. Mary’s College of Maryland, said that O’Malley all but certainly had the votes to pass the tax increases and the pension shift, the key would be to do the business in the three days allotted. Failing to pass the measure quickly would be to relive the embarrassment that the legislature suffered the first time around, he said. “There’s not much that anyone can do
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to slow it down,” Eberly said. “I don’t see anything stopping it.” Many of the high salary residents of Southern Maryland would be hit by the tax increases, he said, but county’s like Montgomery County would be hit the hardest because of the high income residents there. “They’d rather take the heat for tax increases than for cutting services,” Eberly said. Eberly said that the so-called doomsday budget would have solved the state’s deficit for just one year, but tax increases would go a long way to closing the gap on the state’s structural deficit. Still the actual cuts to services were not really as severe as initially billed. “The cuts weren’t that bad,” Eberly said. “They weren’t a doomsday.” Del. John Bohanan (D-Dist.29B) the chair of the house Spending Affordability Committee, said that the tax increases were necessary if cuts to education were to be avoided. The state had already cut a great deal to employment at state agencies, he said, by 5,500 employees over the past several years. “State agencies are pretty well skinnied up,” Bohanan said. “Pretty much we have volunteers running our state parks. “I hate tax increases as much as anybody. We’ve got a choice, either cut education or raise taxes on 10 percent of the state.” guyleonard@countytimes.net
May is “Move Over Month” In an effort to drive home the message of year round safety of Maryland’s emergency responders, the Maryland State Police remind motorists that May is “Move Over Month”. As part of the effort to boost awareness of the ‘move over’ law, a decal, provided by the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund (MAIF) was unveiled at a press conference earlier this year. The decal reads, “If I’m on the Shoulder, Slow Down and Move Over” and serves as a reminder for drivers approaching from the rear of an emergency vehicle using visual signals while stopped on the highway to, if possible, make a lane change into an available lane not immediately adjacent to the emergency vehicle or slow down to a reasonable prudent speed. Although state troopers will display the decal on their patrol cars for the month of May, the intended message will ultimately remain. Violation of the ‘move over’ law is a primary offense with a fine of $110 and one point. If the violation contributes to a traffic crash, the fine is $150 and three points. If the violation contributes to a traffic crash resulting in death or serious injury, the fine escalates to $750 and three points.
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The Calvert Gazette
Thursday, May 10, 2012
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COUNTY NEWS
The Calvert Gazette
Thursday, May 10, 2012
6
Trying to Find a Good Home for Horses By Sarah Miller Staff Writer The Freedom Hill Horse Rescue held their annual adoption and family fun day at Double J Stables in Owings. Freedom Hill Rescue Vice President and Treasurer Lori Harrington said the rescue was started in 2004 and is a registered non-profit organization. She said the horses that come to them are from a variety of backgrounds – some have been surrendered by their owners who could no longer take care of them, some have been abused and some have been rescued from the slaughterhouse. Harrington said Freedom Hill volunteers work with the horses as long as necessary before adopting them out. “We just bring them in, fix them up and find them new homes,” said Freedom Hill Pres-
ident Melody Parrish. Each horse is quarantined for three weeks before mingling with other horses. Harrington said for each horse, it costs a minimum of $200 per month to house, vet, feed and ferry the horses. Currently, there are 12 to 14 horses under Freedom Hill’s care, she said. She said volunteers come from all over the county and all walks of life, from Northern High School Honor Society students to musicians from Garret Music Academy, who provided the entertainment for the family fun day. “It’s a group effort,” Harrington said. Additional fundraisers throughout the year include yard sales, a golf tournament and a murder mystery dinner. Parrish said Freedom Hill has placed 200 horses since 2004. sarahmiller@countytimes.net
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Charlie Brown, left, and John Studds find some keepers during Free Comic Book Day at Third Eye Comics in Prince Frederick. Third Eye Comics owner Steve Anderson said Free Comic Book day was started in 2002, making this the 10th Anniversary. He said upwards of 300 people were in the store on Saturday, and more than 3,000 were at the location in Annapolis. He said they ordered plenty of the special run comics for Free Comic Book Day, and the store will give them out as long as supplies last.
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The Calvert Gazette
Thursday, May 10, 2012
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COUNTY NEWS Daycares Inundate Appeals Board Meeting The Calvert Gazette
By Sarah Miller Staff Writer With three daycares requesting expansion from the Board of Appeals, it is clear there is at least one sector in Calvert that is booming. Kid's Campus Early Learning Center and Ms. Bev’s Place, both in Dunkirk, and Stepping Stones Learning Center in Sunderland all sought to increase their capacity to take in more children during the day. All three applications were approved. The cases brought varied reactions from the community. While no one opposed Kids Campus and Stepping Stones, a handful of community members spoke in opposition to Ms. Bev’s Place expanding. The facility is in a residential area and the opposition voiced concern about increased traffic Treat Mom to an extra special Mother’s Day at the Ruddy Duck Gourmet Brunch Buffet 11-3pm Including Baked Ham, London Broil, Smoked Salmon, assorted salads and much more!
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and demands on community resources. Ms. Bev’s Place owner Beverly Whittington wanted to add an expansion to the house to handle more children and add an office to the daycare. She said it’s important that young children have a safe place to go. “They’re with us during the most important part of their day,” Whittington said. Parents should be able to trust the day care provider, she said. Daycares often make neighborhoods safer because there are people actively watching for suspicious cars and people just hanging around without an apparent purpose. She said they have gone up to people to ask why they were there and even called the police a couple of times. During a later hearing, the representative from Stepping Stones echoed Whittington’s comments, saying they watch for
suspicious cars and people and make sure there is nobody hanging around outside the daycare who doesn’t belong there. Whittington said Ms. Bev’s Place has also been actively involved in the community, hosting a Bike-A-Thon to benefit St. Jude’s Hospital and a Thanksgiving 5K for End Hunger. Community members speaking about Ms. Bev’s Place ranged from concerned to supportive. “This daycare should never have happened, but it did happen,” said Anita Jezwinski. “I really don’t think we need 24 more children, we have more than we need.” Charles Ryan Jr. said he thinks the daycare does a great job, but the entrance and exit to the daycare could use some help. He said parents tend to pull out without looking, and he had witnessed several near
accidents. Whittington said she has had one phone call in seven years about inattentive drivers pulling out from the daycare and she put up a yield sign. The board of appeals also requested she install a speed bump before granting her request. Another growing business was Granados Tire out of Prince Frederick. Dino Granados Jr. requested an expansion to service large trucks and offer a larger range of services. “It’s good to see our local businesses rambunctious and doing something,” said Board of Appeals Vice Chairman Daniel Baker, Jr., after the board approved the request. sarahmiller@countytimes.net
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The Calvert Gazette
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COUNTY NEWS
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Juveniles Sought in Arson By Guy Leonard Staff Writer Fire investigators say several juveniles piled up wood and other debris in the basement of a house in Chesapeake Beach and set it alight, causing the dilapidated building to burn, but investigators said none of the suspects are in custody. According to reports from the State Fire Marshal’s Office the juveniles are still unidentified.
The home was located on B Street in the 7400 block and had been demolished; it was owned by a local bank, investigators stated. Neighbors called authorities after they saw smoke rise from the structure; there were no injuries as a result of the blaze. It took 16 firefighters from the North Beach Volunteer Fire Department to control the fire. Fire marshals are asking anyone with information regarding the fire to call the Fire Marshal’s Office at 443-550-6832.
Two Charged With Making Destructive Device By Guy Leonard Staff Writer
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Two Lusby men face up to 25 years in prison each for allegedly making a homemade device designed to be a “Chap Stick launcher” that ended up severely wounding one of the defendants who used it, state fire marshal’s reported. Charging documents filed in Calvert County District Court by Deputy Fire Marshal Don Brenneman say Robert John Bysheim, 23, and Charles Edward Fabritz, 27, both worked together to make the launching device out of a 16-inch long section of quarter-inch PVC tubing wrapped in masking tape with a hole cut into it to accommodate a fuse. But despite the one successful launching of the projectile from the device it soon
turned into “an experiment that went terribly wrong” Brenneman quoted Bysheim as saying during the defendant’s interview. When the defendants combined gasoline with pyrotechnic powder to spark another launch it exploded, charging documents state, and caused damage to Bysheim’s left ring finger, left forearm and palm of his right hand. One attempt to get the launcher to work involved a pine needle soaked in gasoline while another involved a gasoline soaked piece of paper. Along with the charge of possessing a destructive device, both Bysheim and Fabritz face three counts of reckless endangerment which combined add another 15 years to their sentences if convicted on all counts. They also face up to $265,000 in fines, investigators reported.
