Thursday, June 7, 2012
www.somd.com
Were Recently Retired Teachers Shortchanged? Page 16 Photo By Frank Marquart
What’s Inside Weather
Watch
4
The County Times
Thursday, June 7, 2012
2
“I can’t, in good faith, sign people up to spend that kind of money until the science proves it.” - County Commissioner Cindy Jones, talking about the lack of proof that septic systems harm the Chesapeake Bay
Also Inside County News
23
Community Calendar
11 Money
24
Senior News
12 Crime
25
Business Directory
14 Education
26 Games
16 Newsmaker
27 Columns
17
Feature Story
28 Entertainment
18 Letters
29 Entertainment Calendar
20 Obituaries
30 Sports
22 Community
31 Health
county
Former Sen. Bernie Fowler, center, leads students from Chesapeake Public Charter School during a “Wade-In” of the Patuxent River near Myrtle Point this weekend
Free InItIal ConsultatIon
The law offices of P.a. Hotchkiss & associates Providing Excellent Service For Over 20 Years
Auto Accidents Workers’ comp • Divorce/Separation • Support/Custody • Domestic Violence • Criminal/Traffic • DWI/MVA Hearings Power of Attorney • Name Change • Adoption • Wills • Guardianship
Scan this “Times Code” with your smart phone Accepting: 99 Smallwood Dr. Waldorf, MD • 206 Washignton Ave. LaPlata, MD
SERVING CHARLES • ST. MARY’S • PG • CALVERT
(301) 932-7700 (301) 870-7111
education
Schools Superintendent Michael Martirano, in “superhero” form, visited the early education center of Benjamin Banneker Elementary on Tuesday to congratulate them on their Relay for Life efforts.
Do You Feel Crabby When You Get Your Insurance Bill in the Mail? Give Us A Call.
On T he Cover
You’ll Be Glad You Did.
Gary Simpson, Matt Laidley, Katie Facchina 7480 Crain Highway • La Plata, MD 20646 301-934-8437
An Independent Agent Representing: ERIE INSURANCE GROUP Standing: Dan Burris, Jake Kuntz, Seated: Lisa Squires, Susan Ennis, Donna Burris
April Hancock PO Box 407 Bryans Road, MD 20616 301-743-9000
Burris’ Olde Towne Insurance Auto - Home - Business - Life
Leonardtown, MD • Bus: (301) 475-3151 www.danburris.com
Joe Baker, a retired St. Mary’s County school teacher, discovered a discrepancy regarding retirement withholdings that he says could affect hundreds of retirees who left the district during the last decade.
3
The County Times
Thursday, June 7, 2012
McKAY’S $60,000
Community Rewards Program www.mycommunityrewards.com
Congratulations Community Rewards Recipients 2011-2012!
ORGANIZATION NAME
TOTAL
ORGANIZATION NAME
TOTAL
ORGANIZATION NAME
GRAND TOTAL
TOTAL
$60,015.26
www.mckayssupermarkets.com
The County Times
ews By Guy Leonard Staff Writer Metropolitan Commission officials have been talking to communities around the county telling customers what they can expect when the water and sewer authority installs new water meters that will allow for rapid monthly readings on actual water usage. The bottom line, says MetCom Deputy Director Dan Inchniowski, is that more accurate metering of water usage means that some customers will pay more and some will pay less. The new automated meter reader (AMR) project involves installing meters that transmit radio waves to passing MetCom trucks so they can quickly get readings. Currently, because of
Thursday, June 7, 2012
4
MetCom Radio Meter Project Progressing a worker shortage, MetCom can only take quarterly readings. This means that each customer now pays for 6,000 gallons of water each month, but those who don’t use that much still pay the same amount and effectively subsidize those customers who use that much or more, Ichniowski said. “That should balance that out for our customers,” Ichniowski said of the project’s benefits. “They’ll be able to see how much water they are using. “Green lawns are nice but they may cost more in the future,” he said. He explained that because the project is considered a “green” one by the state, MetCom received a $3.3 million grant to fund the project, with the remaining amount of about
$6.3 million coming from a low interest loan from the Maryland Department of the Environment. That loan is even now being paid back through increased service fees customers have already been paying. “The rates currently reflect the payment for this project,” Ichniowski said. The average estimated cost to install each new meter for each of the approximately 12,875 customers comes out to about $770. The next community information meeting on the project is set for the Valley Lee firehouse on June 11 at 6 p.m. guyleonard@countytimes.net
The Apple Basket
Where among all things old, there’s always something new
June 9th and 10th Starting early Saturday morning through Sunday afternoon.
We will have discounted items outside as well as additional vendors selling their own unique items. See you then! www.applebasketantiques.com DIRECTIONS: FROM CALVERT (PAX RIVER) AREA, TAKE ROUTE 235 NORTH FROM WALDORF, TAKE ROUTE 235 SOUTH 27056 Mt. Zion Church Rd • Mechanicsville, MD 20659 301-884-8118 • Open 7 Days a Week
e Fre
s!
Est
te ima
GREAT MILLS TRADING POST ANYTHING ASPHALT DRIVEWAYS • ROADS • MILLING 301-994-0300 LOCAL • 301-870-2289 DC
WWW.GREATMILLSTRADINGPOST.COM • Great Mills, MD
5
Thursday, June 7, 2012
The County Times
ews
Citizens Seek County Help to Save Creek By Guy Leonard Staff Writer
for help preserving what they say is an important tributary of the Patuxent River as well as a habitat for abundant marine life. “The creek is a beautiful natural resource, and we are witnessing its loss as an open tidal tributary of the Patuxent River,” wrote Jean Campbell, Susan Matthews and James Dollarton. Zane Rettstatt, project engineer with the county’s Department of Public Works and Transportation, said he has worked with residents there to solve the problem by getting the state’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to survey the intensity of the sedimentation. “They came and said it could stand to be dredged and they came up with a ballpark figure … but there’s no money at the state level to do that.” The letter from the community stated the estimated cost from DNR to dredge the creek and install jetties to ensure sand does not flow back in just as quickly would be about $1.5 million. Rettstatt said the county would still seek assistance for the problem in whatever way it can. “We’ll pursue funding for the next fiscal year,” he said.
For years the level of sand and sediment has been building up in Cole Creek in the Hollywood Shores community, residents there say, and in the absence of help from the state they are asking county elected officials for support in saving it. Rolland Campbell, a Hollywood Shores resident, said a seawall the county and state built at the mouth of the creek where it meets the Patuxent River has reduced erosion in some places, but has also served to create an easy channel to allow sand and sediment to enter the creek, creating greater and greater sandbars there that are revealed at low tide. Boats coming in at high tide, with pilots unaware of the sandbars, have run aground, he said, and there is even greater sedimentation now due to the ravages of Hurricane Irene last year. “This year … it’s much worse than we’ve seen it before,” Campbell said. “[The seawall] has created a high speed channel and it transports more sand into the creek.” The community has formed a committee to act on the problem. Three members letter to the 1 guyleonard@countytimes.net QBH Gradview Countywrote TimesaHalf Ad_Layout 9/6/11 4:41 PM Page 1 Board of County Commissioners asking
Photo courtesy of Rolland Campbell Residents of Hollywood Shores say this growing sandbar has continued to worsen conditions in Cole Creek and have asked the state and county for help to save the waterway.
MHBR No. 103
The County Times
Thursday, June 7, 2012
6
ews Swimmers, Supporters Celebrate the Potomac
WHO PAYS? The Community Alcohol Coalition and St. Mary’s County Sheriff's Office will host a Community Forum to discuss the legal consequences of underage alcohol use. The CAC, through a multi-year grant provided by the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Administration, has a priority to reduce underage and binge drinking. Deputy James Stone, the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Alcohol Enforcement Officer and Joe Stanalonis, Senior Assistant States Attorney for St. Mary’s County will present information on laws, regulations and legal consequences for underage alcohol use and provisions of alcohol to minors. The Forum will conclude with a question and answer session. 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 26 Chesapeake Building – Board of County Commissioners Meeting Room 41770 Baldridge St. Leonardtown, MD 20650 For information, contact Jaclyn Shaw, 301-475-6184 or email: Jaclyn_Shaw@smhwecare.com
By Carrie Munn Staff Writer For two decades, swimmers of all ages have crossed the Potomac River to cherish and steward the beautiful waters of Southern Maryland. Founder Joe Stewart was the first to take the open water, 7.5 marathon trek from Hull Neck, Va. to Point Lookout, and steadily, over the years, he was joined by more fellow swimmers and supporters. At the 20th annual Potomac River Swim for the environment on Saturday, 41 participants along with Swimmers and kayakers finish up the last leg of a six-mile, open-water companion kayakers ven- athletic challenge at the 20th annual Potomac River Swim. tured over to the Virginia shore. Due to safety concerns with heavy rains and high winds the previous night, this year the course was adapted so they began and ended their course from the crowded beachfront at Point Lookout State Park, completing 6 miles. First time participant Rob Jones finished the fastest and told The County Times it was a challenging swim against 2 to 3 foot “rollers.” He also gave credit to his kayaking partner, Tom Blount, explaining the guidance provided by the small crafts aids the swimmers with direction and bearing during the wide-open, long-distance swim. The youngest participant was 18 and the oldest 64, with swimmers of every age range between taking part. Many swimmers took a minute to recover their land legs as they came ashore. Several have come out year after year to swim, kayak, or volunteer their grilling services prepping a meal for athletes and event attendees. Stewart said his goals when he embarked on his solo “Swim for the River’s Sake” in 1993 were to see if he could make it across the waterway and to raise money for environmental groups working against the degradation. Stewart was recognized for his dedication by Maryland Senator Roy Dyson at a ceremony the night before the swim. While the founder is still actively involved, recording times and ages at Saturday’s event, Cheryl Wagner took over the event organization duties in 2001. The logistics and safety preparations are not simple for such an event, coordinating volunteer boatmen, the U.S. Coast Guard and emergency response crews. She said the swim is a successful fundraiser each year. Last year they made a total of $18,000 which goes to groups like the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, the Sierra Club, the Potomac River Association and local groups like the St. Mary’s River Watershed Association and Friends of Myrtle Point. carriemunn@countytimes.net
Swimmer Tom Clime, left, along with his kayaker escort, comes ashore after crossing the rough waters of the Potomac River on Saturday morning.
7
The County Times
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Detonation Warning Issued For Pax River By Guy Leonard Staff Writer Residents living near Naval Air Station Patuxent River are being warned they may hear something loud and out of the ordinary this weekend, the sound of an explosion from a controlled detonation on base. The explosion may occur between noon and 2 p.m. this Friday, said Gary Younger, public information officer for the base. He said that if technicians deem it necessary, it will be the second such detonation at the base in nearly as many weeks. Younger said that chaff flares used to defeat the guidance systems of heat seeking missiles could be the target of the exercise. He said that nearly all of the flares could be taken off the base for disposal, but if their condition is not safe they may have to be destroyed in place. “We’re just preparing for the one percent chance in case we have to do something,” Younger said of a noise advisory. He said there was an explosion about two weeks ago that was designed to destroy a stock of chaff canisters. The original plan was to move them off base, Younger said, but explosive ordnance experts were unsure about the condition of the chaff canisters so they decided to destroy them in place. “We didn’t know enough about it to transport it off the base,” Younger said. Ordnance technicians from Naval Surface Warfare Center in Dahlgren, Va. took the chaff canisters and placed them in a pit and then laid C-4 plastic explosives on top of them, which were then detonated. Though the explosion was loud it was not extremely so, Younger said. “You get more noise with the F-35 [Joint Strike Fighter] coming over head,” he said. While county residents are accustomed to jet noise, explosive detonations so close are different, he conceded. The first explosion and the potential detonation for Friday are the first in years, he said. “This is not going to become a regularity,” he said. guyleonard@countytimes.net
ews Center for Life Enrichment Employees Recognized By Sarah Miller Staff Writer The Center for Life Enrichment (TCLE) sent four award nominees to the Maryland Association of Community Services Direct Support and Supervision Conference, all of whom came back with service awards. “It shocked the four of us when we were called up for awards,” said TCLE Direct Care Supervisor Mickie Suite. The other award winners were Brenda Johnson, Leatrice Runnels and Juwana Broadus. Human Resources Director Bill Nicholas said they always send their award nominees to the conference, but this is the first time he can remember all the nominees getting awards. He said nominees are selected because of the work they do, their service to the community and other factors. Suite said they didn’t find out about their nominations until the night of the awards dinner. “We didn’t know we would get awards,” she said. “They kept us in the dark.” The conference was late May at the Clarion Resort Fontainebleau Hotel in Ocean City. According to a press release, the conference schedule allows staff attending the supervision sessions to register for direct support workshops and plenary sessions. The conference’s two-part
Developmental Disability Administration Director Frank Kirkland give awards to Leatrice Runnels, left, Mickie Suite, Juwana Broadus and Brenda Johnson.
closing plenary was “Doing the Right Thing When Nobody is Looking: An Exploration of Ethics.” Suite said the workshops are a “good training tool” and she and her co-workers got the chance to know each other and bond during the conference, as well as learn new techniques and brush up on old ones. The center provides programs and support services aimed at increasing the vocational and personal potential of individuals with disabilities. sarahmiller@countytimes.net
ENJOY THE OUTDOORS... ...Without Having to Deal With Mosquitoes! Come in and Check Out Our Selection of Mosquito Traps Mosquito traps are the ultimate weapon for mosquito control because they interrupt the breeding cycle by trapping and killing large quantities of female mosquitoes before they lay more eggs.
Taylor Gas Company, Inc
21541 Great Mills Road Lexington Park, MD 20653 (301) 862-1000 or 1-855-764-(4GAS) 4427
The County Times
Thursday, June 7, 2012
8
ews Officials Send ‘Untenable’ Bay Cleanup Plan to State By Guy Leonard Staff Writer County officials are sending a required plan that outlines how the county will control the total maximum daily loads of pollutants like nitrogen and phosphorous going into the bay. But it will be sent without a county commissioner vote of approval and with a reminder that the plan is simply too expensive and untenable. The draft watershed implementation plan (WIP) offers a long list of ways to counteract the flow of nutrients into the Chesapeake Bay and its outlying watershed, but the costs are either unknown or tremendous in scope. Septic system retrofits, connecting homes on septic systems to a public sewer system and an expansion of sewer capacity in general were all factors that resulted in the costs simply being too high. The least expensive combination is well over $176 million, with costs to individual sewer customers and to individual on-site sewage disposal systems (OSDS) that are unaffordable. The staff plan, which even they have said is not really workable, will be politically difficult to fund because it would mean that septic owners would have to share costs with each other. Commissioner Cindy Jones (R-Valley Lee) has long held that the science showing septic systems to be a significant polluter is faulty and that residents should not be forced to pay for a plan that
relies on such research. “I can’t, in good faith, sign people up to spend that kind of money until the science proves it,” she said. Commissioner Larry Jarboe (RGolden Beach) said that oysters, “the living filter” of the bay and its watershed are necessary to clean it up and without them the plan is not a solid one. “I have serious questions about whether this will work,” Jarboe said. It would also be beyond the ability of the county to afford without significant funding assistance from state or federal resources, staff has said. Some examples of what the county has committed to for reduction of nitrogen and phosphorous going into the watershed includes enhanced nutrient removal upgrades to the Marlay-Taylor Wastewater Treatment plant. That price tag alone comes in at about $36 million, the staff reports have stated. Putting in public sewer in the Charlotte Hall and New Market areas could cost as much as $5.3 million, the report stated, and similar upgrades in the Hollywood town center could cost almost $1.8 million. Commissioner President Jack Russell (D-St. George Island) said the plan was “not tenable.” “We’re in a no-win situation, we can’t pay for it,” he said. “The mere cost is prohibitive.” guyleonard@countytimes.net
9
GROUP
The County Times
Thursday, June 7, 2012
ST. MARY’S COUNTY
ERIE ERIE INSURANCE INSURANCE GROUP GROUP
RRIS’ OLDE TOWNE INSURANCE NIEL W. BURRIS, CIC, PROPRIETOR o • Home • Business • Life A. M. DANIEL
Located on the Square in Leonardtown
BURRIS’ BURRIS’OLDE OLDETOWNE TOWNEINSURANCE INSURANCE DANIEL DANIELW. W.BURRIS, BURRIS,CIC, CIC,PROPRIETOR PROPRIETOR Auto Auto• •Home Home• •Business Business• •Life Life
HOURS OF OPERATIONS: Sunday - Wednesday: 7 am - 3 pm Thursday - Saturday: 7 am - 9 pm
22720 22720WASHINGTON WASHINGTONSTREET STREET• •P.O. P.O.BOX BOX707 707 LEONARDTOWN, LEONARDTOWN,MD MD20650 20650
***Buffett served on Saturdays and Sundays***
(301) (301)475-3151 475-3151• Toll • TollFree: Free:(800) (800)872-8010 872-8010• Fax: • Fax:(301) (301)475-9029 475-9029
301-475-5151
danburris@danburris.com danburris@danburris.com• •danburris.com danburris.com
LAW OFFICE OF
St. Mary’s County Fairgrounds
SLADE, L.L.C. LOKER BUILDING
20 WASHINGTON STREET • P.O. BOX 707 ONARDTOWN, MD 20650
2 Miles South Of Leonardtown On Md Rte. 5
J UNE 9TH, 2012 475-3151 • Toll Free: (800) 872-8010 • Fax: (301) 475-9029 41650 COURT HOUSE DRIVE, SUITE 301 • P.O. BOX 288 LEONARDTOWN, MARYLAND 20650
SATURDAY
PHONE: 301-475-5150 FAX: 301-475-6909
Caring for the Past Planning for the Future
burris@danburris.com • danburris.com Traditional Funerals, Cremation Services, Memorial Church Services, Direct Burials, Monuments, Unlimited with Commitment Through After Care.
www.brinsfieldfuneral.com FAMILY-OWNED & OPERATED FOR FIVE GENERATIONS Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A. 22955 Hollywood Road Leonardtown, Maryland 20650
(301) 475-5588
Brinsfield-Echols Funeral Home, P.A. 30195 Three Notch Road Charlotte Hall, Maryland 20650
(301) 472-4400
301-475-8040 Fax: 301-475-8658
41658 Fenwick St. Leonardtown, MD 20650
26005 Point Lookout Rd. Rt. 5, (back of Ant. Center) Leonardtown, MD 20650
www.craftguildshop.com Thank You for Your Business!
