Thursday, February 6, 2014
www.countytimes.somd.com
Also Inside: A Special Valentine's Day Section!
to DNR Chief
Gill’s Nomination Held Up After He Allegedly Threatened Seafood Industry Productivity Photo by Guy Leonard
S t o r y Pa g e 18
The County Times
Thursday, February 6, 2014
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Thursday, February 6, 2014
The County Times
Thursday February 6, 2014 30
“The inherent flaw in this philosophy is the assumption that every young person’s family can afford to take vacations throughout the summer.” — Superintendent Michael Martirano speaking about the proposed post-Labor Day school start 4 Local News 10 Cops & Courts 12 Business 14 Education 15 Navy News 16 Letters 18 Feature Story 19 Home Page 20 Obituaries 22 Newsmaker 23 Sports 24 Community 25 Library Items 25 Book Review 26 Senior 26 History 27 Entertainment Calendar 28 Community Calendar 30 Entertainment 32 Classifieds 33 Business Directory 34 Games 35 Wanderings of an Aimless Mind 35 Health 35 Joyce to the World
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The County Times
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Local
4
News
Sheriff: Gun Parts Investigation Not Confiscation
By Guy Leonard Staff Writer An error in a shipment of gun parts and a cursory police investigation to confirm their ownership led to a furor in the on-line gun enthusiast community over the weekend as some feared legal firearms components had been wrongfully confiscated by police. Hours later the owner of the 10 upper receiver portions of AR-15 rifles, which are non-regulated and legal for sale in Maryland despite a recent ban on the complete rifles, had his merchandise back but some on-line posters were still questioning the police response. For his part, the owner who wishes to remain anonymous, said the incident was blown out of proportion. Sheriff Timothy K. Cameron, who personally responded to the situation
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with one of the agency’s detectives, said the question was never about whether the AR-15 upper receivers were legal to own, but rather if the person claiming to be their owner was who he said he was. The incident occurred when the package of components were mistakenly dropped off at a restaurant in Wildewood instead of a package receiving store in the same shopping center Jan. 31. The following day an employee at the restaurant opened the package and realizing the contents were delivered in error called the sheriff’s office to investigate. Cameron said he and Det. David Alexander responded and took possession of the upper receivers and were soon contacted by their owner, who ordered them for sale as part of his bud-
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ding home business. “The uppers aren’t controlled… but the owner wasn’t there,” Cameron said of his decision to take initial care of the components. “The question was who was the owner and did they actually own the property. “We went to extraordinary lengths to get it back to him post haste.” Alexander said he and Cameron met with the owner of the gun parts Saturday at 1p.m., left him an hour later and were able to return the parts to him by 7:30 that evening. The owner has since said that he was satisfied with the way the sheriff’s office handled the mishap with this property. Initially he posted several messages on the Maryland Shooters on-line forum saying he was distraught over the situation but later said he came to realize the process to have his property returned was fair. Some forum members posting comments said the police taking of the components amounted to confiscation of legal property without cause while others said facts of the incident were very confused. Cameron said that there was never
any indication that the incident had any criminality associated with it. “There was never any criminal investigation,” Cameron said. The parts owner said in an interview Tuesday that he was not mistreated by the sheriff’s office nor did he think that his property was wrongfully withheld from him. He also did not blame the restaurant management in seeking help from law enforcement. He did say that his emotions were running high immediately after the incident and that led to his posting messages that he probably should not have. “I’m completely guilty about being touchy about the subject like everybody else was,” he said. He said that in the aftermath of sweeping gun control legislation that took hold state wide last year, gun owners still exhibited frayed nerves. “I can understand how the community could get upset about this,” the owner said. “Anything relating to guns in Maryland is a touchy subject because of SB 281 [the Firearms Safety Act of 2013].” guyleonard@countytimes.net
Pedestrian Motor Vehicle Accident
On Feb. 4 at approximately 9:38 p.m., deputies from the Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division responded to the area of Three Notch Road and Toms Way for a motor vehicle collision involving a pedestrian. Deputies found a Toyota RAV 4 on the shoulder and a subject lying in the roadway being treated by Emergency Medical Personnel. The subject was subsequently transported by ambulance to the Prince George’s Medical Center with life threatening injuries. Deputies on the scene requested the Sheriff’s Office Collision Reconstruction team respond. Corporal Brian Connelly along with additional members of the Collision Reconstruction Team immediately responded and assumed the investigation. The preliminary investigation revealed Christopher Wayne Murphy, 21 of Saint Inigoes, was walking in the travel portion of Three Notch Road just north of Toms Way. A 2007 Toyota Rav 4 operated by Sandra Louise Birch, 41, of Ridge, was traveling northbound and struck Murphy. Murphy sustained life threatening injuries and was transported to Prince George’s Hospital Center by ambulance. The Maryland State Police Helicopter was unable to transport due to weather. No other injuries were reported. At this time alcohol, drugs, and speed do not appear to be factors in the collision. Anyone who may have witnessed the collision and has not already provided a statement is asked to contact Corporal Brian Connelly ID# 151 of the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office at 301-475-4200 Ext. 9010. This crash remains under investigation.
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Thursday, February 6, 2014
The County Times
Metcom Offers Bill Collection Alternatives By Guy Leonard Staff Writer Officials with the Metropolitan Commission (MetCom) say that current laws that govern the way they collect water and sewer fees are effective and fair but in the wake of a high-profile case in which an 88-year-old man would have lost his home to tax sale for not paying about $700 in sewer service charges, the water and sewer provider seems to be willing to compromise at least to some degree. MetCom Executive Director Dan Ichniowski wrote a letter to St. Mary’s County Delegation Leader John Bohanan offering two compromise points. One was to exempt from tax sale all properties that are owned and occupied by residents 80 years or older and are not otherwise up for county tax sale. The second option was to exempt from tax sale properties that have scofflaw payments of less than $800 and also are not otherwise being sold at tax sale. But Ichniowski warned that significantly reducing or rolling back MetCom’s ability to collect delinquent payments would have multiple repercussions on their operations. “Any code amendment which will reduce the effectiveness of MetCom’s existing collections process, will increase accounts receivable, decrease user charge revenue certainty and will thereby result
in increased user charges for all MetCom customers,” Ichniowski wrote. State lawmakers who had read media reports about the plight of Combs Toney, who has lived in his home on Hollywood Road in Leonardtown since the 1930s, say they are ready to act to change statutes governing how MetCom collects delinquent payments. More than 20 years ago MetCom had laid a sewer line in front of Toney’s property to better serve the residents in the area; Toney never hooked up but paid a monthly maintenance fee for years. Late last year he said he became tired of paying for services he never received and MetCom was ready to put his home up for tax sale under Section 113 of the county’s code but weeks ago a St. Mary’s College of Maryland professor paid Toney’s bill for him. Bohanan said this week that the delegation was waiting to hear about options from MetCom but regardless changes were coming. “We well be making some changes,” Bohanan told The County Times. “If they don’t come up with some ideas then we will. “Nothing’s been drafted yet but we’re going to do something.” guyleonard@countytimes.net
Local
News St. Mary’s County Government Offices Closed Feb. 17 for Presidents Day STS, Landfill and Convenience Centers Open
All St. Mary’s County Government administrative offices and three St. Mary’s County Library branches will be closed on Monday, Feb. 17 in observance of Presidents Day. Administrative offices and libraries will reopen for normal business hours on Tuesday, Feb. 18. The St. Andrews Landfill and six Convenience Centers will be open for normal hours of operation on Monday, Feb. 17. Additionally, the St. Mary’s Transit System (STS) will operate its normal Public Transportation routes and hours of operation. However, the Statewide Specialized Transportation Assistance Program (SSTAP) will not provide services for the Senior Nutrition Centers and SSTAP appointments. All three Senior Activity Centers will also be closed for the holiday and there will be no Meals on Wheels deliveries.
Local
News
The County Times
Thursday, February 6, 2014
6
Researching the Bay, Informing the Community
Chesapeake Biological Laboratory Does it All By Sarah Miller Staff Writer “A lot of people know we’re out here, but they don’t know what we do,” said Mario Tamburri, a research professor at the Chesapeake Biological Laboratory (CBL), a research facility located at the end of Solomons Island that is affiliated with the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science. The CBL has three main goals, according to Director Thomas Miller – tell people who they are, what they do and why it is important to the local community.
What They Do CBL staff is comprised of 24 PhD level faculty members, 30 graduate students, 35 teachers with a masters degree and a number of staff working in the business office, maintenance department and other departments. The campus has welcomed undergraduate students for summer programs since 1939, Miller said. The CBL was founded in 1925 by Reginald Truitt, he said. Truitt was an oyster biologist and a lacrosse coach at University of Maryland College Park. He took the College Park lacrosse team to their first national championship at a time when the school was known as an agricultural school. When Truitt went searching for a field site, he found Solomons Island. The first lab was built in 1925, Miller said, and since then the lab and the community have built a strong connection. The lab is part of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science and one of four field sites through the state. The others are the Appalachian Laboratory in Frostburg, the Horn Point Laboratory in Cambridge and the Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology in Baltimore. In addition to the permanent sites, the Center for Environmental Science has a barge in Baltimore. Each site has a different specialty, Miller said. The Horn Point lab specializes in oceanic study. The Appalachian site specializes in streams, rivers, trees and atmospheric processes. Researchers in Baltimore are developing biotech-based solutions to protecting ecosystems. The Solomons site specializes in “the bits that haven’t been covered,” Miller said. Covering the bits that haven’t been covered means a large variety of projects. One such project, one of two that Tamburri is the director of, is the Maritime Environmental Resource Center (MERC), a Maryland Port Administration and US Maritime Administration funded initiative that provides test facilities, expertise, information, and decision tools to address key environmental issues facing the international maritime industry. “Our primary focus is to evaluate the mechanical and biological efficacy, costs, and logistical aspects of ballast water treatment systems and to assess the economic impacts of ballast water regulations and management approaches. MERC has also recently established efforts to address other related issues, including ship biofouling, alternative fuels Photo Courtesy of Mario Tamburri
and air emissions,” Tamburri said. MERC Services provide technology developers/vendors with facilities and expertise for evaluating ballast water treatments and other environmental innovations, regulatory agencies and classification societies with standardized third-party data on system performance, ship builders and shipping lines with information and decision tools to select the most appropriate treatment options and information and resources for Green Shipping efforts on the Chesapeake Bay, throughout the United States and worldwide. Another project Tamburri is the director of is the Alliance for Coastal Technologies (ACT), a partnership of research institutions, resource managers, and private sector companies dedicated to fostering the development and adoption of effective and reliable sensors and platforms for studying and monitoring coastal, freshwater and ocean environments. ACT Services transition emerging technologies to operational use rapidly and effectively, maintain a dialogue among technology users, developers and providers, identify technology needs and novel technologies, document technology performance and potential and provide a foundation for the United States Integrated Ocean Observing System. Professor Dave Secor is working with a team to tag sturgeon and striped bass to track their movements and numbers in the area starting this spring. They are working with the Department of Natural Resources, among other entities, to place signal receptors throughout the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries in order to track tagged fish. Secor doesn’t just tag fish – he identifies them. He welcomes individuals to send photos or bring in fish they find so he can identify them. With campuses spread all over the state, students at the research facilities were once forced to spend time driving up and down Maryland for classes. Now, through an Interactive Video Network System (IVAN), students can attend lectures at facilities on the other side of the state without leaving Solomons Island. “We were a wonderful guinea pig for this,” said Director of Information Technology Mike Santangelo.
A Tradition of Community Involvement In addition to research going on at the facility, the CBL is constantly looking for ways to get the community involved. While the campus sees almost no visitors between November and April, during the summer months between 3,000 and 4,000 visitors pass through the campus, Miller said. During the winter months, they clean up and make improvements to welcome visitors back, in addition to the daily research going on. This summer will see the installation of several signs throughout the campus with the names of the buildings, some of the history behind them and current activities. Each sign will have a QR code that can be scanned with a smart phone for more information. Also during the summer, the R.V. Truitt Controlled Environment Laboratory will be demolished and rebuilt on the existing footprint, though a little larger to the north, Miller said.
Thomas Miller
Photo by Sarah Miller
The Truitt Lab was built in the 1970s and, over the years, circulating seawater has corroded everything, he said. The new Truitt building will be connected to the L. Eugene Cronin Laboratory. The first floor of the new building will be faculty offices, sea water labs and a conference room. The second floor will mainly be research labs. The new Truitt Lab is expected to be completed in March 2015. The CBL has a visitor’s center that is open during the summer, and is preparing for a lecture series in the visitor’s center starting on March 24 and running every Monday at 1:30 p.m. through the end of May. The series will cover a variety of topics researched at the CBL or that affect the local community and the lectures are free and open to the public. The CBL acquired a number of docks at the end of Solomons Island during a land purchase a few years ago, Miller said. Rather than tearing them down or closing them to non-CBL traffic, the facility leases them to the county for $1 per year with the understanding that the county will lease the dock to watermen at a low cost. Watermen are being priced out of harbors, Miller said, and ensuring them affordable docking is one way to give back to the community. Every summer, the CBL hosts the Calvert County Watermen's Association’s Docking Contest. Currently, Tamburri is working with a team to study an invasive plant species clogging water intake pipes at the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant. Currently, the plant is spending millions of dollars to clear the vegetation, Tamburri said. Representatives from the CBL go to local science fairs and speak at forums, such as the recent League of Women Voters Dominion Cove Point expansion forum that Miller spoke during. Next time you’re down on Solomons Island, keep driving past the Tiki Bar and park off the roundabout on the end of the island. The CBL welcomes visitors, and somebody is always willing to talk about the activities researchers are involved in. For more information on MERC, visit www.maritimeenviro.org. For more information on ACT, visit www.actus.info. For more information about the CBL, visit www. umces.edu/cbl, call 410-326-4281 or visit the campus at the end of Solomons Island. sarahmiller@countytimes.net
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The County Times
Thursday, February 6, 2014
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Local
The County Times
Thursday, February 6, 2014
8
News
Commissioners Concerned Over CSM Classes
By Guy Leonard Staff Writer When Brad Gottfried, president of the College of Southern Maryland (CSM) reported on the state of the educational institution he was upbeat about its prospects for the future and its plans to expand its workforce training abilities but there was a problem. There were quite a few — about 25 percent — of students attending CSM that needed remedial education of some kind before moving on to get their associates degree. Commissioner Todd Morgan, who has taught at
the college for about 20 years in an adjunct capacity, said he was disappointed in the reading and mathematics skills of some of the students he has come into contact with over the years. In a later interview Morgan questioned just how effective the public school system was in training up students who are graduation bound to be ready for college. “This discussion is not a new one,” Morgan said. “It’s been a reoccurring problem.” Commissioner President Francis Jack Russell questioned why the problem existed since so many students needed remedial education in the most funda-
Tickets Now Available for 2014 Women’s History Month Banquet Elizabeth Oliver-Farrow, Oliver Group, Inc. President and CEO, to Deliver Keynote The St. Mary's County Commissioner for Women will hold its annual banquet on Thursday, March 20 at 6 p.m. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. The event takes place at the Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center in Leonardtown. Tickets are now on sale. This year's theme is "Celebrating Women of Courage, Character, and Commitment." The Commis-
sion will also recognize outstanding charitable and civic service to the community by awarding the 2014 Woman of the Year and 2014 Woman of Tomorrow awards. Loretta Anne Dove, a retired Logistic Program Analyst, will be the recipient of the Commission's Lifetime Achievement Award. Ms. Dove has also coordinated Blood Pressure Screenings and Stroke Prevention
Happy Trails Fundraiser
To support Amanda “Mandie Whipkey” who will be hiking the Appalachian Trail (2,200 miles) beginning mid March On Saturday, February 8th, we will hold a Fundraiser at the Dang Dirty Dog Pet Spa at 25741 Three Notch Rd, Hollywood, from 10 AM – 6 PM Dang Dirty Dog Pet Spa will be donating a portion of their grooming sales to Mandie's hike. Call 301-769-2363 to schedule an appointment. Mandie, herself, will be there that day helping to bath the dogs! Come out and wish her well.
We will also have a Doggy Bake Sale! For your one stop shopping needs, we are having a Scentsy fundraiser in the same location between 11 AM - 1 PM. Need something to cover that wet dog smell? This is the time to get it! They will have items for purchase on site or you can place an online order today to be shipped to you at: https://sandylb.scentsy.us/Scentsy/Home?partyId=221224556 For more information, email barb.whipkey@gmail.com
Programs and volunteered extensively for the Cancer Society and St. Mary's County Schools. Elizabeth Oliver-Farrow, President and CEO of The Oliver Group, Inc., a public policy and communications company based in Washington, DC, will deliver the keynote address. Oliver- Farrow is a recognized leader in the Hispanic community and served for six years on the board of the US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. She has over 40 years of public relations, marketing and production experience and is a media consultant to CEOs and senior executives regarding corporate initiatives. Tickets for the banquet are $20 each and are sold in advance only. Tickets will not be available at the door. Deadline for reservations is Wednesday, March 5. To reserve a seat to the banquet, complete a ticket reservation form available on the Commission for Women's webpage at www.co.saintmarys.md.us/voluntr/women.asp or call the Department of Aging and Human Services, Division of Human Services at 301475-4200, extension 1849. Completed reservation forms, along with payment for each ticket, can be mailed to: Commission for Women, c/o Amber Norris, Division of Human Services, P. O. Box 653, 23115 Leonard Hall Dr., Leonardtown, Md. 20650. Checks should be made payable to "The St. Mary's County Commission for Women." Proceeds from the banquet will go to the Jane Hale Sypher Scholarship at the College of Southern Maryland, Leonardtown, Md.
mental subject areas and the county was boasting a 90 percent high school graduation rate. “There’s a disconnect here somewhere,” Russell said. Gottfried also said that the outlook for college students overall is also a bit gloomy since 26 percent of college graduates are either unemployed or employed only part-time and of the 92 percent of students who expect to graduate with a degree only 59 percent of them will on a national basis. guyleonard@countytimes.net
Understanding Winter Weather Terms With winter weather in the forecast for this week the Department of Emergency Services & Technology urges residents to be aware ... of local forecasts and warnings and to understand key weather terminology used by the National Weather Service. Winter Storm Warning: Issued when hazardous winter weather in the form of heavy snow, heavy freezing rain, or heavy sleet is imminent or occurring. Winter Storm Warnings are usually issued 12 to 24 hours before the event is expected to begin. Winter Storm Watch: Alerts the public to the possibility of a blizzard, heavy snow, heavy freezing rain, or heavy sleet. Winter Storm Watches are usually issued 12 to 48 hours before the beginning of a Winter Storm. Winter Storm Outlook: Issued prior to a Winter Storm Watch. The Outlook is given when forecasters believe winter storm conditions are possible and are usually issued 3 to 5 days in advance of a winter storm. Blizzard Warning: Issued for sustained or gusty winds of 35 mph or more, and falling or blowing snow creating visibilities at or below 1⁄4 mile; these conditions should persist for at least three hours. Wind Chill Warning: Issued when wind chill temperatures are expected to be hazardous to life within several minutes of exposure. Wind Chill Advisory: Issued when wind chill temperatures are expected to be a significant inconvenience to life with prolonged exposure, and, if caution is not exercised, could lead to hazardous exposure. Winter Weather Advisories: Issued for accumulations of snow, freezing rain, freezing drizzle, and sleet which will cause significant inconveniences and, if caution is not exercised, could lead to life-threatening situations. Sleet: Rain drops that freeze into ice pellets before reaching the ground. Sleet usually bounces when hitting a surface and does not stick to objects. However, it can accumulate like snow and cause a hazard to motorists. Freezing Rain: Rain that falls onto a surface with a temperature below freezing. This causes it to freeze to surfaces, such as trees, cars, and roads, forming a coating or glaze of ice. Even small accumulations of ice can cause a significant hazard. Regardless of the severity of a winter storm, you should be prepared in order to remain safe during these events. For more information visit prepare.stmarysmd.com.