‘Masters’ Keep the Dockets Moving By Corrin M. Howe Staff Writer In Calvert County, the Master in Domestic Relations and Juvenile Causes is tasked with hearing certain cases and reporting back to the sitting judge a finding of facts and recommendations, according to Master Tracey McKirgan. “We don’t wear a robe,” said McKirgan. “Masters are really a time saver for the judges.” They will listen to divorce, custody, child support and juvenile delinquency cases. In Calvert their cases are less than three hours because each party has the right to appeal the Master’s recommendation. In that case, the sitting judge will review the transcript of the proceedings within 10 days and make a decision. However, McKirgan said appeals are rare. “I don’t know if Montgomery County still does, but their Masters could have three day cases and transcripts a thousand pages long for the judge to review,” said McKirgan. Masters are appointed by a judge. Judge Marjorie Clagett appointed McKirgan the Master in 2006. McKirgan said ideally she has one day a month in which she does not having any hearings. Her office is where all the domestic and juvenile paperwork starts. If it belongs to a
judge, she and her staff forward it. Within her purview are such programs as Families In Transition, a two evening educational program which explains the mediation process. In cases where the parties are not in agreement and there is no allegations of abuse, they will start their domestic hearing with two mediation sessions. Another program McKirgan is excited about is Kids Connection, which breaks children of divorcing parents into elementary school, middle school and high school age groups. One night a week during a six-week session, they will meet with other children and a counselor and eat pizza. This helps the children to understand that others are experiencing similar things. Although contentious divorce cases in Calvert are rare, they are not unusual, according to McKirgan. In those cases, there are other programs that a party can pay for additional services. One example is to pay a Parent Coordinator to make a decision when two parents can’t agree between themselves. McKirgan an example of both parents having custody of the child over Easter, but one is in the morning and the other in the afternoon but they can’t agree when to make the transfer. McKirgan graduated from University of Maryland Law School and earned her bachelor’s degree there in politics and government. She is the only female to apply for the vacancy left by retiring Judge Warren Krug.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
On Behalf of the Board of Directors of Christmas in April*Calvert County, I would like to thank the community for their overwhelming support of our Christmas in April annual work day, the last Saturday in April. April 28 found over 500 volunteers improving 30 homes of lower income homeowners in Calvert. What a wonderful feeling it was to experience the generosity of spirit and time of these volunteers as they transformed the lives of so many persons. Roofs were repaired and replaced. Homes were made more accessible for homeowners with disabilities. Plumbing and electrical work made homes more usable and safer. Painting and new flooring added brightness and cheer to the houses. Yard work and new shrubbery enhanced the outside appearance of the dwellings. These are just some examples of the work performed that day. This could not be done without the dedication of wonderful volunteers, churches, organizations, and businesses, and the financial support and donation of supplies from so many. If you wish to learn more about the program or obtain an application to benefit from the services, please check our website at www.christmasinaprilcalvertcounty.org, call us at 410-535-9044, or write us at P. O. Box 2761, Prince Frederick, MD 20678. We are an affiliate of Rebuilding Together and a United Way Community Partner. Bill Lloyd, President Christmas in April*Calvert County
Guest Editorial
Not Much “Doom” in the Doomsday Budget By Marc Kilmer Maryland Public Policy Institute If you’re reading this, you are probably aware that the General Assembly is set to meet on May 14 and 15 for a special session to rework the so-called “doomsday budget.” This budget, which actually increases spending, will cut funding for certain key programs by small amounts. The hits that education and public safety will take from this budget are often in the news, but in reality the vast majority of savings will come from other programs that few would consider vital (take a look at the list on page 8 of this document - mlis.state.md.us/2012rs/budget_docs/all/Operating/ Committee_Reports/CC_Summary.pdf). For instance, one of the “doomsday” cuts that will occur is the elimination of 500 state government positions. Some have claimed this means the state will fire 500 workers. That’s not necessarily true. The state has thousands of positions that are currently unfilled but which the budget funds. Eliminating these unfilled positions will meet that requirement of the “doomsday budget.” Another “doomsday” cut that will occur is ending the scholarships that delegates and senators hand out. To me this seems like a no-brainer. Why are legislators handing out scholarships in the first place? And, if they want to award them, why are they using our tax money to do so? These are simply a form of political patronage. They are a way for legislators to reward supporters and ensure that they have goodwill in their community. These scholarships are a highly inappropriate use of tax dollars and it should not have taken a “doomsday” budget for them to be eliminated. Yet another cut in the “doomsday” budget is the elimination of the biotechnology tax credit. This tax credit is simply a form of corporate welfare. It uses our tax dollars to reward a small handful of companies. What’s notable is that this (as well as the stem cell research fund that’s eliminated) is the only corporate welfare cuts in the “doomsday” budget. It certainly says something about our legislators’ priorities that they will trim education funding and eliminate local police grants but preserve welfare to film studios, horse racing, and other giveaways to for-profit corporations. I’ll be exploring other aspects of the “doomsday” budget for the next week, but this should give you a good idea that there is a lot more to the story than you’ll hear from legislators or the press. Many of the cuts in the “doomsday” budget are common sense budget savings. The governor called legislators back into session so they could raise taxes in order to restore funding for delegate scholarships, keep 500 empty positions in the state budget, and restore corporate welfare tax credits, among other things. Keep that in mind when you hear all the whining about the hardship the “doomsday” budget imposes on the state. Marc Kilmer is a Maryland Public Policy Institute senior fellow.
Special Session Is No Fix for Maryland Budget Woes Governor O’Malley has called the General Assembly into special session with the express intent to raise taxes. The so-called “Doomsday Budget” that passed in the regular session a few weeks ago has been hailed as a “disaster” by some. In reality, the budget actually increases spending over last year by 2 percent or $700 million. This hardly constitutes drastic cuts and only in Maryland would such a budget increase, in the worst economy in 75 years, be considered a doomsday scenario. This year’s budget fiasco is only the tip of the iceberg. Maryland did not just wake up to a spending crisis. In 1985, the state’s annual operating budget was $6.9 billion. In 2012 it stood at $34.7 billion, an average increase of 5% each year. After years of significant tax and fee increases, continuous raiding of dedicated funds, increasing the fiscal burdens of local governments, and excessive borrowing, we still can’t seem to pay the state’s bills. How did such out-of -control spending become the norm? After all, there is a Spending Affordability Committee (SAC) to “limit the rate of growth of State spending to a level that does not exceed the rate of growth of the State's economy”. In reality, the SAC is not at all effective in limiting spending in state government to that level. Over the last several years of a dramatically declining economy the state’s spending has continued to increase at a rate not reflective of the economic downturn. The SAC was first implemented in 1983. The SAC process is nothing more than a feelgood measure, a gold star that Maryland’s leaders give themselves under the guise of fiscal prudence. The process is a scripted show that plays out the same way every December, when SAC offers its recommendations. A list of options are given, the proposal that appears the most moderate is selected (even though it generally expands spending to unsustainable rates), and any discussion of truly reigning in spending is met with a level of melodramatic zealous rhetoric usually utilized by those heralding the end of the world. But you don’t have to take our word for it; leading non-partisan policy research organizations are also acknowledging the failure of Maryland’s SAC process. In "The Appearance of Fiscal Prudence," Eileen Norcross, lead researcher for the State and Lo-
Editor
cal Policy Project at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, and Mercatus Masters Fellow Benjamin J. Vanmetre, examine the 2010 recommendation by the SAC. They go on to document the SAC’s ongoing inability to rein in spending, criticize the process and call for fundamental reform that limits spending to the objective measures of inflation and population growth. The full report can be viewed at www.marylandjournal.org/publications/detail/ the-appearance-of-fiscal-prudence. We agree that the SAC process should be reformed because it is doing absolutely nothing to control spending to affordable and sustainable levels in its current configuration. In many ways the SAC process is akin to allowing a repeat drunk driver to determine their own blood alcohol level. The result has been a disaster and the only thing we have to show for the SAC’s efforts are consistent tax and fee increases and spending that is not supportable by the state’s economic realities. The recommendation process of the SAC should be completed several months earlier than it currently is to be considered in early budget drafts. We also agree that it should be tied to the rate of inflation and population growth. Unless we fix the root cause of the problem, namely spending beyond our means, we will continue to see an endless cycle of expenditure increases not sustained by the state’s economy. This is then followed by threatened budget cuts and inevitably tax increases clamored for by special interests. These tax increases further damage the state’s economy. This cycle will continue to repeat itself unless corrected by significant spending affordability reforms. The Legislature should take a breather, live with the budget just passed in April, and begin the 2013 session with a new sense of purpose in January. The next session of the General Assembly should be dedicated to truly bringing spending under control. A priority should be to fix the SAC with a more effective process that truly protects Maryland’s priorities in the future. It is time for realism to regain its place of honor in Annapolis.
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Delegate Anthony O’Donnell, House Minority Leader Delegate Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio, House Minority Whip
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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 10, 2012
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STORY
OLSS Principal Steps Down, But Not Out By Sarah Miller Staff Writer After a successful fundraising campaign last year to keep Our Lady Star of the Sea School (OLSS) from being consolidated with another parochial school, Principal Sister Carolyn Marie Betsch has decided to step down as principal of the K-8 Catholic school in Solomons. Sister Carolyn Marie started as a teacher at the school in 2002 and became principal in 2009. She came to OLSS with more than 40 years of teaching under her belt, beginning in Kentucky in 1970. She even remembers playing school as a child with her siblings, making them be the students while she taught. While Sister Carolyn Marie will no longer be the principal, she will remain at the school as a teacher. Which grade level she will teach has not yet been settled. She said she originally applied to be principal to keep continuity because, historically, the principals at OLSS have been members of the Sisters of Divine Providence. Sister Carolyn Marie’s successor will be Chris Jensen, a fourth grade teacher at Appeal Elementary and a deacon at Our
Lady Star of the Sea Church. He takes over July 1. Sister Carolyn Marie said there was no single reason that prompted her to step down as principal. “It’s just time for a new change,” she said. She is held in high regard by OLSS parents, many of whom are relieved to see Sister Carolyn Marie will remain at the school. Beth Oster, who has had seven children attend OLSS during the past 14 years. One of her oldest was in Sister Carolyn Marie ’s fifth grade class during her second year at OLSS. “She is just a phenomenal teacher,” Oster said. Even as a principal, she has remained actively involved in the classroom, serving as the seventh grade math teacher. Oster said Sister Carolyn Marie is the type of teacher who challenges her students, giving them a lot of homework at night and holding them to high expectations. She said every homework assignment was graded and returned promptly, and Sister Carolyn Marie works with her students to help them understand where they went wrong on homework problems.