Addie McBride
11 AM TO 9 PM
Michael K. Gardiner, C.F.S.P., C.P.C. Funeral Director/President
www.mgfh.com
(301)-475-8500
41590 Fenwick Street • P.O. Box 270 Leonardtown, Maryland 20650
(RAIN OR SHINE)
Eat Crabs At Their Best
CATERERS Bailey’s Catering, Belles of St. Mary’s Ice Cream, Copsey’s Seafood, Sandgates Inn, Sunshine Catering, Lexington Park Lions Club, Scrumptious Entrees, Bear Creek Barbecue And Others Non-Seafood Dishes Available Indoor Seating Available Live Music From Noon to 9 PM With LIVE MUSIC Southbound (12 - 4) ARTS & CRAFTS David Norris (4:30 - 5:30) MOON BOUNCE 25th Hour Band (6 - 9) CLASSIC CAR SHOW
GATE ADMISSION: $5.00 per person/children under 12 FREE FOOD ADDITIONAL Sponsored by: LEONARDTOWN LIONS CLUB, INC. Established 1940 www.StMarysCrabFestival.com
Menu featuring classic southern dishes, seafood, steaks, brick oven pizzas & calzones and more by Chef Rick
(301) 997-1700
Rt 5 Leonardtown • In The Breton Bay Shopping Center
Edward Middleton Commercial Agent
White Plains Corporate Center II 4475 Regency Place Suite 101 White Plains, Maryland 20695 301-632-6320 office • 301-632-6323 fax 240-925-0440 cell • 301-769-2177 home office edward.middleton1@verizon.net
www.shasho.com
Creative Custom Framing & Art
Hours:
Tuesday ~ Friday: 10 a.m. ~ 5 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m. ~ 2 p.m.
301-904-2532 MD Antiques Center ~ Bldg. 2 ~ 26005 Point Lookout Rd ~Leonardtown, MD 20650
Best Kept Secret in Downtown Leonardtown!
30320 Triangle Dr. Unit 4 Charlotte Hall, MD 20622
Cell: 301-481-6767 Home: 301-737-1669 www.addiemcbride.com addiemcbride@verizon.net
308 San Souci Plaza, California, MD
301-737-4241
st Leonardtowns Hotte Crab House New Crab Eating Room
OPEN
Helping Good People Find Good Homes.
Tues. - Sat.
s, Inc. Franzen Realtor
www.franzenrealtors.com
22316 Three Notch Rd. Lexington Park, MD 20653 Office: 1-800-848-6092 • Office: 301-862-2222 Fax Office: 301-862-1060
An Independent Family-Owned Funeral Home Serving Southern Maryland for over 100 Years
(301) 885-9145 • (240) 412-0215
301-475-2811
www.EATATKevins.com • 301-997-1260
The County Times
Thursday, June 7, 2012
SCHEIBLE’S
RESTAURANT & MOTEL
ews Residents Oppose New Apartments By Guy Leonard Staff Writer
Where the land meets the sea NEW HOURS OF OPERATION:
Tuesday-Friday: 11 am - 9 pm Saturday 6 am to 9 pm • Sunday 6 am to 6 pm
NOW OPEN FOR LUNCH SIX DAYS A WEEK
JUNE SPECIALS
LIVE MUSIC with the
TUESDAY - BBQ Ribs, Cole Slaw & Baked Beans
WEDNESDAY - Homemade Meatloaf with Mashed Potatoes
THURSDAY - Prime Rib HAPPY HOUR: 3 pm to 6 pm, 7 days a week.
Saturday Night 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Call the Restaurant to PreOrder!
Great place to work – now accepting applications for part-time cook, servers and housekeeper. Apply in person.
www.scheibles.com 48342 Wynne Road • Ridge, MD 20680
301-872-0025
10
Home owners in a Piney Point neighborhood on Light House Road say a proposed small apartment building will damage the character of their community and asked the Board of County Commissioners for help. “It’s in direct conflict with the homes that are already there,” said John Shields, who was joined by several neighbors in the protest during the commissioner’s monthly public forum Tuesday night in Leonardtown. One commissioner said that because the case is only at the beginning stages of development and appeared to be headed towards the Zoning Board of Appeals for a number of issues (small lot size, proximity to other homes and close proximity to the water), that the commissioner board could not take a side. “But just because they have the right to ask for a variance doesn’t mean they have the right to get a variance,” Commissioner Larry Jarboe said. Records from the Department of Land Use and Growth Management (LUGM) show the property owner to be Nancie
Lumpkins, who lists her address in Piney Point. The minor site plan is set for review by the technical evaluation committee today, and the plans show the project would be a triplex with parking underneath the building. Senior planner Bob Bowles said staff has already found some potential issues with the project that will have to be resolved. He said the variance required for the project involves exempting the developer from the requirement to have a certain amount of side yards on either side of the house, or else there would be insufficient room to build the structure. “It’s all in the critical area so the critical area people will be reviewing it,” Bowles said. “It needs buffering between the other uses [existing homes] and it’s already infringing on the side yard setbacks.” The minor site plan submitted shows that the total disturbed area will be 6,700 square feet with a planned 1,840 square feet required to replant any trees or plants removed. Bowles said that number could grow if critical area reviewers deem it necessary. guyleonard@countytimes.net
Public Forum on Underage Drinking A community forum titled “Who Pays?” will talk about the consequences of underage drinking June 26 at 6 p.m. at the Chesapeake Building located at 41770 Baldridge Street in Leonardtown. The forum will be hosted by the Community Alcohol Coalition and the county sheriff’s office. The coalition has a multi-year grant from the state to combat underage drinking, especially binge drinking. Deputy James Stone and Assistant State’s Attorney Joseph Stanalonis are scheduled to attend to inform the public of the legal consequences underage alcohol use. For more information contact Jacklyn Shaw at 301-475-6184. news@countytimes.net
7 ac. +/-, 23075 Oakley Rd, corner of 242 & Oakley Rd., LEVEL & PERCED
Call Billy Fitzgerald or www.fitzgeraldrealty.net
34 ac. +/-, 38635 Thomas Ct., Hunting land has 6 TDR’s BOTH BEING SOLD TO SETTLE ESTATES. SELLERS ARE MOTIVATED!! 10 min to Leonardtown & 25 min to Pax. River PREVIEW: Sat., June 2nd 9 to 11 a.m.
301-884-7000 1-800-MR LISTER
11
The County Times
Thursday, June 7, 2012
for the love of
Money Raising Health, Funds With Fitness Challenge By Carrie Munn Staff Writer On April 23, several participants signed up to take Hollywood Yoga and Fitness’ first-ever fitness challenge, hoping to reach their gethealthy goals while raising money for the local Relay for Life. Members of all ages joined the points-based competition that required them to spend a month leading a wholly healthy lifestyle by completing fitness routines, eliminating junk food and soda, and several other tasks. For a $10 fee, the patrons kept track of their accomplishments. Helen Pearson of Hollywood Yoga and Fitness said the patrons really seemed to enjoy the encouragement and accountability involved. The month-long event raised $225 for Relay for Life of St. Mary’s County. The fitness center’s 20-member Relay for Life team captain, Brenda Tominack, has been a top fundPhoto courtesy of Hollywood Yoga & Fitness raiser for the non-profit for Urich won bragging rights as the first-place point winner many years, Pearson said. Debbie from Hollywood Yoga and Fitness’ one-month fitness challenge and Tominack owned Fitness and Relay for Life fundraiser. More, a past incarnation of While it has long been a popular workthe business, and has led the team for several out spot, Dr. Shoba Matthews, a Southern years, raising more than $10,000. Maryland based neurologist who, accordSome, she said, threw in the towel or got ing to their website, “believes a mind-body sidetracked along the way, but others stayed approach brings good health and inner the course. Debbie Urich, a paraeducator peace”, founded Hollywood Yoga and Fitat Greenview Knolls Elementary, won the ness less than a year. challenge, earning 2,740 out of a possible The facility, located on Route 235 in 3,000 points. Runners up Pat Ritter, Alice Hollywood, offers standard gym workouts, Bankins and Ernestine Pence weren’t too far yoga for all levels, and now, sessions with behind. a personal trainer and a fitness bootcamp. In fifth place, Tee Duncan, who turned Classes are offered at $10 each. 90 years old on June 6, earned 2,255 points. To find out more about the offerings at Pearson said Duncan has been coming to la- Hollywood Yoga and Fitness, call Nancy at dies workout several days a week for a long 240-256-5652. time. carriemunn@countytimes.net
Credit Union Wins Awards Mary Harris, Marketing Manager, Educational Systems Federal Credit Union (ESFCU) receives award from Maryland and District of Columbia Credit Union Association President and Chief Executive Officer, John Bratsakis. ESFCU recently won two awards for excellence in marketing and communications in the annual Trailblazer Awards competition.
EXPERIENCE MATTERS
We are St. Mary’s County attorneys. Normally, our job is to take sides on issues against one another.
On this issue, we ALL agree.
THE PUBLIC WILL BE BEST SERVED BY KEEPING JUDGE DAVID W. DENSFORD Margaret Abraham Dan Armitage Dennis Bailey Samuel Baldwin J. Ernest Bell, II Joseph Capristo Frank Cubero Thomas Daugherty Mike Davis Joseph Densford Diana Donahue Phil Dorsey Heidi Dudderar Anne Emery
Daniel Guenther Amy Lorenzini T. Myron Loyd Shane Mattingly Margaret Maupin Phil McCollum Kevin McDevitt Joseph Mitchell John Mudd Kevin Peregoy Noah Pomato Tom Pyles Kim Reynolds John Robotham
Sean Rogers Walt Sawyer Frederick Schutz Alycia Stack Rick Steinmetz Sandra Strissel James Tanavage Christina Taylor John Weiner Daun Weiers Katie Werner Marsha Williams Seri Wilpone Joann Wood
www.KeepJudgeDensford.com
Paid for by the Committee to Keep Judge Densford. Joseph R. Densford, Treasurer
Crime&
The County Times
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Punishment The Law Office of D. Anne Emery & Associates, LLC • Civil Litigation • DUI/DWI • Personal Injury • Divorce • Child Support • Custody
• Adoption • Auto Accident • Criminal Defense • Family Law • Incorporation • Wills and Trusts
D. Anne Emery, Esq. By Appointment Only Phone: 301-475-9995
Fax: 301-475-9997 dae44@md.metrocast.net FREE CONSULTATION WITH THIS AD
301-475-9995
41660 Courthouse Drive Suite 200 The Proffitt Building P.O. Box 1960 Leonardtown, MD 20650
Two Killed in Motorcycle Crash
By Guy Leonard Staff Writer Two people riding on a motorcycle on Route 4 on the St. Mary’s County side of the Thomas Johnson Bridge were killed Monday when the driver collided with the back of a vehicle he was following and both he and his passenger were ejected. St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office crash investigators are investigating the accident that claimed the lives of both Michael Allen Heller, 37, and Holly Hope Fullwood, 32, both of Lusby. Police say that both alcohol and speed are being investigated as possible causes of the collision that happened approximately 11 p.m. Monday. According to police, both Heller and Fullwood were traveling on Heller’s Harley Davidson motorcycle on Route 4 from Calvert County when they ran into the back of a Jeep Cherokee operated by Jacklyn Marie Cox, 21, of St. Leonard.
Heller ran into the back of the Jeep despite applying brakes, police reported, and both were thrown from the motorcycle. The Jeep skidded sideways and a third vehicle that had been behind the two other vehicles, a 2003 Ford Taurus operated by Richard Kenneth Cornelius, 27, of Lusby, swerved to avoid hitting the motorcycle and instead collided with the Jeep. Heller was declared dead on the scene of the crash, and Fullwood was taken to St. Mary’s Hospital where she died from her injuries, police said. Cox and her passenger, Katelyn Ruth Wilt, 21, of Lusby, were both treated at the hospital and released. Cornelison was also treated and later released from St. Mary’s Hospital, police stated. Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to call crash investigators at 301-475-4200 at extension 9115. guyleonard@countytimes.net
Philip H. Dorsey III Attorney at Law
12
Seven New Corrections Officers Graduate
St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office announces seven new Corrections Officers who completed the Southern Maryland Criminal Justice Academy’s Corrections Entry Level Training program and graduated on May 25. Pictured from left is Brianna Colleli, Patrick Britt, Kevin Molitor, Kristie Ardire, Michael Labanowski, Jr., Luis Ramos-Dompenciel and Ryan Harris. Correctional Officers Ardire, Harris, Labanowski and Molitor graduated with academic honors. Correctional Officer Ardire received the Physical Fitness Training Award and Correctional Officer Harris received the Scholastic Achievement Award.
Kevin J. McDevitt Attorney At Law
Former Former Baltimore Baltimore City City Assist. Assist. State’s State’s Attorney Attorney Former Former St. St. Mary’s Mary’s County County Assist. Assist. State’s State’s Attorney Attorney
- SERIOUS ACCIDENT, INJURY • Personal Injury • Wrongful Death • Auto/Truck Crashes
• Pharmacy & Drug Injuries • Workers’ Compensation • Medical Malpractice
CRIMINAL & DUI/DWI
LEONARDTOWN: 301-475-5000 TOLL FREE: 1-800-660-3493 EMAIL: phild@dorseylaw.net
Office: 301-475-0093 Cell: 410-925-8992 www.dorseylaw.net
Dorsey Professional Building 22835 Washington Street P.O. Box 952, Leonardtown, MD 20650
www.kjmcdevittlaw.com
13
The County Times
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Free Admission Saturday, June 16 Noon to 8:00 PM
Freedom Park Rte. 235 & Tulagi Place Lexington Park, MD
African Dancing and Drumming Children’s Games, Vendors, Food Minority Outreach Coalition Mini Health Fair
Internationally Known Queen’s Chapel Male Chorus
Evening Jazz Lawn Concert
BRENCORE Allstars Featuring Shang Don’t miss the dedication of the USCT Memorial Monument 10 AM John G. Lancaster Park www.ucaconline.org
301-862-4868
The County Times
Spotlight On
Wade-In Encourages Environmental Awareness By Carrie Munn Staff Writer Fourth-graders at Chesapeake Public Charter School ventured out to Myrtle Point Park on Thursday, for the fifth year, to join environmental advocate and former Senator Bernie Fowler for a wade-in of the Patuxent River. Students from April Skinner’s class began as kindergartners the year the school opened and have obtained a wealth of knowledge about the environment over their time at the charter school. Environmental stewardship is one of the school’s core values, along with cultural diversity, expression through art and academic and character success. Skinner told The County Times, “This is pure charter school right here.” The students had just recently come from another extensive, hands-on field trip to Smith Island and were tasked with a knowledge-utilizing scavenger hunt among other direct-learning activities like a nature walk, wetlands workship and seining. Skinner said the school takes a multi-disciplinary approach, incorporating environmentally-based activities and lessons in classes from math and science to social studies and art. Fowler talked to the students about not only the 110mile long river, but the Chesapeake Bay and “the big picture.”