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The County Times
Thursday, February 6, 2014
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The County Times
Cops & Courts
Calvert Police: Car Theft in St. Mary’s Leads to Fatal Crash By Guy Leonard Staff Writer Calvert County sheriff’s officials say that a car stolen from St. Mary’s County Tuesday night was responsible for a collision in Lusby that left one person dead and two people injured. Calvert police reported that they responded to a convenience store on H.G. Trueman Road at about 12:30 a.m. for the report of a theft there; reports from St. Mary’s showed that the vehicle used in the theft matched the description of a car that had just been stolen from Lexington Park, according to police reports. An employee at the store had followed the suspect vehicle to another location in Lusby and police followed but were not able to find it; once they returned to the store they looked up to find the suspect ve-
hicle had returned and the driver was now trying to buy fuel. The driver, who police identified as David Todd Dennison, 37, of Patuxent River jumped into the car and sped off. Deputies tried to track the vehicle but were unable to find it but an assisting St. Mary’s deputy found the vehicle overturned off the road in a wooded patch near Rousby Hall Circle. Emergency medical services arrived to treat the occupants, Dennison, Amanda Nicole Gott, 25, of Lusby and Steven Edward Coontz, 53 also of Lusby, police said. Coontz was later pronounced dead at Calvert Memorial Hospital, police said. Calvert sheriff’s investigators said alcohol and speed appear to be factors in the crash. guyleonard@countytimes.net
LAW OFFICE OF
DANIEL A. M. SLADE, L.L.C. LOKER BUILDING
Thursday, February 6, 2014
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Tainted Heroin Linked to Southern Maryland Deaths By Guy Leonard Staff Writer A batch of tainted heroin has caused at least three overdose deaths in Southern Maryland, according to figures from the state’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and 34 more deaths overall throughout Maryland. The 37 deaths occurred between September of last year to the present, state officials have said. So far two deaths have been reported in Calvert County and one in Charles County; there have been no fatalities reported in St. Mary’s County. Police say they are still concerned that the tainted narcotics could find there way here. “Just because it hasn’t happened here doesn’t mean we’re immune to it,” said Capt. Daniel Alioto, commander of the county’s vice/narcotics unit. “The word is out so we’re on guard.” State health officials say the tainted heroin has been cut with fentanyl, which is already a powerful synthetic opiate often used as a painkiller, particularly in patch form. “Fentanyl itself is incredibly powerful and with heroin it’s a toxic combination,” Alioto said. The tainted heroin may not have resulted in any deaths in St. Mary’s but there have been three fatal heroin overdoses here already, Alioto said. Over the past four months there have been a total of 318 deaths from heroin overdoses in Maryland, state health officials said, and the tainted heroin deaths represent 12 percent of those fatalities. The state referenced the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention when stating that fentanyl is about 80 times more powerful than morphine and hundreds of times more powerful than heroin available on the street. “Deaths due to the heroin mixture appear to be widespread in Maryland and not localized to any specific area,” said Dr. David Fowler, the state’s chief medical examiner. “We have also seen overdose deaths due to fentanyl mixed with cocaine.” guyleonard@countytimes.net
Death Investigation On Feb. 2 at approximately 10:09 p.m., Sheriff’s Office Patrol deputies responded to a report of an unconscious person in the area of Pacific Drive in Lexington Park. Upon arrival, deputies discovered a male subject, identified as Melvin J. Craddock, age 35, of Lexington Park, Md. lying in the grass unresponsive. CPR was initiated by deputies until the arrival of personnel from the Lexington Park Volunteer Rescue Squad who continued medical efforts to revive the victim. Mr. Craddock was later pronounced deceased at the scene. Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Division were contacted and responded to the scene. The preliminary investigation determined Mr. Craddock was operating his motor vehicle and for unknown reasons stopped his vehicle in the roadway and exited the vehicle before collapsing in the grass near the roadway. There were no signs of any injuries observed on Mr. Craddock. According to family members, Mr. Craddock has suffered from a recent medical condition. Mr. Craddock was transported to the Maryland State Medical Examiner’s Office where an autopsy will be performed to determine the cause and manner of death.
Sheriff’s Vehicles Now Equipped With Automated External Defibrillators 41650 COURT HOUSE DRIVE, SUITE 301 • P.O. BOX 288 LEONARDTOWN, MARYLAND 20650
PHONE: 301-475-5150 • FAX: 301-475-6909
The Department of Emergency Services & Technology, along with the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, is pleased to announce the completion of its Law Enforcement AED program. The county has outfitted Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicles with AEDs for some time. Following a recommendation from Emergency Medical Service Medical Director, Dr. Michael Somers, the Department of Emergency Services and Technology obtained grant money to equip all patrol vehicles with AEDs. This week the Sheriff’s Office received 30 new AEDs. Law enforcement is a vital link in the chain of survival for victims of sudden cardiac arrest.
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The County Times
Thursday, February 6, 2014
SHERIFF’S BLOTTER
Cops & Courts
The following information is compiled directly from publicly released police reports.
On Feb. 3 Corporal Corcoran responded to the Walmart in California, for two shoplifters in custody by loss prevention personnel. The investigation revealed Priscilla Lynn Bissett, 18, of Lexington Park and Emani Nicole Jackson, 18, of Lexington Park, had concealed items of merchandise in their handbags and left the store without paying. A subsequent search of Bissett’s handbag revealed a burnt marijuana cigarette. Both suspects were placed under arrest and transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention Center. Jackson was charged with 2 counts of Theft Under $100 and Theft Scheme. Bissett was charged with 2 counts of Theft Under $100, Theft Scheme, and Possession Controlled Dangerous Substance – Marijuana. On Feb. 3 Deputy First Class Boyer conducted a vehicle stop for a traffic violation on Great Mills Road in the area Langley Road. The driver identified as Martell D Angelo Morgan, 26, of Piney Point, acted in a suspicious manner. A K9 scan of the vehicle was conducted at which time the K9 alerted on the vehicle. A folded dollar bill containing suspected crack cocaine was located under the center armrest. Morgan was placed under arrest and transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention Center. He was charged with Possession Controlled Dangerous Substance – Not Marijuana and Possession Paraphernalia. Morgan had just been released from the St. Mary’s County
Detention Center after being charged with 2nd Degree Assault stemming from a domestic situation which occurred on February 1, 2014 by Deputy Cole. Morgan was found to be in possession of an amount of suspected cocaine during a secondary search at the detention center. He was charged with 2nd Degree Assault, Possession Controlled Dangerous Substance – Not Marijuana, and Possession Contraband in Place of Confinement. On Feb. 3 Deputy Wesner responded to a residence on Othello Way in California for a reported assault. The victim alleged suspect Shannon Marie Leymeister, 24, of California, stabbed the victim with a fork during an argument. Deputy Wesner observed injuries on the victim consistent with the prongs of a fork. Leymeister was placed under arrest and transported to the St. Mary’s Count Detention Center. She was charged with 2nd Degree Assault. On Feb. 4 Deputy Schultz responded to a residence on Cambridge Avenue in Lexington Park, for a domestic disturbance. Deputy Schultz met with the complainant outside of the residence, who reported suspect James William Justice Sr., 47, of Lexington Park, had locked the victim inside the residence. Just then suspect Justice exited the residence and made his way to the complainant in a threatening manner. Justice was detained by Deputy Schultz for safety
reasons. He immediately began to curse loudly at deputies and others on the scene. Justice ignored all orders made by Deputy Schultz to stop. A crowd began to gather causing Deputy Schultz to call for more deputies to assist on the scene and delayed contact with the victim. Justice was placed under arrest and transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention Center. He was charged with Disorderly Conduct, Failure to Obey Lawful Order, and Obstructing/ Hindering. On Feb. 3 Deputy Phelan responded to a residence in Chaptico, for a reported domestic assault. The victim alleged suspect Lorne Michael Hill, 43, of Chaptico, pushed the victim into the shower stall then strangled the victim with his hands. He then threw the victim to the floor and held the victim down. Deputy Phelan observed injuries on the victim’s neck and upper body. Hill was placed under arrest and transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention Center. He was charged with 2nd Degree Assault. On Feb. 1 Deputy Potter responded to a residence on Prather Drive in Lexington Park for a reported intoxicated subject refusing to leave a party. On arrival, suspect Demetri Paul Brooks, 18, of Lexington Park, was outside yelling profanities and threatening the security personnel. He refused all orders made by Deputy Potter to stop yelling and leave the area. Brooks was
placed under arrest and transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention Center. During transport, Brooks discarded pills later identified as Oxycodone. He was charged with Disorderly Conduct, Failure to Obey Lawful Order, and Possession Controlled Dangerous Substance – Not Marijuana. On Feb. 2 Deputy Flerlage responded to the St. Mary’s County Detention Center for a fight between 2 inmates. The investigation revealed suspect Jeffrey Keith Price, 36, of Mechanicsville, followed the victim into his cell and proceeded to push and kick the victim. However, the victim then recontacted Price and assaulted him with his hands. Price was charged with 2nd Degree Assault on DOC Employee (inmate) and the second inmate identified as Erik nmn Schroeter, 45, of Waldorf was charged with 2nd Degree Assault on DOC Employee (inmate). On Jan. 30 Deputy First Class T. Snyder of the Lexington Park COPs Unit observed suspect Willie Sheldon Miller, 47, of Lexington Park, on the property of Milison Plaza. Miller had been served with a notice not to trespass for the property on September 27, 2013 by Sergeant C. Safford. Miller was placed under arrest and transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention Center. He was charged with Trespassing: Private Property.
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The County Times
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Business News
Family, One Shot at a Time By Kimberly Alston Contributing Writer As of November of 2013, Amanda Adams Photography has been servicing the Southern Maryland region for four years. While she normally focuses on family and child portraiture, Adams has now expanded her business to cover wedding and large event coverage. In addition to that, Adams has the capability to shoot both on location, at a client’s choosing, and in her studio. “Photography, now, is really, really popular,” Adams said. While in high school, Adams took pictures for both her newspaper and yearbook, using film and print photography. After high school, she studied overseas and upon coming back to the United States, Adams took time off to get married and start a family. From there, she said, her passion was reignited. Adams felt the need to capture special moments with her children and used her skills in photography to do so. Adams said that her kids were her guinea pigs in her attempts to transition from film pictures, which she was accustomed to, to digital photography, which had become a popular form of photography during her hiatus. With her interests sparked once again, Adams then contacted and networked with people in order to form her own business.
For the past three years, Adams has worked alone in her business, but with the start of this year, she is in transition and is now working with a partner on larger scale events such as weddings and other parties. Sticking with the elements that she knows, Adams specializes in portrait photography, including: maternity and newborn sessions, as well as family and child portraits. She has not, however, moved into pet photography or landscapes. “It’s important for each photographer to find their niche,” Adams said. When she is not working on a shoot, Adams has a teaching position at a photography group. As of now, Adams is able to travel to meet the needs of her clients. “Some people really like shooting in Annapolis,” she said. While she advertises as a Southern Maryland photographer, Adams does shoots in both Virginia and D.C. as well. Average pricing for portraits are around $450 per session and wedding prices vary. After her shoots, Adams makes sure that her clients receive print versions of their photos as well as a digital copy. For more information about Amanda Adams, visit her website, amandaadamsphotography.com, visit her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/amandaadamsphotography, email her at info@amandaadamsphotography.com, or call her at 410-231-8692 kimberlyalston@countytimes.net
Rolling the Stone By Kimberly Alston Contributing Writer The new Stoney’s Seafood House will officially open at the end of February. Owner Donald Gordon said that this move has been a long time coming – about 16 months worth of planning, permits and preparation have prepared them for this moment. Stoney’s is moving to the Market Square Retail Shopping Center in Prince Frederick because, according to Gordon, it was what was better for the restaurant in the long term. Gordon is faithful that the restaurant will not suffer because of the move, since they are moving into a high traffic shopping center that will help more than it would hurt. Since Gordon’s ownership began about 10 years ago, he said that there have been no real changes to anything in the restaurant itself. However, with the new move will come some changes in terms of more hours open during the week as well as breakfast served on the weekend. Stoney’s will also have a new look, according to Gordon, slightly smaller, but more modern. The new Stoney’s Seafood House will be located at 896 Costley Way, in Prince Frederick. The current facility is located at 545 Solomons Island Rd., in Prince Frederick. For more information, visit www.stoneysseafoodhouse.com or call 410-535-1888. kimberlyalston@countytimes.net
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Thursday, February 6, 2014
The County Times
Business News Century 21 New Millennium Retains Position as Number One Century 21 Firm in the World CENTURY 21® Real Estate, LLC. announced on Monday that CENTURY 21 New Millennium’s 2013 annual production exceeded all other firms worldwide. The northern Virginia based organization retains the position initially earned in 2012 which keeps New Millennium in the first position ahead of more than 7,000 independently-owned offices in 73 countries and territories around the globe. New Millennium joined the CENTURY 21® System in 1998 and has established a sound and successful full-service real estate organization in the Washington, D.C. Metro area. In addition to traditional residential and commercial services, the company offers on-site mortgage, title, property management, and access to a vast network of relocation and other real estate service providers worldwide. With seventeen locations and over 775 real estate professionals serving clients in the D.C. Metro region, New Millennium is consistently included in REALTOR® Magazine’s Top 100 Companies List for all real estate firms nationwide regardless of brand. It has also been awarded the prestigious Cartus Masters Cup, the Network’s highest honor. The Cartus Broker Network is the largest relocation network
in the world, and includes 811 hand se- our company and individually to make a CENTURY 21® Real Estate, LLC lected brokerages in the United States. difference in people’s lives. We are grate- president and CEO Rick Davidson conAccording to CEO/Co-Owner Todd ful to be large enough to have strong mar- gratulated and thanked the men and Hetherington, company growth has been ket presence and national recognition, but women of CENTURY 21® New Millenni“steady, strategic, and service-driven. we will always remain small enough to be um “...for all that has gone into achieving From the beginning, we have focused very focused on accountability and cus- this incredible repeat performance at the on providing exceptional customer care. tomer service. Those are the things that very pinnacle of our organization. When Our agents and staff do a superb job of set us apart.” we think excellence, we think CENTURY combining the latest in technology, mar21 New Millennium.” ket knowledge, and genuine personal care to help our clients have positive, memoThe St. Mary’s County Chapter of Delicados Incorporated and rable experiences when they buy or sell or rent a home.” Health Connections of MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital brings you The dedication of the company’s agents and employees to their communities is also evident in their strong support for various national and local causes. Hetherington added that “helping neighbors in need aligns well with the company’s mission.” Company President/ Co-Owner Mary Lynn Stone added, “Serving our communities is an important part of what our agents and employees do and we are very humbled and thankful for their efforts on behalf of
Dr. Garner Morgan Inducted into the International College of Dentist Local dental practitioner, Dr. Garner D. Morgan has been inducted as a fellow of the International College of Dentist. The International College of Dentist, with representative chapters in more than 80 countries, has over 11,000 members, including about 6,500 in the United States. Dr. Morgan was recognized for the outstanding and meritorious service to the profession and community in a ceremony at its 84th Annual Convocation in New Orleans this past November. Dr. Morgan has been serving the community since 1980 and currently practices with his son at Dr. Luke Morgan and Associates in Mechanicsville. He and his wife of 43 years reside in Avenue, Md. As he has many professional accomplishments, his passion is with the Southern Maryland Mission of Mercy. This is a two day free dental clinic for non-insured and under insured adults. Under his direction, the first MOM clinic held at Chopticon High School in 2012, was a huge success. A second Southern Maryland Mission of Mercy is scheduled for July 18 and 19. This year’s event will be held at North Point High School in Waldorf, Md.
Women’s Wellness Day Saturday, February 22, 2014 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Mt. Zion United Methodist Church of Laurel Grove Mechanicsville, Md.
This Program is Free and Includes Health Screenings (Fasting not Required) Continental Breakfast and Lunch Health Displays and Educational Materials Some Featured Programs Asthma Mental Health Management Heart Health
Pre-registration Required
Call 301-475-6019 to learn more and to register.
MedStarStMarys.org
Presented by St. Mary’s Delicados, Inc. and
The County Times
Education
Are Massive Online Open Courses the Future of Education? Find Out at Upcoming TPP Presentation
A Massive Online Open Courseware presentation, “MOOCs: How to advance your personal and professional skills with online courses,” with Professor Ben Bederson, Special Advisor to the Provost on Technology and Educational Transformation, University of Maryland and Dr. Karen Cooper, Research Scientist, Future Workforce Technologies and Strategies, NAVAIR will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 12 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in The Patuxent Partnership conference room, 22335 Exploration Dr., Suite 1030, Lexington Park, MD. This program, presented by The Patuxent Partnership, is free and open to the public. A MOOC is an online course aimed at large-scale interactive participation and open access via the web. In addition to traditional course materials such as videos, readings, and problem sets, MOOCs provide interactive user forums that help build a community for the students, professors, and teaching assistants. MOOCs are a recent development in distance education. Many courses are free of charge. A recent review of two leading MOOC sites, Coursera and edX, offer courses as varied as MIT’s Innovation and Commercialization, and Introduction to Solid State Chemistry, and Columbia University’s MOS Transistors and Princeton’s Analysis of Algorithms. Prof. Bederson said, “While the use of technology for learning is as old as technology itself, MOOCs have engaged the marketplace and media like none before it. The potential comes from not only self-paced and self-service learning, but also by making face-to-face learning more effective by enabling more active learning styles.” “MOOCs have a profound opportunity to impact the way we learn and train both our service people and our citizens.” said Dr. Cooper, “Technology is merely an enabler; it is sound instructional design that creates the opportunity for learning to occur. And well-designed MOOCs that effectively leverage technology are creating powerful largescale, global, open constructs to significantly change how we learn.” Doors open at 10:45 a.m. Pre-registration is preferred, as seating is limited. To register or for more information, please visit www.paxpartnership.org.