ST. MARY’S ANIMAL WELFARE LEAGUE’S
Oster said she has visited on weekends or dropped one of her students off early in the morning to find Sister Carolyn Marie already there, working one-on-one with a student. Oster said Sister Carolyn Marie always makes sure students have the tools they need to meet her high expectations. She has even gone so far as to give students a number they can reach her at outside of school hours so they can call her with homework questions. Oster said she is glad Sister Carolyn Marie will remain at the school. Lara Parriera, a mother of four who has been a part of the OLSS family for 11 years, said she is glad “we get to keep her.” “She’s just such a sweet person,” Parriera said. “She really cares about the kids.” Msgr. Michael Wilson said even though he has only been pastor of the church for 10 months, he is impressed with what Sister Carolyn Marie did during such a difficult time at the school last year. He said she instilled a sense of hope in the school community, and kept everyone calm and on track during the fundraising campaign. He said she has been the rock at the school. “Her presence offers that stability to everybody,” Msgr. Wilson said. Sister Carolyn Marie said it would be difficult to pick just one highlight of her time at OLSS so far.
“It’s almost like an every day highlight,” she said. She loves the “ah ha” look on an older student’s face when they finally understand something they were having trouble with, or the brightening of a young child’s face when they see something new. She said another continuing highlight is when “values we’re trying to instill are coming through as actions,” like when the
8th Annual
Animal Fair Saturday, May 12th 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. St. Mary’s County Fairgrounds Events: Pet Pageant Woof It Down Contest Pet Parade Pet Photographer Adoptions - All day Pet Blessing Vendors - All day Pet King and Queen Contest Children’s Activities Silent Auction Microchipping K-9 Demonstrations Equine Events and MUCH more!
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Admission Fee - $5.00 Children 12 & Under - $1.00
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Sister Carolyn Marie and students.
Photo By Sean Rice
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Thursday, May 10, 2012
The Calvert Gazette STORY
students are kind and helpful toward one another, or even remind a teacher to recycle paper rather than throw it out. Sister Carolyn Marie will be leaving OLSS’s new principal the seeds of new growth at the school. In the year that has passed since the scramble to raise money, the school has increased enrollment and gotten a grant to install interactive white boards in three classrooms. Starting with next school year, OLSS will have new preschool program for four-year-olds. “It’s like a shot in the arm,” Sister Carolyn Marie said, explaining that between the fundraising that kept the school open and independent and the growth the school is experiencing, OLSS has turned a corner. Fundraising, while important, doesn’t say as much about the quality of the school as students’ performance in and out of the classroom. In addition to adding Pre-K, the students continue to succeed academically. They had students place first and second in both the boys and girl’s divisions of a regional oration competition; six of the nine prizes of the Americanism Essay Contest went to OLSS students, and other students have placed in regional and state contests against students older than themselves, Sister Carolyn Marie said. The outgoing principal said they have a solid curriculum to prepare students for high school. Three of Parreira’s children have made the transition into high school, and she said none of them had any problems academically. She said she and her husband first enrolled their children in OLSS because they were moving every couple of years and they wanted their children to remain at a constant school. She said OLSS has a “very family friendly atmosphere” and all the children and parents know each other. Sister Carolyn Marie said the older students act as role models for the younger students and take the time to interact with them and get to know them. She said Beth Oster the teachers also get to know the students from each grade by name. She said the school currently has 110 enrolled, and the maximum capacity is 245, though that is “not something we want to aim for.” Parents, students and even teachers benefit from the smaller class sizes, Sister Carolyn Marie said. Msgr. Wilson said OLSS has 115 signed up for next year, and they hope to
Sister Carolyn Marie
Photo By Sean Rice
Buy Your Favorite Graduate A Graduation Day Block! To be placed in the May 31st publication.
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Graduation is a time to celebrate your achievements, prepare for a future of opportunities and embrace a world of infinite possibilities.
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jennifer@somdpublishing.net reach 125 students. Our Lady Star of the Sea School is one of the oldest Catholic Schools in Southern Maryland, Sister Carolyn Marie said, behind St. John’s School and Little Flower School in St. Mary’s County. For more information, visit www. olsss.org. sarahmiller@countytimes.net
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Katie Thompson, Graduation is a time to celebrate your achievements, prepare for a future of opportunities and embrace a world of infinite possibilities.
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The Calvert Gazette
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Ruth Hudgies, 75
Roy King, 64
Mary LaMay, 96
Ruth E. Hudgies, 75, of Lusby, MD passed away on April 16, 2012 at Washington Adventist Hospital, Takoma Park, MD. She was born on October 7, 1936 to the late Julius and Emma Tabron in Franklinton, NC. Ruth attended public school in Franklinton NC and then went on to Business School in Washington DC. She continued on to Nursing School in Washington DC to make a career as a nurse. Ruth worked at DC General hospital for thirty four years until she retired. She was also employed at Calvert County Nursing Center, Asbury Solomon's Community Retirement Center and as a LPN for Calvert County Public Schools. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents Julius and Emma Tabron and two brothers, Sylvester and James Tabron. Ruth leaves to cherish her memories, one son, Jarad Hudgies (Calvert County) and his father Willie Hudgies, Jr .(Ohio); one grandson, Jonathan Kelly (Franklinton, NC); one sister, Rosetta King (Laurenzo King deceased (Franklinton NC)); one aunt, Lucy Maye Arrendell (Washington DC); one god son, Crispin Jones( Calvert County); four special friends Ethel Dixon (Upper Marlboro MD), Denise Kent (Lusby, MD), Otis Hayes (Lusby, MD) and Owen Howard (Lusby, Md.) and host of nieces and nephews, cousins and friends who will dearly miss her. Funeral service was held on Wednesday, April 25, 2012 at St. John UM Church, Lusby, MD with Rev. Dr. Samson Y. Nortey officiating. The interment was at Eastern United Methodist Church Cemetery, Lusby, MD. The pallbearers were family and friends. Funeral arrangements provided by Sewell Funeral Home, Prince Frederick, MD.
Au b r e y Leroy King, “Roy”, 64, of St. Leonard, MD passed away at his home on May 4, 2012. He was born on Aug. 24, 1947 in Washington D.C. to the late Aubrey A. and Doris L. King. Roy served in the Navy from November 1966 to October 1970 where he worked as ground crew on the USS Independence. He was awarded the National Defense Medal. After he was discharged, Roy went to work as a pressman for several different printing companies in the Metropolitan area. Roy was a very active man with many interest, his first love however was the Chesapeake Bay and all the activities that go along with the bay such as fishing, crabbing, and boating. He spent many hours walking the beach searching for shark’s teeth and has an extensive collection of them. Some of his other activities included snow skiing, motorcycles, target shooting, drinking beer, and working in his vegetable garden. Roy is survived by his wife, Holly Barnes of St. Leonard, MD, father of William “Billy” Barnes of St. Leonard, MD, and Monique Pierre of St. Leonard, MD. He is also survived by grandchildren Mariah Pierre and William Barnes, and nephews whom he raised, Wade Parson and Joseph Burnham. The family will receive friends on Thursday May 17, 2012 from 2-4 and 6-8 PM at the Rausch Funeral Home, P.A., 4405 Broomes Island Road , Port Republic, MD. Funeral services will be held on Friday May 18, 2012, 3 P.M. at Maryland Veterans Cemetery Chapel, Cheltenham, MD. Memorial contributions may be made to Calvert Hospice or Leukemia/ Lymphoma Society.
Mary Catherine LaMay, 96, of Rose Haven, MD passed away May 1, 2012. She was born Feb. 14, 1916 in Bethlehem, Penn., to John Francis and Agnes (Peters) Maguire. She was a 1937 graduate of Nazareth College in Rochester, NY. She married Vincent L. LaMay in St. Mary’s Church in Auburn, NY in 1940. They moved to the Washington area in 1956. Mary worked on Capital Hill for a year and then began teaching. She retired for Rogers Elementary School in Prince George’s County in 1975. Mary moved to Rose Haven in 1991. She was a member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church and its Ladies of Charity, Rose Haven Civic Association, and the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary Unit 206. Mary loved people and enjoyed their company at many various happy hours. She was preceded in death by her husband Vincent, a brother J. Frank Maguire and a sister Cloe Birmingham. Surviving are her children Jack LaMay of Leesburg, VA, Bill LaMay of Charlotte, NC, Jim LaMay and wife Donna of Ellicott City, MD, Tom LaMay of Rose Haven, MD and Kay Kingsbury and husband Ron of North Beach. Also surviving are nine grandchildren, David LaMay, Kym LaMay Foss, Stephen, Greg, Jeremy and Jeff Kingsbury, Alysie LaMay Doyle, Erika LaMay Keller and Bess LaMay, and 12 great grandchildren. Friends and family were received Thursday, May 3, 2012 at Rausch Funeral Home, Owings. A Mass of Christian Burial and celebration of Mary’s life was held Friday, May 4, 2012 at St. Anthony’s Church, North Beach, MD. Interment followed at Resurrection Cemetery, Clinton, MD. Memorial contributions in Mary’s name may be made to Calvert Hospice, P.O. Box 838 Prince Frederick, MD 20678 or online at www.calverthospice.org.