He shared some history with them and told them, “It’s going to be you young people that make the changes and help educate people so they understand.” Musician Joe Norris played one of Fowler’s favorite tunes, penned by friend and fellow environmentalist Tom Wisner, “Chesapeake Born, Chesapeake Free” and then an original, “The Trashcan song”, inviting the kids, staff and volunteers to join in. Bob Boxwell, President of The Friends of Myrtle Point Park, said students from Hollywood Elementary had also frequented the nature park and worked to help preserve it. Colleagues from other local and regional environmental organizations came out to volunteer their time and expertise. Boxwell said he always enjoys the kids’ visits and Photo By Carrie Munn seeing how much they know about the world around them. “I’m always impressed,” he said. Students had smiles on their faces as they joined hands and accompanied Fowler into the water and excited comments and reactions were plentiful as they found and examined a variety of aquatic life. For more information about Myrtle Point Park and activities they offer, visit www.myrtlepoint.org and to learn more about Chesapeake Charter School, visit their website at http://schools.smcps.org/cpcs. carriemunn@countytimes.net
SMHEC
Higher Education for Talented People: Bachelor’s Doctorates and Master’s OPEN HOUSE Engineering JUNE 14 Education THURSDAY 4-7 PM Management Procurement Information assurance Business administration Contemporary communication Nursing Human Resources Management
For more information
www.smhec.org 301-737-2500
THE UNIVERSITIES AT THE SOUTHERN MARYLAND HIGHER EDUCATION CENTER:
Thursday, June 7, 2012
14
Superhero Superintendent
Photo by Carrie Munn Superintendent of Schools Michael Martirano, in “superhero” form, visited the early education center of Benjamin Banneker Elementary on Tuesday to congratulate them on their Relay for Life efforts. When the school’s students successfully met their fundraising goal, raising more than $5,900 for the fight against cancer, Martirano fulfilled a promise to make a costumed appearance. After praising the youngsters, he animatedly zoomed off to his “jetpack” to tend to other business.
Park Hall Celebrates Peace Days
GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY CAPITOL COLLEGE HARRISBURG UNIVERSITY JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF NOTRE DAME OF MD TOWSON UNIVERSITY STEVENSON UNIVERSITY BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND COLLEGE PARK WASHINGTON ADVENTIST UNIVERSITY WEBSTER UNIVERSITY UNIV. OF MD UNIV. COLLEGE GRATZ COLLEGE
44219 AIRPORT RD. CALIFORNIA, MD 20619
Submitted photo Park Hall Elementary School Assistant Principal Sandra Oliver marched down Hermanville Road with her students on Friday to celebrate 100 school-wide Peace Days. Park Hall Elementary School is a Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) school. PBIS identifies, adapts and sustains the best evidencebased academic and behavioral practices for improving important academic and behavior outcomes for all students.
15
Thursday, June 7, 2012
The County Times
Spotlight On
Camps Offer Ways to Keep Kids Engaged Unordinary Science Camp
By Carrie Munn Staff Writer Many experts and child psychologists suggest school-aged children benefit from keeping their brains and bodies engaged during summer vacation. With this week marking the last week of school in St. Mary’s County, many parents are looking to find something fun and educational for their kids to get into during the break. St. Mary’s County Recreation and Parks announced last week registration for its many summer camp offerings remain open until filled. Most of the week-long camps are Monday through Friday, with before and after care available, and begin in June and run through the first week of August.
Central-TREK Camp
(Age 6-10) Come learn with us through exploration! Kids will enjoy fun and educational themes and field trips to places like Historic St. Mary’s City, Chesapeake Beach Water Park, Pump It Up! and a Blue Crabs baseball game.
PTO Camp
(Age 7-12) For their inner mad scientists, this camp puts a unique spin on average homemade science experiments.
Explore Our Parks Camp
(Age 7-12) Kids can visit and explore a new park each day.
Theater Camp
(Age 8-12) From beginning to end... kids can see what it takes to put on a show. Be a part of the amazing experience called Theater. Learn lines, make sets, choreography... we will do it all - in a week.
Storybook Camp
(Age 3.5-5) Kids can come and be part of the story! Designed just for your preschooler with lots of interactive, fun activities to keep them busy.
(Age 11-12) Campers will participate in traditional camp activities as well as teambuilding and exploration type activities. Athletic themes will culminate with trips to go bowling, ice skating, golfing and fishing.
Photography Camp
Play Camp
Therapeautic camp programs ensure every child has a chance to be part of the summer fun. Camp Inspire for kids ages 4-18 diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and New Horizons camp for children and young adults with disabilities offer fun recreational and educational opportunities for those with special needs. Sports camps focusing on tennis, baseball, cheerleading, basketball, field hockey, soccer, volleyball and lacrosse are also open for kids looking to try out or hone their athletic skills.
(Age 3 1/2-5) Energetic preschoolers will have lots of fun in this busy camp. Kids will never realize they are learning with all of the great activities involving visits to The Jumpyard, the public library and the Calvert Marine Museum.
Fit N Swim Camp
(6-12) This camp will have kids working up a sweat in the morning then cooling off for a swim in the afternoon.
CREATE YOUR
(Age 8-12) See the world through a different point of view! Learn to get those photos from the camera to computer and see what magic you can make happen with them.
For details on all of these camps, visit the county’s recreation and parks website and explore the summer camps section or call 301-475-4200 ext. 1800/1801.
Perfect Staycation
AND SAVE THOUSANDS!
A & C Stone Makers uses a cutting edge process of creating durable hardscapes from solid monolithic concrete in a variety of applications including:
Retaining Walls • Landscape Edging • Hardscape Design • Patios & Walkways Water Features •Stairs & Steps • Pool Surrounds & More! ON AS SEEN K R O W D IY N E T ! V T G H ON
Stone Makers Can Increase In Value By As Much As
140%
A & C Stone Makers can provide unique hardscape solutions that are more affordable than the traditional rock masonry. The process is not only longlasting, durable and cost-effective, it is also highly customizable. We can help create personalized designs that are beautiful, functional and responsive to any need.
Homes should be sanctuaries, and there is a unique kind of peace that is created when your surroundings perfectly complement your home. Stone Makers can calm you. Inspire you. Welcome you. A beautifully planned landscape with hardscape features increases the value of a home and adds warmth, color and structure.
$100 OFF Any Project Over $1,000 OR
$1,000 OFF Any Project Over $10,000 OR
10% OFF
Stone Makers 301-884-6086 & A C aandcstonemakers.com All Law Enforcement, Active Military & Public Safety Employees
The County Times
Thursday, June 7, 2012
16
Newsmakers
Memorial Will Honor Lexington Park’s First Female EMT Need help deciding what to do with the assets in your retirement plan from a former employer? During these challenging economic times, it’s more important than ever to find the right strategy for you and your beneficiaries. Call today, and together we can explore all of the options for your retirement savings.
By Carrie Munn Staff Writer Steve Caldwell said he knows that everyone thinks their mom is great, but his really is. Shirley Ickes Caldwell Hill was well known in St. Mary’s County, and in 1972 helped to break the glass ceiling that existed for women to become the first female emergency medical technician (EMT) at the Lexington Park Volunteer Rescue Squad. Shirley died on Feb. 24 at her home in Falls of Rough, Ky. Born in Indian Head, Shirley ended up back in Southern Maryland in the early 1950s when her former Marine father took a civil service job at Naval Air Station Patuxent River. She and her siblings attended Great Mills High School, where she was the cheerleading captain, graduating in 1953 along with former county commissioner Kenny Dement. She married Blaine Caldwell and they raised their three children in St. Mary’s County, where they all graduated from the same high school as she had. Blaine Caldwell
had volunteered with the Lexington Park Volunteer Fire Department (LPVFD) for several years, eventually becoming chief, and Shirley was actively involved in the auxiliary. He decided to move over to the Lexington Park Rescue Squad (LPVRS) and Shirley followed suit, helping establish and run an auxiliary there. But in August 1972, a special meeting was held to discuss the topic of admitting women as members of the squad, explained Pat Davidson, Lifetime Member of the LPVRS and St. Mary’s County native. By November of that same year, Shirley’s application was approved and she got the necessary training to drive the ambulance and deliver emergency services to county citizens in need. “She wanted to do it and didn’t think being a woman was any reason why she couldn’t,” Davidson said. “My mom was often referred to as a pistol,” her son Steve said. Shirley’s younger sister Nona Hickey echoed the sentiment. “You didn’t tell her she couldn’t do something, because she would prove you wrong, that’s just how she was,” Hickey said. Hickey said her big sister was known as very strong, outspoken woman. “My dad raised us to believe we could do anything we wanted to do and Shirley believed it.” At a time when women’s role within rescue organizations was marginalized to serving only as members of the auxiliaries, Shirley acquired the appropriate training and became a full-fledged member of the squad. She was one of only a handful of women who served in that capacity throughout the ‘70’s and forged a path for more women to become essential and well-trained rescue squad volunteers. Former husband Blaine Caldwell said it was exciting for a while to respond to calls as a team. “Whatever she did, she did it a hundred percent.” He said in those days, the ambulance stayed with whoever was on duty and they would get a call in the middle of the night, hop up and respond. “We [her kids] felt extremely privileged knowing our parents could be out saving a life,” Steve Caldwell said. He reminisced about how involved she was with the band and football boosters, once even running a football practice when the coaches hadn’t shown up. He said growing up in Lexington Park, in what became known as the Flattops, then later moving to Patuxent Homes, everyone knew his mom and family and a real sense of community existed. Steve said he and his sister used to work at Bambino’s Pizza, where the teenagers and the adults would regularly enjoy a genuine family atmosphere that encompassed multiple generations. “She was just so involved in so much here in St. Mary’s County and she loved it,” Hickey said. “Everyone here knew her.” Shirley’s becoming a member of the LPVRS “was quite remarkable back then,” she said. Pat Davidson’s husband and son are past and current chiefs of the rescue squad and she has served as a lieutenant, board chair and currently as secretary. She started in 1977 and said thanks to the efforts of boundarybreaking women like Shirley, more and more
women became squad members and nowadays, are becoming chiefs. “In those early years, it certainly wasn’t the norm … Shirley Ickes Caldwell Hill women really had to fight to get to do the work,” Davidson said, adding that both then and now it requires a lot of commitment. The all-volunteer squads continue to meet the demands of a growing population and have received great accolades from the state medical director, Davidson said, adding, “While we’re rural, we’re also very progressive … and our volunteers receive the same up-to-date training as paid emergency responders.” Whether known as the soda fountain attendant at the Rexall Drug Store in Lexington Park, or from her many years of service with the LPVFD and LPVRS auxiliaries and as a squad member, or as driver of St. Mary’s County Public Schools driver of bus 598, or in her later years, when she married C.T. Hill and became actively involved in the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), many, many locals knew Shirley and her spitfire ways. When she retired after years of service to the community, she and Hill traveled the U.S. in an RV and settled in Falls of Rough, Ky. where they enjoyed fishing from their pontoon boat. Hickey said Shirley had battled lung cancer, which recurred, and before long she succumbed to pneumonia in February of this year. Many of her family members weren’t able to make it in time to see Shirley before she passed away, so, Hickey said, the family has decided to hold a life celebration in her honor on June 17 at the VFW Post 2632 in California at 1 p.m. Long-time family friend Arthur Shepherd will deliver a Christian message, the LPVRS and the Board of County Commissioners are expected to honor her for her many years of service to county. Those who knew her will get together out of remembrance and respect for this forward-thinking woman. “We’re going to give her a send off in style, the way our family does it, with friends and fun,” Hickey said. “Shirley would have loved that type of celebration.” “My mom was certainly willing to rock the boat and didn’t hold back on any opinions she had to share,” Steve Caldwell told The County Times. “She was just an amazing woman.” For details on the upcoming memorial and celebration of Shirley’s life, contact Steve at 240-577-2229 and the next time an emergency occurs and strong, capable and dedicated women are among the responders, know that Shirley Ickes Caldwell Hill was a catalyst that opened the door for them to serve their communities alongside their male counterparts. carriemunn@countytimes.net
17
The County Times
Thursday, June 7, 2012
STORY
Were Recently Retired Teachers Shortchanged? By Guy Leonard Staff Writer Did St. Mary’s County Public Schools underreport employee salaries to the state in order to save money on retirement benefits for a period of 10 years? One recently retired teacher who served 40 years in the system is claiming that they have done just that. School system finance officials say there were discrepancies in the amounts that Joe Baker, an retired industrial arts and technology teacher who lives in Mechanicsville, should have received for his retirement. But, they say money he is still owed is a result of the Maryland State Retirement Agency (MSRA) not making the proper corrections to his salary records and those of other retired teachers. And the state is not talking. Baker told The County Times, armed with documentation from the school system, that the problem started back in 2000 when the school system switched from withholding money from employee pay 20 times a year to 26 times a year, for “10-month” employees. Looking back at his own records Baker contends the switch enabled the school system to count the pay for July and August at a lower rate than what Baker actually received according to his assignment sheets – resulting in a saving for the district. A letter to Baker from MSRA dated March 2011 confirms that for July and August of fiscal 2009 and 2010 his pay was calculated to a lower figure than the other months. “They calculated the salary at a lower rate which was from the previous fiscal year,” said Baker, who retired last year. “The reason that’s important is Maryland calculates an annual salary average for the last three years of your employment to calculate your retirement.” A letter from county schools to teachers’ union officials in 2000 explained the switch to 26 deductions was designed to make the system match the actual pay periods. Essentially, Baker says that by reporting a lower salary average to the state, which relies solely on the county’s reports, the return on his retirement payments was correspondingly lower than it should be. He first started asking questions when the county switched back to 20 payments a year about three years ago. “When I saw the switch, I thought at some point in time my contributions had to have been more than they should have,” Baker told The County Times. Baker said the payments due him are probably not much money, perhaps a few hundred dollars, but he believes there are many more teachers who retired during the 10-year window when the 26-deduction plan was in affect who are be impacted by it. He estimates as many as 500 teachers retired in that 10-year window.