Thursday, February 6, 2014
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SMCPS Represented at President’s EducationThemed Visit to Maryland By Kay Poiro Staff Writer Superintendent Michael Martirano represented St. Mary’s County along with educators from around the state and country at President Obama’s visit to Prince George’s County this Tuesday. Held at Buck Jones Middle School in Adelphi, President Obama talked about bringing better technology to students nationwide. Building on the idea of enhancing technological access to prepare students for the 21st century, President Obama discussed his ConnectED initiative. The initiative is aimed at connecting 99 percent of American students to broadband within the next five years, as well as leveling the education playing field for students in rural communities. In St. Mary’s County, over 2,000 iPads have been distributed in the public schools for use by students in
grades 3-8. With the Board of Education’s operating budget supplementing a $2.5 million dollar Department of Defense grant, St. Mary’s County Public Schools are closer to 1:1 computing in the classroom. Chairman of the Board of Education Dr. Sal Raspa said of the visit, “This is exciting for us for a lot of reasons. Most importantly, everyone feels good about our school system- parents, grandparents and even the students. “People look at what we do in St. Mary’s County and the results that we’re getting. It’s phenomenal,” says Raspa. For more information on ConnectED, visit http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2013/06/06/ what-connected. kaypoiro@countytimes.net
Gaskin Expected to File for District 1 Board of Education By Kay Poiro Staff Writer Former president of the St. Mary’s County branch of the NAACP John “Alonzo” Gaskin is expected to file for the Board of Education’s District 1 seat. The Ridge native told The County Times that running for office has always been in the back of his mind, but the timing is finally right. “I’ve always been involved with and interested in education,” Gaskin says. “I’m about a year away from retirement, so I can put in the time that being a board member requires.” Gaskin is a graduate of Great Mills High School and served as president of the St. Mary’s County NAACP branch in the 1990s. He is a former member of the Democratic Central Committee and remains active with the Unified Committee for Afro-American Contributions (UCAC). Sal Raspa, Chairman of the Board of Education, says Gaskin would be a “great asset” to the board. Raspa currently holds the District 1 seat and last month announced that he would not run again. Gaskin is expected to file this Friday, Feb. 7. kaypoiro@countytimes.net
Board of Education Advocates for Local Authority Over School Calendar By Kay Poiro Staff Writer Schools Superintendent Michael Martirano and the Board of Education continue to express their collective opposition to a proposed post-Labor Day school start date. During a visit to St. Mary’s County last year, State Comptroller Peter Franchot pushed for a post- Labor Day start for the school year, claiming the economies of tourism-dependent communities like Ocean City and Deep Creek Lake would be at a disadvantage when families are unable to vacation these areas. Senator Roy P. Dyson (D-29), while stating he’s “not leaning one way or the other” on the issue, echoed Fran-
chot’s justification for the advantages of a post-Labor Day start for schools. According to Martirano, “The inherent flaw in this philosophy is the assumption that every young person’s family can afford to take vacations throughout the summer.” The superintendent also cites increased academic regression that could occur should the summer be lengthened. Board member Cathy Allen is in favor of local control of the public school calendar, telling The County Times that the impact of a post-Labor Day school start would mean re-evaluating state-mandated spring and winter breaks, as well as teacher professional days. “When you push here, you pull there,” Allen says. “There is no easy answer.”
She also points out that pushing the school start date means potentially having classroom instruction continue into the last week of June. “We have eight days of instruction prior to Labor Day, according to the proposed school calendar,” Allen explains. If added to the end of the school calendar, those eight days would extend the length of the school year to June 26. Public comments on the subject are welcome at the next Board of Education meeting scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 12 at 9:00 a.m. in the Board of Education meeting room, 23160 Moakley Street, Leonardtown, Md. kaypoiro@countytimes.net
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Thursday, February 6, 2014
Anchors Away By Kimberly Alston Contributing Writer The Patuxent River Sail and Power Squadron (PRSPS) is in the process of celebrating its 100th anniversary. As part of this celebration, the PRSPS is holding a six week course on boating, giving students the opportunity to learn the basics of a sea vessel as well as boating safety. It is being held at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Lexington Park, starting Tuesday, Feb. 11. PRSPS, according to Public Relations Lead, Cheryl Speer, is described as “an organization of volunteers dedicated to promoting and teaching safe boating rules, regulations and practices”. In addition to that, the organization supports various military benefitted events such as the Wounded Warriors project and activities such as USMC Toys for Tots and Christmas in April.
The current boating classes they are offering, “The ABC’s of Boating Safety” is a mini course with six sessions each lasting about two hours in which instructors focus on the basics of boating safety. Students will learn various techniques on how to control a vessel, including how to stop a boat, considering there are no breaks on a boat. Commander Wayne Rogers said that in this course, which is set up in a traditional classroom fashion, students will hear the material at least four times and by then, they should remember it. Rogers said that this particular course is one of the most important courses because, “If a boater doesn’t understand the rules of the road [he/she] could be in trouble”. There is a right of way rule that boaters have to apply by that many people are not aware of. This class will also warrant a certified safety card, which everyone born after July 1, 1972 is required to have. While there is no minimum age requirement to obtain the card, many people do not have it. 10-year-old Josh Van Ryswick is taking this class because he “wants to learn how to drive a boat safely.” PRSPS, according to Rogers, has three main points: public education, civic service, and fraternity. The squadron is composed of 140 members from St. Mary’s, Calvert and Charles County. Their membership helps promote more classes, which in turn helps provide more of a service to the community, which then gains the organization more members. “It’s a cycle”, Rogers said. The ABC’s of Boating Safety class begins on Tuesday, Feb. 11 at 7 p.m. The class is held at the Trinity Lutheran Church, 46707 Shangri La Drive, in Lexington Park. For more information, visit www. usps.org/localusps/patuxent, or call 301-475-3883
Navy
News
Photos by Cheryl Speers
kimberlyalston@countytimes.net
Operation Homeport Seeks to Strengthen Ties Between Sailors, St. Mary’s County NAS Patuxent River’s Operation Homeport aims to create a home away from home for single sailors and not just for holidays. Modeled after the U.S. Naval Academy’s long-standing sponsorship program where midshipmen are “adopted” by a community family, Teague hopes to create the same with Operation Homeport. “The host family’s home becomes a place of relaxation for the sailor,” says Lt. Helen Teague, the base’s Operation Homeport representative. “A place to step away and hang out with some people who aren’t mission focused.” Teague sees this as a way to strengthen bonds between the base and St. Mary’s County, noting that single sailors or single parent sailors may be more likely to take advantage of what the county has to offer with a local host. Unlike some military programs, Operation Homeport is 100 percent voluntary. “There are no quotas,” says Teague. “We don’t have any marks to hit. This is purely for the benefit of the sailors and the community. If we only have one or two sailors or families interested, then that’s who we will serve.” For more information, a host family application or Operation Homeport Sailor Questionnaire, visit http://www.cnic.navy.mil/regions/ndw/installations/nas_ patuxent_river/ffr/operation-homeport.html kaypoiro@countytimes.net
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By Kay Poiro Staff Writer
Letters to the
The County Times
Thursday, February 6, 2014
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Editor
19th Annual Health Share Of St. Mary’s Holiday Home Tour
We, the Board of Directors and Associate Directors of Health Share of St. Mary’s extend our sincere and heartfelt appreciation and thanks to Karen and Dan Doherty; Richard Holden and Susan Nash; Loretta “Tiny” Taylor; Alice and Ralph Owens; the Raley Family of Mary’s Hope, especially Suzi Raley; and Muffin Padukiewicz and Tara at Historic St. Mary’s City for the hospitality extended to the 100+ participants of the 19th Annual Health Share of St. Mary’s Holiday Home Tour. Mother Nature was not kind in sending icy conditions for the day. We all feel the disappointment of the Home Owners, the staff at Historic St. Mary’s City and the Raley family at Mary’s Hope who were unable to share the festive beauty created by their many hours of attention to detail in decorating their respective sites, and the many disappointed Holiday Home Tour par-
ticipants who look forward to kicking off their holiday season with this event. This was the first Holiday Home Tour to experience such bad weather conditions. On the up side, Health Share did very well financially, all things considered, making over $12,000.00. This was due to advance ticket sales, the generosity of those who were able to be on the Tour and generous donations made by so many unable to attend due to the weather. Thank you! Thank you! Appreciation and thanks are also extended to Cedar Point Federal Credit Union, Community Bank of The Chesapeake, PNC Bank, Apple Basket, Lola Belle Co, Kevin Thompson’s Corner Kafe, Traditions of Loveville, Vintage Source, Printing Press, Anne Marum, Kathy Bell, Southern Maryland- This is Living Magazine, Susan Craton - The Enterprise, Mary Leigh Harless, Lucy Barbour & Karen Brooks and all others
who helped with ticket sales and advertising. Also, for the Raffle items donated we thank Thompson’s Corner Kafe for the stuffed ham and oysters; Apple Basket for the Christmas Wreath crafted by Charlene Tsirigoits; and Mary Ada Candela for her “St. Mary’s County Santa” painting framed by Jack Candela. The generosity and Christmas Spirit of all of you who participated in this event helps meet the needs of those in our community who rely on the basic health care and prescription drugs provided through Health Share of St. Mary’s. Happy New Year to all! Mark your calendars for December 7, 2014 for the 20th Annual Health Share of St. Mary’s Holiday Home Tour. Ella May Russell Board President
St. Mary’s Truly Cares The year 2013 was an especially challenging one for the soup kitchen at St. Mary’s Caring as we experienced a 17.7% increase in the number of meals we served as compared to 2012. We could not have managed this level of growth without the support of this compassionate and committed community. I wish it were possible to acknowledge the countless individuals who help keep our doors open but they do have our deepest gratitude. I would like to publicly thank the businesses and organizations who have contributed so much to our operation: American Legion Post 192, Bay District Senior Club, Boeing Corporation, CSC Applied Technologies, General Dynamics, Giant Groceries, Northrop Grumman Corporation,P-8 Integrated Test Team, Tidewater Dental, Tom Hodges Auto, Washington Post, Mike Whitson and the Chaptico Classic,K of C Belles of Ridge, SMECO, Mike Kibler and the Breton Bay Po-
lar Bear Plunge, Wyle Labs, Calico Homemakers, Rob Plant and Blue Wind Gourmet, GCC Technologies Aerodynamics Division, David Sansotta and his food service team at St. Mary’s College, the United Way of St. Mary’s, Paul Gelrud and his team at Harry Lundberg School, Arba Graphics, St. George’s Episcopal Church, Sung-Hyun Baptist Church, Patuxent Presbyterian Church, Hollywood United Methodist Church, Patuxent NAS Protestant Congregation, House of Disciples, Christ Episcopal Church, Lexington Park United Methodist Church, Cornerstone Presbyterian Church, Grace Chapel, Good Samaritan Lutheran Church, Community Church and Lighthouse Young Adult Ministries. We are grateful that you care about the less fortunate in this county. Dana McGarity President
LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD To Submit a Letter to the Editor, Email your letter to news@countytimes.net or mail to The County Times • P.O. Box 250, • Hollywood, MD 20636
Free Tax Preparation The AARP Tax-Aide program, the nation’s largest volunteer-run tax assistance and tax preparation service, is providing free tax preparation and electronic filing in St. Mary’s County for low-to middle-income taxpayers with special attention paid to those ages 60 and older. AARP Tax-Aide is a program of the AARP Foundation offered in conjunction with the IRS. Taxpayers do not need to be a member of AARP. Taxpayers must bring their social security cards and picture IDs (to prevent identity theft), as well as a copy of last year’s tax returns and all income and tax related information including names, social security cards, and birth dates for everyone who will be listed on the return. Call 301-884-8370, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. to schedule an appointment at a site near you, or visit our walk-in site at McKay’s Shopping Center (in the old Beauty Salon) on Great Mills Road. Unfortunately we are not able to prepare tax returns involving businesses, farms, rental properties, or partnerships. Additional information, including walk-in site hours, is available at: www.smctaxaide.org .
James Manning McKay - Founder
Eric McKay -Associate Publisher..................................ericmckay@countytimes.net
P.O. Box 250 Hollywood, Maryland 20636 News, Advertising, Circulation, Classifieds: 301-373-4125
www.countytimes.net
Contributing Writers:
Angie Stalcup - Editorial Production Manager...........angiestalcup@countytimes.net
Kimberly Alston
Guy Leonard - Reporter - Government, Crime...............guyleonard@countytimes.net
Laura Joyce
Tobie Pulliam - Office Manager..............................tobiepulliam@countytimes.net
Ron Guy Debra Meszaros
KayPoiro-Reporter-Business, Education, Entertainment..........kaypoiro@countytimes.net
Shelby Oppermann
KaseyRussell- Graphic Designer.......................................kaseyrussell@countytimes.net
Terri Schlichenmeyer
Sarah Miller- Reporter - Community..............................sarahmiller @countytimes.net Sales Representatives......................................................................sales@countytimes.net
Linda Reno Doug Watson
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Thursday, February 6, 2014
The County Times
School Calendar: Who Should Make the Decision? The current discussion about the SMCPS calendar is not a new one. The benefits and consequences of a pre or post Labor Day start have been debated often. Each has advantages and disadvantages. Since the school calendar impacts the entire community, not just those who have children attending the public schools, local citizens have a stake in this decision. St. Mary’s County is a diverse community that includes farming, water industry, business, and the military. Each group has its own needs and interests. It is no small task to meet the academic needs of the students while balancing the best interests of families and the community and there is no perfect school calendar. The argument that a statewide post Labor Day Start would be better for the economy fails to take into account some important issues that would result. For example, many teachers enroll in graduate coursework in state colleges and universities where summer sessions start as early as May. Their access to courses could be limited by a later end to the school year. Inclement weather presents another challenge. Annual snowfall amounts vary greatly across the state. Historically, Garrett County has more snow days to makeup than St. Mary’s and we have more snow days to make up than Worcester County. Each county takes this into account when they build their school calendars. Years with more than normal snow days could have students in St. Mary’s County going to school through the end of June. Educators understand the developmental needs of the children they serve and have expertise in the practice of teaching. Administrators build the school calendar to efficiently and effectively support learning while ensuring that the state requirements for hours and days in attendance are met. Elected School Board Members listen to their constituents and incorporate their voices in the calendar development process. A significant amount of the funding for the school system comes from local taxpayers. Therefore, I believe the school calendar is a policy decision that is best made locally and should remain so. Patricia M Richardson, Ph.D. Mechanicsville, Md.
Metcom Owes 20+ Years Of Monthly Fees I have been following the saga of Mr. Toney, the 88 year old gentleman that has been paying for a service he has never used, for over twenty years. Mr. Toney was on the verge of losing the family home, occupied for over 80 years, because he decided enough was enough, and stopped paying MetCom. I can't understand how MetCom ever got the authority to force people to either join, or pay regardless, for their service. The Republican governor in 1957 was Theodore McKeldin, he was an urbanite from Baltimore, maybe that had something do to with his signing this ridiculous law. If MetCom chooses to install water and sewer through a certain area, that is their choice, and their nickel. They should not be allowed to charge a home owner for the right of way for the installation, nor monthly fees, if that home owner chooses not to hook up, and their well and septic are functioning properly. MetCom claims an operating budget of $13.5 million; they claim 16,570 accounts with a monthly bill of $79.97. That’s $15, 901,235 per year; and that's a profit of around $2.5 million per year; and still they have the need to prosecute senior citizens who are not even using the service? What’s next, if you build a totally solar home are you going to be obligated to pay SMECO a monthly fee, because the power lines cross your property? If you buy a new Ford, and have all maintenance done at JiffyLube, will you be required to pay Ford a quarterly fee for maintenance that you don’t use? Ridiculous! MetCom runs lines, and housing projects sprout like mushrooms. The only people that benefit from this are the one’s that sell the land, and the developers building the houses. Under current law the people between the projects, like Mr. Toney, are getting shafted. Governor O'Malley has not been kind to the rural residents of Maryland. With his gas tax, flush tax, and toll increases, creating higher prices for everything, he has not been a friend to the majority of Maryland residents that don't make hundreds of thousands of dollars per year. I recently read he's planning a run for President; well governor, here's a start, strike the MetCom law. MetCom won't like it, your urban dwellers won't care, but thousands of rural/ senior citizen/lower income families may just vote for you. If MetCom cries they can't survive, let them declare bankruptcy, and have each county take over the system. I read in the Feb. 5 Enterprise that Mr. Toney's fees have been paid for an undisclosed period. It seems to me that MetCom owes Mr. Toney 20+ years of monthly fees. Just Saying Jim Jorden Lexington Park, Md.
Letters to the
Editor
MABE Keeps All Students as its Main Priority I am the alternate representative for our board of education on the Maryland Association of Boards of Education (MABE). All 24 counties are members of this important organization. Each of your five board members participates in the organization. The mission of this organization, which has been advocating for children since 1957, is to provide members with a strong collective voice. It supports local school boards through professional development, advocacy, and member services. I personally have had several courses, and they are all excellent. MABE also offers superintendent search services, and webinars on line. MABE believes in providing all 860,000 public school students in Maryland with an outstanding education provided by highly qualified and effective teachers. What are the top priorities for 2014? They include, support the autonomy for the local school boards, support full state funding for Maryland’s public schools, support robust state funding for school construction and renovation projects, and support sustaining local government investments in education. A major policy issue, which is a focus of the 2014 legislative session in Annapolis, is expanding prekindergarten. MABE is an effective organization that keeps all students as its main priority. Keep Children First!! Marilyn Crosby Member, St. Mary’s County Board of Education
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The County Times
Thursday, February 6, 2014
18
Feature Story
Chief Waterman Calls Out State Official on Alleged Threat St. Mary’s County waterman Robert T. Brown
DNR Secretary Joseph Gill
By Guy Leonard Staff Writer St. Mary’s County waterman Robert T. Brown says that his opposition to a bill that would have given the state’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) even more power over the seafood industry led to a confrontation between him and acting DNR Secretary Joseph Gill in which he alleges Gill threatened the livelihoods of men and women who make their living on the watershed. In the wake of the confrontation Jan. 29 after a legislative hearing in Annapolis key lawmakers have now held up Gill’s confirmation as DNR secretary until the allegations can be investigated. Brown, a registered lobbyist and head of the state’s waterman’s association, documented the experience in a letter to Del. Maggie McIntosh, chair of the House Environmental Matters Committee and has not wavered from his side of the story; Gill has since written a letter saying that Brown misunderstood what he meant. Brown says he understood just fine. “He was as red as a beet,” Brown, 63, said. “He’s threatened the livelihood of people who work in the bay.” In Brown’s letter to McIntosh he alleges that Gill confronted him and said: “If this bill [HB 145] does not pass, I will be so conservative and cut quotas and I will hurt you. Did you hear me? I will hurt you!” “Word for word he said that in front of my wife,” Brown said days after the incident. “Once you’re threatened like that you have to report it.” Gill’s letter to Brown said Brown misunderstood his meaning that DNR needed more power to more accurately set harvest seasons based on the most current data available. Without that authority, DNR would have to institute more conservative quo-
Photo by Guy Leonard
tas on the state’s fisheries, Gill’s letter states. “At no point did I intend for the message to come across as personal to you or any other waterman,” Gill wrote. “I apologize to you since apparently you interpreted my comments differently.” Brown told The County Times that his confrontation with Gill took him by surprise and that Gill’s mannerisms, like finger pointing, indicated to him that Gill’s intention was to threaten the livelihood of watermen. “There’s a line you have,” Brown said. “There’s a difference between [political pressure] and what he said. “How are we supposed to deal with somebody who comes out and makes a statement like that?” The confrontation has sent reverberations through Annapolis and in local jurisdictions that have residents who depend on the fisheries for a living. Sen. Roy Dyson said the identical bill cross-filed in the senate has already been given an unfavorable report, essentially killing it. He also said Gill’s alleged conduct was out of line.