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Anthony Mason, 64 Anthony Carlton Mason, 64, of Lothian, MD passed away on April 24, 2012 at his residence. Anthony was born on Aug. 13, 1947 to Blondell Samuel Mason, Sr.& the late Pinkie Mason of Broomes Island, Maryland. Anthony attended the public schools of Calvert County, Maryland and graduated from W.S. Brooks High School in Prince Frederick, Maryland.
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On June 1, 1968 he united with Valerie Lucille Thomas. From this union three children were born. On May 7, 1970 Anthony joined the U.S. Army where he served 2 years with an honorable discharge. He became a Brick Layer/Cement Finisher for Hopkins & Wayson. Anthony also became a painter for several years. Anthony enjoyed his time with Family and Friends. His favorite hobbies were: fishing, grilling, and most of all playing "Bid Whist" with his playing partner Sidney Jones. His favorite bid was "6 No" follow behind the saying, "That's the Crab House"! He leaves to cherish the memories of his life: his wife, Valerie Mason; three children: Faye Hall, Antonia Mason, and Anthony Carlton Mason, Jr., father: Blondell S. Mason, Sr.; four brothers: Blondell S. Mason, (Barbara), George E. Mason, (Velma), Ricky O. Mason, (Marilyn), John B. Mason, (Kate); four sisters: Pinkie D. Strother (Robert), Gloria V. Mason, Velvet Wallace (Mark) and Tara Mason; Six sisters-in-law: Vernice Custard, Dorothy Jacks, Mary Ruth Green, Corina Reed, Beatrice Riggs, (Arthur) and Cynthia Jones, (Sidney); Four brothers-in-law: Everette Thomas (Mary), William Thomas, Earl Thomas, Vincent Thomas; six grandchildren: Corey Hall, Polo Hall, Darian Hall, Mailia Woolford, Takesha Marie Mason, Sharon Mason and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles and one very special friend, John Hall. Funeral service was held on Monday, April 30, 2012 at Dunkirk Baptist Church, Dunkirk, MD with Rev. George Mason officiating. The interment was at Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery, Cheltenham, MD. The pallbearers were Allen Contee, Troy Brooks, Shabazz Gray, Shannon Jones, Winefield Harvey and Scott Strother. The honorary pallbearers were Douglass Green, John Hall, Douglass Harvey and Larry Harvey. Funeral arrangements provided by Sewell Funeral Home, Prince Frederick, MD.
Margaret Pratt, 92 Margaret Agnes Pratt, 92, passed away on April 28, 2012 at her home in Chesapeake Beach, MD. She was born April 28, 1920 in Baltimore, MD to Robert A. and Maggie (Wills) Dugan. Margaret was a 1938 graduate of St. Patrick’s High School in Washington, DC. She was married to Lawrence R. “Joe” Pratt, Sr. in Washington on February 22, 1942. She and her husband purchased a cottage in Chesapeake Beach as a summer retreat in 1965. Margaret was employed as a personnel manager with the department of Health and Human Services retiring in 1980. She has resided in
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Chesapeake Beach full time since 1982. Margaret was a member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church and volunteered at Help, Inc in Owings for over 25 years. She was preceded in death by her husband Joe in 1976, a daughter, a grandson, a brother and four sisters. Surviving are a son Lawrence R. Pratt, Jr. and his wife Mary Jean of Crownsville, MD and daughter Barbara Jean Adkins and her husband Wayne of Chester, MD, eleven grandchildren including her caregiver Susan L. Adkins, eighteen great grandchildren and three great- great grandchildren. Friends were received at Rausch Funeral Home, Owings, on May 6, 2012. A Mass of Christian Burial and celebration of her life was held May 7, 2012 at St. Anthony’s Church, North Beach, MD. Interment followed at George Washington Cemetery, Adelphi, MD. Memorial contributions may be made to Help Association, Inc., 1260 East Mt. Harmony Road, Owings, MD 20736
Sharon Rogers, 68 Sharon Carol Rogers, 68, of North Beach, MD passed away May 3, 2012 at her residence. She was born Oct. 22, 1943 in Prince Frederick, MD to William Alexander and Lucille Mary (Wood) Hooper. She received her education in Calvert County Schools and was a 1961 graduate of Calvert High School. Sharon married John Francis Rogers in Bowens now part of Prince Frederick in 1961. She was a deli clerk at the A&P which became Superfresh for 28 years until retiring in 2000. Sharon enjoyed sports especially softball and NASCAR, fuzzy art, the color pink, vacations in Florida and her dog Lovie. She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother Norval “Butch” Hooper Surviving are three children Denise “Dee” Rogers and her partner Edna of Upper Marlboro, MD, Darrin Rogers and his wife Candi of Dunkirk and Angela “Angie” McDonald and her husband Joe of North Beach; three grandchildren Kristen Sneade and her husband Jason of Dunkirk, Stacie Rogers and her partner Shawn of Dunkirk and Zachary McDonald of North Beach; three sisters Patricia Rawlings of Prince Frederick, Joan Mattingly of Lusby and Bonnie Flaherty of Prince Frederick and a brother Billy Hooper and his wife Cindy of Prince Frederick. Sharon was awaiting the birth of a great grandson Landon Carroll. Friends were received on Monday, May 7, 2012, at Rausch Funeral Home, Owings, where a service and a celebration of Sharon’s life was held Tuesday, May 8. Interment followed at Central
The Calvert Gazette
Cemetery, Barstow. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Dept 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142 or online at www.stjude.org/ tribute or Calvert Hospice, P.O. Box 838, Prince Frederick, MD 20678 or online at www.calverthospice.org
Joseph Sheleheda, 96 J o s e p h Sheleheda of Solomons, MD passed away on May 3, 2012. He was born in New Alexandria, Penn. on Dec. 7, 1915 to immigrants from Europe, Wasyl Sheleheda and Leona Narbesky Sheleheda. Joe is survived by his wife Stella. They were recently recognized by Marriage Encounter as the longest married couple in Maryland at 73 years. They were members of the Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church since relocating from Ambridge, Penn., to be close to family, in 2004. Prior to that they were lifetime members of Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church in Ambridge, Penn. Joe and Stella were residents of Harmony Township, Penn. from 1943, until 2004. Joe worked and retired from H. H. Robertson after 38 years in 1979 as a Die Maintenance Machinist. There he and Stella enjoyed the view of his back yard where he nurtured a variety of beautiful flowers. He was a member of the U. S. Navy, serving in the Asiatic Pacific Campaign during World War II. In Ambridge, he was a member of the American Legion, Post 341, the Eagles and the Ukrainian National Association, 161. Joe was a life time sports fan, particularly the Pittsburgh teams. He was conversant in football, baseball, golf and horse racing, even in his advance age. Joe was an avid writer. A touchstone for family and friends, he regularly penned numerous letters to pen pals and relatives, but mostly shut in friends, as distant as Poland, that were contemporaries from his life in Pennsylvania. Encouraged by his daughter in-law, Doris, he also left two journals and had just started a third of his life and times as remembrances of the stories that he often told his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He will be truly missed by legions of relatives, friends and acquaintances, from bank tellers to grocery and pharmacy clerks. Joe is survived by two sons, Joseph W. Sheleheda and his wife, Christine, who live in Las Vegas; son, William D. Sheleheda and his wife, Doris, from Lusby, and his daughter, Stella Marie Sheleheda, who resides in Carpentersville, IL. Also, six grandchildren, Alan Sheleheda and his wife, Becky; Karen Sheleheda; and David Sheleheda and his wife, Susan, all of whom reside in Las Vegas;
David Pucciarella and his wife Sherry, St. Leonard, MD; Anthony Pucciarella and his wife, Suzanne, Lusby, and Beth McClenahan and her husband, Michael, Landsdown, VA. Joe and Stella have 13 great-grandchildren. Joseph was preceded in death by his son, James M. Sheleheda; brother, Mike Sheleheda and sisters, Alice Schieb and Helen Jackson. The family received friends May 5, at Rausch Funeral Home, in Lusby, and also at the Syka Funeral Home in Ambridge, Penn. On May 8, followed by a requiem mass at Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church, in Ambridge. Burial, with military honors, followed at the Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church Cemetery, Economy Twp. Penn. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Our Lady Star of the Sea - Support a Student Fund, P.O. Box 560, Solomons, MD 20688-0560.