Greg Nourse, finance director at the public schools system, agreed that Baker and other teachers are owed money for at least the 2010 fiscal year and that MSRA found discrepancies in record keeping for 2009, 2010 and 2011 and told the county to make corrections on their end. Nourse said the county has done all it could to correct the problem but the state agency is responsible for any money owed to Baker. “We took care of everybody affected that had to have their pensions adjusted,” Nourse said. “We only had to take care of [fiscal] 2009, 2010 and 2011.” Nourse said the reason the school system corrected retirement records for just those years was because they were told to by MSRA officials. While the state contends that only three years in records were problematic, Baker says that the problem goes back at least 10 years. Nourse said the seven years difference could hold other discrepancies when it comes to pension records and payments, but he believes it is a remote possibility. “I can’t answer for the prior seven years because we didn’t receive any information from MSRA,” Nourse said. “They still have issues with [fiscal] 2010 reporting and we’ve sent all the information to MSRA and all they need to do is fix it.” Nourse said that Baker is due his money and that may also include other teachers who retired during that time as well. But the MSRA must make the corrections, he said, or the problem will not be resolved. “That’s where the hold up is,” Nourse said. “That’s what he [Baker] wants and he deserves it … They [MSRA] have not finished the job yet.” In general, Nourse said it is possible that teachers who retired in the 10-year span could have been shortchanged “but not necessarily, because we have no indication from MSRA that they were.” An investigation into the issue from his office would be too vast and expensive to undertake, Nourse said. “How would I do that with two payroll people?” Nourse asked. “How could we coordinate with MSRA on tracking thousands of employees who retired who worked for 25 or 30 years? “There’s a remote possibility but how would you attack it? It could be a monumental problem,” he said. Mike Golden, spokesman for MSRA, declined to comment for this article. Baker still holds the county school system responsible. “They paid me, they took the contributions out of my account and they sent the reports to the state,” Baker said. “They can’t have it both ways. If I earn $70,000 in a year they can’t turn around and say I made $69,500,” he said, adding that the state only relies on what the county reports. guyleonard@countytimes.net
Photo By Frank Marquart Retired teacher Joe Baker provided The County Times with documents that show the discrepancy he discovered (highlighted in red) between what his actual annual salary was and the slightly smaller figure that was reported to the Maryland State Retirement Agency.
Lexington Park Active
Adult Community Community Yard Sale on Saturday, June 9th at 8am
21895 Pegg Road • Lexington Park, MD 20653
(240) 725-0111
The County Times
4th ANNUAL BENEFIT GOLF TOURNAMENT All proceeds to benefit St. Michael’s School
Wednesday, June 6, 2012 St. Michael’s School
CAPTAIN’S CHOICE
Entry Fee $85 per person / $300 per team Includes green fees, cart, snack, and lunch Soft Spikes Required
9:00 AM Shotgun Start 8:00 AM Registration Cedar Point Pax River Naval Air Station Not endorsed by the Department of the Navy or Department of Defense
CORPORATE SPONSORSHIPS
Platinum $3,000 (3 teams, banner & hole) Gold $2,500 (2 teams, banner & hole) Silver $2,000 (1 team, banner & hole) Bronze $750 (banner & hole) Friends of SMS $100 (hole) Contact: Dawn Drury Phone: 301-789-7818 email: smsgolf@saint-michaels-school.org
Addie McBride • Franzen Realtors, Inc. 301-481-6767 • addiemcbride@verizon.net
22316 Three Notch Rd. Lexington Park, MD 20653 Office: 1-800-848-6092 • Office: 301-862-2222 • Fax Office: 301-862-1060
51st Annual
CARNIVAL For The Benefit Of:
Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. “Celebrating 78 Years of Service”
June 14-17 & June 21-24
7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. Nightly (Sundays 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.) $5.00 off bracelets Sundays 6-7 p.m.
CASH RAFFLE
1st Prize………...…$1000 2nd Prize…....……...$500 3rd Prize…….....…...$500 $1000 WINNER RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL TAXES
DRAWING LAST NIGHT OF CARNIVAL PRESENCE NOT REQUIRED TO WIN $1.00 EACH OR 6 FOR $5.00
FUN FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY
M A N Y N I G H T LY P R I Z E S
Rides – Refreshments – Games RIDE ALL NIGHT
BRACELETS AVAILABLE EVERY NIGHT! M and M Amusements
Thursday, June 7, 2012
To The Editor
18
They Are Spending Too Much The St. Mary's County Commissioners just approved next year's budget at a 10% increase over last year's budget on a 3 to 2 vote. Did you get a 10% raise, or were you able to increase your business or household budget by 10%? Not likely! Again, politicians don't get it ! They continue to grow government bigger and bigger, and our local government is no exception. A 5% increase would have been more than generous, but much more appropriate in these difficult and uncertain economic times. Commissioners Russell, Morgan, and Jones voted for this BIG surge in government because we have a so called surplus of nearly $30 million from last cycle. Maybe it would have been better to give the citizens a one-time real estate tax rebate. Or, hold the surplus in reserve for that "rainy day" that is coming. The state is pushing mandates on the counties, and teachers' pensions is an example that will put a burden on local govern-
ment and ultimately the taxpayers. Also, the Obama Administration is looking to cut $400 Billion from the Defense Budget over 10 years, and this is bound to negatively impact revenues for St. Mary's County. Commissioner Russell said "this 10% growth rate in government is not sustainable", but he failed to point out the compounding effect of this 10% increase in that this new budget becomes the baseline for future increases. Commissioners Jarboe and Morris had the courage to vote against this BIG increase in local government. In fact, Commissioner Morris was quoted that he voted against this budget because "They're spending too much and there's waste". It seems our Commissioners like the 10% figure as they give a 10% subsidy to local vendors at taxpayers' expense and grow government at 10%. What's next? Joe Wible Sr. Leonardtown, MD
Racket with No Protection Here I am an 80-year-old senior citizen who owes our state government $287.03. The Comptroller’s Office sent me a letter threatening to turn my account over to a collection agency, which will cost me more money. A few days later I received another letter threatening to offset my Federal Income Tax refund in order for the state of Maryland to recoup their $287.03. This will also cost me more money as a charge is imposed by the federal government for this service. Instead of working with me to pay this astronomical amount, all efforts seem to have failed. I had asked for 6 months to pay the original amount. All I got were threats. I have paid thousands of tax dollars to the state of Maryland in past years, but this does not count for anything, no consideration at all. If I were a corporation, they would forgive this meager amount. This takes me back to my younger days when the old protection racket was in effect. I had better pay up or they may resort to physical means and break my legs or my arms. At my age they would take time to heal. Daniel J. Wilson Leonardtown, MD
Six Graduate Drug Court On June 4, the St. Mary’s County Adult Drug Court celebrated the culmination of many months of hard work by graduating six participants. The six graduates averaged 200 drug tests, testing for over 1,600 drugs. They averaged 334 days without a positive test. They also attended, on average, 25 court appearances while in the program. They each voluntarily entered the program in lieu of being incarcerated in the St. Mary’s County Detention Center or state prison. They averaged 21 months to complete the program. If they had been incarcerated during that time, the cost to taxpayers would have exceeded $450,000. Instead, they remained in our community, rebuilding their lives, gaining employment, and moving forward. The program has been conducted by the Circuit Court for St. Mary’s County under the supervision of Judge Karen
Abrams since 2009 and is operated by representatives from Walden-Sierra, the Sheriff’s Office, Parole and Probation, the Public Defender, and the State’s Attorney’s Office. Encouraging words to the graduates, their family and friends were delivered by Delegate John Wood and Commissioner Cindy Jones. Graduations are held periodically throughout the year. Nationally, there are over 2,600 drug courts serving tens of thousands of drug and alcohol dependant individuals who run afoul of the law. Drug courts continue to demonstrate their effectiveness for reducing drug abuse, recidivism, and costs when compared to traditional criminal justice responses. Pete Cucinotta, Program Coordinator St. Mary’s County Adult Drug Court Leonardtown, MD
19
The County Times
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Stop Wasting My Money This is the intense political season and it seems there is no more regular season. The political discussion is constant and merely intensifies some months prior to an election date. There are multitudinous facts, graphs, polls, numbers, percentages and political philosophies being thrown about. One side says these are the facts. The other side says, no, that is a distortion, here is the correct set of facts After spending 12 hours fighting traffic and working at the job; attending to the wants and desires of the family; cleaning the house and car; trying to recreate a bit with TV or sports or hobbies; I’m supposed to become intimately aware of the National budget, the world picture and what to do about it, whether the politicians are doing their job correctly, which pundit on TV to believe, and why any of the previously mentioned has anything to do about my living a long and prosperous life. Stop! All I want is for the people I’ve asked to do my business in the running of my society be honest, faithful to the truth and not give away the money I give them to run the government. Stop! Spending my money on frivolous ideas which are just a trial to see if this program works in the real world. Stop! Borrowing money from somewhere and knowing I or my children and grandchildren will
COMMISSIONER CORNER
never be able to pay it back. And the interest will be a weight dragging me down in my life and theirs forever. Stop! Helping your friends get a hold of MY money. Stop! All sale of bonds and such by the government. Stop! Printing paper money and debasing the value of the dollar. Anyone who votes to continue spending more money to run the government than that same government takes in by taxation should be fired, forthwith. If there is a finite amount of money then there is a finite group of tasks which can be funded. Set them down in a list of order of importance. Match that list to allocations for each task. When the money runs out delete the remaining tasks from the list. No, my name is not Pollyanna. Yes, the above can be done by honest and true fellow citizens. No, the incumbent is not better qualified because they have held the office longer than the challenger. Yes, character is more important than previous experience. No, there is no way we can separate money from politics. James M. Blass Mechanicsville, MD
Shazam! SHAZAM! There is just no other word to adequately express our excitement and delight with the outcome of our second annual golf tournament held on Thursday, May 17, at Wicomico Shores. The weather was outstanding and the golfing great. The Lexington Park Lions Club thanks all who made this event a most wonderful, successful day. We are grateful to all the golfers who come out and shared the day with us, as well as the great folks at Wicomico Shores who always make our work easier. We thank Panera’s, Dunkin Donuts, and McDonald’s for our breakfast goodies and Chaptico Market for a great luncheon buffet. We are equally grateful to those who donated items for our raffle prizes. Your generosity added spice and fun to our day and made a lot of golfers very happy. We are most especially grateful to our sponsors: Wyle Labs (Gold), CSC Applied Technologies (Silver), PJ’s Auto Body (Silver), Wentworth’s
Collision Works, Integrated Systems Solutions, Two Guys Collision Repair, Fitzgerald’s Auto Mall, Compliance Corporation, Dr. Dave Heavner, Bayshore Eye Care, Baldwin Design Group, Precise Systems, A.M. Pierce, Tri County Glass, Dave Wright, and Boatel California. Your support was critical to our success. All proceeds from the tournament will be used to support our vision outreach programs in the Lexington Park community – eye exams and glasses for those who qualify; vision, glaucoma, and hearing screenings; camper scholarships for children with vision or hearing impairments or diabetes; and much, much more. Let’s do it again next year! Dana Davis Lexington Park Lions Club
Do you have something to say? Would like your voice to be heard? Send us a letter telling us what’s on your mind! E-mail letters to: opinion@countytimes.net
P.O. Box 250 • Hollywood, Maryland 20636 News, Advertising, Circulation, Classifieds: 301-373-4125
To The Editor The Tale of Two Projects By Cindy Jones St. Mary’s County Commissioner, District 1 The County’s FY13 budget is nearly completed. The process was streamlined and the pace was much quicker. Although the short turnaround times were challenging for participants, I believe it resulted in a better process over all. My sincere thanks go out to everyone who was involved. I’d like to address two important issues that have been raised in our budget discussions - debt capacity and unnecessary spending. To do this I will tell “The Tale of Two Projects.” The two projects are the jail expansion and FDR Boulevard. The expansion of the Adult Detention Center will take place in two interlocking phases, including an HVAC upgrade. One of the reasons I voted nay on this project is that these subprojects could not be separated out, requiring the county to adopt an all or nothing approach. The other reason is it did not make my list of necessary projects. County bond financing for Phase 1 is $13.41 million. Phase 2 is $1.69 million. The HVAC upgrade is $2.7 million. The total amount of bond financing for this project is $17.81 million. (The difference is due to rounding.) Borrowing nearly $18 million in a time of great economic uncertainty is not a decision to be taken lightly. In addition, a larger jail entails increased operational costs every year even if the jail population remains the same as it is today. FDR Boulevard has been the target of much rhetoric regarding capital debt and wasteful spending. Let’s take a look at the County’s capital budget to get a true picture of this project. While the total project is budgeted for $20.9 million in county bond financing, only $540,660 in county bond financing will be expended in FY13. You read that right - $540,660. The remaining FY 13 expenditures are made up of local transfer taxes, impact fees and a general fund transfer. Total expenditures on FDR Boulevard for FY13 are $1.71 million. Well, then it must be in FY14 where we are going to break the bank, right? Wrong. No expenditures on FDR Boulevard are planned for FY 14. Expenditures for FDR don’t ramp up until FY15. The County’s capital plan calls for $6 million in spending for FY 15, FY 16 and FY 17. The various phases of the FDR Boulevard project are not interlocking and can be shifted as deemed appropriate by the Board of County Commissioners. I maintain there are three core functions of county government – education, public safety and providing necessary infrastructure. Since water and sewer infrastructure fall under the authority of the Metropolitan Commission, the infrastructure for which county government is responsible includes parks, roads and the like. According to the 2010 Census, St. Mary’s County is the fastest growing county in the state. It has been over 20 years since the State Highway Administration has built a new road in the county. Local government cannot abdicate its responsibility to provide necessary transportation infrastructure for its citizens. Neither can the Board of County Commissioners abdicate its responsibility to pass a County Budget. While I am clearly not completely pleased with the outcome of this year’s budget process, I do recognize that creating and passing a budget is one of, if not the most , important responsibility of the Board of County Commissioners. For this year, at least, I voted for the budget. Next year is an open question. I call on my colleagues on the Board to redouble their commitment to act in good faith to do what is in the best interest of the people of St. Mary’s County.
James Manning McKay - Founder Eric McKay -Associate Publisher..................................ericmckay@countytimes.net Tobie Pulliam - Office Manager..............................tobiepulliam@countytimes.net Sean Rice - Editor....................................................................seanrice@countytimes.net Angie Stalcup - Graphic Artist.......................................angiestalcup@countytimes.net Sarah Miller- Reporter - Community..............................sarahmiller @countytimes.net Guy Leonard - Reporter - Government, Crime...............guyleonard@countytimes.net CarrieMunn-Reporter-Education, Entertainment.........carriemunn@countytimes.net Sales Representatives......................................................................sales@countytimes.net
The County Times
Patrick Bowling, 71 Patrick (Pat) Marsham Bowling, 71, of St. Mary’s City, MD passed away surrounded by his loving family at his residence on May 30, 2012. Born on January 18, 1941 in Washington, DC he was the son of the late Elizabeth F. Fawcett Bowling and William T. Bowling, Sr. Pat is survived by his loving wife Judith Gray Bowling whom he married on November 16, 1963. Mr. Bowling is survived by his children: Kim Bowling of Baltimore, MD., Mark Bowling of Hollywood, MD., Wendi Dean and Tommy Dean both of St. Inigoes, MD and 6 Grandchildren. Pat is also survived by his siblings; William T. Bowling, Jr. of Bryantown, MD., and Terry Hayes of Virginia. A Memorial Service was held on Tuesday, June 5, 2012 in the Trinity Episcopal Church St. Mary’s City, MD. A reception followed at the family's residence. Interment was private. In Lieu of flowers contributions may be made to MCAA John Glen Squadron 2401 Cedar Point Road, Bldg. 102 Naval Air Station Patuxent River, and or the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund 825 College Blvd, Suite 102 PMB 609 Oceanside, CA 92057.