“This is outrageous,” Dyson said. “No one in office should be threatening anyone.” Dyson predicted that once Gill does come up for a nomination hearing after the postponement period is up the incident with Brown would be a central issue. The Board of County Commissioners for Kent County have written to Gov. Martin O’Malley and stated Gill should not be confirmed as DNR secretary. Gill has been acting in that position since former secretary John Griffin left the position for another post in O’Malley’s cabinet. “These actions… indicate his total unsuitability for leading the highly respected Department of Natural Resources,” the letter stated. “In fact, such actions should disqualify him from any high ranking government position.” Many in the industry have complained about higher costs for licenses that are more restrictive in recent years as well as the closure some of the watershed’s best and most productive public oyster beds to be used as sanctuaries. Watermen say that their advice on
improving the health of the Chesapeake Bay and local waterways is often ignored and that government regulations come close to driving many out of business. Tommy Zinn, president of the Calvert County Watermen’s Association, said Gill’s management style typified that treatment. “We’re on these committees but you don’t have much input on what the industry wants,” Zinn said. “It seems like it’s his way or the highway, he wants it his way or else. “He’d rather listen to a scientist, he doesn’t listen to us.” Del. Anthony O’Donnell (R-Dist. 29C) said if the allegations are true it was another example of the state’s poor attitude in general towards watermen. “I’m very concerned about this exchange,” O’Donnell said. “If it’s true he [Gill] threatened to take punitive action against watermen. “Government should never be used to threaten citizens.” guyleonard@countytimes.net
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Thursday, February 6, 2014
FEBRUARY 6, 2014
The County Times
Valentine's Day
Gift Guide
Valentine’s Day Section
Rick’s Jewelers By Kay Poiro Staff Writer
Rick Norris says that Rick’s Jewelers is large enough to serve and small enough to care. Owned and operated by Norris since 1993, the family owned jewelry business has specialized in sales and repair, as well as custom work. Rick, a Leonardtown, Md. native, worked for years as an engraver before opening his own shop in San Souci Plaza in California, Md. Although he has had some schooling from the Gemological Institute of America, Rick says he is mostly self-taught. “There isn’t a job that we won’t tackle,” he says. “That’s probably why we get a lot of business.” Much of that business includes custom work such as wedding rings and custom engraving. “Clients come in with ideas and we’re happy to see it through from start to finish,” Rick says. Rick’s other offerings include watch and jewelry repair, engraving plaques and awards, as well as company logos. Whatever the service, Rick is proud that all work is done in-house, controlling the quality of workmanship. While some people may prefer the deals offered by online jewelers, Rick cautions them to compare “quality with quality, not necessarily price with price.” “Just because two pieces look alike, doesn’t mean the level of quality is there,” he says. “Rick’s Jewelers is here and stands 100 percent behind what we sell.” For more information, visit Rick’s Jewelers at www.ricksjewelers.com or call 301-737-4241. kaypoiro@countytimes.net
Owner/Operator Rick Norris works on a custom ring mold Photos by Kay Poiro
a special supplement to
THE COUNTY TIMES & THE CALVERT GAZETTE
Valentine’s Day Section
The County Times
Thursday, February 6, 2014
2
Introduce Yourself To A Unique Type Of Massage Therapy Local Therapist Offers Technique That Promotes Flexibility, Reduces Chronic Muscle Tension When Tracey Eno had her very first massage in 1994, she not only experienced blissful tranquility and relaxation, she also found her life’s calling. Soon afterwards, she enrolled in the Baltimore School of Massage and has been a full-time licensed massage therapist ever since. As a culmination of her journey, Tracey recently announced the opening of her new office Inner Peace, LLC in Solomons, Md. An enthusiastic advocate for the health benefits of massage therapy, Tracey explains, “Helping people with chronic pain is especially rewarding for me. Sadly, some people have given up hope that they could ever feel good again. I am in love with the idea of helping people feel their best so they can live life to the fullest. In 1998, Tracey experienced another revelation when she saw a demonstration of "The Trager® Approach" and was mesmerized. As Tracey recalls, “The client was gently rocked and stretched. The therapist sent waves of movement that flowed freely through her whole body. It looked so relaxing and comfortable!” The Trager Approach is a pleasurable, gentle and effective technique that facilitates deep relaxation, increased physical mobility, and mental clarity. No force is used, and it is performed within the client's pain-free range. People are often surprised that something so pleasant elicits such dramatic change. After working with hundreds of clients at a variety of locations throughout Southern Maryland, Tracey has opened a new office, Inner Peace, LLC in Solomons, Md. at 90 Holiday Drive. Sharing the space is licensed massage therapist Macrena McCluskey. Macrena is a 2008 graduate of Hawaii Massage Academy. She specializes in deep tissue massage, raindrop, pregnancy massage, and hot stones. Tracey and Macrena invite the public to visit during their Open House on Friday, Feb. 14 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 15 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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Thursday, February 6, 2014
The County Times
I Love You In A Song
By Kimberly Alston Contributing Writer Formed in 2004, the Fathers and Sons Quartet is composed of David and Jeremy Reyno and Jason and Jeremy Leavett. While they started out as "Barbershop style singers," according to David Reyno, they are generally known for their singing Valentines that they preform around Calvert County each year. The singing Valentines themselves consist of two songs of the giver's choice, and a presentation of a rose and a little bag of candy for the recipient. The singing Valentine package costs $50 and with that money the Fathers and Sons Quartet have raised over $12,000 for Calvert Hospice. Years ago, Reyno's parents both went to Hospice and the group together thought that raising money for them would be a worthy cause. In addition to the singing Valentines, the group performs around Calvert, St. Mary’s, Anne Arundel and Charles county. They perform at nursing homes and senior centers and have performed at Asbury's 90 year old birthday celebrations on several occasions. In the summer, the quartet has sung for the Orioles twice, the Bay Socks, Blue Crabs, Iron Birds, D.C. Divas, which are the local women's tackle football team, and the Calvert Marine Museum. To order a singing Valentine or for more information about the Fathers and Sons Quartet, visit their facebook page at www.facebook.com/pages/Fathers-and-Sons-Quartet/170868127019, or call 301-855-2724 or 410-257-7814. kimberlyalston@countytimes.net
Put the Finishing Touch On Romance... Come by Rick’s Jewelers to Make Her Valentine’s Day Complete! 308 San Souci Plaza, California, MD
301-737-4241 rickjewelers.com
Valentine’s Day Section
Valentine’s Day Section
The County Times
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Historic St. Mary’s City Bridal Show
Begin planning your big day at HSMC’s Hearts & History Bridal Show on Feb. 23.
Hearts & History is Slated for Feb. 23 How do you create a wedding that is as unique as you? Find out at Hearts and History, the third annual bridal show sponsored by Historic St. Mary’s City (HSMC) and Expressions of St. Mary’s, exclusive caterer to the living history museum. Discover the best the region offers at the State House of 1676 (47418 Old State House Road) on Sunday, Feb. 23 from 1 to 4 p.m. Tour distinctive sites, including the State House, the gazebo, and The Inn at Brome Howard. Taste delicious food—Expressions will offer delectable displays to inspire (and fuel) guests. Meet some of the most creative vendors in the wedding world. Many will be offering giveaways and one lucky bride will win half-off site rental at The Inn at Brome Howard or HSMC (excluding equipment) and half-off food for her rehearsal dinner (excluding alcohol). The winner’s wedding must be booked at HSMC or The Inn and catered by Expressions of St. Mary’s. Discounts are non-transferable. Admission is $10 at the door or R.S.V.P - 240-895-4991 or events@stmaryscity.org - and save $5. Take the first step towards your happy-ever-after, make your reservation today.
Did you know?
Valentine’s Day is a popular time of the year to send greeting cards. According to the Greeting Card Association, around 145 million Valentine’s Day cards are exchanged annually. While that is an impressive number, Valentine’s Day actually comes in second as the most popular card-giving occasion. Christmas tops the list with some 1.6 billion cards purchased, including boxed card varieties. Other popular occasions to send greeting cards include Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, graduation, Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and St. Patrick’s Day.
Tell the world how you feel. Send a message in our Valentines section to someone special on February 13th.
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Thursday, February 6, 2014
The County Times
AT
Learn from Local Real Estate Experts Online Southern Maryland Real Estate Network Debuts Video Interviews With Local Home Service Experts There’s so much you need to know when buying or selling a home, and reading article after article online and in print can leave your head spinning. That’s why the Southern Maryland Real Estate Network has introduced a new series of interviews with experts from various aspects of the home selling, buying, and ownership Southern Maryland Real Estate Network Founder, Kimberly Bean, with Bill Saunders of 1st Mariner Mortgage during a "Mortgage Monday" video segment. process. “We ask the netwrk; and on social media on Facebook same questions you would ask if you were (http://www.facebook.com/somdrealestatemeeting with these experts in person,” said network), Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/ Kimberly Bean, a real estate agent with somdforsale), Pinterest (http://www.pinterColdwell Banker Jay Lilly in Waldorf and est.com/somdrealtor), and Google+ (http:// California, Md., and founder of the Southern google.com/+Somdrealestatenetwork). Maryland Real Estate Network. “We want to provide the information Visitors to the Southern Maryland Real and resources home buyers and sellers are Estate Network website can also: looking for, so they can get real answers from the comfort of their own home,” she • Find a local realtor, whether they’re buying added. or selling The videos began recently with a • Search for properties weekly Mortgage Monday series with Bill • Save favorite properties (registration reSaunders, a senior loan officer with First quired) and get notifications when properties Mariner Mortgage. Bean has interviewed matching their search criteria come onto the him for several videos, which began apmarket pearing on www.SoMdRealEstateNetwork. • List a home. Homes listed with the Southcom <http://www.SoMdRealEstateNetwork. ern Maryland Real Estate Network will be com> over the past few weeks. Topics covfeatured on the website and its social media. ered have included getting pre-qualified for • Stay on top of the latest real estate industry your mortgage, improving your credit cores, news and an explanation of the different kinds of • Get helpful homeowner tips loan programs. “Mortgage Monday is just the beginReaders can also stay on top of the latning,” Bean said. “We’ve also lined up interest Southern Maryland real estate news by views with experts in titling, home restorasigning up for an e-mail newsletter or subtion, and building – and we’re in the process scribing to the network’s blog RSS feed. For of scheduling more.” even more news and home listings, readers Launched in 2013, Southern Maryland can follow Southern Maryland Real Estate Real Estate Network has quickly become Network on social media, including Faceone of the premiere resources for Southern book, Twitter, Pinterest and Google+. Maryland home services information and Bean launched the Southern Maryland news. The site features home listings, buying Real Estate Network in 2013. Bean, who is and selling tips, local events, and a directory also founder and CEO of MidAtlantic Deof home services companies. sign Corporation and Southern Maryland “Our video series is one more way Weddings, has more than 16 years of expewe’re helping home sellers and buyers make rience in online and offline marketing, web sense of the real estate process,” Bean said. development, social media, blogging, and “Our experts explain terms and processes in online communication. She also specializes plain language so home buyers and sellers in connecting communities. She launched are educated throughout the process.” her website and magazine, Southern Mary“We want to introduce our readers to land Weddings (www.somdweddings.com), some of the best home services companies in in 2002 to bring together local engaged the area and help them learn how the process couples and Southern Maryland’s wedding works.” service providers. Find the Southern Maryland Real EsVisit the Southern Maryland Real Estate Network’s videos on the website, www. tate Network at http://www.somdrealestatesomdrealestatenetwork.com – click “Vidnetwork.com/ eos” at the top of the page; on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/somdrealestate-
Presenting the professionals' favorite properties on the market.
Realtor’s
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The County Times
Obituaries Marlene Ann “Marti” Jahn, 77 Marlene Ann “Marti” Jahn, 77, of St. Mary’s City, died peacefully in her sleep at her home on Tuesday, Jan. 28, after a battle with bladder cancer. Born Aug. 25, 1936, in Sauk Rapids, Minn., she was the daughter of the late Rudolph Paulson and Kathryn Florence Cornish and sister to her late brothers, Wayne and Donald Paulson. Marti spent her school years in Sauk Rapids, where she met her future husband when she was only 11. Upon graduating from Sauk Rapids High School, she enlisted in the Air Force. As a young Airman First Class, and serving as an X-Ray technician in Biloxi, Miss., Marti married her high school sweetheart, Jim Jahn, on the last day of the year in 1956. With the news of their first child, she received an honorable discharge and happily assumed the role of wife, mother and backbone to the family. She had a dedicated and fulfilling life for 28 years as a Marine Corps wife and mother to their children. Jim and Marti retired to St. Mary’s in 1983 and soon after started the defense contracting company, Jahn Corporation. She served as President and CEO through its development into the successful small business it remains today. She enjoyed time spent with her family and friends and her grandchildren were the light of her life. Marti is survived by her sons, Doug
Thursday, February 6, 2014
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The County Times runs complimentary obituaries as submitted by funeral homes and readers. We run them in the order we receive them. Any submissions that come to news@countytimes.net after noon on Tuesdays may run in the following week’s edition. (Sue), Jay (Kay), Drew (Elaine); her daughter, Kakie (Pete) Miluski, and her ten grandchildren, Matt Miluski, Tyler Miluski, Kallie Jahn, Katie Jahn, Kristi Miluski, Kassi Jahn, Molly Jahn, Brody Jahn, Lindsey Jahn and James Jahn III. In addition to her parents, Marti was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, James D. Jahn, Colonel USMC (Retired), and her brothers, Wayne Paulson and Donald Paulson. The family received friends for Marti’s Life Celebration on Friday, Jan. 31, from 5 to 8 p.m., with prayers recited at 7 p.m. at Brinsfield Funeral Home, 22955 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, Md 20650. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated by Reverend Peter Giovanoni on Saturday, Feb. 1, at 11 a.m. at St. Michael’s Church, 16566 Three Notch Road, Ridge, Md 20680. Interment followed in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Michael’s Church, P.O. Box 429 Ridge, Md 20680. Condolences may be made at www. brinsfieldfuneral.com. Arrangements are being provided by Brinsfield Funeral Home in Leonardtown.
Arlene Candela Cullins, 79 Arlene Candela Cullins, 79 of Clements, Md. died Jan. 29, at her residence surrounded by her loving family. Born Nov. 27, 1934 in Brooklyn, N.Y., she was the daughter of the late Dr. Pom-
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peo Benjamin Candela and Gwendolen “Cormack” Candela. Arlene was voted St. Mary’s County Fair Queen of Tolerance in 1951, and graduated from St. Mary’s Academy in 1952. On Oct. 24, 1953, she married her husband of 60 years, William Russell “Russ” Cullins Jr. Arlene spent her life volunteering and helping others. She was always happy to help anyone in their time of need. She was a volunteer at Birthright/CareNet of Southern Maryland and the St. Mary’s County Right to Life for 30 years. She was a 4-H All Star Leader for 45 years and participated as a judge at the St. Mary’s County Fair. She was a member of the St. Mary’s County Literacy Council and tutored at the local jail and in the community. Arlene also volunteered at St. Mary’s Hospital for several years. Arlene had a very strong faith and devoted her life to her family and the Catholic Church. She enjoyed attending daily Mass and participating in church prayer groups. For 25 years Arlene was a participant in the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C. She was very active in all aspects of Sacred Heart Church. She served as lector, cleaned the church, worked in the gift store and always helped at the church dinners. When her children attended Holy Angels Sacred Heart School, Arlene volunteered her time whenever it was needed. Arlene is survived by her husband, Russ Cullins; children, Cathy Zuza (Jack) of Pittsburgh, Pa., Bill Cullins (Sharon) of Clements, Md., David Cullins (Anne Mary) of Clements, Md., Betsey Roy of Bar Mills, Maine, Maureen LaMoria (Jerry) of Portland, Maine, Tim Cullins (Sally) of Clements, Md., Anne Davis (Wayne) of Leonardtown, Md., and Chris Cullins (Lynn) of Mechanicsville, Md.; twenty two grandchildren; ten great grandchildren and siblings, Marianne Stone of Hogansville, Ga., and Jack Candela (Mary Ada) of Leonardtown, Md. She was preceded in death by her grandson, Patrick Zuza. Family received friends for Arlene’s Life Celebration on Sunday, Feb. 2, from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Brinsfield Funeral Home, 22955 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650. Prayers were recited at 5 p.m. followed by Optimist prayers. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated by Reverend Charles Cortinovis on Monday, Feb. 3, at 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 23080 Maddox Road, Bushwood, Md 20618. Interment followed in the church cemetery. Serving as pallbearers were her grandchildren, Jeremy Burns, Josh McLeod, Sean Zuza, Brian LaMoria, David Cullins Jr., Brandon Cullins, Paul Roy, Gregory LaMoria, Christopher Cullins and Mark Cullins. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be the Seventh District Optimist Club. Memorial contributions may be made to Birthright/CareNet of Southern Maryland, P.O. Box 633, Governmental Center, Leonardtown, Md 20650 or Hospice of St. Mary’s, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, Md 20650. Condolences to the family may be made at www.brinsfieldfuneral.com. Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, Md.
Billy Joe Sullivan, 68 Billy Joe Sullivan, 68, of Loveville, Md., passed away on Jan. 27, in Leonardtown, Md. Born on Nov. 26, 1945, in Leonardtown, Md., he was the loving son of the late Edgar and Trula Ward Sullivan. Billy is survived by his loving longtime companion, Patricia Martin; children, Diane Gleissner (John) of California, Md., Michael Sullivan (Kimberly) of Hollywood, Md., and Kathleen Sullivan of Mechanicsville, Md.; 8 grandchildren, Danielle Sullivan, Jason Sullivan, Gabrielle Gleissner, Chelsie Hagar, Angela Martin, Taylor Preist, MacKenzie Preist and Meagan Hagar, and siblings, Earl Sullivan of Lexington Park, Md., Charles Sullivan of Ridge, Md., and Terry Sullivan and Jenna Harden, both of Columbia, Ky. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Barbra Sullivan and Judy Rollins. Billy was a lifelong St. Mary’s County resident and worked as a building manager for Bob Hall, Inc. for 27 years, retiring in Aug., 2012. Billy enjoyed fishing gardening, cooking and spending time with his family. The family received friends on Thursday, Jan. 30, from 10 to 11 a.m. in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home in Leonardtown, Md. A Funeral Service was held at 11 a.m. in the Funeral Home Chapel, with Richard Rollins officiating. Interment followed in Charles Memorial Gardens Leonardtown, Md. Pallbearers were Bobby Beale, Ben Beale, Chris Sullivan, Woody Norris, Steve Williams and Brian Lee. Contributions may be made to the Hollywood Volunteer Rescue Squad P.O. Box 79 Hollywood, Md 20636.
Christine “Chrissy” Simms Gardiner, 43 Christine “Chrissy” Simms Gardiner, 43, of Drayden, Md., passed away on Jan. 24, at St. Mary’s Hospital. Born on Nov. 21, 1970, in Leonardtown, Md., she was the loving daughter of John J. Simms III and Sheila Ann Simms, both of Drayden, Md. Christine was the loving wife of Douglas T. Gardiner III, whom she married on Feb. 13, 1993, in Valley Lee, Md. Christine is survived by her children, Sarah K. and Allison M. Gardiner, both of Drayden, Md., and brother John J. “Jack” Simms IV of Forrest Hill, Md. Christine is also survived by her nieces and nephews, Abigail I. Simms and Victoria A. Simms of Forrest Hill, Md., Tyler J. Gardiner, Brooke E. Gardiner and Shelby N. Gardiner of Salisbury, Md., and Meagan L. Gardiner and Mallory L. Gardiner, both of Connth, Texas; Mother in law, Nancy R. Gardiner of Ocean City, Md.; sisters-in-law, Susan Gardiner of Connth, Texas, Kristen Simms of Forest Hill, Md., Cindy Gardiner of Salisbury, Md., and brother-in-law James Gardiner of Salisbury, Md. Christine graduated from St. Mary’s Ryken High School in 1988, and graduated from Potomac State College in 1991 with an Associates Arts Degree. She was a lifelong St. Mary’s County resident, and was president of Simms Insurance Agency for 23 years. Christine enjoyed horseback riding, boating and watching Sarah and Ally play sports. The family received friends on Monday, Feb. 3, from 5 to 8 p.m. with prayers recited at 7 p.m. in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral
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The County Times
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Obituaries
The County Times runs complimentary obituaries as submitted by funeral homes and readers. We run them in the order we receive them. Any submissions that come to news@countytimes.net after noon on Tuesdays may run in the following week’s edition. Home Leonardtown, Md. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Tuesday, Feb. 4, at 10 a.m. in St. George Catholic Church, Valley Lee, Md., with Father Paul Nguyen officiating. Interment followed in the church cemetery. Pallbearers were Douglass M. Baumann, Tyler Gardiner, James M. Gardiner, Gary Cox, David Esham and John J. Simms IV. Honorary Pallbearer was Michael Esham. Contributions may be made to the Little Flower School 20410 Point Lookout Road Great Mills, Md 20634. Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home Leonardtown, Md.