Smitty Smith, 65 Marvin S. Smith, 65, of District Heights, MD passed away on April 19, 2012 at Southern Maryland Hospital, Clinton, MD. Ma r v i n Sylvester Smith (AKA Smitty) was born in Sunderland, Maryland, to the late Benjamin (AKA Kido) and Caroline Smith, on January 15, 1947. Smitty received his education from the Calvert County School System. Smitty accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior at an early age. He enjoyed going to
church with his late Uncle and Aunt, Herman and Martha Carter. Smitty was a happy, energetic person. He was very friendly and outgoing and always had a smile; a passionate and kindhearted individual to all he knew. Smitty was proficient and professional in all sorts of masonry. He owned his own masonry company, the Anne Arundel Masonry, at the age of 21. He would stick out his chest and brag to his family and friends as often as he could. Smitty called his hands "magic hands." One of his prize creations was the Hargrove Mansion in Lothian, Maryland. He also helped in the design of several Cherry Blossom Balls and on several occasions he built the chair for the Cherry Blossom Queen. Smitty entered into holy matrimony on March 19, 1966, and from this union are three children. He leaves to cherish his precious memories his wife, Madeline Smith; two sons Darell and Fabian Smith; one daughter, Reesa (Weedy) Smith; three brothers, James (Agnes), Everett and Winfield Smith; four sisters, Calvertia Parrish, Phyllis McKinney, Yvonne Henson (Larry) and Lorraine Amos (Horace), mother-in-law, Eva Smith, four grand children, two great-grandchildren, four aunts, four brothers-in-law, six sisters-in-law and a host of nieces, nephews, family and devoted friends. Funeral service was held on Wednesday, April 25, 2012 at Carroll Western UM Church, Prince Frederick, MD with Rev. Roland M. Barnes officiating. The interment was at Carroll Western Cemetery, Prince Frederick, MD. The pallbearers were Keith Watkins, Fabian Scott, Wayne Smith, Fabian Smith, Stanley Faison and Dominick Robinson. The honorary pallbearers were Eugene Washington and Shannon Smith. Funeral arrangements provided by Sewell Funeral Home, Prince Frederick, MD.
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The Calvert Gazette
Thursday, May 10, 2012
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Del. Fisher Hosts Red Carpet Affair By Sarah Miller Staff Writer Supporters of Delegate Mark Fisher packed into The Hall in Huntingtown on Friday night for a silent and live auction to raise money for Friends of Mark Fisher. Fisher friend and supporter Sharon Smith said the evening was originally scheduled for fall 2011, but had to be re-scheduled due to a special session. Delegates and senators aren’t allowed to fundraise during session, she said. Organizers couldn’t even sell tickets during the session, though they were allowed to send out “save the date cards.” Fisher said everyone was “crossing our fingers” that the special session was not scheduled to start until after the fundraising evening.
Students from the Northern High School Chapter of the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) were helpers during the evening, acting as servers, checking people in and giving them a bid number. Smith had high praise for the FBLA president, Northern senior Katie Cano. “She’s been very instrumental,” Smith said. Fisher’s son, Sam Fisher, was among the students working a the event. Fisher said he was happy to have the kids helping out for the evening. Part of the proceeds was donated to Gray’s Field Foundation and the Calvert, Huntingtown and Northern High School Chapters of the FBLA. sarahmiller@countytimes.net
Photo By Sarah Miller
Delegate Mark Fisher poses with supporters during a fundraiser on Friday.
Sen. Miller Receives First Calvert Library Foundation Award By Sarah Miller Staff Writer Supporters of the Calvert Public Library came out April 28 to celebrate the first ever award for service and outstanding contributions to Calvert Library – with Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr. taking top honors. Calvert Library Foundation President Kip At Lee said Miller has a history of supporting the library as both a patron and a state senator. “We wouldn’t have a new library if it weren’t for him,” At Lee said. Calvert Library Director Pat Hofmann said Miller has made sure libraries get state money every year. “He will take care of us. I haven’t had Photo by Sarah Miller a worry about the state,” Hofmann said. Miller said he has been a voracious Maryland Senate President Mike Miller
Dowell Spelling Bee Winners
Photo courtesy of Susan DeGuzman
Dowell Elementary School recently held its annual Spelling Bee, with separate bees for each grade, kindergarten through fifth. The bees were a great learning experience for children, building confidence to speak on stage and spelling skills, according to organizer Susan DeGuzman. Each grade had many participants who did well and worked hard, following all official spelling bee rules. The school is very proud of all the participants, and especially acknowledges the following Bee winners for each grade: 1st place: Gabi Backus (5), Atreyu Allen (4), Ashley Cianfrani (3), Alayna Sievert (2), Jamie Turner-Sisson (1), Dhiraj Patel (K) 2nd place: Grace MacDonald (5), Jordan Abell (4), Emily Reed (3), Zaynee Allen (2), Justin Dowell (1), Stefan Fernandez (K) 3rd place: Blaine Swanzy (5), Haley Wilson (4), Gabriel Cuthrell (3), Joshua Meints (2), Olivia LaRose (1), Ryleigh Foster (K). Pictured from left is 4th grade winners Haley Wilson, left, Jordan Abell and Atreyu Allen.
reader since childhood, and still stops in at libraries when he has the time. Hofmann said he can often be seen in the history section when he visits the library. Because of this, instead of giving him a plaque to hang in his office or at home, Hofmann said the Maryland History section in each of the libraries will be named for Miller. Proceeds from the evening went to support Calvert libraries, including the new branch coming soon to Solomons Island. County Commissioner President Jerry Clark said the new library is “something dear to my heart that I was hoping for and pushing for.” He couldn’t vote for the move to the new location due to a conflict of interest, but believes the day society believes they no longer need libraries will be a sad day. The dinner was in honor of Washing-
ton Post Reporter Donnie Radcliffe. The Fireplace Reading room in the new library will be named in her honor. Mary Hardar with the Washington Post accepted the posthumous award for Radcliffe, saying Radcliffe loved Maryland and, once when she was in a retirement facility in Philadelphia she went missing and was found trying to buy a train ticket to Maryland. “It resided in her mind even when she was losing her mind,” Hardar said. Radcliffe’s beat was covering the First Lady, and she knew and wrote about each president and first lady from the Johnson to the Clinton administration. At Lee said Radcliffe “served tirelessly to make the library in Prince Frederick happen.” sarahmiller@countytimes.net
Rights & Responsibilities Discussion
There is a lot of rhetoric around rights and responsibilities and many opinions about what should be classified a basic human right and what should not. Calvert Library Prince Frederick invites thoughtful, interested participants to talk about this on Thursday, May 17 at 7 p.m. This event is the next conversation planned by the Civil Discourse Committee made up of engaged members of the community including such partners as the Community Mediation Center, All Saints Episcopal Church, Trinity United Methodist Church, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Southern Maryland, and other active engaged citizens. The committee has been planning and moderating a series of conversations over the last several years on a host of controversial topics, often of particular local interest. The series’ mission is to encourage folks with conflicting viewpoints founded on diverse experiences to talk together with the goal of understanding one another better and thereby build a stronger community. For May’s conversation, Dr. Richard Bilsker, Professor of Philosophy and the Social Sciences at the College of Southern Maryland, has been invited to provide a common reading that is expected to contain a glossary of terms and a summary of the major theories across the wide philosophical spectrum of this issue. This handout should provide a common starting ground from which the conversation can begin. Participants will explore their understanding of rights, liberties and responsibilities. What do we really mean when we say we believe something should be a “basic human right”? Or that it shouldn’t be considered a right? What personal life experience or perspective brings us to that conclusion? How do others come to their own diverse perspectives? For more information, call Robyn Truslow at 410-535-0291.
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The Calvert Gazette
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Restaurants and Retail Are The Focus of Biz Appreciation Week By Corrin M. Howe Staff Writer Calvert County Department of Economic Development dedicates a week of activities every year to show appreciation for local businesses. “It is a way to spotlight the business community in Calvert,” said Maria Dorsett, Business Retention Specialist. One of the activities during the week is to send a team of Ambassadors, headed by a County Commissioner, to visit businesses on site for about an hour. Each team includes a representative from other resource government agencies. While at the business, the team has an opportunity to discover if there are any issues which it might be able to help the business solve, according to Dorsett. Commissioners were out making these visits on Tuesday. “These visits are always very successful. It Edible Arrangements located in Lusby is one of the stops for Ambassadors of Calvert shows the business that they are valued, it puts County to visit during Business Appreciation Week. them in the limelight and gives them an opportunity to provide feedback. We really take that feeda specific area of business. In the past it as spotlighted green back to heart. If it is not something we can handle during the businesses, healthcare, and start ups, according to Dorsett. visit, we take notes and make sure we follow up,” said Dorsett. The rest of this week has an activity or two planned each The general issues that have come up over the years day. This year the activities include a kick-off with present and include signage, zoning and building issues, and tax issues. past business honorees, a Business Woman’s Roundtable, part Then there are issues that are unique to the particular business. two of a three-part social media training in marketing and netEach year, the Business Appreciation Week focuses on working opportunities.
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School Budget Proposal Due Today By Sarah Miller Staff Writer Even while state legislators prepare for a special session to revisit the budget, and with the threat of the pension shift still hanging in the air, Calvert Public Schools has no choice but to turn in their budget for the year. The board of education intends to vote on the operating budget May 10. Superintendent Jack Smith said the proposed budget is not much different from previous drafts, he said. Some money was moved around but there are “no substantial cuts.” They discussed the effect a pension shift could have on the school funding, and the upcoming legislative special session. It was recently announced the special session will convene on May 14. Gail Hoerauf-Bennett, county schools spokeswoman, briefed the board on legislation that passed during the school year, including a bill that will increase the minimum age that students have to stay in school and a bill reinstating the High School Assessment (HAS) in government, which will start again during the 2014/2015 school year. Some seniors will graduate without having been required to take the government HAS, Bennett said. Calvert Schools only had one bill they requested, extending the life of busses from 12 to 15 years, which passed. St. Mary’s and Charles counties submitted similar bills. They also discussed changes to the school code of conduct for students, which include discouraging students from bringing iPads and e-readers to school, explaining such items are targets for theft and do not belong in the school. If a teacher is using ereaders for instruction, they will be supplied to the students in the classroom.