Shawn Cavanagh, 45 Shawn Michelle-Flannigan Cavanagh, 45, of Lexington Park, MD, died at Hospice House on June 3, 2012 after a courageous battle with cancer. Born on November 19, 1966 in Argentia, New fou nd la nd , Canada she was the daughter of Joan Marie Flannigan of Carlsbad, CA and the late Frederick Paul Flannigan. Shawn graduated from National University in San Diego, CA with a teaching degree. On November 30,
1991, she married her devoted husband, Thomas Patrick Cavanagh in San Diego, CA. Her first job was in the kitchen of a nursing home, which brought her great fun and many happy memories. She was later employed in Materials Management at Long Beach Community Hospital in California, which was her first taste of Health Information Technology. Her favorite aspect of this field was teaching the medical staff new ways to use and document health records. After moving to Maryland, she was employed by St. Mary’s County Public Schools as a Pre-K and Kindergarten teacher at George Washington Carver Elementary School. She also volunteered many hours there. Shawn was a member of Relay for Life and the Cancer Support Group of St. Mary’s Hospital. She enjoyed traveling and spending time with her beautiful family. In addition to her mother and husband, Shawn is survived by her four daughters, Dorothy Carole, Francis Joan, Lilian Laurine and Caroline Marie Cavanagh of Lexington Park, MD; her sister, Katherine Smith (Scott) of Santee, CA; her brother, Gabriel Wallace of San Diego, CA; her sister-in-law, Laura Surman (Roger) of Newport, NY; brother-in-laws, James Cavanagh (Sandy) of Whittier, CA; Richard Cavanagh of West Lawn, PA and David Cavanagh (Ann) of Westfield, IN; and her loving nieces and nephews, Bryce, Brenna, Tyler, Audra, Rachael, Ryan, Grace and Sophia. Shawn’s Life Celebration memorial service will be held at Lexington Park Baptist Church, 46855 South Shangrila Drive, Lexington Park, MD 20653, on June 7, 2012 at 7 p.m., with Pastor Mark Garrett presiding. Interment will be private. Memorial contributions in memory of Shawn may be made to Lexington Park Baptist Church, 46855 South Shangri-la Drive, Lexington Park, MD 20653 or North Park Community Church, 3702 29th. Street, San Diego, CA 92104. Condolences to the family may be made at www.brinsfieldfuneral.com. Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Lenore Gift, 89 Lenore Genevieve Gift, age 89 of Hollywood, MD, died at St. Mary’s Hospital on June 2, 2012. Born on August 7, 1922 in Vespar, Wisconsin, Lenore was the fourth child born to Mildred Warner Wipfli and Carl A. Wipfli. She was predeceased by her brothers, Donald, Gerald and Rollie Wipfli. Lenore joined the ranks of over 10,000 women who served with the SPARs, a Woman’s Reserve of the US Coast Guard from 1943 to 1945 and was honorably discharged. SPARs was created to free men from stateside service so they could fight overseas. Lenore married John F. Gift and they lived in Washington, D.C. She worked for the Library of Congress for thirty years, from 1950 to 1980 when she retired. She was an active member of the Lutheran Church of the Reformation in Washington, D.C. from 1967 through 1997. Her only son, Nicholas A. Gift, died in 1975. When her husband died in 1997, Lenore moved to St. Mary’s county to live with her daughter, Geraldine. She then became a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Lexington Park, MD. She is survived by her daughter, Geraldine Marie Pharis (Jerry) of Hollywood, MD; her sister Marie Arnold of Rudolph, WI; two grandchildren Jeffrey W. Pharis (Genevieve) of Lexington Park, MD. and Jaime M. Canter (Aaron) of Piney Point, MD. and five great-grandchildren, Nicholas W. Pharis, Jonathan C. Pharis, Evelyn E. Pharis, Lillian M. Canter and Benjamin A. Canter. A memorial service honoring her life will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, 46707 Shangri-La Drive, Lexington Park, MD. 20653, on June 11, 2012 at 4 p.m., with Pastor Rev. Roger Schoolcraft presiding. Interment will be on Sunday June 10, 2012 at 1 p.m. in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Fayetteville, PA. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Lenore may be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church-WARM at the above address or to the Kevin Arnold Memorial Scholarship Fund, C/O Stevens
Point Area Catholic Schools, attn: Lori Schafranski, 1003 First Street, Stevens Point, WI 54481. Condolences to the family may be made at www.brinsfieldfuneral.com. Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.
Benjamin Pike, 94 Benjamin Franklin Pike, 94, of Hollywood, MD passed away on May 31, 2012 in Leonardtown, MD. Born on October 29, 1917 in Pikeville, NC he was the son of the late Nathan Addison and Julia Alma Rockwell Pike. Benjamin was preceded in death by his loving wife Mary Evelyn Bradsher Pike, and his brother Nathan G. Pike. Mr. Pike is survived by his brother Robert A. Pike of Hollywood, MD. He worked as an Electrician for Patuxent Naval River Air Station retiring after 30 years, he also worked part time for Pike Gas Company with his brother for over 25 years. A Funeral Service was held on Saturday, June 2, 2012 in the MattingleyGardiner Funeral Home Leonardtown, MD with Rev. Sheldon Reese officiating. Interment was held on Monday, June 4, 2012 in Silas Pike Cemetery, Pikeville, NC.
Thomas San Antoni, 89 Thomas San Antonio, age 89, of California, MD, died peacefully at his residence on June 4, 2012. He was born on February 21, 1923 in New York to the late Mattia Jant Padrouaggio and Giuseppe San Antonio. Thomas graduated from the Textile High School, NY, in 1941. He honorably served in the Army of United States from 1943 to 1945 dur-
Sunrise 7-15-1936
Sunset 5-27-2010
Our Angel in Heaven, Gone but will never be forgotten. 38576 Brett Way • Mechanicsville, Maryland 20659
20
Rest in Peace. Love, The Mason Family
21
The County Times
Thursday, June 7, 2012
ing WWII. He served in the European Theatre of Operations with the 531st Ordnance Heavy Maintenance Company. Thomas then worked in the NY Fire Department and two family clothing businesses, the Mattie Dress Company and Richmond Sportswear. He continued his education, graduating from the New York State University as an Audiologist. He married Betty (Naomi) San Antonio on September 21, 1954. Thomas worked in New York, owning several hearing specialty business from 1955 till he retired in 1999. They then moved to St. Mary’s County, where Thomas saw a great need for the hearing impaired. He opened several more hearing specialty businesses. Thomas was a member of the American Legion Post 221 in Avenue, MD. In addition to his wife, Betty (Naomi) San Antonio, he is survived by his daughter Karen Werner of St. James, NY and granddaughter Stephanie Powell of Chandler Arizona. Thomas was pre-deceased by his son, the late Mark San Antonio and his 2 sister and 3 brothers. Family will receive friends for Thomas’s Life Celebration on Thursday, June 7, 2012 from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. in the Brinsfield Funeral Home, 22955 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650. A Funeral Service will be held at the funeral home on Friday, June 8, 2012 at 11 a.m. Interment services will be private. Condolences to the family may be made at www.brinsfieldfuneral.com. Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.
Joseph Wilkerson, 79 Joseph Penn Wilkerson, 79, of Me ch a n icsv i l le, Maryland, passed away peacefully at his residence on June 4, 2012. He was the son of Junius Samuel Wilkerson and Esther Brown Cooke Wilkerson. He was born in Tappahannock, Virginia on April 27, 1933. Joe lived a life guided by the core values of the love of God, love of his family, love of his country and love for his fellow man. He proudly served his country during the Korean War as an Army paratrooper. He moved to Southern Maryland during the early 1960s and began his career as an Operating Engineer in Local 77. He was also a gentleman barber where he enjoyed sharing stories and all the local news at his shop in Charlotte Hall. Joe built his own home in Golden Beach where he raised a large family of sons and daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, teaching them the true meaning of honor, hard work and what was most important in life. He served as deacon then later as Pastor bringing spiritual guidance and love to many through his example much more than mere words. He had a lifelong love of softball, which began in high school and continued as he played first baseman and catcher in the local rocking chair league. Later he coached little league instilling sportsmanship and love of the game into our area youth. Joe loved to work the land on his old red tractor and share the harvest with his
family and friends. He provided a weekly community outreach to feed the poor. He loved the Lord and loved his family with all his might. He will be remembered as a man who gave his all to make the lives of everyone he came into contact with blessed to have known him. Joe is predeceased by his brother William (Billy) Wilkerson, brother Charles G. Wilkerson, sister Alice May Cunningham and his daughter Sheila Faye Wilkerson Beadle. Survived by loving wife Shirley Ann Wilkerson and his children: Joseph P. Wilkerson, Jr. (Donna), William G. Wilkerson, (Joyce), Barbara A. Bennett, Dorinda L. Hughes, Melissa G. Wilkerson, Corey S. Wilkerson, (Erin), Jaime L. Wilkerson, (Sharon) and William G. Beadle, III (Jennifer). Joe has 15 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Also survived by his siblings Myrna L. Schneider, Allan Venning and Sherry Putnam. Family will receive friends for Joseph's Life Celebration on June 8, 2012, from 5 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. with Prayers at 8 p.m. at Brinsfield-Echols Funeral Home, P.A., 30195 Three Notch Road, Charlotte Hall, MD 20622. There will be a service on June 9, 2012, at 10 a.m. at Brinsfield-Echols. Interment will immediately follow to Trinity Memorial Gardens, 3221 Mattawoman-Beantown Road, Waldorf, MD 20604. All are invited to share in a time of fellowship with the family after the interment at The River Church in Hughesville, Maryland. Memorial donations may be made to the Mechanicsville Volunteer Rescue Squad, P. O. Box 15, Mechanicsville, MD 20659 and The Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department P.O. Box 37 Mechanicsville, Md 20659.
Caring for the Past Planning for the Future Traditional Funerals, Cremation Services, Memorial Church Services, Direct Burials, Monuments, Unlimited with Commitment Through After Care.
www.brinsfieldfuneral.com FAMILY-OWNED & OPERATED FOR FIVE GENERATIONS Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A. 22955 Hollywood Road Leonardtown, Maryland 20650
(301) 475-5588
Brinsfield-Echols Funeral Home, P.A. 30195 Three Notch Road Charlotte Hall, Maryland 20650
(301) 472-4400
Over 250,000 Southern Marylanders can’t be wrong! Your Online Community for Charles, Calvert, and St. Mary’s Counties
New to the area? Lifelong resident? • Stay abreast of local happenings • Check our highly popular classifieds • Speak your mind in the forums • Enter our contests and win terrific prizes
Stop by and see what Southern Maryland Online has to offer!
www.somd.com
Community
The County Times
Thursday, June 7, 2012
22
‘Ey Batter, Batter … Play Ball, Give Back By Carrie Munn Staff Writer The first-ever Wooden Bat Tournament, running June 30 through July 1, will bring softball teams throughout the county together for a weekend of fun and fundraising. A while back, Harry Pool, Jim Cryer and Darryl Burch came up with a way for the community to have fun enjoying a favorite pastime, while showing their support of local wounded warriors. While the idea was initially going to raise funds to modify a demolition derby car for wounded Marine Todd Love, Pool was able to gain enough support through sponsorships to do that, and Love completed his first event at Budd’s Creek last weekend. Still in the spirit to help the citizens of
St. Mary’s County have a good time while showing their respect for injured veterans from right here at home, they decided Lance Cpl. Caleb Getscher of Chaptico would become the beneficiary. “Every cent is going back to Caleb, to be used however he sees fit,” Burch told The County Times, adding he has plans to get married next year and the money could help the humble young man, wounded during a tour in Afghanistan, and his bride enjoy a wonderful honeymoon thanks to the giving spirit of fellow countians. Burch said there are currently 26 teams, but he would love to see 50 formed. Men’s, women’s and co-ed teams will be playing throughout the county. Teams can jump on board for $100 and if you’re interested in playing, Burch can connect you with a team in your area. The weekend event will also feature
Blue Knights Ride to Vets’ Home
50/50 raffles and someone will win a jampacked basket of cheer, full of gift certificates and products from area businesses. On Sunday, June 30, local band Miles from Clever will play Cryer’s Back Road Inn in Leonardtown, donating all proceeds to Getscher as well. “I say the more the merrier,” Burch told The County Times. He said he hopes to add more and more teams in coming weeks, encourages businesses to provide a donation of any kind and said even those not so eager to take the field can simply make a donation. For more information about signing up your team or joining one, where games will be played and how you can get involved, call Darryl Burch at 301-884-0341 or 301-266-8381. carriemunn@countytimes.net
Caleb Getscher
Photo By Carrie Munn
Women’s Club Hosting Piney Point Home and Garden Tour By Carrie Munn Staff Writer
On Saturday, May 26, the Blue Knights Maryland IV motorcycle club conducted its annual ride to the Charlotte Hall Veterans Home to pay respects and honor our veterans – past, present and fallen. During the visit, club members encouraged residents to come outside to see the motorcycles, share stories, and just rehash old times, some have even had their own Motorcycle years ago and like to see how different motorbikes are today. The Southern Maryland Chapter of The Blue Knights International Maryland IV is a Tri-County club, comprised of Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s County. It is made up of active duty or retired law enforcement officers. They are heavily involved in supporting the Charlotte Hall Veterans Home. The chapter has been associated with “Rolling Thunder Ride To the Wall,” the annual Memorial Day motorcycle event in Washington, D. C., demonstrating for the return of those who have yet to come home from Vietnam.
The Women’s Club of St. Mary’s County is inviting the public to its first house and garden tour this Sunday, on Lighthouse Road in Piney Point from 1 to 5 p.m. Club member Noreen Neel said visitors can view several unique, old homes near the water, all on a single, easy-towalk street, and will also take in the Piney Point lighthouse and museum. No RSVP is required and tickets are $25 the day of, or $5 per house, and advanced tickets for $20 are available at the following locations: the Apple Basket in Mechanicsville, Crazy for Ewe in Leonardtown, Franzen Realtors in Lexington Park, International Beverage in Great Mills, Old Line Bank at the corner of Rt. 235 and Chancellors Run Road, Old Towne Insurance in Leonardtown and Traditions of Loveville. Neel said the Women’s Club of St. Mary’s was founded in 1960 and has seen membership surge to more than 100, but currently has 35 members. Any woman can join, she said, adding she would love to se some “young blood” participate in the club, which meets once monthly. Several members have been members for decades, while others just recently signed on. The benefit of belonging to this group, Neel said, “is simply the good feeling of help-
ing people and the chance to meet some wonderful women.” The organization offers local scholarships and supports therapeutic riding, youth art, and Skills USA programs, as well as Hospice, Meals on Wheels, the Pajama Connection and Save the Bay. Each year, members sell baked goods and flea market items during the annual Oyster Festival which has become their biggest fundraiser. For details about Sunday’s tour or the Women’s Club of St. Mary’s County, call Neel at 301-994-1038.
JERRY’S BISTRO Carry Out! Since 1983
Grocery Auction Saturday, June 9th - 4 p.m.
Antique & Collectible Friday, June 15th - 6 p.m.
Chesapeake Auction House
St. Leonard, MD 20685 • 410-586-1161 • chesapeakeauctionhouse.com
EVERYTHING FROM CHEESESTEAKS... TO PIZZA...TO SEAFOOD... TO CHINESE FOOD...TO SUSHI! COUPON REQUIRED
BUY ONE GET, GET ONE FREE
On Items of equal or lesser value. AFTER 4 PM
EXPIRES 6/15/2012
and
LEXINGTON PARK
22652 Three Notch Rd • Lexington Park, MD 20653
(301) 863-1818 (301) 863-8008 (301) 863-8288
GREAT MILLS
21692 Great Mills Road • Lexington Park, MD 20653
(301) 737-8841 (301) 737-5404
23
The County Times
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Thursday, June 7 • Robotics Showcase Dr. James A. Forrest Career & Technology Center (24005 Point Lookout Road, Leonardtown) – 6-8 p.m. St. Mary’s County Public Schools will be recognizing the various winning student robotics teams and their coaches. Teams from elementary, middle, and high schools will demonstrate and explain their projects. Included in the showcase will be participants from the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC), the VEX Robotics Competition, The FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC), the STEM 5 and STEM 7 Navy sponsored “Math in Real Life Challenge”, the CSM Regional Robotics Competition, the Botball Educational Robotics Program, and the AUVSI UAS Student Competition. The public is invited to attend this event and share in the excitement of the robotics experiences in St. Mary’s County Public Schools. • American Legion Post 221 Meeting American Legion Post 221 (21690 Colton Point Road, Avenue) – 8 p.m. American Legion Post 221 invites all active duty personnel and veterans to join us for our monthly meeting on the first Thursday of each month. For more information, visit www. alpost221.webs.com, e-mail alpost221@netscape.net or call Gail Murdock at 301-884-4071.
Friday, June 8 • Murder Mystery Dinner Living Word Community Church (39371 Harpers Corner Road, Mechanicsville) – 6 p.m. There’s been a murder and we need your help to solve it! Be prepared for a fun night of food, prizes, silent auction, and a mystery! Tickets are $40, and cover appetizers, dinner, dessert and the show. We are also giving prizes to the person who comes in their best-dressed 40’s attire. The person who guesses the culprit will win an iPad2! Only one prize per evening! Along with entertainment, we also have a silent auction. Proceeds go to the Mechanicsville Volunteer Rescue Squad and LWCC. Seating its limited and tickets are sold on a first paid basis. Doors open at 6 p.m. Call 301-884-0167 or visit the website www.lwccmech.org for more information or to reserve your tickets. Don’t miss out on a fun evening!