James Francis “Jim” McLaughlin, 87 James Francis McLaughlin (Jim) passed away peacefully at NUMC hospital in East Meadow N.Y., on Monday Jan. 28, holding the hand of his beloved wife of 56 years, Mary Pilkerton of Clements, Md.. Jim was born Nov. 15, 1926 in Valley Stream, N.Y. He was the son of Archibald J. and Mary Dryer McLaughlin, and was preceded in death by his parents, his five brothers and his son, Theodore W. Long (Ted). He was a veteran of World War II, in which he served as a Naval Aviator, and was stationed at Pax River NAS. After separation from the Navy, he and Mary resided in East Meadow on Long Island, N.Y. for 55 years. Jim leaves behind his wife, Mary; his daughter, Bertie Jean Long Schumacher (Rick); a daughter in-law, Tammy Long, as well as six grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and friends. Jim was an avid bowler, and when his health declined he remained the secretary of his leagues. He was a puppy walker and proudly raised nine guide dogs for the blind, one of which is still in service. Jim loved raising his guide dogs, traveling, visiting southern Maryland, photography and computers. He retired from Sperry Gyroscope Company after 35 years in 1986. He held a Master’s degree from Adelphi University and a Bachelor’s degree from Hofstra University in electrical engineering. The family will receive friends on Thursday, Feb. 6, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home in Leonardtown, Md. A Graveside Service will be held on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2014 at noon at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Bushwood, Md., with Father Charles Cortinovis officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Guide Dog Foundation For the Blind, Inc. 371 E. Main St. (Jericho Tpk) Smithtown, NY 11787-9897.
Louanne Cosimano Bailey, 81 Louanne Cosimano Bailey, 81 of Colton Point, Md., died Jan. 31 at her residence. Born March 31, 1932, in Washington, D.C., she was the daughter of the late Thelma Louise Nevitt Adams and John Marcus Adams. Louanne is survived by her husband, Samuel “Bo” Bailey Jr., whom she married on April 28, 1978, in St. Mary’s
Church in Annapolis, Md.; her children, Faye (Joe) Gowran of Fla., Sam (Sandi) Bailey III of Avenue, Md., Mark Bailey of Bushwood, Md., Beverly (Larry) Wood of Mechanicsville, Md., Steve (Cathy) Bailey of Bushwood, Md., John (Tracey) Cosimano of LaPlata, Md., and Tony (Lindsey) Cosimano of Mexico; 12 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Louanne graduated from the Academy of Holy Cross high school in 1950 and from Immaculata College in 1952. In 1958, she married John Cosimano of Washington, D.C. Four years following John’s death, Louanne moved to St. Mary’s County following her marriage to Samuel “Bo” Bailey. Louanne and her two children moved to Bushwood with “Bo” and his five children. Highlights of Louanne’s employment include working with General Omar Bradley at Bulava Watch Company, and working at the state of Maryland’s Governor’s Mansion as executive secretary. Louanne was on the Maryland Historic Trust Board of Trustees, in the St. Mary’s County Historical Society, was chair of Board of Directors of St. Clements Island Potomac River Museum and was a charter member of St. Clement’s Hundred and the Maryland Historical Society. During her eight-year tenure as chair of the Board of Directors of the St. Clements Island Potomac River Museum, the new museum building was erected in time for the State’s 350th Anniversary Celebrations in 1984. The family received friends on Wednesday, Feb. 5, from 4 to 8 p.m., with prayers recited at 7 p.m., followed by Optimist prayers at 7:15 p.m. in Holy Angels Catholic Church, Avenue, Md. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Thursday, Feb. 6, at 10 a.m., in Holy Angels Catholic Church with Father Charles Cortinovis officiating. Interment followed in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Bushwood, Md. Pallbearers will be Steve Bailey Jr., Will Fitzgerald, Mark Andrew Bailey, John Fitzgerald, Scott Bailey and Jason Brown. Honorary pallbearers will be her grandchildren, Connor Cosimano, Nicholas Cosimano, Coale Thompson, Victoria Fitzgerald, Erica Bailey, Meaghan Bailey, Sharon Humphries and Breann Wood. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to ACTS (A Community that Shares), P.O. Box 54, Bushwood, Md 20618 or St. Ann’s Infant and Maternity Home, 4901 Eastern Avenue, Hyattsville, Md 20782. Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, Md.
Mary Dorothy, 70 On Friday, Jan. 31, in the early morning hours, our heavenly Father sent one of his angels to bring home the beloved Mary Dorothy. Mary Dorothy was born March 9, 1943, to the late Francis Ford and Mary Dorothy (Chase) Barber in Hollywood, Md. She was baptized at St. John’s Regis Catholic Church in Hollywood, Md., and raised in the Catholic faith alongside her siblings and extended family. She was educated in the St. Mary’s County Public School system. Mary Dorothy will be remembered as a loving and caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister, cousin and friend. She loved being surrounded by family and friends, especially her five grandchildren. She enjoyed playing bingo, hand dancing, watching sports (especially the Williams sisters) and talking on the telephone with loved ones. Her infectious laughter will be
missed by many. On May 5, 1962, she was united in holy matrimony to the late Alton R. Thompson at St. John’s Regis. From this union they were blessed with four children. Mary Dorothy was preceded in death by her loving husband; her sister, Clara Valentine, and her brothers, Joseph “Joe Boy,” Eugene “Jenks,” Wilmer “Bill,” John Sr., James “Buster” and Francis Barber. Her memory will be forever cherished by her beloved children, Joyce ThompsonBerry, Darnell, Wendell and Deborah Thompson; five grandchildren, Jasmine and Anthony Berry, Cedric, Cameron and Camille Thompson; one sister, Eleanor Williams, and four brothers, Ford Jr., Gilbert, Joe Louis and Ralph Barber. She also leaves to cherish her memory a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends. Family and friends will unite on Tuesday, Feb. 11, for visitation at 10 a.m. until Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 22375 Three Notch Road, Lexington Park, Md. Interment to follow in the church cemetery. Arrangements by Briscoe-Tonic Funeral Home, Mechanicsville, Md.
Brandy Renee Spalding Brandy Renee Spalding, infant daughter of Anissa N. Spalding, Christopher R. Withrow and Bryan A. Iagnemmo of California, Md., died Jan. 27, at MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital in Leonardtown, Md. In addition to her parents, Brandy is survived by her brother, Landen Spalding; her grandparents, Donna and Jack Gatton, Carlton Turner, Regina A. Gatton, Kenneth Withrow Jr., Sharon L. Baker and Paul M. Baker; and her great-grandparents, Betty and Robert Isenberg, Tina and Roni Turner and Margaret Tinsley. Family received friends on Monday, Feb. 3, from 2 to 3 p.m., with a funeral service at 3 p.m., at the Brinsfield Funeral Home, 22955 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, Md 20650. Interment was private. Condolences to the family may be made at www.brinsfieldfuneral.com. Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, Md.
William Thomas Dotson, 90 William Thomas Dotson, 90, of Mechanicsville, Md., passed away on Jan. 24, in Hollywood, Md. Born on July 19, 1923, in Mechanicsville, Md., he was the son of the late Ernest Joseph Dodson Sr. and Mary Eleanor Dodson. William was the loving husband of Sarah Inez Dotson, whom he married in 1947 for 60 years. She preceded him in death in 2007. William is survived by his children, Thomas Dotson (Dottie) of Leonardtown, Md., Nettie Neale of Waldorf, Md., Kenny Dotson of San Jose, Calif., Joan Dotson (Sherman) of Mesquite, TX, Timothy Dotson (Barbara) of Lexington Park, Md., Mark Dotson (Mary) of Hollywood, Md., and Cathy Siemonb (Emmanuel) of Brandywine, Md.; 17 grandchildren; 31 great grandchildren and siblings, Regina Veronica Price of Washington, D.C., Mary Magdalene Johnson of Mechanicsville, Md., Mary Artina Miles of Mechanicsville, Md., Jane Idola Dotson of Mechanicsville, Md., Michael Garfield Dotson of Waldorf, Md., and Anthony Garnell Dotson of Waldorf, Md.. He was preceded in death by his siblings, Carolyn Cecilia Pettis, Ernest Joseph Dodson Jr., Herbert Jerome Dodson, Jeanette Theresa Drake and Eleanor Dodson. William graduated from St. Mary’s County Public School and was a lifelong resident of St. Mary’s County. He severed in the United States Army, serving in World War II, until December 1945. He also worked as a Pneumatic Tool Operator for the Federal Government, retiring in 1975. William loved to work on cars, hunt, play cards with family and friends, was an avid gardener, loved maintaining his yard and was a member of the Knights of St. John. William is survived by a host of nephews, nieces, other family members and friends. The family received friends on Saturday, Feb. 1, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Mechanicsville, Md. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Saturday, Feb. 1, at 11 a.m., in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Mechanicsville, Md., with Father Keith Woods officiating. Interment followed in Charles Memorial Gardens Leonardtown, Md.
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The County Times
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Thursday, February 6, 2014
Newsmaker
Glenda “The Story Lady” Fields Brings Literature to Life By Kay Poiro Staff Writer Glenda Fields, aka The Story Lady, has been transporting children through the magic of storytelling since 2001. Before she became a storyteller, Glenda was a children’s librarian in her native Calvert County. She recalls her beginnings. “Story time is a big part of a children’s librarian’s life. But we used to read stories, versus telling stories,” Glenda says. “ One day a woman called the library asking if we knew a storyteller for a birthday party, so I volunteered.” Soon after her birthday party storytelling took off, she added storytelling for daycare centers. A Story Lady experience always starts with a book. “I use oversized versions of the book so all the children can follow along as we read.” Glenda says this comes in handy when she’s performing for up to 100 kids at a time. Along with the book, which is usually a well-known and beloved story like “The Frog Prince”,
Photos Courtesy of Glenda Fields
the 40-minute program also incorporates props, hand puppets, music and magic. “Even though we use magicians and puppets, there’s a large educational component,” she explains. “It’s education and entertainment in one.” Though most of The Story Lady’s audience is pre-readers, she says she also uses a modified, slightly less musical version of story time for older elementary aged children. As The Story Lady, Glenda has performed for children not only in the tri-county area, but Prince George’s, Anne Arundel, Howard and Montgomery counties. She’s also in demand as far as Washington, D.C. and northern Virginia. Although story time is deGlenda Fields “The Story Lady” and her puppets make reading fun signed to be as magical as possible, The Story Lady opts not to ment gap and figuring out how The Story Lady can be wear a costume. Instead, she wears a simple red apron part of the solution.” emblazoned with her logo. She goes on to say, “It’s so important to make “I want the children to focus on the story, not me,” story time exciting. The competition is so fierce with she explains. Those carefully chosen stories are based television and video games. Reading can be seen as on a common theme. boring, but I want to show them that it can be a fun “They are meant to inspire children,” she explains. experience.” “To teach them that it doesn’t matter where you start To learn more about the Story Lady, visit www. or how humble your beginnings, you can still excel.” mystorylady.com. In the future, Glenda plans to return to school to study early childhood education. kaypoiro@countytimes.net “I’m interested in learning more about the achieve-
From my Backyard to our Bay A St. Mary’s County Resident’s Guide to Improving Our Environment and Drinking Water
From My Backyard to Our Bay was first developed by the Baltimore County Soil Conservation District. From there, the booklet was given to each of the Soil Conservation Districts in the Chesapeake Bay watershed area for customization. If the 17.5 million residents who live in the watershed area of the Chesapeake Bay read this booklet, and took to heart its suggestions and best practices, the Chesapeake Bay would see a dramatic increase in health. Obtain a FREE copy of the booklet by going to the St. Mary’s River Watershed Association, smrwa.org and downloading it. The booklet is available at Wentworth Nursery in Charlotte Hall; Chicken Scratch in Park Hall; The Greenery in Hollywood; Good Earth Natural Food; and the St. Mary’s Soil Conservation District in Leonardtown. Join your local watershed association and make a difference for Our Bay!
smrwa.org
Are you a Bay-Wise Homeowner? The Chesapeake Bay is a national treasure and a vital part of the state of Maryland. Yet, the Bay is in trouble due to population pressures from pollution and sediment runoff which affect its watershed. Most Maryland residents live within a half-mile of a drainage ditch, storm drain, stream or river. Most of those waterways eventually drain into the Chesapeake Bay. What we do to maintain our own landscapes can affect the health of our local waterways, the Chesapeake Bay and our environment. The overuse and misuse of pesticides and fertilizers, soil erosion and poor plant selection have all damaged Maryland’s streams, rivers and the Bay. Environmentally sound gardens and yards combined with sustainable gardening practices can help improve water quality and conserve our natural resources for future generations. We all need to do our part to take care of our waterways and environment. By changing a few simple landscape practices, you and your family can help keep Maryland communities healthy.
The University of Maryland’s Bay-Wise “yardstick” measures how your yard protects the Chesapeake Bay. With the help of trained Master Gardeners, you will learn more about: 4 Controlling Stormwater Runoff; 4 Encouraging Wildlife; 4 Protecting the Waterfront; 4 Mowing Properly; 4 Watering Efficiently; 4 Managing Yard Pests with Integrated Pest Management (IPM); 4 Mulching Appropriately; 4 Recycling Yard Waste; 4 Fertilizing Wisely; and 4 Planting Wisely. When your yard “measures up,” you’ll be proud to display this Bay-Wise sign in your yard!
For more information about Bay-Wise in your county contact your local University of Maryland Extension office. Residents may find contact information for their local UME office at http://extension.umd.edu/ or extension.umd.edu/baywise. This is the thirty-fourth and final article that Mary Ann Scott (scottmaryann9@gmail.com) has adapted from From My Backyard to Our Bay in the hopes of increasing awareness of the powerful booklet that could do so much to help the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. Thank you, County Times, for dedicating this space to help the Chesapeake Bay!
From
My B
acky
ard
A ImproviSt. Mar ng Oury’s Cou Env nty Res ironmen iden t and t’s Guide Drin king to Water
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are you Bay-Wise? Bay-Wise landscapes minimize negative impacts on our waterways by using smarter lawn management techniques and gardening practices. The University of Maryland Extension Master Gardener Bay-Wise program in St. Mary’s County offers hands-on help with managing your landscape by providing information, a site visit, and landscape certifications. Our yardstick checklist is easy to understand and follow, and our team of trained Master Gardeners can help guide you through it while offering suggestions to improve both the appearance and sustainability of your landscape.
Call Now & Schedule a Visit!
301-475-4120 extension.umd.edu/baywise
Start a Movement in Your Neighborhood…Be the First to be Certified Bay-Wise!