Calvert High Construction Moving to Phase Two By Sarah Miller Staff Writer With the final touches being put on the new school on Dares Beach Road, teachers are getting ready to move and start next school year in a brand new, top-of-the-line Calvert High School. The first phase of Calvert High School is “essentially complete,” said Director of School Construction George Leah. The interior of the building is finished, and all that is left is some siding work and landscaping. In August, the old school will be demolished and phase two will begin – which includes a new auditorium, art wing and gymnasium. For the spaces that have not been completed, Leah said there are interim locations at other schools and Calvert Career Center. Phase one is being completed ahead of schedule, Leah said. “We just didn’t have any weather to slow us down,” he said, citing the warm winter and temperate conditions. Though they can’t move the students to the new building so close to the end of the school year, they will be released two days early to allow teachers time to move their classrooms over before they go on summer vacation. Leah said the school should be fully completed by 2014. After Calvert High School, he said there are various roofing projects and other smaller jobs that need to be done throughout the county. Northern High School is slated to be the next for a replacement, but Leah said they are waiting for the results of a feasibility study from the state before moving forward with that. He said the study should be completed in a couple of months. He said schools for replacement are chosen according to the age, “systemic wellness,” and total capacity of the school, among other factors. In the case of Northern High School, he said it is not up to the systemic standards the county wants in their schools. He said there are no serious health issues with the school “but we can do better” by making it a green school and updating it. sarahmiller@countytimes.net
The Calvert Gazette
Thursday, May 10, 2012
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Mapping Schools, Liquor Stores County Wide By Sarah Miller Staff Writer In the continuing effort to target and reduce underage drinking county wide, the Underage Alcohol Abuse Reduction Team (UAART) is setting up booths at several events throughout the summer where alcohol will be sold. “Underage drinking is usually an emotional issue for people,” said Maryland Strategic Framework Monitor Anna Black, employed through CAASA. During their second monthly meeting, reports were given about underage drinking reports in the media. Local Maryland Strategic Prevention Framework (MSPF) evaluator Kendall Sorenson-Clark said the alcohol industry is doing what the smoking industry once did by trying to appeal to younger age groups, through advertising and items like alcohol pops. She said there are also containers for alcohol that look like energy drinks, nail polish bottles and lipstick tubes which make it easy to conceal possession of alcohol. She said social norms and the availability of alcohol have also contributed to an increase in underage drinking. She said the members of the task force have been working to get surveys out to young people about any drinking habits they have. She said some get alcohol from friends over 21, while others get it from their parents or friends’ parents with the understanding they’ll be spending the night at the house. One of the students who came to the meeting said there is a vendor near their school that will sell cigarettes and alcohol to minors. “Everybody on my bus has bought something from there,” said the student, who wishes to remain anonymous. Deputy First Class Andre Mitchell attended the meeting, and said in instances like the one the student described police will ask underage volunteers to go in and attempt to purchase alcohol as part of a sting operation. Black said there is an ongoing project to map each of the schools, playgrounds and parks in correlation to locations that sell alcohol. In the case of Patuxent High School alone, Black said there are 10 establishments within a couple miles of the school,
Photo by Sarah Miller Kendall Sorenson-Clark talks about combating Calvert’s underage drinking issue during a recent meeting of the Underage Alcohol Abuse Reduction Team (UAART), while Anna Black listens in.
easy walking distance for the students. Even though it’s illegal, Sorenson-Clark said minors still drink alcohol because they are unaware affects it can have on their health, which could follow them their entire lives. They also aren’t afraid of being caught because they don’t believe they will be punished. Mitchell said the sheriff’s office could issue a civil citation and contact the parents of minors who have been drinking. For parents, he said they can serve alcohol to their own children, but can be fined up to $2,500 for every child they serve that is not theirs. The group is open to students and adults alike. Black said anybody is welcome to attend meetings, and involvement can count toward graduation as volunteer hours for students. Black is in charge of monitoring the grant that made the group possible – $33,000 per fiscal period for five years through the Maryland Strategic Prevention Framework. This year will be the first that the money is available, Black said. The group’s next meeting is 6:30 p.m. May 30 in the Prince Frederick Library. sarahmiller@countytimes.net
Local PTA Fundraising for School Sign By Sarah Miller Staff Writer St. Leonard Elementary School’s PTA is dedicated to the school, and a current fundraiser will help make sure everyone driving by knows what school they are seeing. PTA President Jocelyn Lipscomb said St. Leonard Elementary is one of the only schools left in the county that was constructed without a marquee sign. The PTA is raising money to have one installed. The sign itself costs $5,900, Lipscomb said, and they are working with a mason for a quote on the brickwork. To raise money for the brickwork, Lipscomb said they are selling bricks to be inscribed names of families attending the school, or other appropriate inscriptions. She said for the sign itself, the PTA has hosted an after school cooking club, sold Boo-Grams at Halloween and sold cotton candy at school festivals, among other things. Lipscomb said individual fami-
lies have also given donations, one as much as $1,000 and another for $900. Before installing the sign, Lipscomb said they have to get permits from the state and the county. Getting the permits is “really the only things that’s holding us up,” she said. She said the Board of Education supports the project, in addition to the parents and the staff at the school. “We all wanted the sign,” she said. This is the second time the PTA has made an effort to get a sign for the front of the school. Lipscomb said the first fundraiser petered out with the economic downturn. She said this is the largest fundraising effort she remembers doing with the PTA. Anybody interested in making a donation or purchasing a brick can e-mail slesptapresident@yahoo.com or slessign@yahoo.com. sarahmiller@countytimes.net
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The Calvert Gazette
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Newsmakers
Huntingtown Resident Trying to Raise $10,000 for Research By Sarah Miller Staff Writer Huntingtown resident Shirley Cleaver has high hopes for the first-ever Unite@Night Walk in North Beach on June 9 – she is aiming to raise $10,000 for the Chiari and Syringomyelia Foundation. Though the condition is relatively rare, Cleaver said there are three people with Chiari in Calvert County alone. She said Chiari is a malformation of the brain where the brain is too large for the skull and part of it gets pushed down toward the spinal column. She said symptoms include headaches, dizziness, vertigo and nausea. The symptoms can mimic a migraine or other conditions, and are often misdiagnosed. Unite@night will be a one mile walk at various sites across the country, Cleaver said. She said the money goes to support CSF Chapters, provide education and increase awareness. It will also help fund research and help people with the disorder.
“They don’t really know what causes it,” Cleaver said. She explained that when she goes to a doctor’s office, she has to tell them she has Chiari and often explain what it is to the doctor treating her, because it is relatively new and obscure. Currently, the only treatment includes brain surgery, Cleaver said. She said she had surgery in 2010 and the symptoms began getting better. She said she feels blessed and lucky to have been diagnosed and successfully treated. “It’s been a journey,” she said. She said the symptoms can be debilitating, and there are many who remain undiagnosed. She said the goal of this walk is to raise awareness as well as money. She said the North Beach walk has already collected $4,000 in donations and they are looking for corporate sponsors to help with funding. For $50, she said, sponsors can get a sign with the company’s name and logo along the walk route. The signs will also have information about symptoms of the conditions. There will also be a raffle for a Pandora bracelet and a 50/50 drawing. Cleaver will be in Dunkirk at the Safeway on May 12 and the Wal-Mart May 17 and 24 from 2:30-8:30 p.m. selling raffle and 50/50 tickets. They will also be sold on the day of the walk starting at 4 p.m. Cleaver said the drawings will be at 7 p.m. on June 9. A local jeweler donated the Pandora bracelet and Cleaver said the helium for the balloons was also donated. North Beach donated the use of the boardwalk. Cleaver said the only thing she’s paying for is the tent for registration. She said the community response has been huge and individuals and local businesses have been generous. According to the website, “this walk will bring together people who are suffering from the devastating effects of Chiari malformation, syringomyelia, Ehlers-Danlos, hydrocephalus, intracranial hypertension, dysautonomia,
autism and related disorders.” The North Beach Unite@Night walk will be at the boardwalk in North Beach on June 9 with check in at 6 p.m. The walk itself will begin at 7:30 p.m. Participation in the walk is free. Individuals donating $25 will receive an illuminated balloon and individuals who raise $50 or more will receive the balloon and a unite@night t-shirt. Visit www.csfinfo.org for more information or to preregister for the North Beach walk. sarahmiller@countytimes.net
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Thursday, May 10, 2012
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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.