Saturday, June 9 • Karsyn’s Karnival Cove Point Park (750 Cove Point Road, Lusby) – 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Erin Sloan and her husband organized Karsyn’s Karnival to
raise the community’s awareness and understanding of Down syndrome. Last year, 79 local high school students from Calvert and St. Mary’s counties volunteered on the day of the carnival and more than 40 local businesses contributed to the event. For more information, contact Erin Sloan ersloan@verizon.net. • Ballet Caliente presents “The Velveteen Rabbit” Great Mills High School (21130 Great Mills Road, Great Mills) – 6:30 p.m. Ballet Caliente will perform The Velveteen Rabbit at 6:30 p.m. June 8 and 9 at Great Mills High School. This story ballet, under the artistic direction of Sheryl-Marie Dunaway, is based on the classic children’s tale by Margery Williams. It is an enchanting story entertaining to both young and old. Tickets are $15, available on-line and at the door. For additional information, visit www.balletcaliente.com, email info@balletcaliente.com or call 301-862-0038. • Contra Dance Christ Episcopal Church Parish Hall (37497 Zach Fowler Road, Chaptico) – 7 p.m. This week’s Contra Dance sponsored by Southern Maryland Traditional Music and Dance will feature caller Delaura Padovan. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the dancing begins at 7:30 p.m. Contra is a traditional American style of social dance and is a huge amount of fun and exercise! If you’ve ever danced a Virginia Reel or been to a Square Dance, you have a good idea how much fun it can be. If you haven’t, it’s about time you tried it! Beginners are encouraged to arrive at
7 p.m. to get some instruction in the various dances. Admission is $8 for non SMTMD members, $6 for members and band members are free. No fancy or outlandish clothing is required! You need to be comfortable, to move freely. There will be an ice cream social following the dance. For more information and directions go to www.smtmd.org. • Price of Freedom Music Fest 7th District Optimist Club Ball Field (Route 242, Avenue) – 3-10 p.m. The 7th District Optimist Club is sponsoring a rockin’ music festival for all ages. Featured acts include The Sam Grow Band, Hydra FX, Justin Crenshaw Band, The Craze, and The Piranhas as well as special appearances from several regional racing teams. Admission is $15 each, active duty and kids 12 & under are free. No coolers, but food and refreshments will be available for sale. Half of all profits will be donated to the Wounded Warrior Project and the rest, as always, will support youth activities across southern Maryland. For more information, visit www.7thdistrictoptimistclub.org
Sunday, June 10 • Home and Garden Tour Lighthouse Road, Piney Point 1-5 p.m. The GFWC Women’s Club of St. Mary’s County is presenting a Home and Garden Tour of select homes on Lighthouse Road in Piney Point plus the Piney Point Lighthouse and Museum. The proceeds of this tour will go to support many educational causes, among them are: Post secondary scholarships, leader-
ship seminar for Leonardtown High School students, therapeutic riding program for disabled children at Greenwell State Park, Tech Center student support for Skills U A and children’s parties at the Leonardtown Library. The Club also sponsors The County Youth Art Contest that is held annually. Besides that we are also involved in distributing Meals on Wheels. An additional fundraiser will be at the annual Oyster Festival, where we sell handmade crafts, baked goods, used books and flea market items. Any support you can give us will be greatly appreciated. For more information, call 301-994-1038.
Monday, June 11 • Pax River Quilters Guild Meeting Good Samaritan Lutheran Church (20850 Langley Rd., Lexington Park) - 6:30 p.m. This is our Annual Silent Auction and Pot Luck Dinner. There will be fabric for sale, raffle, silent and live auctions. New members welcome! For more information, contact Carol Evans at caroljevans@erols.com. • Dog Obedience Class St. Mary’s County Fairgrounds (42455 Fairgrounds Road, Leonardtown) – 7:30-8:30 p.m. Saint Mary’s County Department of Recreation and Parks is accepting registration for Summer Dog Obedience Classes. Classes begin June 11 at the Leonardtown fair grounds for six weeks. The cost is $50.00 and pre-registration is required. For more information, call 301-4754200 ext. 1801
• Kim Stone Scholarship Fundraiser Prince Frederick Rita’s (738 Prince Frederick Boulevard, Prince Frederick) – 6-9 p.m. The fund will get a portion of the proceeds along with all money in the tip jars.
Tuesday, June 12 • Yoga Class Joy Lane Healing Center (43288 Joy Lane, Hollywood) – 6:30 p.m. Class will focus on gentle yoga movements, breathing and meditation creating balance between body and mind helping to create a healthier you. Class will practice various relaxing techniques, postures, breathing and a gentle flow-workout. Please bring your mat and water. Optional - if you would like, you may bring your journal. Call 301-373-2522 to register for class
Wednesday, June 13 • Zumba Fitness Classes Mechanicsville Vol. Fire Dept. Social Hall (28165 Hills Club Road, Mechanicsville) – 7 p.m. The Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary is proud to announce that they are sponsoring Zumba Fitness Classes every Wednesday in the Mechanicsville Vol. Fire Department Social Hall. Classes Begin June 6, and are $6 per class or you can purchase punch cards for 6 classes for $30. Get fit while having fun and giving back! A portion of the proceeds goes to the Mechanicsville Vol. Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary. For More information email MeghanneT@yahoo.com or theredding6@gmail.com
CHURCH SERVICES DIRECTORY Running the 2nd & 4th Week of Each Month
To Advertise in the Church Services Directory, Call The County Times at 301-373-4125
ANGLICAN
BAPTIST CHURCH
THE ANGLICAN MISSION OF SOUTHERN MARYLAND
HUGHESVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH
Sundays - 9:30 AM 41695 Fenwick Street Unit 3 Leonardtown, MD 20650 301/475-9337 www.amosm.net
BAHA’I FAITH BAHA’I FAITH God is One, Man is One, and All Religions are One
Discussions 3rd Wed. 7-8 Lex Pk Library, Longfellow Rm 301-884-8764 or www.bahai.org
A member of the Southern Baptist Convention 8505 Leonardtown Road, Hughesville, MD 20637 301-884-8645 or 301-274-3627 Pastor Keith Corrick Associate Pastor Kevin Cullins
• Sunday Morning Worship • Sunday School (all ages) • Sunday Evening Worship & Bible Study • Wednesday Discipleship Classes (Adults, youth & Children)
10:30am 9:15 am 6:00 pm 7:00 pm
CATHOLIC CHURCH St. Cecelia Church
47950 Mattapany Rd, PO Box 429 St. Mary’s City, MD 20686 301-862-4600 Vigil Mass: Sunday: Weekday (M-F): Confessions:
4:30 pm Saturday 8:00 am 7:30 am 3-4 pm Saturday
UNITED CATHOLIC METHODIST
The County Times
Thursday, June 7, 2012
24
SENIOR LIVING
St. Mary’s Dept of Aging
Programs and Activities
Join the fun! Make new friends! Improve your health!
Elder Abuse presentation On Friday, June 15, at 1 p.m., there will be a presentation on elder abuse awareness by Kathy Goodspeed, Ombudsman/Senior Care Specialist. This is being offered by the St. Mary’s County Department of Aging & Human Services at the Northern Senior Activity Center to bring attention to ‘World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.’ Find out how to advocate for seniors and recognize neglect and abuse. Purple ribbons will be distributed to be worn as a show of support. Handouts and a short video will be shown. For more information, call 301.475.4002, ext. 1001.
EnhanceFitness is a group exercise class for ages 50 and above that improves endurance, strength, balance, flexibility, bone density, and coordination.
In a typical class, here’s what you’ll experience:
When signing up for EnhanceFitness, please arrive 1/2 hour early to complete registration materials.
Flag Day Celebration Enjoy a traditional American cookout at the Garvey Senior Activity Center on Thursday, June 14 at Noon. The menu features grilled hamburgers with lettuce, tomato and onions, baked beans, cole slaw, fruit salad, Texas sheet cake, milk/ coffee/tea. After the cookout, enjoy your favorite lawn games including bocce, cornhole, and ladder ball. To make reservations, call 301.475.4200, ext. 1050. Lunch cost is by donation for those ages 60 and above and $5 for those under the age of 60.
• Ten to 20 people close to your own level of fitness • A certified instructor with special training in exercise for older adults • A 5-minute warm-up to get the blood flowing to your muscles • A 20-minute aerobics workout that gets you moving • A 20-minute strength training workout • A 10-minute stretch to keep flexible your muscles cool-down • A 5-minute • Balance exercises throughout the class
Cost:
Northern Stars perform skits On Friday, June 22, at 1 p.m., the ‘Northern Stars’ theater group will be performing a trio of short comedy skits at the Northern Senior Activity Center. The House, the Hostage & the Hereafter are the featured performances. Tickets are $3, which includes lunch at noon and the show, can only be purchased in advance.
Fitness Card: $30 for 10 classes
1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Garvey Senior Activity Center, Leonardtown, 301.475.4200, ext. 1050 Loffler Senior Activity Center, Great Mills, 301.737.5670, ext. 1652 Northern Senior Activity Center, Charlotte Hall, 301.475.4002, ext. 1001
Good for ONE FREE ADMISSION to an “Enhance Fitness” Class at any Senior Activity Center Name:
Date:
Expires 6/21/2012
Brought to you by the Board of County Commissioners for St. Mary’s County: Francis Jack Russell, President; Lawrence D. Jarboe; Cynthia L. Jones; Todd B. Morgan; Daniel L. Morris and the Department of Aging.
Basket Class to Begin June 11 A class for making a hanging willow basket will be offered at Loffler Senior Activity Center beginning Monday, June 11 at 2 p.m. The class will continue for the following two Mondays (June 18 & 25) in order to give you a chance to finish your product. Cost for the class is $30 and includes instruction and all materials needed to finish your basket. Payment can be made directly to the instructor on the first day of the class. To sign up or for more information call 301.737.5670, ext. 1658 Loffler Senior Activity Center Hosts Free Continental Breakfast for Fathers Attention fathers - to kick off Father’s Day weekend, the staff at Loffler are offering a simple but hearty breakfast on Friday, June 15 between 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Each father will be presented with a “special” tie when arriving at Loffler that day. Sign-ups are not required - just stop in for the fun of it! For more information call 301.737.5670, ext. 1658. Book Discussion Group On Wednesday, June 13, the Garvey Senior Activity Center’s Book Discussion group will discuss Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K. Jerome. The book is about three men and a dog who take a boat trip in order to forestall the ill effects of overwork. For more information, call 301.475.4200, ext. 1072.
Loffler Senior Activity Center 301-737-5670, ext. 1652; Garvey Senior Activity Center, 301-475-4200, ext. 1050 Northern Senior Activity Center, 301-475-4002, ext. 1001 Ridge Nutrition Site, 301-475-4200, ext. 1050.
Times include evenings and weekends!
The performance will begin promptly at 1 p.m. so be sure and get a good seat! Call 301.475.4002, ext. 1001 for more information.
Visit the Department of Aging’s website at www.stmarysmd.com/aging for the most up-to date information.
Celebrating their 50th Anniversary Stuart J. Fitrell, son of Vernon and Irene Fitrell, and Lynn R. Funk, daughter of Ervin and Eleanor Funk were married on 9 June 1962 in Christ the King Catholic Church, East Cleveland Ohio. They were “high school sweethearts” who remained engaged for the entire four years that Stuart was at Annapolis. Three days after the wedding they climbed into their brand new Corvair Monza and drove to Pensacola Florida to start their lives. They traveled extensively with the navy and arrived in St. Mary’s County in July of 1978. They came with an attitude of two years here, and off we go to another adventure. However, they never left St. Mary’s County. Their final house is their dream house in Hollywood, Maryland. Their three children and several grandchildren are organizing a large anniversary party.
25
The County Times
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Business
Deadlines for Classifieds are Tuesday at 12 pm.
Directory Phone 301-884-5900 1-800 524-2381
Phone 301-934-4680 Fax 301-884-0398
AssoCiAtes, inC. Serving The Great Southern Maryland Counties since 1994
46924 Shangri-La Drive Lexington Park, MD 20653
Employer/Employee
Primary Resource Consultants Group & Individual Health, Dental, Vision, AFLAC, Life, Long Term Care, Short & Long Term Disability, Employer & Employee Benefits Planning
28231 Three Notch Rd, #101 Mechanicsville, MD 20659
301-866-0777
Pub & Grill
Let me plan your next vacation!
Marcie Vallandingham marcie@coletravel.biz
“THE HEAT PUMP PEOPLE” 30457 Potomac Way Charlotte Hall, MD 20622 Phone: 301-884-5011
www.dbmcmillans.com Entertainment All Day
301-863-9497 Home Office: 301-472-4552
Heating & Air Conditioning
23415 Three Notch Road California Maryland
318 Days Till St. Patrick’s Day
Classifieds Real Estate
2 LAND AUCTIONS Sat. June 9th – 9:00am ESTATE SALE 2 miles east of Clements, MD Call 1-800-MRLISTER fitzgeraldrealty.net
Cross & Wood
12685 Amberleigh Lane La Plata, MD 20646
To Place a Classified Ad, please email your ad to: classifieds@countytimes.net or Call: 301-3734125 or Fax: 301-373-4128 for a price quote. Office hours are: Monday thru Friday 8am - 4pm. The County Times is published each Thursday.
Est. 1982
snheatingac.com
Lic #12999
FSBO: 2 Bedroom, 2 Bath Condo. Gas fire place, Double Vanity and Jetted Tub in Master Suite. New upgraded Stove and side by side Refridger- Freezer. Screened In Deck. Fire Alarms and Sprinkler system in each unit.This is a gated neighborhood with key entry to building. Underground parking with elevator access. Maintence free exterior grounds ,up keep and snow removel. Security amenities provided. Neighborhood amenties. Community Pool, Clubhouse, Exercise Room, Playground. Contact Jim at 240-237-8085. Price: $169,900. Large house with room to run. Very large bedrooms,3 custom fireplaces,Fully finished basement with storage room, 2.5 car garage, circular driveway, fishing pond,country store and a daycare 1/4 mile away! Easy commute to PAX RIVER NAS and Washington DC/ VA.For further info. please call 240-299-1255 before 8pm.Thank You! Price: $562,000.
Real Estate Rentals Rental in Hollywood - Single family split foyer on 1.5 acre. Private. Upstairs: 3 bedroom, master bath w/ stand-up shower, full bath in hallway, living room, dining room, hall closet, french door opens to 12x16 deck. Downstairs: large family room, full bath, laundry room w/ wash-tub, 4th bedroom w/ no closet, slider opens to 10x10 patio. High efficiency heat pump/air conditioner. Cable & satelite dish. Paved driveway w/ basketball net. No pets. Must have a lawnmower. Available for viewing After July 1. Please email Richard at rearly45@gmail.com for a picture, question or appointment. Rent: $1600.
301-737-0777 OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK
Monday - Friday: 10 am - 7 pm Saturday: 10 am - 4 pm • Sunday: 11 am - 4 pm
23415 Three Notch Rd. • Suite #2033A • California, MD 20619
Prime Rib • Seafood • Sunday Brunch Banquet & Meeting Facilities 23418 Three Notch Road • California, MD 20619 www.lennys.net
Employment Well versed aide needed in Solomons area 10am-12pm and 5pm-7pm for Saturdays and Sundays, other nights and days may be available. Knowledge of in bed care, being a self starter, and professional. Must be able to take direction and follow through. Dependability is a MUST! Only those that can do the above need reply! Please send resume to alwaystherecc@hotmail.com, no phone calls!.
Team & Solo Drivers.
Immediate positions available! 48 CPM split for teams. 35 CPM for solo drivers. Drop & hook available. No touch freight. Weekly pay + insurance. CDL-A w/1 year OTR req’d. Food grade tank carrier. 800-877-2430 • www.indianrivertransport.com
Important
The County Times will not be held responsible for any ads omitted for any reason. The County Times reserves the right to edit or reject any classified ad not meeting the standards of The County Times. It is your responsiblity to check the ad on its first publication and call us if a mistake is found. We will correct your ad only if notified after the first day the first publication ran.