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Thursday, February 6, 2014
The County Times
A View From The Maryland Clay Dirt
Bleachers One Commissioner & Three Decades Of Basketball By Ronald N. Guy Jr. Contributing Writer NBA Commissioner David Stern resigned at the end of January ending a remarkable 30-year run as professional basketball’s leading man. Stern, thumbing his nose at George Orwell’s troubling prophecies, defiantly assumed the NBA’s helm in 1984. Stern inherited a league with limited television presence and that was, with the NFL and MLB as reigning kings, little more than a niche sport. Much has changed. The game now has global appeal, its players literally hail from all over the world and its stars shine as bright as those in any sport. And unlike its competitors on sports’ stage, the NBA has had no era lost to Performance Enhancing Drugs and its future lacks the alarming realities of concussions. I want to be careful to not give too much credit. Stern was a good Commissioner, but he was no savior. He didn’t walk on water or turn water into wine. His tour began and was defined by an abstract force necessary for any successful endeavor: luck or, more politely, good timing. He inherited a couple young studs named Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Larry Bird. Stern’s first NBA Draft netted the league Hakeem Olajuwan, Charles Barkley, John Stockton and some raw, athletic shooting guard from North Carolina named Michael Jordan. Karl Malone, Chris Mullin and Georgetown’s Patrick Ewing arrived a year later. The ’87 Draft scored Scottie Pippen, Reggie Miller and the United States Naval Academy’s David Robinson. And just like that, a generation of great basketball, one that would establish the NBA as a major sport with unprecedented reach across the globe, was born – Stern or no Stern. As the years since 1984 have passed, the mantle of “Greatest Player” has passed from Magic, to Jordan, to Kobe Bryant, to LeBron James – not bad. Shaquille O’Neal arrived and proved that having the biggest dude on your team works not just in the neighborhood but also in the pros. The dominant franchises have included the Showtime Lakers, the Bad Boy Pistons, Jordan’s Bulls, the Shaq and Kobe Lakers, the fabulously boring Spurs and the Miami Heat. It’s been quite a run for the bouncing orange sphere. But that is just the game on the court. Limiting one’s consideration of the last 30 years of NBA basketball only to those players with first name recognition – Magic, Larry, Michael, Kobe and LeBron – or those aforementioned team dynasties minimizes the sports exponential increase in cultural influence during Stern’s regime. Bird and Magic were great individually, but each man was better for the other’s existence. The one-upmanship of their careers is a microcosm of the American spirit. Accomplishment breeds complacency, unless an equally powerful force exists to constantly enhance the standard. To understand the influence of passion, competitive fight and self-confidence on success and reaching one’s full potential, look no further than Michael Jordan. Magic Johnson opened eyes to the non-discriminatory nature of the HIV virus and life with the disease. The Dream Team swelled national pride in 1992. The death of Maryland’s Len Bias, just days after the 1986 NBA Draft, was a brutal example of the dangers of drug abuse. And the game, perhaps more than any other, has annihilated petty differences in personality, background, race and nationality. Basketball once united a quiet white kid from Indiana (Bird) and a gregarious African American kid from Michigan (Magic); it now routinely congeals men from literally all around the world. That ability to trivialize personal contrasts and bind people around a common purpose represents the best of sports – and the NBA is the standard. In 1984, my parents’ driveway was adorned with a basketball hoop. The simple fixture brought a blacktop to life, created deeper friendships and a fruitful connection with a wise old game. Thirty years later, kids are still hoisting shots at hoops on playgrounds or at the end of cul-de-sacs and are unknowingly poised for the lessons of the next chapter in basketball history. They will be, like I am, better for it – Stern or no Stern. That is impressive commentary on a transcendent game that started modestly with a peach basket nailed on a gymnasium wall. Send comments to rguyjoon@yahoo.com
SPORTS
Eleven Winners High-Light 1990 Potomac Late Model Season
By Doug Watson Contributing Writer The 1990 racing season at Southern Maryland's Potomac Speedway was quite a memorable one indeed. Under second-year promoter Pete Cameron the track had become one of the premiere Late Model venues in the region with twelve-different drivers scoring a feature win, with seven drivers scoring their respective first-ever Potomac Late Model feature wins. Twenty-one of the twenty-five scheduled race dates were contested producing a first-time track champion in Booper Bare. Potomac averaged nearly 22-cars per event with some of the regions biggest names converging on the speedway every Friday night. The 1990 season was also this writers first full-season at Potomac as I served as assistant flagman to then chief starter Dave Loss. Entering 2014 will be my 24th season at Potomac, but the 1990 season stands-out in my mind as one of the most memorable in my near three-decades at the track. April- The first race of the new season fell on the 13th of the month and gave the Potomac faithful a sight of what they would see quite often during the 1990 campaign, Virginia's Booper Bare in victory lane. After scoring seven feature wins in 1989, Bare continued his quick pace as he took the season-opener aboard his Bobby Allen-owned no.55 over Jimmy Skinner, Ronnie Miles, Will Rowe and Ernie Jones. The second event of the season (April 20) saw another Virginia native in victory lane, Rodney Franklin. Wheeling a car owned by 1989 Potomac champion Vern Harris, Franklin scored the win over Ernie Davis, Bobby Wall, Ronnie Miles and Bobby Ballantine. Booper Bare would close out the month with his second win of the season on April 27. Denny Bonebrake, Ernie Davis, Scott Cross and Bobby Wall trailed. May- Rain took the May 4 event, but when the track swung back into action on May 11, Booper Bare scored his second win in a row and third of the season. Jimmy Skinner, Vern Harris, Rock Enterline and Chuck Teets filled the front-five. The May 4 rain-out produced a twin-feature program on May 18 that saw Jim McBee and Rodney Franklin split twin features. The win for McBee would be his first of 1990, but also his last. Roy Deese Jr., Ronnie Miles, Jimmy Skinner and Rodney Franklin were the topfive. In the nightcap, Rodney Franklin drove to his second feature win of the season over Booper Bare, Nathan Durboraw, Jim McBee and Ronnie Miles. The final event of the month (25th), was lost to rain. June- 1977 track champion Ronnie Miles became the fourth different winner of the season with his win on June 1 aboard the Calton Trucking no. 01. This win for Miles would be his career 24th at Potomac. Vern Harris, Booper Bare, Bobby Wall and Ernie Davis were the top-five. Booper Bare got back on track as he won for the fourth time in 1990 on June 8. Ronnie Miles, Deane Guy, Jim McBee and 1979 champion Jack Barrass trailed. Rodney Franklin collected his third, and final, 1990 feature win on June 15. Melvin Guthrie, Butch Mattingly, Alex Beaumont and Scott Cross followed. The June 22 event was lost to rain, but one week later (June 29) Booper Bare struck again for his fifth trip to victory lane. Jimmy Skinner, Ronnie Miles, Charlie Schaffer and Bobby Wall completed the top-five. July- Booper Bare, for the second time in 1990, won back-to back features. Bare's sixth feature win of the season came over Rodney Franklin, Gary Stuhler, Nathan Durboraw and Jim McBee. After a slew of top-five feature runs, Bobby Wall broke the ice for his first-career Potomac feature win on July 6 aboard his self-owned no.B44. Jimmy Skinner, Ernie Davis, Ronnie Miles and Vern Harris followed Wall to the stripe. The July 13 program was lost to rain, but a week later (July 21) was the sight of Potomac speedway's first-annual 100-lap Mid-Summer Bash. Veteran Freddy Smith and his infamous no. 00 took his first-ever Potomac feature win in the 100-lap grind over Gary Stuhler, Jimmy Skinner, Booper Bare and five-time Delaware International speedway track champion David Hill. The event was marred with the passing of Late Model veteran Vern Harris. The 1987 and 89 Potomac champion was involved in a late race skirmish that would ultimately take his life. 1982 and 1988 track champion Jimmy Skinner became the seventh different winner of the season on July 27. The win for Skinner, steering his Skinner's Trans-
portation no. 45 was his career 39th at the speedway, but it would be his only feature score of the season. Bobby Wall, Mike Warshauer, Rock Enterline and Bobby Beard were the top-five. August- Former Limited Late Model standout Jim Wilson, wheeling the Car Pro's no.1, etched his name in the Potomac record books with his first-career Late Model win on Aug. 3. Wilson's lone Potomac feature win of the season would come over Ernie Davis, Rock Enterline, Les Hare and Frank Fultz. August 10 would be a night to remember as Booper Bare scored his seventh win of the season and Les Hare (Dale Beitler no.19) also became a first-time Potomac winner, oddly enough it would come in the same race. This would be (and still is to this day) the only dead-heat finish in the Late Models with two drivers given first-place winner's money. The other unique part of this event was that Jim McBee was the apparent racewinner, but lost the win at the tech line, handing the win to Hare/Bare who crossed the start/finish line in second. Bobby Ballantine, Ronnie Miles, Bobby Beard and Barry Williams were the top-five in the bizarre event. Things got back to normal on Aug. 17 as Booper Bare won, outright, for the eighth time in 1990. Ronnie Miles, Les hare, Roy Deese Jr., and Melvin Guthrie filled the front-five. Continuing his domination, Booper Bare would take his ninth, and final, feature win of the season on Aug. 31. This would be Bare's third win in a row and the third time in 1990 that he would post consecutive feature wins. Hal Browning, Roy Deese Jr., Ernie Davis and Fred Harden followed. September- The Sept. 7 event was lost to rain, but came back strong on the 14th producing the division's 10th different winner of the season, Nathan Durboraw. The win was Durboraw's first-career Potomac feature win and it came in what would come to be quite a legendary car, the Raye Vest owned no. 24. Booper Bare, Les Hare, former track champion Ray Kable Jr. and Rock Enterline were the top-five. Delaware legend Hal Browning, aboard the Parsons no. 55, became the 11th different winner of 1990 with is win on Sept. 21. Browning's win would be his one, and only, Potomac win of his storied career. Ronnie Miles, Ray Kable Jr., Bobby Wall and Les Hare trailed. The final event of the month fell on September 28 with triple 15's for the Late Models, honoring fallen driver Vern Harris. The first 15 produced a repeat 1990 winner in Ronnie Miles. The win would be Miles 25th career Potomac Late Model win, and also his last, as he would retire from driving at the end of the season. Bobby Wall, Ernie Davis, Roy Deese Jr. and Hal Browning followed. Proving his July 6 win was no fluke, Bobby Wall won for the second time in 1990 in the second 15. Jim Wilson, Hal browning, Bobby Ballantine and Ernie Davis were the top-five. In the nightcap 15 a young driver, who would go on to be very successful at Potomac (42 feature wins, three track titles), became the divisions 12th different winner of the season with his first-ever Potomac feature win, Roy Deese Jr. Bobby Ballantine, Brian Donley, Rock Enterline and Fred Harden chased Deese to the stripe. October- The final event of the 1990 season fell on Oct. 13, and it was Nathan Durboraw taking the 90-lap win, his second of the season. David Hill, Bobby Wall, Rick Eckert, and Les Hare would complete the top-five. Notes- Dean Guy (2 wins) was the Limited late Model champion, John Kenney Jr. (15 wins) was the Semi-Late track champion and Rick Schmidt (11-wins) was the Pure Stock champion....Booper Bare established himself as the big winner of the early Pete Cameron era as he posted 16 feature wins and a track title during the new promoters first two-season's....Jimmy Skinner's July win would also be his last at Potomac as he would soon retire from the sport following the 1990 campaign...Drivers from five different states (MD, PA, VA, DE and NC) all won during the season...Jimmy Wilson, who won his first LM main in August, was also a 6-time Limited Late Model winner in 1990...Rick Eckert, who was in the midst of his stellar "local" career, won almost everywhere he raced during the 90's, except Potomac. He would finally break the ice 12-years later with his one and only Potomac feature win coming in 2002...Les Hare's unique August win would be a sign of things to come as he would rack-up another 31 wins during the 90's and early 2000's.
The County Times
In Our Community
Thursday, February 6, 2014
24
The Eye of the Beholder
By Kimberly Alston Contributing Writer The North End Gallery will be holding their annual inspirational gallery, dedicated to helping artists develop inspiration from a selected site or theme. This year's event is called "Picturing the Past" which was inspired by Historic St. Mary's City. Picturing the past is an invitational show that includes professional artists from out of the area. For this year's event, all the artists were granted access to Historic St. Mary's County grounds for the past eight or nine months, where they were allowed to sketch, take pictures or create sculptures based on what they saw at the site. This challenge allowed the artists to create a different viewpoint of St. Mary's County. Challenges from previous years included Sotterley, Leonardtown, primary colors and even a silver celebration.
The artist's interpretations may be historic or modern, depending on what they interpreted from being in the city. For this exhibit, there were 30 members from the gallery along with 19 guest artists that participated. Each of them created two original pieces. The gallery chooses different artists to participate in the event each year, so the gallery always has very different pieces. The Picturing the Past galley will be open from Tuesday, Feb. 4, to Sunday, March 2. On Friday, Feb. 7, the public is invited to an opening
reception, allowing them to mingle, meet the artists and enjoy refreshments from 5 to 8 p.m. The North End Gallery is located at 41652 Fenwick St. in Leonardtown. The gallery is open on Sundays from 12 to 4 p.m. and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays through Saturdays. The Gallery is free and open to the public. For more information visit northendgallery.org or call 301-475-3130 kimberlyalston@countytimes.net
Planning Your Southern Maryland Wedding Just Got Even Easier SoMdWeddings.com unveils new, redesigned website featuring real local weddings, directory of Southern Maryland wedding vendors
From setting the date to choosing a location to finding vendors, planning a wedding can be a complicated process. How do you find vendors? Where to you look for inspiration? For more than 10 years, Southern Maryland Weddings has been the go-to resource for local couples planning their dream Southern Maryland wedding – both online at www. SoMdWeddings.com and in its annual print magazine, Southern Maryland Weddings. The company recently released a completely redesigned and reorganized website in an effort to inspire local brides and grooms and assist them throughout their wedding planning process. “Our tagline has long been, ‘Planning your wedding just got easier,’” said Kimberly Bean, founder and CEO of Southern Maryland Weddings. “Our new website makes it even easier for couples getting married in Southern Maryland to find quality vendors, be inspired, and plan their perfect wedding day.” Front and center, readers will find real Southern Maryland weddings and engagements, complete with photographs, details, and lists of vendors used by the couples
featured. “If you’re planning a wedding in Southern Maryland, it’s a good idea to look at real weddings from Southern Maryland,” Bean said. “You’ll see couples using vendors you could hire and celebrating at locations you may book. “Couples can actually see the various elements that go into a wedding in their hometown, and then find the vendors who can help them achieve the wedding of their dreams.” In fact, couples who were married in Southern Maryland can submit their weddings for feature on SoMdWeddings.com. “We encourage local couples – and the vendors who served them – to share their wedding days with us and our readers,” Bean said. “You never know how the special details of your day will inspire someone else to think outside the box!” SoMdWeddings.com also features a comprehensive directory of wedding service providers in Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Prince George’s, and St. Mary’s counties and feature stories about reception facilities in the region. A busy bridal show calendar keeps readers in the know about bridal shows and other bridal events going on in
Southern Maryland. And, readers can download a copy of the most recent print edition of Southern Maryland Weddings, which was dedicated to wedding design and décor. Plus, Southern Maryland Weddings is updated regularly with articles about wedding trends, planning tips, etiquette, and creative wedding ideas of all kinds. “Our goal is to provide one-stop shopping for Southern Maryland brides and grooms,” Bean said. “Not only can you find local vendors for your wedding, but you can also see pictures from real weddings that took place at locations you may be considering. “Plus, we help couples stay on top of the latest wedding trends and navigate through the tricky etiquette issues that can arise while planning a wedding.” Bean said that she’s excited to share the new site with local engaged couples, and there is still more to come. “We’re planning to introduce video interviews with local vendors and regular giveaways,” she said. “Many more new things are coming to our site!” Find Southern Maryland Weddings online at SoMdWeddings.com, and search for Southern Maryland Weddings on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and LinkedIn.
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Thursday, February 6, 2014
The County Times
In Our Community
w e i v e R k Boo
“The Last Time I Died”
Controlling a Robot Focus of Program
by Joe Nelms
Great Mills High School and AP Computer Science students will present a STEM program for youth 9 to 13 years of age Feb. 13 at 6 p.m. at Charlotte Hall branch and Feb. 20 at 6 p.m. at Lexington Park branch. Those attending will learn to control the Finch robots using SNAP! programming. Registration is required.
c.2014, Tyrus Books $16.99 / $18.99 Canada 255 pages By Terri Schlichenmeyer OW contributor One minute at a time. That’s how you get through a rough patch in your life. You breathe, then take another breath. Watch the clock tick in a circle. And then you do it again because, though it sounds trite, time really is your friend. Or, as in the new novel, “The Last Time I Died” by Joe Nelms, time is what gets you to despair in the first place. Lisa hadn’t wanted a divorce. Christian Franco had to at least admit that. She had, in fact, begged him to go to therapy, to do something to get over his past so they could move forward together. But when a man witnessed his father killing his mother thirty years ago, when the man was just an eight-year-old… well, what was there to say to a therapist that hadn’t already been said? And the truth was, Christian couldn’t remember anything before that night. Not a thing. His first memories were of being in foster care, of the psychologist who raped him, of knowing that he was a burden to Foster Mother. Why dredge that stuff up? And so, with Lisa out of his life and his house, Christian spent his nights getting drunk and picking fights with random strangers in local bars, hoping that either alcohol or a thorough beating might feel good. A nice butt-kicking was what he lived for. Until he died for it. Those first minutes in the hospital were odd: everything was black, then white, and his memories “whooshed” backward until an eight-year-old Christian saw his mother’s bagged corpse, and began to re-live his father’s hand-cuffed departure from their brownstone. And then he was revived. Angry, and filled with more questions than answers, Christian knew he had to die again. But repeated suicide attempts would raise red flags and he knew he was playing with a sick kind of fire. He couldn’t
LIBRARY ITEMS Programs Set for Parents
Parents and caregivers can bring their little ones to the Leonardtown branch on Feb. 8 at 10 a.m. to enjoy some fun, hands-on activities together. The activities are geared to help parents to help their little ones get ready to learn to read. On Feb. 24 at the Lexington Park branch, parents and caregivers will be introduced to educational apps for tablets and how to use them to promote early learning. The fun begins at 6 p.m. Registration is requested.
take the chance that he would die and not come back. He needed someone – a rogue doctor, maybe? - to kill him again and again until the memories all returned. But there was one thing he never considered: what if remembering was worse than death? Reading “The Last Time I Died” is a lesson in patience. It’s scattered (on purpose, as it turns out) and initially somewhat hard to follow, filled with frustration, drollness, and words that may send you scrambling for the dictionary. And yet – you just can’t look away. Once you get past the first few pages, in fact, author Joe Nelms’s got you. He’ll let you believe that his main character, Christian, is an unredeemable (though wounded) first-class jerk. Christian is downright unlikeable, actually, but there’s something about this story that makes us stick around, knowing we’ll get a pay-off – and we do. Fans of darkness and desperation will eat this book up, as will anyone who cherishes a story with hints of the iconoclastic. If that’s you, then I know “The Last Time I Died” is a book you won’t mind spending a few hours with.
Help for Job Seekers
Job seekers needing help with writing a resume can attend a class at Lexington Park branch on resume basics on Feb. 12 at 10 a.m. Different types of resumes and using Word 2010 to prepare a resume will also be covered. Registration is required. The Southern Maryland JobSource Mobile Career Center will be at Leonardtown branch on Feb. 11 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. to offer assistance to job seekers.
Free Workshop Offered for Grant Seekers
Staff from the College of Southern Maryland Nonprofit Institute and the library will present an overview on researching grant opportunities and the grant writing process at a workshop at Lexington Park branch on Feb. 13 at 5 p.m. The free workshop includes a hands-on demonstration of the Foundation Center’s databases used to find grant sources that are available at the library. Registration is required.
Dr. Martin Luther King to Be Portrayed
Actor and motivational speaker Gregg Riley will portray Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the library’s Black History Month program on Feb. 22 at Lexington Park branch. Riley will discuss King’s most heralded speeches and how they relate today. The free program starts at 1 p.m. and is being cosponsored by Unified Committee for Afro-American Contributions, NAACP of St. Mary’s County and the Minority Outreach Coalition.
Zombies to Return
Zombies will take on the humans at the Zombie program at Charlotte Hall branch on Feb. 24 at 6 p.m. Participants will become either a zombie or survivor, participate in Zombie Fear Factor, get survival tips, and maybe be a part of a flash mob. Costumes are encouraged.
Patuxent River Naval Air Museum Presents…
MEET THE AIRPLANE ! Curtiss A-1 Triad 8 Feb 2014, 1200-1500 Patuxent River Naval Air Museum
“Fly” in MACH COMBAT
Joe Nelms
Photo by Lora Appleton
Check out the Flightline Gift Shop hop For More Information please contact PRNAMA at 301-863-1900
Children’s Activities and Games Hank Caruso Print Raffle 50/50 Drawings Balloons and Giveaways
Please send to widest distribution and post
The County Times
Thursday, February 6, 2014
26
St. Mary’s Department of Aging
Programs and Activities
SENIOR LIVING Deadline for ‘Melon Basket’ Weaving Class
On Tuesday, Feb. 11 and Thursday, Feb. 13, from 1 to 4 p.m., basket weaving classes will be held at the Northern Senior Activity Center. Payment must be received at time of sign up, no later than Friday, Feb. 7 at the front desk. Learn to make a rib basket on wooden hoops, including easy God’s Eye weaving pattern. Create a smooth shape and uniform weave. You can make it in natural colors or add some colored weavers. Size is about 8” in diameter. Class includes two sessions, the cost for the kit and instruction is $35. To learn more call 301-475-4002, ext. 1001.
High Blood Pressure and You
On Tuesday, Feb. 18 at 10 a.m. at the Garvey Senior Activity Center, Dr. Glaser with Chesapeake and Washington Heart Care will give an overview of ways to live a healthy lifestyle while living with high blood pressure. Sign up for this presentation by calling 301-475-4200, ext. 1050.
Afternoon Pinochle to begin in Feb.
Beginning Feb. 12, pinochle players can enjoy their favorite card game at the Loffler Senior Activity Center on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday afternoons of each month from 1 to 4 p.m. This will be in addition to the ongoing morning sessions that have been taking place every Mon, Wed and Fri mornings from 8 to 11:30 a.m. For more information call 301-7375670, ext. 1658.
Living Well with Chronic Disease
Give yourself something priceless--improved well-being. The Loffler Senior Activity Center will be conducting a six week workshop on how to manage your chronic condition. The class will meet at the center on Thursdays, Mar. 6 to Apr. 10. This is an evidence-based program developed by Stanford University to help people with chronic conditions take charge of their life by developing self-management skills, including dealing with depression and fatigue, pain management, working with health care providers and more. If you have a chronic condition and are serious about improving the way you feel, this is the workshop for you. There is no charge for taking this class; however, a commitment to regular attendance is needed for good results. For more information or to sign up call 301-737-5670, ext. 1658.
Core and Abs Class on Wednesdays
Do you want to strengthen your core muscles, which may help with lower back pain and maintain posture and balance? Dave Scheible teaches this class on Wednesdays at 2 p.m. at the Loffler Senior Activity Center. You can try it for free and, if you like it, you can continue coming using a fitness card. Fitness cards are $30 and are good for 10 fitness classes of any type at any of the St. Mary’s County Senior Activity Centers. For more information call 301-737-5670, ext. 1658.