Weekly Races, Friday Socials, Comedy Shows and Sailing Lessons By Sarah Miller Staff Writer With a prime location on the waterfront of Solomons Island, the Southern Maryland Sailing Association offers its members a place to get on the water as well as a place to unwind. Every Wednesday and Thursday, the association holds races. Wednesday is the weekly keelboat races, starting at 6:30 p.m. and small boat races are on Thursdays starting at 6:30 p.m. In addition to the weekly races, the association holds the annual Screwpile Light House Challenge during the summer. This year’s regatta is July 15-17. The entry fee is $180 per boat, if received by 12 p.m. on June 30. Entries received after
June 30 will include a late fee of $75. No entries will be accepted after 12 p.m.on July 11. Entry forms can be printed at www.screwpile.net and mailed to P.O. Box 66 in Hollywood. Port Events coordinator Hannah Schneider said people don’t need a boat to join the association. “A lot of people don’t realize they can get on the water very easily in Southern Maryland,” Schneider said. Individuals without boats can join a crew for one of the races on Wednesday, which encompasses boats over 21 feet long. She said members often go on cruises and are willing to take people with them. While sailing is a large part of the association, they also hold four or five
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“Port Events” every year at the clubhouse for association members and their guests. Schneider said she puts events together whenever there’s an idea and she has the time to commit to it. Schneider said they try to get programs together that are “pizzazzy.” Past Port Events have included a murder mystery dinner theatre, a comedy show, Oktoberfest and, most recently, Burlesque by the Bay, an oyster scald and a luau. Coming up is a performance by The Eastport Oyster Boys on June 10. The Oyster Boys are “A troupe of Chesapeake Bay Troubadours celebrating life here in the ‘Land of Pleasant Living’ and along the shores of the Chesapeake ... through song and story, and mirth. The Eastport Oyster Boys have been acclaimed as the Musical Goodwill Ambassadors from the City of Annapolis, the Maritime Republic of Eastport and the Chesapeake,” according to their website.
Doors open at 4 p.m. for the Oyster Boys. Tickets can be purchased on the Southern Maryland Sailing Association website for $15 or for $18 at the door, if available. Every Friday, the association holds a happy hour starting at 5 p.m., with a cash bar open to individuals over the age of 21. There are also classes held, including kids camps during the summer where they learn to sail a dinghy by themselves. She said several area schools have started sailing teams. Communications coordinator Megan Hildenberger said all money made from events and the regatta goes into the club to pay for the clubhouse space and other bills. For more information, visit www. smsa.com. sarahmiller@countytimes.net
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The Calvert Gazette
Thursday, May 10, 2012
• Over the Rainbow: A Musical Tribute to Yesteryear
Patuxent Voices
Out&About the Arts Council of Calvert County, who passed away in March 2012. Pat Carpenter’s zest and enthusiasm for life and love of the arts will be celebrated on this special night. If you have not been to Annmarie Garden recently, May 18 is the time to visit! For more information visit www.annmariegarden.org or call: 410.326.4640.
This spring Patuxent Voices takes a sentimental journey through the great pop tunes from the 1940s, 50s, and 60s. The group is performing on Saturday, May 12, 1 p.m. at the Calvert Wine & Art Fest in Sunderland. Concert performances on May 19, 7:30 p.m. at Trinity Church, St. Mary’s College; or Sunday, May 20, 3 p.m. at All Saints Church in Sunderland. No admission but donations accepted at the door. Check the website for details, www.patuxentvoices.org.
• Asbury Sale
• Boating Safety Classes Drum Point Flotilla, US Coast Guard Auxiliary, is conducting a Maryland Boating Safety Education Class beginning May 14, consisting of five two-hour class sessions on Monday and Tuesday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m., on May 14, 15, 21, 22, and 28. Classes are held at the County Services Plaza, 150 Main Street, Prince Frederick. Cost is $20. Call 410535-2035 or visit our website, http//www. drumpoint.org to register.
• Why should kids get to have all the fun this summer? Calvert Library is hosting a reading contest for adults that features great books and prizes! If you are 18 or older, be sure to pick up a game board (or two or three) at your local Calvert Library branch. The contest will run from May 15-Aug. 30 and participants are encouraged to enter as many game boards as they can. The
Photo By Robert Hurry
more entries a person submits, the more chances they will have to win. The game boards will challenge players to read or listen to 12 different books that showcase different covers, genres, characters, and settings. Books used may be adult fiction, nonfiction, biography, young adult, or graphic novel. Children’s books may not be used. By the time players have turned in their boards, they will have read a little of this and a little of that and had a lot of fun in the process. For more information, visit any Calvert Library location or visit us on the web at http://calv.lib.md.us.
• Mikulski Aid to Speak The National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE), Calvert County Chapter 1466, will meet at 1 p.m. on Thursday May 17 at the Calvert
Entertainment Calendar Thursday, May 10 Live Music: “Gretchen Richie: The Songs of Sinatra” Fenwick Street Used Books & Music (41655 Fenwick Stree, Leonardtown) – 6 p.m. Salsa Thursday House of Dance (24620 Three Notch Rd., Hollywood) – 6:30 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Dusty Sea Breeze Restaurant & Crab House (27130 S. Sandgates Rd., Mechanicsville) – 8:30 p.m.
Friday, May 11
Pines Senior Center, West Dares Beach Rd. Prince Frederick, MD. There will be a short presentation by Kirsten Soper from MD Senator Mikulski’s office, followed by a business meeting. Also, join us for an early lunch at 11:15 a.m., this month at Mama Lucia’s in Prince Frederick. Active and Retired Federal employees, spouses, members, non-members and guests are welcome. For NARFE membership Information and Application, Call 410-586-1441.
• Fairies in the Garden – Dedicated to Pat Carpenter Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center presents a very magical Annmarie After Hours on Friday, May 18, 2012, 6 – 9 p.m. in celebration of 70 fairy and gnome homes, created by members of the community! Annmarie Garden dedicates this year’s Fairies in the Garden exhibit to Pat Carpenter, former Executive Director of
Live Music: “Bob Wire & the Fence Posts” Rustic River Bar and Grill (40874 Merchants Lane, Leonardtown) – 8 p.m.
Live Music: “Safe Harbor” @ SMAWL Animal Fair St. Mary’s County Fairgrounds (42455 Fairgrounds Road, Leonardtown) – 1 & 3 p.m.
Live Music: “The Piranhas” The Green Turtle (98 Solomons Island Rd., South Prince Frederick) – 9 p.m.
COSMIC Symphony Season Finale Great Mills High School (21130 Great Mills Road, Great Mills) – 7 p.m.
Live Music: “Justin Crenshaw Band” Port Tobacco Marina (7610 Shirley Blvd., Port Tobacco) – 9 p.m.
Live Music: “Ta’Kila Jones” Vera’s White Sands Beach Club (1200 White Sands Drive, Lusby) – 9:30 p.m.
Live Music: “Dave & Kevin Trio” Hole In the Wall Tavern (24702 Sotterley Road, Hollywood) – 9 p.m.
Live Music: “Pet the Monster” Sea Breeze Restaurant & Crab House (27130 S. Sandgates Rd., Mechanicsville) – 8 p.m.
Saturday, May 12
Live Music: “Rusty in the Middle” Sea Breeze Restaurant & Crab House (27130 S. Sandgates Rd., Mechanicsville) – 8 p.m.
Live Music: “Sam Grow Band” Dew Drop Inn (23966 Mervell Dean Road, Hollywood) – 9 p.m.
Live Music: “Hot Tub Limo” Big Dogs Paradise (28765 Three Notch Road, Mechanicsville) – 9:30 p.m.
Live Music: “Too Many Mikes” Cryer’s Back Road Inn (22094 Newtowne Neck Road, Leonardtown) – 8 p.m.
Live Music: “Seventh Day Slumber with Manic Drive & Ilia” The 7:30 Club (28297 Old Village Road, Mechanicsville) – 7 p.m.
Live Music: “Matt Garrett” Ruddy Duck Brewery (13200 Dowell Road, Dowell) – 8 p.m.
Live Music: “Joy Bodycomb Band” Anthony’s Bar and Grill (10371 Southern Maryland Blvd., Dunkirk) – 9 p.m.
Live Music: “Three Notch Country” Anderson’s Bar (23945 Colton Point Road, Clements) – 8:30 p.m.
Live Music: “The Naked Jam Band feat. Jennifer Cooper” The Blue Dog Saloon (7940 Port Tobacco Road, Port Tobacco) – 8:30 p.m.
Live Music: “The Not So Modern Jazz Quartet” The Westlawn Inn (9200 Chesapeake Avenue, North Beach) – 7:30 p.m.
Live Music: “Mayday Mayday” Big Dogs Paradise (28765 Three Notch Road, Mechanicsville) – 9:30 p.m.
Scarlet Plus Karaoke Contest Gridiron Grill (20855 Callaway Village Way, Callaway) – 8 p.m.
There will be a sale on May 19, 2012 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Asbury Solomons Retirement Community, 11000 Asbury Circle, Solomons, in the auditorium. This will include Betty’s Closet a resale of new and gently used clothing, accessories and jewelry. The library committee will also have many books on sale at great prices. Grannies Treasures will also be selling housewares, furniture and many miscellaneous items. All proceeds will benefit the Benevolent Care Fund. For information, call 410-394-3483.
• Southern Maryland Encore Chorale Encore Creativity for Older Adults presents a Spring Concert – Southern Maryland Encore Chorale – Conducted by Krystal Rickard McCoy. The event will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 19, 2012 at Calvert Marine Museum 14200 Solomons Island Road, Solomons Island. Admission is free. For more information see EncoreCreativity.org or call 301-261-5747.