The County Times
ner
KiddKioer
CLUES ACROSS
1. One point E of due S 4. Picture border 7. Having negative qualities 10. Inner surface of the hand 12. Spanish appetizers 14. Large burrowing rodent of S and C Am. 15. A profane state 16. Sharp narrow mountain ridge 17. Cain and __ 18. Tranquil, calm 20. Removes writing 22. A Mississippi tributary 23. Exactly suitable 24. Extended blockade 26. Encomium 29. Dreaming eye movement 30. Principle vein 35. Japanese apricot 36. ___ Speedwagon: band 37. Fish eggs 38. Ethiopian capital 43. Considerate care 44. Units of loudness 45. Yemen capital 48. Body fluid circulation tube 49. Actress Lupino
Thursday, June 7, 2012
50. Gets up 53. Moved contrary to the current 56. Stretched tight 57. Dark brownish black 59. Syrian goat hair fabrics 61. One of the Great Lakes 62. Gull-like jaegers 63. Taps gently 64. Hamilton’s bill 65. One point N of due E 66. No (Scottish)
CLUES DOWN
1. Seaport (abbr.) 2. Bleats 3. Czech & German River 4. Female horse 5. Large tailless primate 6. Modern London gallery 7. Baseball’s Ruth 8. Breezes through 9. Decaliter 11. Genus uria 12. Built for two 13. Mexican men’s shawl 14. Pale & soft in color 19. Records the brain’s electric currents
26
21. Three banded armadillo 24. Plant germ 25. Relating to imides 27. Main artery 28. City in north-central Zambia 29. Royal Military Academy 31. Shape of a sphere 32. Earl Grey or Orange Pekoe 33. Fireplace shelf 34. Old world, new 39. Request attendance 40. Oceans 41. Determine the court costs of 42. Digressions 46. Form a sum 47. Greek river nymphs 50. Swiss river 51. Laying waste 52. Japanese rice beer 53. Ardor 54. Israel’s 1st UN delegate 55. Aba ____ Honeymoon 56. Vietnamese offensive 58. Slang term for man or boy 60. Point midway between S and SE
Last Week’s Puzzle Solutions
27
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Wanderings of an Aimless
d
Min
By Shelby Oppermann Contributing Writer
It’s That Time Again
Okay, I started exercising again on Friday. Why haven’t I lost any weight?! I know it’s only been three days as of this writing, and I didn’t exercise on Saturday and Sunday, and I haven’t exercised yet today – but what’s the hold-up? Time and patience, and dedication. I know, I know. I am trying Jillian Michael’s program again too, but this time I have the DVD’s to work with. Jillian assures me in 90 days I will have a “ripped” body if I follow the tapes and eat what she says to eat. No hot tea with cream and sugar! She is tough – like a drill sergeant. I’m only through the 2nd DVD of 15, and she is scaring me. My feelings hurt easily, and I get hurt listening to how she talks to her workout video crew. I’m wondering if the same crew will be around by DVD 15. I’m hoping I’ll still be around. My joints feel so brittle when I start the tapes that I think I will shatter in a million pieces. Jillian has already bounced up and started on the next set of moves while I am trying to roll up off the mat. I am trying to be careful. I’m actually very strong especially in my upper arms, but my wrists, knees, and ankles keep trying to slow me down. Out of two tapes so far, there has only been one exercise I have had to modify – anything where I have to twist my knees is excruciating. But I do feel really good afterwards, and must admit that my energy level increases. I really need to stick with the program this time if not for me, but for Tidbit who is enjoying the tapes more than me. She thinks its playtime, and bounces all over me on the mat and drops her toys on top of me. Tidbit also tries to pull the hand weights out of my hands. The weights have a soft cushion around them, and I think Tidbit thinks they are one of her plush toys. Another reason I need to stick with this is to lower my blood pressure, and be around to see our newest grandchild who is due on 12/12/12. I want the energy I used to have too. That’s a common complaint for many people. The change in meal patterns will be different as well. According to Jillian Michael’s 7-day Kick Start Your Metabolism program there are several foods that can cause an enlargement of the thyroid like strawberries, and peaches. Of course, I just bought strawberries for home and work. How can the Strawberry Queen not eat strawberries other items are fairly obvious: no processed foods, artificial colors and flavors, no sodas, and no high fructose corn syrup. A big surprise was no raw cruciferous vegetables. A lot of these foods can slowly be added in after the first seven days. But where I really might have the trouble is with NO wine. We are Episcopalians and we have wine at Wednesday night book study. This is where the will power will really come in. I wonder if I add in one more 30-minute exercise routine if I can have one glass of wine a week. Dr. Oz says you are supposed to have a glass of wine with dinner. Does Jillian want to go up against Dr. Oz? For dinner last night, I made poached chicken breasts in the microwave in a covered Corelle baking dish. It comes out so tender and juicy. And once I threw in about five different herbs from my pots, onions, lemon, and paprika it was absolutely delicious. The problem came adding the lentils into the broth. Lentils are not something I’ve ever cooked before. They tasted great with their nutty flavor, but Tidbit thought my stomach was growling at her all night. Yes, the diet will take a little getting used to. My husband kind of liked the lentils, but said he probably wouldn’t eat them again. He is being very supportive, and said he will eat these new variations on our favorite meals with me. He like salads and fruits already so he is way ahead of me. Salads and I don’t get along unfortunately. I am really going to be brave and take the leftover chicken and lentils to work today for lunch (after my drill sergeant workout). So, if you stop in to see me and you think I’ve brought Tidbit to work with me, don’t bother looking for her. It’s just my inner dog trying to get out. Wish me luck! To each new day’s adventure, Shelby Please send your comments or ideas to: shelbys.wanderings@yahoo. com
The County Times By Linda Reno Contributing Writer
A Journey Through Time
On April 12, 1817 an unnamed person from Great Mills wrote a letter to the Daily National Intelligencer in Washington, D.C. describing a riot that had taken place at a dram shop (bar or tavern) at St. Inigoes on April 7. “It commenced about half an hour before sunset, with an affray among a numerous collection of negroes, supposed to be 150 or 200 in number, who were drinking. The few whites who were present interfered no further than to command the peace; when suddenly, as if by preconcert, they turned upon the whites, and drove them off the lot, with outrageous violence—beating them with sticks, and stoning them with brickbats, and other missiles; using very extraordinary language, and making the most bold and bloody threats. 10 or 20 of them pursued a constable evidently and avowedly with intent to murder him; followed him after dark to his house, burst in, and, not finding him, sacked it completely. They also destroyed the doors and windows of another house, from which a gun was fired at them—and told the people in it, that if another gun was fired from there, they would surround the house, and set fire to it, and burn every soul in it alive. Some of them were heard to call upon their companions to fall in and form the ranks—that then was their time, if they meant to be free… Yet there was evidently no rational or practical
The
Chronicle
scheme, nothing but stupid violence. The next day the reaction commenced: Four were committed to the county jail; about 10 or 12 were soon expected to follow them; many were flogged, and suffered to return to their homes. Patrols were set on foot that now scour the forests and the country every night.” The writer attributed the violence to insufficient laws regarding the sale of alcohol and lack of enforcement of those few laws then in effect. The issue was not one of color. “It is degrading and melancholy fact, that, ride by a dram shop almost any day of the week, or any hour of the day, after breakfast, and you will see the doors and yards of these shops crowded with white men and lads, men of families, respectable men, as they are called, mixed in with drunken ragamuffins, who leave their wives, their children, and many of them their servants at home, their concerns neglected, and their wants disregarded.” The ring leaders of the riot were tried on May 12, 1817 and sentenced to be hung. They included “negro Harry, Slave of Mordecai Jones; negro Jack, Slave of William Evans; and negroes Abraham, Joe and John, Slaves of Daniel Campbell.” A number of people from St. Mary’s wrote to Governor Ridgely asking that the lives of these men be spared and he did so, but they may have received a sentence worse than death as the Governor ordered that they be banished “to the Apelousas [Louisiana] and there to be sold as slaves for life.”
Book Review
“The 8-Minute Organizer” by Regina Leeds c.2012, Da Capo Lifelong Books
By Terri Schlichenmeyer Contributing Writer Somewhere on the top of your desk, you keep a calendar. The calendar is next to a few important files you need for work. You stash a dedicated pen with the documents, just so it’s handy, and you’ve paper-clipped some notes there, just as a reminder. You’ve even color-coded the folders. And if you could ever find those folders, you’d find the calendar – which you haven’t actually seen since last Tuesday. There’s a desk somewhere inside your mess, and now there’s hope for you, too. Read the new book “The 8-Minute Organizer” by Regina Leeds and you’ll reclaim your office in almost no time at all. Have you ever noticed how, sometimes, you can’t think straight when you’re sitting at your desk? Regina Leeds knows why: clutter is noisy, she says. It “seems to emit a frequency that makes clear thinking virtually impossible…” Yeah, you need to organize, but your mess may as well be a mountain. Leeds says that it needn’t be overwhelming, though. Clutter can be tackled in three easy steps, and you can do it in mere minutes. Before you get started, try to understand how your office got this way in the first place. Was your childhood home in disarray? Were your parents messy or neat? Are you sharing office space with someone who’s also disorganized? Knowing these answers will help you break bad habits and determine where you’re headed. Next, take stock and eliminate that which is
$13.99 / $16.50 Canada
218 pages
unneeded, outdated, superfluous, or redundant. Don’t be afraid to shred paper, and if there’s too much to comfortably do in 8 minutes, then spend 8 minutes looking for a shredding service. Toss old magazines, junk mail, and catalogs. Next, make a set of “action files” and start sorting. Categorize paper to create a system that makes sense to you (but don’t overdo; keep it simple). Store receipts and important information in a safe place, and if you don’t know what’s important, ask your accountant. Categorize office supplies, too, so you know what you’ve got. This step, by the way, can be done in 8-minute increments over several days’ time. Lastly, organize what’s left. Archive. Scan to your computer. Rearrange. And once you’ve found your calendar, set a date to do it all again next month. Pick up a copy of “The 8-Minute Organizer,” and you’ll see a lot about de-cluttering your home. You may think that isn’t going to help your business any, but admit it: messy here, probably messy there. And neither has to be that way. Author Regina Leeds helps her readers start small by putting a time limit on what’s done, by working in babysteps, and by offering support and a little cheerleading. Leeds makes organization seem easy, and her no-nonsense common-sense takes the stress out of cleaning a mess. I liked “The 8-Minute Organizer” because I think it’s one of those things you can use in the office right now. If your goal is to become a neatnik, grab this book… just as soon as you find that missing calendar.
The County Times
Thursday, June 7, 2012
28
The County Times is always looking for more local talent to feature! To submit art or band information for our entertainment section, e-mail carriemunn@countytimes.net.
Footlight Festival Features Theatrical Variety By Carrie Munn Staff Writer With four days left to catch the annual Footlight Festival at Three Notch Theatre, lovers of the arts can find a nice variety of performances featuring local thespians and authors. “Headquarters” is a one-act play penned by local author Peter E. Abresch. The humorous, yet touching tale of a man coming to the end of his life garnered accolades for outstanding original production at the 27th annual Maryland Community Theatre Festival in January and was also performed at the Eastern States
Photos by Carrie Munn Billy Borst as Roan in “Avaritia” confesses his sins with blood stained hands and dramatic shadow play.
“Avaritia’s” Diyari, played by Rebecca Raymond, explains how jealousy and greed spurred her to take another’s life as Shade, portrayed by Tessa Silvestro, looks on.
Catch the show, produced by Valarie Green tonight, Friday or Saturday at 8 p.m. and in its final showing Sunday, June 10 at 3:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.newtowneplayers.org or at the door. The Newtowne Players’ next production, beginning in July, will be the adventurous tale of an orphan, “Annie”. It is produced by impact-leaving actress from the Footlight Festival, Tessa Silvestro. carriemunn@countytimes.net
Theater Association’s Original Works Festival in Pennsylvania in April. The play’s director, Bill Scarafia, said the two actors, Larry and Tessa Silvestro, improved with every production. At a press preview, the duo, as the dying man who lingers in his memories and the wise but snarky angel who nudges him through the process, are committed and convincing in their roles. Tessa Silvestro plays a darker character, “Shade”, in Mallory Green’s “Avaritia” directed by A. Gilligan, and plays it with an eerie conviction. This intense one-act, set in Hell, features minimal props and three characters from various eras who pour out their souls and struggle with the guilt of their own wrongdoings. The emotional and almost poetic deliveries of Billy Borst, Sara Meador and Rebecca Raymond reveal their darkest secrets and the state of suffering they
have found themselves in. Roger Cornish’s “Mental Reservations” is a witty one-act, with two characters trying to dance around truth during a casual conversation. J. Michael Green and Elizabeth Mears bring these powerplaying communicators to life under the direction of Robert Rausch. In “The Sure Thing” by David Ives, as directed by Marilyn Maxwell, a man and a woman meet and get chance after chance to get it right, thanks to a buzzer that resets the conversation after each faux pas. Susan Fischer, as Betty, and Craig Miller, as Bill, demonstrate a first date that can go a dozen different directions depending on one answer. It’s almost painful to watch them stumble through the awkwardness until the words all come out right and the spark is ignited in this quick-paced and funny one-act.
J. Michael Green ponders the slippery slope of truth during “Mental Reservations”.
Available in three pre-made packages or a la carte so you can create the perfect gift for each unique personality!
Get DaD a Gift he’ll love this father’s Day: Growlers filled with award winning a customizable craft brewed beer, souvenir Ruddy Duck ruDDy Duck craft pint glasses, t-shirts, hats and beer basket! several selections of beer literature are only some of the options!
410-FYI-DUCK Dowell Rd and Route 4
Call or stop in for detail and make this a Father’s Day he will remember!
SOLOMONS, MARYLAND www.RuddyDuckBrewery.com
The County Times
Thursday, June 7, 2012
n O g Goin
What’s
29
In Entertainment
Thursday, June 7
Live Music: “Bob Wire & the Fence Posts” Toot’s Bar (23971 Mervell Dean Road, Hollywood) – 9 p.m. Live Music: “Mike Mead Acoustic” The Blue Dog Saloon (7940 Port Tobacco Road, Port Tobacco) – 7 p.m. Live Music: “Gretchen Richie – Requests Night” Cafe Des Artistes (41655 Fenwick Street, Leonardtown) – 6:30 p.m. Murder Mystery Dinner Living Word Community Church (39371 Harpers Corner Road, Mechanicsville) – 6 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Dusty Sea Breeze Restaurant & Crab House (27130 S. Sandgates Rd., Mechanicsville) – 8:30 p.m.
Friday, June 8 Live Music: “The Piranhas” Sea Breeze Restaurant & Crab House (27130 S. Sandgates Rd., Mechanicsville) – 8 p.m. Live Music: “Dave & Kevin” Ruddy Duck Brewery (13200 Dowell Road, Dowell) – 8 p.m. Live Music: “Sara Grey” The Blue Dog Saloon (7940 Port Tobacco Road, Port Tobacco) – 7 p.m. Live Music: “Impact” Anthony’s Bar and Grill (10371 Southern Maryland Boulevard, Dunkirk) – 9 p.m. Live Music: “Three Days of Rain” Toot’s Bar (23971 Mervell Dean Road, Hollywood) – 8:30 p.m. Live Music: “Anthony Ryan & Renegade” Apehangers Bar and Grill (9100 Crain Highway, Bel Alton) – 9 p.m. Kide-oke: Family Style Karaoke w/ Scarlet Plus Patuxent Moose Lodge (23886 Mervell Dean Rd., Hollywood) – 7 p.m.