Tai Chi for Arthritis Beginner Class Forming at the Loffler Senior Activity Center
The Loffler Senior Activity Center will be holding beginning Tai Chi for Arthritis classes at 9 a.m. on Wednesday mornings from Mar. 12 through Apr. 30 (8 sessions). Medical studies have shown that practicing this program reduces pain significantly, prevents falls for the elderly and provides many other health benefits in a relatively short period of time. While there is no monetary cost for this class, commitment to attendance and practice at home is required for students. We have twenty slots available. To sign up for this class or for more information call 301-737-5670, ext. 1658.
Annual Orioles Bus Trip on the Horizon
Hey Orioles fans, clear your calendar for Wednesday, May 14 so that you can watch your favorite Baltimore team play the Detroit Tigers at Camden Yards. Don’t worry about the traffic; we’ve scheduled a bus to pick up fans at all three of the conveniently located senior activity centers. The cost for this trip is $60 which includes transportation, ticket for covered seating, bus driver tip, water and snack on the bus. Stop by any of the Senior activity Centers in St. Mary’s County to make your payment and reserve you space. Call Joyce at 301-737-5670, ext. 1656 for more information.
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 Visit the Department of Aging’s website at www.stmarysmd.com/aging for the most up-to date information.
The Murder of James Scofield, Pt. II. By Linda Reno Contributing Writer Last week at the end of the article, I said “The murder occurred between the time Goddard left and 3:00 the following morning when the house was discovered in flames.” It wasn’t the house— it was the store and the date was April 3, 1873. A number of arrests were made, but the in the end only Thomas Jackson was charged. The trial was held on May 16. Evidence showed that goods belonging to Scofield were found on Jackson, and several witnesses testified that Jackson had repeatedly proposed to them “to make a raid” on Scofield, saying that Scofield had killed a colored man named [Wesley] Thomas and had not been properly punished for it and that he had plenty of money. Jackson’s defense was he had bought the goods from two strange men passing on the road, but had
A Journey Through Time The
earlier said he’d bought the goods in Baltimore. The jury was out only 25 minutes and the verdict was guilty. Jackson was sentenced to be hung. Jackson said he had always lived in St. Mary’s County; had belonged to the late Henry Sewell, Esq.; and had been raised and trained as a waiter by Dr. Edelen’s family. In 1863 he removed to Point Lookout where he remained until the close of the war, when he opened a small store near Fairfield in partnership with Henry Foster. The Washington Star sent a reporter to interview Jackson in late June. “The correspondent says that Jackson is a man of muscular build, with a bull-dog looking head; has a small piercing eye, which betokens cunning and craft; talks freely when interrogated but volunteers no information not solicited… Jackson says that he is 49 years old, and has had two wives, the last one lives in Baltimore…he expresses his satisfaction with the jury and attributes his conviction to the lies of the colored witnesses. He says he ought to have a pardon because he fought in the war, and did not kill Mr. Scofield or burn his house….He
Chronicle
is securely ironed with leg irons. He eats well, and many little delicacies are sent him by the villagers, both white and colored. He likes whisky inordinately and is given a liberal daily allowance.” Just prior to the execution Jackson told a reporter he wanted to thank Sheriff Abell, Dr. and Mrs. W. J. Edelen, and his many friends saying he hoped they would assist his family after he was gone. Thomas Jackson was hung on July 11 from the gallows that had been erected in the rear of the courthouse. It was the first hanging in St. Mary’s County since 1844. “The prisoner left the jail at about one o’clock this afternoon and was hanged in the presence of a large concourse of spectators, including a large proportion of colored persons. There were about 2,500 persons in and around the court-house, witnesses of the execution.” After the execution, Jackson’s body was placed in a pine coffin and he was buried at St. Aloysius Church.
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The County Times
Thursday, February 6, 2014
n O g Goin
In Entertainment
Thursday, Feb. 6
Wednesday, Feb. 12
Dave Norris DB McMillan’s Pub & Grill (23415 Three Notch Road, California) - 6 to 10 p.m.
Country Band Martini’s Lounge (10553 Theodore Green Boulevard, White Plains) - 6 to 9 p.m.
Country Memories Band Vera’s White Sands Beach Club (1200 White Sands Drive, Lusby) - 7 to 11 p.m.
Gretchen Richie “Rodgers and Hart” Cafe Des Artistes (41655 Fenwick Street, Leonardtown) - 6 to 9 p.m.
Hydra FX Anthony’s Bar and Grill (10371 Southern Maryland Boulevard, Dunkirk) - 11 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Wesley Spanger Toot’s Bar (23971 Mervell Dean Road, Hollywood) - 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
Friday, Feb. 7
Fast Eddie Martini’s Restaurant & Lounge (10553 Theodore Green Boulevard, White Plains) – 9 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 8 Drivin’ Muzzy Big Dogs Paradise (28765 Three Notch Road, Mechanicsville) - 9:30 p.m. Too Many Mikes Cryer’s Back Road Inn (22094 Newtowne Neck Road, Leonardtown) 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. One Louder Vera’s White Sands Beach Club (1200 White Sands Drive, Lusby) - 9:30 to 10:30 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 13
Full Steam Martini’s Lounge (10553 Theodore Green Boulevard, White Plains) - 9 p.m. Kajun Kelley Band Anthony’s Bar and Grill (10371 Southern Maryland Boulevard, Dunkirk) - 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Saturday, Feb. 15
Ballroom and Swing Dance Party House of Dance (24620 Three Notch Road, Hollywood) – 8 to 11 p.m.
Jim Bennett Motown Live Martini’s Lounge (10553 Theodore Green Boulevard, White Plains) - 7 to 10 p.m.
Huntingtown High School Auditorium Doors open 7 p.m. • Show begins 8 p.m. The Capitol Steps dig into the headlines of the day to create song parodies and skits which convey a special brand of satirical humor. The group has recorded more than 30 albums and has been featured on NBC, CBS, ABC and PBS. Its Politics Takes a Holiday radio specials can be heard four times a year on National Public Radio stations nationwide.
Valentine’s in the Vineyard Running Hare Vineyard (150 Adelina Road, Prince Frederick) - 8 to 11 p.m.
The Not So Modern Jazz Quartet The Westlawn Inn (9200 Chesapeake Avenue, North Beach) – 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 11
Friday, February 21, 2014
Friday, Feb. 14
Piranhas Vera’s White Sands Beach Club (1200 White Sands Drive, Lusby) - 9:30 p.m.
Team Trivia DB McMillan’s (23415 Three Notch Road, California) - 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
“They’re the best. There’s no one like them, no one in their league.” Larry King, CNN
Karaoke Bowie Applebee’s (4100 N W Crain Highway, Bowie) - 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
Igniters Martini’s Lounge (10553 Theodore Green Boulevard, White Plains) - 9 p.m.
Monday, Feb. 10
FEATURING
15 Strings Morris Point Restaurant (38869 Morris Point Rd., Abell) – 5 to 9 p.m. 3 Days of Rain Toot’s Bar (23971 Mervell Dean Road, Hollywood) - 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
TickeTs:
$25 in advance; $30 at the door
Buy TickeTs here:
CAASA Office, Prince Frederick Floral Expressions, Owings K5 Sports, Prince Frederick Lotus Kitchen, Solomons
For information call 410-535-3733
Peaceful Living
IN A QUIET SETTING, EXCELLENT SCHOOLS
301-862-5307
The County Times is always looking for more local talent to feature! To submit art or band information for our entertainment section, e-mail info@somdpublishing.net. Please submit calendar listings by 12 p.m. on the Tuesday prior to our Thursday publication.
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The County Times
Thursday, February 6, 2014
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To submit your event listing to go in our Community Calendar, please email news@countytimes.net with the listing details by 12 p.m. on the Tuesday prior to our Thursday publication.
Thursday Feb. 6 Maryland Industrial Partnerships (MIPS) & I-Corps: Linking Innovative Technology With University System Of Maryland Resources Exploration Park (Wyle Building 1 North, Conference Room, Exploration Drive, Lexington Park) - 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Joe Naft, Director, MIPS, will be speaking. Registration is required to ensure a seat, and space is limited. For details, or registration, visit www.paxpartnership.org/ index.cfm?action=CL2&amp;Entry=1287. Southern Maryland JobSource Mobile Career Center Charlotte Hall Library (New Market Rd, Charlotte Hall) - 9 to 1 p.m. Job seekers can stop by to get job counseling and resume help, search for jobs and get connected with Southern Maryland JobSource. The Coordinator will help job seekers get registered with the Maryland Workforce Exchange. 301-880-2810 Tasty Tacos & Chili Dogs VFW 2632 (23282 Three Notch Road, California) - 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The VFW is a great place to enjoy some delicious tacos or chili dogs. It’s your choice, or mix and match. One for $1.75, three for $5 or five for $8.25 Annual Forrest Center Tech Expo Forrest Career & Technology Center (24005 Point Lookout Road, Leonardtown) - 5:30 p.m. The Dr. James A. Forrest Career & Technology Center or “Forrest Center,” will host its fourteenth annual Forrest Center Tech Expo on Thursday at the school site, directly across from the St. Mary’s County Fairgrounds in Leonardtown. The purpose of the Forrest Center Tech Expo is to familiarize students and parents with Career and Technology Education (CTE) career options offered by the St. Mary’s County Public Schools. This is an opportunity to meet the staff at the Forrest Center and to learn about the 24 completer programs currently offered. Middle school and high school counselors will be available to answer questions about career clusters and to assist students in planning their academic program. The Forrest Center will provide special presentations for parents to explain the registration process
and how to incorporate Forrest Center programs into their student’s schedule. For more details, contact the Dr. James A. Forrest Career & Technology Center at 301-475-0242. In the event of inclement weather, the alternate date for the Forrest Center Tech Expo will be Thursday, Feb. 13 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. The event may be recorded and presented on SMCPS Channel 96, the school system’s educational cable channel, and the internet.
Friday Feb. 7 First Friday Gallery Reception Opal Fine Art Gallery (41625 Park Avenue Historic Leonardtown) – 5 to 8 p.m. Opal Fine Art is featuring a Group Exhibit for the month of February, and there will be a reception on Leonardtown’s First Friday. Many new works of art and special gifts will be on exhibit. Regular gallery hours are Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 301-438-1629. Book signing with Eddie Washington Fenwick Street Used Books & Music (41655A Fenwick Street, Leonardtown) – 5 p.m. This is an opportunity to meet the author of Pegasus: The White Man. The Red Horse. The Black Boy. Texas Hold’em Tournament VFW Post 2632 (23282 Three Notch Road, California) - 7 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. This is a no limit Texas Holdem tournament. There is $110 buy in, with $90 prize pool and $20 charity, and an optional $10 add-on to Receive an extra $1000 and 50/50 entry. Sign In is from 6:20 to 6:45 p.m., and tournament starts at 7 p.m. for an early bird bonus, an extra $500, register and pay by 6:45 p.m. Pre-registration is encouraged, but not required. Late players accepted until the end of the 1st break, after about one hour. Payouts are determined by the number of entries. With 50 – 100 players, nine places paid. The public is welcome. Must be 18 or older to play. Side games are available. For more information, or to pre-register contact Brian: at poker@vfw2632.com or 240-925-4000. First Friday in Leonardtown Leonardtown Square (Leonardtown) - 5 p.m. Art gallery exhibits, free receptions,
meet and greet with authors and artists, wine tastings, free hands on activities, live music and more at various Leonardtown businesses every First Friday. www.leonardtownfirstfridays.com Picturing the Past – Opening and Reception The North End Gallery (41652 Fenwick Street, Leonardtown) - 5 to 8 p.m. View one of the most beautiful historic sites in the nation through an artist’s eyes. The North End Gallery features images and objects inspired by Historic St. Mary’s City. This is a public opening and reception, but the exhibit will be shown all month
Saturday Feb. 8 Meet the Airplane: Curtis A-1 Patuxent River Naval Air Museum (22156 Three Notch Road, Lexington Park) – noon to 3 p.m. This is a family fun event. We’ll have plenty of family activities including making paper airplanes, carrier landings, radar games and helium balloons. A panel of experts will be available to discuss all aspects of this aircraft, starting at 2 p.m. Days Off Catering will have their truck outside with your choice of yummy food. We’ll have a special sweet treat for the kids as well. 301-863-7418 Second Saturday Living History Program: Vince Leggett as Charles Ball Sotterley Plantation (44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood) - 1 p.m. Charles Ball was an African-American slave from Maryland and was sold to a South Carolinian cotton planter, thus estranged from his wife and children who remained in Maryland. After several escapes and recaptures, he wrote his autobiography with the help of his lawyer, Isaac Fisher. This event is free, but advanced reservations are required. Reserve by calling 301-737-2280. Ready to Read, Ready to Rock Leonardtown Library (23250 Hollywood Rd, Leonardtown) - 10 to 11 a.m. Parents/caregivers can bring their little ones and have some hands-on fun learning a new story, making a craft, and enjoying activities that encourage fun with books. This event is handicapped accessible and it is free. 301-475-2846 or www.stmalib.org
Myrtle Point Park Trail Maintenance, Myrtle Point Park (24050 Patuxent Blvd., California) - 10 a.m. to noon Join the Friends of Myrtle Point Park and help with the upkeep of our favorite park. The group will be working on the memorial grove, invasive plant control and trail maintenance. Park at the gate where there will be a sign-in sheet and directions. It is advisable to wear sturdy work clothes and sturdy shoes. This event is weather dependent. Temperatures below 35°, rain or high winds will result in cancellation. E-mail bobboxwell@hotmail.com for more information. SMTMD Contra Dance Christ Episcopal Church Parish Hall 9 (37497 Zach Fowler Rd, Chaptico) - 7 to 10 p.m. This Contra Dance, sponsored by Southern Maryland Traditional Music and Dance (SMTMD), features caller Ann Fallon. Please note this is a deviation from the regular 2nd Saturday venue, due to scheduling concerns. The doors open at 7 and the dancing begins at 7:30. 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 to get some instruction in the various dances. Admission is $10 for non-SMTMD members and $6 for members (band members are free). No special clothing is required. You need to be comfortable and able to move freely. There will be an ice cream social following the dance. For more information and directions go to www.smtmd.org.
Sunday Feb. 9 All-You-Can-Eat Breakfast Valley Lee 2nd District VFD & RS Fire Hall (45245 Drayden Road, Vally Lee) - 8 to 11 a.m. Cost for adults is $8, children from age 6 - 12 are $4, and children 5 and under are free. For more info call 301-994-9999. Fried Chicken Dinner Knights of Columbus 2065 (16441 Three Notch Road, Ridge) - 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Mike Batson Photography
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Events Weddings Family Portraits 301-938-3692 mikebatsonphotography@hotmail.com https://www.facebook.com/mikebatsonphotography
2/16 Flying Trapeze Class outing Sign up required: 301-997-1300 x 865 Beacon now open Tuesday evenings! 5-6:30 p.m. SMART Recovery & Family & Friends 7-8 p.m. Co-dependents Anonymous
Beacon of Hope: a free center offering peer support for adults in a fun & sober atmosphere, at 21800 N. Shangri La, Millison Plaza, Lexington Park.
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The County Times
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Cost is $12, which includes half chicken, buttered potatoes, green beans, cole slaw and more. Dessert table will be available. Eat-in or carryout. Antique Show and Sale La Plata High School (6035 Radio Station Road, La Plata) - 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. This annual Antique Show & Sale will also take place on Sunday, Feb. 9 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Irish Tenor Anthony Kearns Concert St. Mary’s Ryken Theatre (22600 Camp Calvert Road, Leonardtown) – 4 to 6 p.m. Tickets are $59 each; all seating is general admission. A limited number of VIP tickets are available for $100 each, which include admission to the concert plus a private wine and cheese reception with Anthony Kearns following the concert. American Legion Bluegrass- Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out American Legion Post 238 (6265 Brandywine Road Hughesville) – 2 p.m. This event will feature Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out, along with local singer songwriter David Norris. Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out are celebrating nearly 25 years as one of Bluegrass music’s most awarded and influential groups in modern day bluegrass. All in all, the band has garnered over
50 industry accolades since their inception in 1991 including being named the IBMA’s Vocal Group of the Year for seven consecutive years. The doors will open at noon and the show starts at 2 p.m. Tickets are still only $15 per person and can be purchased at the door or in advance by sending a check or money order to Jay Armsworthy, P.O. Box 741, California, MD. They will be held at the door. A dinner special of fried chicken will be available for sale prior to the show. For more information, visit www.americanlegionbluegrass. com or call 301-737-3004.
Monday Feb. 10 Pax River Quilters Guild Monthly Meeting Good Samaritan Lutheran Church (20850 Langley Road, Lexington Park) - 6:30 to 9 p.m. This month will feature a discussion on dealing with block sets that may or may not go together, and how to arrange them into a fabulous quilt. Bring your block sets, BOMs and fabric to audition sashing ideas. Bring your “Bright Hopes” block of the month (2), your block sets and non-perishable food item for the food pantry. Guests and new member welcome! For more information, find this group on Facebook or visit www.paxriverquiltguild.com.
Tuesday Feb. 11 US Colored Troops in the Civil War College of Southern Maryland’s Center for Business and Industry, Chaney Enterprise Conference Room BI-113 (8730 Mitchell Road, La Plata) – 7 p.m. The Southern Maryland Civil War Round Table is hosting host a presentation by Steward Henderson, historian with the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park. Mr. Henderson is a co-founder of the 23rd Regiment United States Colored Troops, which is affiliated with the John J. Wright Educational and Cultural Center Museum in Spotsylvania County, Virginia. Event is free. www.somdcwrt.org
Wednesday Feb. 12 Affordable Healthcare Enrollment Health Partners (3070 Crain Highway, Waldorf) - 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Health Partners in Waldorf has certified staff available for extended hours on Wednesday to assist Charles County residents in applying for Medicaid or private health insurance plans. Massive Online Open Courseware (MOOCs) Brown Bag Briefing Speaker: How to Advance Your Personal and Professional Skills with Online Courses TPP Conference Room (22335 Exploration Drive, Suite 1030, Lexington Park) – 11 a.m.
to 12:30 p.m. Speakers are Professor Ben Bederson, special advisor to the Provost on Technology and Educational Transformation, University of Maryland and Dr. Karen Cooper, Research Scientist, Future Workforce Technologies & Strategies, NAVAIR. For details and registration, vis www.paxpartnership.org/index. it cfm?action=CL2&amp;Entry=1273.
Thursday Feb. 13 Longaberger Basket Bingo to Benefit Mechanicsville Rescue Squad Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department Social Hall (28165 Hills Club Road, Mechanicsville) - 7 to 10 p.m. All Baskets will have Pampered Chef items, along with Liners & Protectors. $20 for book of 20 Regular Games, and $5 for book of 5 specials. There will be a basket raffle and 50/50 raffle. Pull Tabs will be played for your choice of Longaberger or a Coach Purse. The group leader with the most reservations will win the 2014 sweetheart basket. Food and Refreshments will be sold throughout the evening. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. and Bingo will start at 7 p.m. Make a Reservation to get your name entered to win the New Lend A Hand Basket. For Reservations, call Joyce Downs at 301-481-0906 or 301-884-8829 Snow or Ice Date is March 13.