Sunday, May 13, Mother’s Day Live Music: “Country Memories Band” Vera’s White Sands Beach Club (1200 White Sands Drive, Lusby) – 3 p.m. Free Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Tournament OCI Pub (45413 Lighthouse Road, Piney Point) – 2 p.m.
Monday, May 14 Open Mic Night Rustic River Bar and Grill (40874 Merchants Lane, Leonardtown) – 5 p.m.
Tuesday, May 15 Open Mic Night Ruddy Duck Brewery (13200 Dowell Road, Dowell) – 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, May 16 Live Music: “Mason Sebastian” DB McMillan’s (23415 Three Notch Road, California) – 5 p.m. “Wolf’s Open Blues Jam” Emerald Cove (3800 Harbor Road, Chesapeake Beach) - 8 p.m.
The Calvert Gazette
ner
e i d d i K Kor
CLUES ACROSS
Thursday, May 10, 2012
1. Scarlett’s home 5. Mideast confection 10. Mutual savings bank 13. Organic compound 14. The Hunter constellation 15. Kindred 17. Tip of the Aleutians 18. Melt to separate metals 19. Fr. Riviera city 20. Severe storm sound 23. Arabian ruler (alt. sp.) 24. 1/100 of a yen 25. Office of Public Information 26. Radioactivity unit 29. Symbol for actinium 30. Chinese ethnic group w/ colorful clothes 32. Alias 33. Ralph Waldo __ 37. Tough Asiatic grass 39. Macaws 40. Swiss river 44. Word formed from initial letters 48. Long fluffy scarf 49. Blighia sapida 51. Anno Domini 53. __ Dhabi, Arabian capital 54. Patti Hearst’s captors 55. Cony 57. Divulge a secret 59. One of the finalists 64. Drunk (slang) 65. But goodie 66. Whale ship captain 68. Take the place of work of someone on strike 69. What is required 70. ____ & Stitch 71. Wife of Saturn 72. Brief carefree shopping 73. Noisy chatter
CLUES DOWN
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1. Steeped beverage 2. Pier, side of porch 3. College army 4. Spurious wing 5. Care program for the terminally ill 6. Protects the wearer’s body 7. Readily, willingly 8. Measures electric currents 9. Hymns 10. 1929 Nobel literature laureate 11. 23 ___: go away! 12. Upper arm mucles 16. Filippo __, Saint 21. Doctors’ group 22. Freshwater mussel genus 26. A male sheep 27. Yoruba 28. Former VP Quayle 31. Am. Nurses Assoc. (abbr.) 34. ___ Zedong 35. Grey sea eagle 36. Beam out 38. Sci-Fi writer Koke 41. Goat and camel hair fabric 42. Steal 43. Cologne 45. Give over 46. Motives for an action 47. White toy dog 49. Alloy used to make magnets 50. Take a siesta 52. Dekaliter 54. Plants seeds 56. An awkward person (Yiddish) 57. Groom’s partner 58. Flat crusty-bottomed onion roll 60. Goblins (Br.) 61. River into The Baltic Sea 62. Islamic sect 63. Baby powder mineral 67. Derek __, Harvard
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Sp rts
The Calvert Gazette
Thursday, May 10, 2012
See Food Diet The Ordinary
Angler
By Keith McGuire Contributing Writer Now is a good time to start fishing for a variety of species of finfish and crabs – if you haven’t already! Our diets can be substantially enhanced by fish and crabs from our local waters. I have a couple of fishing buddies who love to fish, but can’t tolerate fish as a meal. These are the characters that fish with me who bring along some of the unhealthiest snacks known to man. When the action slows and snack time rolls around, out come the sausages, chicken livers, beef sticks, jerky, corn chips and jalapeños to take their minds off fishing. If I don’t find fish in a hurry, the Ho-Ho’s and Twinkies will be on
deck and more than a few beers to wash it all down. I call this their “See Food” diet. If the snack has high cholesterol, high fat, high calories, high salt, or is spicy enough to take the top of your head off, then it qualifies as a good snack on the boat. Basically, anything they are not allowed to eat at home is fair game on the boat. Despite the ominous weather predictions the past weekend wasn’t a bad time for fishing. The winds weren’t great, but most boating anglers were able to get out there to catch a few. Most folks headed to the Bay for trophy stripers and found lots of willing fish to bite their trolled tandem rigs, umbrellas
A View From The
Springtime specks can be found!
and daisy-chains. On Friday, I headed over to the Eastern Shore area to look for some of the speckled trout that were reported by The Tackle Box and others. We found the trout and lots of small stripers. I also snagged a cow-nosed ray that made for a surprisingly exciting battle. Other anglers fished for croaker. It seems the hardhead are more cooperative now, and are providing good action along the shores of the Naval Air Station and some of the local fishing piers. White perch action is also picking up.
Bleachers By Ronald N. Guy Jr. Contributing Writer
Remember the 2010 World Series? The Texas Rangers, the American League representative, were constructed by Nolan Ryan, one of the best pitchers in baseball history, coached by Ron Washington, a man who overcame a positive drug test during the season, and were led on the field by slugger Josh Hamilton, a one-time can’t miss prospect who resurrected his career after it nearly succumbed to drug and alcohol abuse. Facing those fascinating Texans were the San Francisco Giants, a team seeking its first championship since moving west from New York in 1958 - this despite having once employed greats like Willie Mays, Willie McCovey and the swollen version of Barry Bonds. These Giants amped up the entertainment meter with characters like Tim Lincecum, the quirky, flowing-locked ace of the pitching staff and eccentric closer Brian Wilson and his awkwardly long, jetblack beard and zany, Jim Carey-esque
interviews. The storylines ultimately proved more enthralling than the series itself: the Giants prevailed in 5 mostly undramatic games. Still, for those without an identifiable rooting interest, it was hard not to like both teams and get wrapped up in their individual journeys. Strangely, the aforementioned headlines-grabbers aren’t what I remember most about the 2010 World Series. That distinction goes to Aubrey Huff, the solid but unspectacular veteran 1st baseman for the Giants. Huff didn’t claim real estate in my meager and overloaded memory banks with any memorable on-field play; it’s Huff’s interviews that are still with me. At the time, Huff was a well-traveled veteran of exclusively bad teams (including a stint with the Orioles). Having finally stumbled on something special 11 years into his career, Huff appeared punch-drunk on euphoria. He was completely awestruck by the mo-
Fish the oyster bars in the rivers with bloodworm or peeler crab for the best catches. Crabs are beginning to come on well. This will get better in the weeks to come after the spectacular full moon that we’ve just had. Next Wednesday, we’ll be able to keep some of the smaller stripers that we’ve had to throw back recently as DNR changes the size and creel for stripers beginning May 16th. From that date, we will be allowed to keep one fish over 28” and one fish over 18”. If no fish over 28” are caught, then two over 18” can be kept. The Patuxent River boundary is relaxed a little at the same time and you’ll be able to fish for stripers in the mouth of the river from Point Patience to the Bay. The size and creel limits for the Potomac River change at the same time. The boundary also changes there on May 16th from below the Harry W. Nice Bridge to below the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. Remember Mother’s Day is this weekend – even though the calendar says it’s only Sunday! How about a really nice seafood dinner with fish or crabs that Mom caught? (You might want to leave the “See Food” and beer at home.) 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.
Two Seasons… And An Eternity Ago
ment; so overjoyed that he simply couldn’t suppress his inner little boy that was boiling over for all of America to see. In this era of filthy rich and lackadaisical athletes that often make one wonder if they still play for any of the reasons that originally attracted them to the game, it was moving. Huff was certainly getting paid, and rather well, for his and his team’s success, but there’s no doubt he would have played for free. Not even two years later, it seems that joyous smile has apparently been wiped from Huff’s face, his youthful spirit absent from his demeanor. His struggles on the field since the Giants’ World Series triumph are inescapable: a career .279 hitter, Huff’s average plummeted to .246 in 2011 and below .200 in 2012, respectively (sort of). Huff’s life off the field isn’t faring much better as he’s mired in a divorce. In an alltoo-common scenario, Huff’s personal and professional struggles have taken a psychological toll. Recently, Huff announced that he was taking a leave of absence from the team to seek treatment for anxiety - heavy stuff…and a long way from the beer-soaked celebrations Huff basked in just 18 months ago. There is a silly, occasional inclination for fans to view professional athletes as something other than – not
necessarily better or worse…just “other than” – human beings. Perhaps that’s from some superhero complex or a “loathing the rich” attitude. Regardless, it’s not fair; the folks between the lines aren’t fundamentally different from those in the seats…just ask Aubrey Huff. Anxiety is a common and debilitating bugger. It cares not for its victims’ backgrounds, occupations or salaries. It can creep into one’s psyche through environmental triggers or just meander in and out of the afflicted individual’s life without any identifiable cause. It acts as something of a mental virus…robbing its hosts of healthy bandwidth and filling their processors with negative, compulsive thoughts. It’s real, dangerous and can be life-arresting. It is also treatable…for those with the fortitude to dispel their stubbornness and pride and seek help. That is often a difficult step to take because of anxiety’s shadowy, intangible qualities and of the stigma – a sign of weakness – it carries. Huff courageously took that step toward recovery. While he searches for mental peace, I’ll hold fast to my memory of the giddy Aubrey Huff from October 2010 and remain hopeful of his return to baseball and full health. Send comments to rguyjoon@yahoo. com
The Calvert Gazette
Thursday, May 10, 2012
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