Saturday, June 9 St. Mary’s Crab Festival feat. “SouthBound, The 25th Hour Band & Dave Norris” St. Mary’s County Fairgrounds (42455 Fairgrounds Rd., Leonardtown) – 11 a.m.9 p.m. The Price of Freedom Music Fest & Wounded Warrior Benefit feat. “Sam Grow Band, Hydra FX, Justin Crenshaw Band, The Craze & The Piranhas” 7th District Optimist Clubhouse (31660 Colton Point Rd., Avenue) - 3 p.m. Live Music: “Synergy”
Toot’s Bar (23971 Mervell Dean Road, Hollywood) – 8:30 p.m.
Live Music: “Random Impact” Sea Breeze Restaurant & Crab House (27130 S. Sandgates Rd., Mechanicsville) – 8 p.m. Live Music: “Jukebox Thieves” Big Dogs Paradise (28765 Three Notch Road, Mechanicsville) – 9:30 p.m.
Breast Cancer Benefit feat. “Random Impact, Naked, Justin Crenshaw Band, Bad Penny & International Bikini Team” Apehangers Bar and Grill (9100 Crain Highway, Bel Alton) – 11 a.m. Live Music: “The Eds” Olde Town Pub (22785 Washington Street, Leonardtown) – 7 p.m. Live Music: “Not So Modern Jazz” The Westlawn Inn (9200 Chesapeake Avenue, North Beach) – 7:30 p.m.
Cost includes a commemorative wine glass and a tasting of select wines from wineries of Southern Maryland
Tuesday, June 12
Live Music: “Fair Warning” DB McMillan’s (23415 Three Notch Road, California) – 5 p.m.
Scarlet Plus Karaoke & DJ Gridiron Grill (20855 Callaway Village Way, Callaway) – 8 p.m.
FATHER’S DAY Sunday, June 17, 2012 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM $20.00 per person
Team Trivia Night DB McMillan’s (23415 Three Notch Road, California) – 6:30 p.m.
Live Music: “The Three Amigos” Scheible’s Restaurant (48342 Wynne Rd., Ridge) – 6 p.m.
Live Music: “Matt Garrett Trio” Ruddy Duck Brewery (13200 Dowell Road, Dowell)– 8 p.m.
Summerseat Farm
Open Mic Night Rustic River Bar and Grill (40874 Merchants Lane, Leonardtown) – 5 p.m.
Open Mic Night Ruddy Duck Brewery (13200 Dowell Road, Dowell) – 6:30 p.m.
Maryland Powerboat Club Poker Run Beach Party feat. “Ronnie Buss Acoustic” & “Flow in the Dark” Vera’s White Sands Beach Club (1200 White Sands Drive, Lusby) – 3, 9:30 p.m.
Summerseat Farm would like to cordially invite you to an afternoon of fine wine, music and food in the beautiful gardens of
Monday, June 11
Live Music: “The Anthony Ryan Band” Cryer’s Back Road Inn (22094 Newtowne Neck Road, Leonardtown) – 8 p.m.
Comedy Night feat. “Dan Ellison” The Lexington Restaurant and Lounge (21736 Great Mills Road, Lexington Park)– 8:30 p.m.
Wine in the Gardens
Chef Loic of the Café Des Artistes will present hors d’oeuvres to pair with the wine. Singer/Song writer David Norris will perform acoustically. A selection of fine beers will also be available.
Wednesday, June 13
Summerseat Farm, Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization operated entirely by volunteers.
Live Music: “Mason Sebastian” DB McMillan’s (23415 Three Notch Road, California) – 5 p.m.
Tickets maybe purchased in advance at: http://www.ticketderby.com/event/ wine-in-the-gard-id-8117
Wolf’s Blues Jam Emerald Cove (3800 Harbor Road, Chesapeake Beach) – 8 p.m. Open Mic Night w/ Mike Damron Toot’s Bar (23971 Mervell Dean Road, Hollywood) – 8:30 p.m.
26655 Three Notch Road Mechanicsville, MD 20659
For directions and information: visit www.summerseat.org Cash, Check or Visa/MC are accepted
Peaceful Living
IN A QUIET SETTING, EXCELLENT SCHOOLS Discounted Cable Playground
301-862-5307
Live Music: “Billy Jager” & “Full Steam” Gilligan’s Pier (11535 Popes Creek Road, Newburg) – 1, 9 p.m.
Walk to Shopping/ Restaurants
Sunday, June 10 Live Music: “Rick & Regina” Vera’s White Sands Beach Club (1200 White Sands Drive, Lusby) – 3 p.m.
Amenity Package Available
Live Music: “The California Ramblers” Mechanicsville Moose Lodge #495 (27636 Mechanicsville Road, Mechanicsville)– 2 p.m. Live Music: “No Luck for Landes” Sea Breeze Restaurant & Crab House (27130 S. Sandgates Rd., Mechanicsville) – 3 p.m.
Free on Site Storage with Every Apartment
Owned and Operated by
Call For More Information: Bella Bailey, Marketing & Leasing MGR.
301-737-0737
23314 Surrey Way • California, Maryland 20619 Fax: 301-737-0853 • leasing@apartmentsofwildewood.com
Sp rts
The County Times
100’s of Cyclists Race Through Town
Photo By Candice Poole
With approximately 300 bikers and 700 spectators, it was a busy weekend on the Leonardtown Square during the 15th Annual Leonardtown Criterium. Town Administrator Laschelle McKay said the weekend went well. She said the event draws in many out-oftowners, and she has received messages and calls to praise Leonardtown and thank them Photo By Candice Poole for hosting the race. Events Coordinator Maria Fleming said there were extra police on patrol for safety, which helped contribute to the smooth day.
Photo By Candice Poole
Photo By Jim McGrath
Thursday, June 7, 2012
30
NMCA Tour Heads to Maryland The NMCA makes its way to Maryland International Raceway for the 10th Annual NMCA Flowmaster Muscle Car Nationals, its third points event of the season, over the weekend of June 8-10. Last year was the first time the NMCA had been to MIR, and a great event made a 2012 return a certainty almost immediately. This event will also include one of the special events of the NMCA season - the 4th Annual shopHEMI.com Late-Model Hemi Shootout - in addition to the NMCA’s usual cast of characters. The MIR stop on the tour was great for a number of the NMCA’s racers last season – Chris Rini set the elapsed time record in Kooks Custom Headers Pro Street with a 5.988, while Joe Dunne set the class speed record at 237.13 mph. The track also worked well for ATI Performance Products 275 Drag Radial racer Andy Manson, who took his supercharged Ford into the record books with a 7.539 blast at 184.85 mph – setting both ends of the class record at this event. At the Late-Model Hemi Shootout last year, ATI Transmissions’ JC Beattie Jr. won the Unlimited Hemi class in his ’09 Drag Pack car over Rick Ellison’s machine, and then doubled-up by taking home the title in the King Of The Hill portion of the event also, eliminating Alabama’s Kent Irwin. With five separate HEMI classes on tap, the shopHEMI.com Late-Model hemi Shootout is poised to grow even larger in 2012. Maryland International Raceway has an excellent racing surface that’s always prepped to within an inch of its life – it’s a great place to find out whether you’ve got the power you think you do. You can have the opportunity to show off your skills in the driver’s seat on the track in one of the NMCA’s various classes designed to satisfy the entry-level racer. The TREMEC True Street class has always been a racer favorite, with awards given out to the racers closest to each second increment, along with the overall quickest car and the runner-up, after their 30-mile cruise and three dragstrip passes are complete. Last year at this event, Mark Scordato put together an 8.86 average from his convertible ’68 GTO to take home the True Street 6-foot tall trophy, while Elkton, Virginia’s Chris Shifflett took home the second spot with an 8.93 average from his ’88 Mustang. In addition to True Street, entry-level racers fit into the Open Comp, Nostalgia Muscle Car, and Late Model EFI classes, so take a look at the class rules and make your plans to come out and race with the best Muscle Car racers in the country. For rules information visit: www.nmcadigital. com/rules, pick a class, make sure your car fits the rules and you have the proper safety gear, and come race with the NMCA!
In addition to all of the action that will take place on the quarter-mile, the NMCA also has the awesome TREMEC Car Show, which features over fifty different awards that are presented each day of the show. Have an ’89 Mustang powered by a bigblock Chevy? Or a ’69 Camaro powered by an LS1? Regardless of what platform you’ve built into a show car, there’s a place for you in the TREMEC Car Show and a shot at the Best In Show award. Each NMCA event also features a large Manufacturer’s Midway where you can see and purchase parts from the hottest aftermarket manufacturers and experts from all of the major manufacturers on hand to answer your questions about how to make your Ford car or truck perform to your expectations. There’s something for everyone at the 10th Annual Flowmaster NMCA Muscle Car Nationals at Maryland International Raceway – make your plans to attend now! Looking to buy parts for your car or truck? Want a chance to meet face-to-face with experts from your favorite performance companies? This event will feature an awesome manufacturers' midway where you can find great deals on the performance parts you need for your muscle car or hot rod. If you're looking for that hard to find part or a great bargain, be sure to check out the swap meet. Get ready to be blown away by the Jet Car ripping down the 1320! Be one of the first to witness the Jet Car make a blazing 300+mph pass. The World Famous Burnout Contest is always the crowd favorite! Sign up to participate for a chance to win prizes and bragging rights, or sit back and cheer as contestants smoke their tires. The weekend kicks off Friday when Gates open at noon. The first round of qualifying is set to begin at 7 p.m. The action continues Saturday with the second round of qualifying beginning at 2 p.m. and the final round of qualifying at 8 p.m. Eliminations for the event begin Sunday at 9 a.m. Spectator tickets are available at the track for $20 per day or $35 for Saturday and Sunday. Kids 12 and under are free, as is parking. For more detailed information on these events call the 24-Hour Dragline Hotline at 301-884-RACE or visit us at www.mirdrag. com.
31
The County Times
Thursday, June 7, 2012
upcomiNg eveNtS at weNtworth NurSery
Gardening for Mind and Body By Mark Underwood It’s long been known that gardening is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and connect with nature in a tranquil environment. Just taking a walk in a garden can help improve your mood. This is why gardens are often an integral part of retirement living communities–so older adults can easily interact with the ever-evolving landscape as the seasons change. Gardens can keep you grounded, quite literally by forcing you to slow down and smell the roses. When you are doing repetitive garden tasks like weeding, digging, pruning, and pushing wheelbarrows around, you also benefit from low impact exercise. Research has shown that whether you are caring for flower gardens or fruit or vegetable gardens, you may be doing more than keeping your plants healthy and productive. You may be improving your brain health. It’s been found that gardening has a positive influence on the mind. In studying two gardening groups, the first in their 60s, the second group in their 70s, it was concluded that both groups experienced cognitive benefits from gardening. These studies found that 36 percent of 60-year-olds and 47 percent of 70-year-olds had lower risk for dementia than those who didn’t garden on a regular basis. Gardening has also been shown to improve your mood and alleviate stress. No matter how big or small your garden may be, the sights, smells, and sounds of being outside simply watching your garden grow, can give you needed relief from stress. Stress reduction has been studied in the Netherlands by comparing reading indoors with 30 minutes of outdoor gardening. The gardeners reported they felt less stress than the people who took time out to read during the same time frame. The sensory experience of gardening can also help improve depressive symptoms. Keep in mind that gardening for pleasure is good for downgrading stress, but only if you’re not too invested in the outcome. Gardening is only as stress-free as you make it. If you’re constantly worrying about whether your new plants will thrive or produce the best looking flowers and best produce in the neighborhood, you won’t gain healthy benefits that many people experience when they “play outdoors.” If you plant a garden, you’ll also likely gain nutritional benefits from the fresh food you’ll glean from your own endeavors. But
Girls Thy me In The G arden
clothing Slogger shoe’s etc. • Come see new selection of jewelry • New garden sauces, and grilling supplies • Table-scaping for outdoor entertaining • New rubs, snacks • Container gardening demo’s • Food, drinks and • Specials and door prizes th th rsday June 28 Date: thursday June 7 & thu time: 5:00pm - 9:00pm DERICK CHARLOTTE HALL • PRINCE FRE DON’t MISS Contact Person: It!
-884-5292 Charlotte Hall Location: Ann – 301 410-535-3664 Prince Frederick Location: Denise –
BIG GREEN EGG GRILLING DEMO FOOD & DRINKS avaILaBLE
Wentworth’s Summer Project Days Hardscaping & Land scaping Displays Do It Yourself Landscape
Projects Sta
rting at $249.99 Choose From Many Pre-Designed Lan dscape Projects, Or Meet With Des igners To Custom Design Your Own Project . Save 20% - 30% Off aLL 3
Meet With A Designer To Set Up
even if your garden plat is focused on flowers instead of veggies, it’s been shown that people who garden tend to eat healthy. In many areas of the country, outdoor gardening isn’t a year-round option. Even when you can garden every month of the year, you may not be optimizing the benefits of gardening for better brain health. So what can you do to improve your attention, focus, and clarity of thinking? Many people, gardeners and nongardeners alike, have discovered another option. They have discovered better focus, sharper memory, better sleep, and an overall improved day-to-day life. They have discovered Prevagen (www.prevagen.com), a clinically-proven supplement backed by 15 years of research. Now there is hope for what you may be missing–feeling rested and less stressed no matter what you’re doing. Prevagen is the key to giving you just that and more. While gardening has numerous benefits for the mind and body, when you add the year-round benefits of Prevagen, you may find gardening even more relaxing and enjoyable. Mark Underwood is a neuroscience researcher, president and co-founder of Quincy Bioscience, a biotech company located in Madison, Wisconsin focused on the discovery and development of medicines to treat age related memory loss and the diseases of aging. More articles and tips for healthy aging can be found at www.TheGoodNewsAboutAging.com.
StORES
An Appointment For A Site Visit
Check Out The Latest Displays And Products And Discuss Budgets And Short & Long Term Plans. Discuss Installation Sch edules, See Patio’s Fire Pits Fire Pla ces And Outdoor Kitchens Etc. BIg gREEN Egg gR ILLINg DEMOs See
The Latest And Best Outdoor Grilling
Experience.
TELEsCOPE & POLy PATIO FuRNITuRE DI sPLAys Fully Decorated & Table-s
caped. See The Newest in Outdoor
Tableware & Decorating
CONTAINER gARDEN INg DEMONsTRATI ONs
On-Site Demos and Displays
sATuRDAys - JuNE tH 9 & 30tH
Now ScheduliNg for Summer laNdScapiNg walkwayS – patioS – retaiNiNg wallS – poNdS
Wentworth Nursery Charlotte Hall
Prince Frederick
30315 Three Notch Rd, Charlotte Hall 20622
1700 Solomon’s Island Rd, Prince Frederick 20678
301-884-5292 800-558-5292
410-535-3664 1-866-535-3664
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8-7, Sat. 8-6, Sun. 9-6
Oakville
5 minutes North of Hollywood 41170 Oakville Road Mechanicsville 20659 301-373-9245 • 800-451-1427
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 7:30-6, Sat. 7:30-5
Thursday, June 7, 2012 32 The County Times FAMILY OWNED • FAMILY OPERATED • FAMILY TRADITIONS
Chevy Runs Deep
Your Buick, GMC, and Chevrolet Dealer in Leonardtown
New Vehicles 301-475-2355
Pre-Owned Vehicles 301-475-0047 www.winegardnerauto.com
Huge Sales Event 2007 CHEVROLET IMPALA LT
$12,995.00
2003 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 4WD
$13,995.00
2012 CHEVROLET SILVERADO XCAB 2WD • MILES 3,327
$26,995.00
2010 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC XLT 4WD
$26,900.00 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU LTZ
$18,900.00 2004 CHEVROLET COLORADO CREW 2WD
2007 MERCURY MILAN AWD
2011 CHEVROLET HHR LT
$17,995.00
$13,900.00
2008 GMC ACADIA SLE
2010 GMC YUKON DENALI XL, LOADED
0
$19,900.0
$47,500.00 2011 CHEVROLET COLORADO X CAB LT 4 WD
2010 MAZDA 3
$16,500.00
$23,500.00 $13,900.00 Winegardner Motor Company Serving as your Leonardtown, Chevrolet, & Buick, GMC dealer. Pre-Owned 301-475-0047
Scan this Code with your smart phone!
22675 Washington Street Leonardtown, MD 20650
SALES • SERVICE • PARTS • CHEVY RUNS DEEP