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The County Times
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Entertainment
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Jay Armsworthy Keeps Bluegrass Alive in Southern Maryland
By Kay Poiro Staff Writer California, Md. native Jay Armsworthy makes it his mission to keep bluegrass alive in the Southern Maryland region. Jay remembers being introduced to the music he calls “down home and feel good” through his family. His father played guitar, eventually leading 10-year-old Jay to pick up the instrument. “We used to have parties in the summer,” Jay remembers. “Lots of good music and good friends. Bluegrass has always been a family affair to me.” As an entertainer, Jay Armsworthy and his band Eastern Tradition have played as far north as New York and as far south as the Carolinas. Locally, they can be found performing in venues like La Plata Town Hall and for events like the Little Margaret Bluegrass Festival and the St. Mary’s County Oyster Festival. When he’s not busy performing with Eastern Tradition, he’s promoting fellow bluegrass acts. Armsworthy has also been the principal organizer of Bluegrass for Hospice in St. Mary’s County for the past five years. He also uses radio to promote bluegrass by hosting several on-air programs. His live show Bluegrass on the Bay broadcasts Wednesday nights from 6-8 p.m. on www.worldwidebluegrasscom. On Thursday nights, he’s on 107.5 at 9 p.m. Jay says the appeal of bluegrass is that it is “good, family friendly music” and says the accessibility of the entertainers is what sets the bluegrass entertainers apart from the mainstream. “A lot of other types of bands or ‘stars’, you can’t get close to,” he says. “You can befriend a bluegrass musician. They sign autographs. They appreciate their fans.” It’s his relationship with those bands and genre greats that have helped Jay Armsworthy bring the music’s heavy hitters to Southern Maryland. Still, he welcomes meeting and helping new bluegrass acts, encouraging them to send him CDs for his radio show. Armsworthy says he’s excited about the platform national radio provides to bluegrass music. He credits the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) and satellite radio provider Sirius XM Radio for bringing bluegrass “farther that it’s ever been.” Jay is also doing his part to spread the gospel of bluegrass, having personally performed in all but seven states and attending Leadership Bluegrass, a Nashville-based three day intensive for leaders of the bluegrass music community. Jay’s next Southern Maryland show is scheduled for Feb. 9 at the American Legion Post 238 in Hughesville. As the promoter, he’s bringing famed bluegrass artist Russell Moore and IIIRD Tyme Out to town. Doors open at noon with the show beginning at 2 p.m. Whether it’s performing on stage or promoting the music over the airwaves, Jay Armsworthy says his love of the music is what keeps him going.
“As long as God lets me entertain and promote, then I’ll continue to be around,” says Jay. “I’m in it for the long haul.” To find out more about Jay Armsworthy and Eastern Tradition, visit www.facebook.com/JayArmsworthy or www.easterntraditionbluegrass.com. kaypoiro@countytimes.net
To find out more about Jay Armsworthy and Eastern Tradition, visit www.facebook.com/JayArmsworthy or www.easterntraditionbluegrass.com.
DJ Dave Wins WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Award WeddingWire, the nation’s leading online wedding marketplace, named DJ Dave Entertainment as a winner of the prestigious WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards 2014 for Disc Jockey & Entertainment in the Washington DC Metropolitan area! The WeddingWire Couples’ Choice AwardsTM 2014 recognizes the top five percent of wedding professionals in the WeddingWire Network who demonstrate excellence in quality, service, responsiveness and professionalism. The esteemed awards are given to the top local wedding vendors in more than 20 service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers, based on their professional achievements from the previous year. While many industry award winners are selected by the host organization, the WeddingWire Couples’ Choice AwardsTM winners are determined solely based on reviews from real newlyweds and their expe-
riences working with DJ Dave Entertainment. Awardwinning vendors are distinguished for the quality, quantity, consistency and timeliness of the reviews they have received from their past clients. “There’s no better way to start the year than by honoring the hard work, commitment and success of the top-rated wedding professionals within the WeddingWire Network,” said Timothy Chi, CEO, WeddingWire. “It is exciting to celebrate a sixth year recognizing businesses whose clients believe they are committed to quality, professionalism and all around top-notch service. We are honored to recognize DJ Dave Entertainment for their impressive achievements within the wedding industry.” As a Couples’ Choice AwardsTM winner, DJ Dave Entertainment is highlighted within the WeddingWire Network, which is comprised of over 200,000 wedding professionals throughout North America and abroad.
DJ Dave Entertainment is proud to be one of the top Disc Jockeys in the Washington DC Metropolitan area, (including Southern Maryland) in the WeddingWire Network, which includes leading wedding sites such as WeddingWire, Project Wedding, Brides. com, Martha Stewart Weddings, and Weddingbee. We would like to thank our past clients for taking the time to review our business on WeddingWire. We value all of our clients and truly appreciate the positive feedback that helped us earn the WeddingWire Couples’ Choice AwardsTM 2014. For more information about DJ Dave Entertainment please visit our website at http://www.djdavemd.com To learn more about the Couple’s Choice AwardsTM, please visit www.weddingwire.com/ couples-choice-awards.
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Thursday, February 6, 2014
The County Times
Entertainment
Bodies in the Cellar and the President in the Attic
The Newtowne Players Present Arsenic and Old Lace By Sarah Miller Staff Writer Why keep your skeletons in the closet? Abby and Martha Brewster (played by Ellynne Brice Davis and Linda Lagle) keep theirs in the cellar, which may be the worst kept secret the ladies have in Joseph Kesselring’s “Aresnic and Old Lace,” now on stage at Three Notch Theatre. The elderly Brewster sisters are perfectly hospitable to the lonely men who come knocking at their door, asking about the room for rent they have advertised. They’ll sit them down, offer them a nice meal, give them a glass of wine laced with a little arsenic and even hold
funeral services for their burial in the Brewster house cellar. Between their boarders, their nephews Teddy (played by Paul Rose) and Mortimer (Carlton Silvestro) and the neighboring reverend and his daughter, the Brewster sisters live perfectly respectable, present lives. That is, until the black sheep of the family, Jonathan Brewster (played by Chris Woehrer) comes calling with Dr. Einstein (played by Rick Thompson) in tow, and possibly a body that could use a burial. Auditions for “Arsenic and Old Lace” were held in October and the cast and crew have been working on the set and script since, Brice Davis said. The script is an especially challenging one because the dialogue goes by so quickly and it can be tough to keep track of who’s supposed to be talking and when, she said. Despite the difficult script, the cast carries the play masterfully. The set is well designed, with hand painted wallpaper and just the right furnishings to call to mind the 1940s home of two aging spinsters. The play will be presented at Three Notch Theatre on 21744 South Coral Drive in Lexington Park Thursdays through Sundays, Feb. 14 through March 2, 2014. Celebrate opening night with a glass of wine and dessert on Feb. 14, featuring wine tastings from Port of Leonardtown Winery and dessert from new local busi-
Photos courtesy of Tia LePore, Tia Rose Photography
ness Kathryn’s Crafty Cakes. Reservations are recommended. Please make reservations for the show by visiting www.newtowneplayers.org or calling 301-737-5447. For more information about volunteer opportunities or other upcoming programs by The Newtowne Players, visit www.newtowneplayers.org or www.facebook.com/newtowneplayers. sarahmiller@countytimes.net
The Founding Tenor By Kimberly Alston Contributing Writer Founding member of the Irish Tenors, Anthony Kearns will be making an appearance at St. Mary’s Ryken High School on Sunday. Feb. 10, for a concert to raise money for Ryken’s student scholarship fund. Kearns will be accompanied by Patrick Healley, as together; the duo will perform comedy, Irish ballads, contemporary songs as well as opera with music that spans 200 years. “People go out to a concert to be entertained by a variety of music,” Kearns said, adding that that is the
reason why he does not stick to one specific genre of music. He wants people, when they come out to his shows, to have a good time. Kearns has been singing professionally since 1993. Originally, he worked in a hotel and catering business. When he realized that his passion was singing, he quit the hotel industry and persued the art of singing. “You have to follow your dreams,” he said. When coming to an Anthony Kearns concert, he said, people are generally surprised to find that they have at least heard his music before. Many of the songs that Kearns performs have been featured in different movies, television shows or advertisements. While Kearns does not perform music originally written by him, he does perform what he refers to as timeless classics like “Danny Boy” and “You Raise Me Up” so he identifies with performing more than just covers of pop songs. Because most of his songs are also in English, concert attendees usually find they sing along to his music as well, by the time the song is over. In addition to his current tour, Kearns just released his first solo album, “With a Song in My Heart” in October of 2013. From start to finish, Kearns said that the album took only about a month to complete. The album is available for $20 on his web-
Pictures Courtesty of www.anthonykearnstenor.com
site, www.anthonykearnstenor.com. While about one or two of the songs that are on the album are performed in his concerts, Kearns said that his album gives an idea of the type of music that is generally heard from him, live. Anthony Kearns will perform a live concert at the St. Mary’s Ryken Theatre on Sunday, Feb. 9, at 4 p.m. Tickets are $59 each and all seating is general admission. For more information, or to order tickets, call 301-373-4182 kimberlyalston@countytimes.net
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Thursday, February 6, 2014
CLASSIFIEDS Placing An Ad
Email your ad to: sales@countytimes.net or Call: 301-373-4125 or Fax: 301-373-4128. Liner Ads (No artwork or special type) Charged by the line with the 4 line minimum. Display Ads (Ads with artwork, logos, or special type) Charged by the inch with the 2 inch minimum. All private party ads must be paid before ad is run.
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Real Estate Rentals
1999 Skyline 3 bedroom 2 bath with, washer/ dryer, refrigerator, dishwasher, gas stove, gas heat, gas space heater, central AC, garden tub, large back deck, shed, fenced yard and carport. Located near Calvert Cliffs Power Plant, can stay on lot or be removed. A must see, $24,900.00 call 410-610-6903 to set an appointment and ask for Pat. Bring the kids, horses, toys! Move-in ready brick & vinyl rambler on nearly 7 acres, paved driveway, 1-car attached garage. No covenants/ restrictions. Property includes separate building site with septic & well already in place. Live here, build your dream home, or rent this home....lots of possibilities. Relax & enjoy nature from back deck overlooking woods. Quiet area with one near/visible neighbor. Bargain price for home, acreage, and building site. Call 804-241-5374 for information or appointment. Price: 259,900
Peaceful 3 Bed Room, 2 1/2 Bath Split Foyer with a f lat fenced in backyard. Excellent for family with children. On a no thru street. House is located in White Sands Development approx .5 miles from Route 4, and about 20 miles from Pax Air Station. Quiet friendly, neighbors. Large Master Bedroom with walkin closet. Huge attic with lots of storage space, Full size laundry room with washer and dryer. Recently remodeled bathrooms. New f looring on first f loor. 8x8 wooden shed for storage. Pets on case by case basis. For more information please email kirks. est.2004@gmail.com or call Mark at 301-751-9309.
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The County Times will not be held responsible for any ads omitted for any reason. The Ccounty 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 of the first publication ran.
Employment Looking for a auto detailer with mechanical skills. Primary job will be detailing automobiles. Some mechanical experience will be required for heavy times. If interested please e-mail algar34@gmail.com or fax resume to 301-737-4206 or call 301-737-6400. Chesapeake Neurology Associates has a full-time position available for a RN/ LPN. Experience preferred. Candidate must possess current Maryland Licensure. Strong writing skills necessary. Act as a liaison between patient and MD/ CRNP in meeting patient needs between office visits. Additional responsibilities discussed during interview. Paid holidays, health benefits package, and flexible schedule. No phone calls accepted. Faxed resumes only to (410) 535-6030.
Employment Wine & Craft Beer Position (Calvert County)
Maryland Wine & Craft Beer distributor looking for qualified and experienced sales person for Calvert County territory. We offer comprehensive salary with eventual conversion to commission (when territory generates more commission than salary). We offer monetary support for cell phone and car use. We offer medical and dental insurance and a 401K plan with generous matching funds. Please email resume and salary history to Lax422@aol.com ATTN H/R Sales
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR The St. Mary’s County Metropolitan Commission (MetCom) provides water and sewer services for residents and businesses in St. Mary’s County, Maryland. MetCom has a customer base of over 16,000 and exceeds $20 million in annual revenues. There is an immediate opening for an Assistant Director. The Assistant Director works very closely with the Commission’s Executive Director on a day-to day basis; assists the Executive Director with the management of the Commission’s operations and the oversight of its employees by ensuring that the Executive Director’s directives and assignments are carried out in an expedient and professional manner. The position provides direct administrative support to the Executive Director; represents the Executive Director before various county, state, and federal agencies, committees, commissions, and elected and appointed officials; and serves in the Executive Director’s capacity when the Executive Director is absent for extended periods of time. This position prepares the Administrative Department’s annual operating budget and coordinates the preparation of the MetCom annual operating budgets and capital improvement budgets by the other Departments. Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in related discipline plus seven or more years of relevant experience; or Master’s degree in related discipline plus five or more years of relevant experience; Financial and budgetary experience a plus. Salary: Minimum starting salary $90,050 DOQ. Excellent benefit package. Applicants are strongly urged to request a copy of the position description to review the complete list of employment requirements. Position is open until filled. Applicants must complete a MetCom application. MetCom does not discriminate on the basis of race, marital status, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental handicap, political affiliation, or other non-merit factors. Send e-mail, fax, or mail resume and salary requirements to the following:
or e-mail us at info@countytimes.net
St. Mary’s County Metropolitan Commission Attn: Director of Human Resources 23121 Camden Way California, Maryland 301-737-7459 (fax) mchr@metcom.org
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Thursday, February 6, 2014
Games
1. Take by theft 7. Cash machine 10. Removed from attendance 12. Old World buffalo 13. Spread by dividing 14. Herd of unsheared sheep 15. Main arterial vessel 16. Carbamide 17. In the style of 18. Leafstalk angle 19. Physiques 21. Command right 22. Gratuitous 27. Printed display 28. Dexter inspector 33. “Hammer Time’s” initials 34. Making one ashamed 36. Hill (Celtic) 37. Expletive 38. Surface 39. Atomic weight 40. Swiss river 41. Publicists
44. Hollow cylinders 45. Most hirsute 48. Wading bird 49. Not in residence 50. According to 51. Property injury
18. Small terrestrial lizard 20. Unhappy 23. Takes off 24. Mollusk shell lining 25. Socialist Debs’ initials 26. Arrived extinct 29. Atomic #37 30. 17th Greek letter CLUES DOWN 1. Russian Emperor (var. sp.) 31. Blue eyed cat 32. Alliance between nations 2. Take hold of 35. Headquarters 3. South American Indian 36. Container weight 4. Commune in adjustments northern France 38. Chadic language 5. “Run to Him” Bura-_____ singer Bobby 40. Tributary of the Seine 6. Doctor of Education 41. Length x width 7. Celestial intermediary 42. A small dent 8. Roman garment 43. Distribute 9. More (Spanish) 44. A gratuity 10. Ear shell 45. Possessed 11. Diversify 46. Overgarment 12. A lofty nest 47. A doctrine 14. Dinner jackets 17. ___ Dhabi, U.A.E. capital
Last Week’s Puzzle Solutions
KiddKioer
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CLUES ACROSS
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The County Times
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Wanderings Aimless
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“A Mystery Hound”
By Shelby Oppermann Contributing Writer
I guess I better stop by the library today. I am desperate for murder mysteries. There is not one mystery book in this house that I haven’t read. I do occasionally read other genres, but prefer classic mysteries written by Agatha Christie, P. D. James, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and the like. Now, it has really hit me; I am a mystery addict. The reason that I know I am a mystery addict and have a real problem is because of what happened last week. I was sick most of the week with that lovely stomach bug, and had little or no energy left for anything but reading and staying curled up on the couch downstairs by the wood stove. I had finished my last Agatha Christie and then frantically went from room to room hunting through hundreds of books to find something I had not read. Yes, there were plenty of books to read, but no mysteries I hadn’t read. But for some reason, re-reading any of the books did not sound appealing. Finally I looked to my collection, or rather the collection I began for my sons, of Boy Scout stories and mysteries from the ‘30’s – 40’s. Some of them belonged to my Father who was a Boy Scout during that time. And since my Dad’s 86th birthday would have been February 5th – I thought, “Why not? Perfect timing.” Unfortunately, most of those had been read during similar mystery droughts, but I found one titled, “That Silver Fox Patrol” written by Rev. Neil Boyton, S. J. in 1944. This book was essays about a Scout Troop in Manhattan – no mysteries, just fun stories. The author was a Jesuit Priest, teacher, and scout chaplain at The Loyola Academy on Park Avenue. I was enjoying the happy little stories, and when I was about three-quarters through the book I came across a chapter called, “The Altar Boy Hound”. The scouts run into a man on the subway, and he tells them a story about his church: “In the parish I adorn we used to have altar boys who came late and talked unnecessarily in the sacristy, but all that has been changed since our pastor procured an A. B. Hound.” The boys naturally asked what an A. B. Hound was? To which the man responded, “An Altar Boy Hound. We call him an A. B. Hound for short, though the priest who raises and trains them down in St. Mary’s County, Maryland has a scientific name for them. The hounds are not pure-bred, but a sort of blend for the desired qualities.” The particular hound the man is talking about is called Silence. And there was a particular altar boy named Lester who was always late to service. When Lester was late one more time,”…the pastor whistled for Silence. When the hound came, the priest went to the steel locker and took down the cassock with Lester’s name on it. He let the Altar Boy Hound smell it. Then he ordered: Silence, inform Lester that he is late again. Old Silence gave another sniff at Lester’s cassock…and then he made a dash down the street.” Needless to say Silence found Lester while he was slowly walking to church and chased him with teeth bared. “Lester was so out of breath when he fell into the sacristy that he tore his cassock putting it on.” What a neat anecdote to find. I set out wishing I had a mystery book to read and inadvertently stumbled upon a real mystery. So, I am wondering now if anyone has any knowledge of a story about a priest who raised Altar Boy Hounds in the 1940’s here in the county? I’m assuming that this was at a Catholic Church if true, and there are 16 in the county. Let the quest begin! To each new day’s adventure, Shelby Please send your comments or ideas to: shelbys.wanderings@yahoo. com or find me on facebook: Shelby Oppermann
A Tiny Tip to Stop Sugar Cravings By Debra Meszaros CSN www.MXSportsNutrition.com Are you struggling to break your sugar habit? Can’t seem to put an end to those carbohydrate binges? Incorporating one simple food group into your dietary habits can help your body undo its desire for sugar. The human diet has taken a few turns, mostly for the worse not better. Sometimes we know we’re not eating healthy but do so anyway. Sugar was not part of the human diet until man decided to replace fresh food with processed foods. It is nearly impossible to avoid sugar if you are eating out or purchasing your foods in packaged form. So could there be a simple trick to incorporate into our diet that will help us overcome the number one addiction in the United States? It seems sugar has crept into the daily diet while fats have disappeared. Many decades of information telling us the negative affects of fat in our diets has created a deficiency of fat in the modern diet. Yes, deficiency. It’s important that we understand which fats are bad (processed fats) and which are healthy (fresh fats). Removing them all has contributed to many current body dysfunctions. Calculations show us that humans originally consumed 30 to 60% fat in their diet. Currently we are told not to exceed 30%. Additionally, humans also had about 100 grams of fiber a day in their diets; today people struggle to maintain 15 to 20 grams. Fats and Fiber both help the body in controlling sugar in the bloodstream and sugar cravings. Fats give us a feeling of satiety
(fullness) and satisfaction when it is present within our meals. A diet comprised of carbs and sugars only gives you a temporary feeling of satiety. Companies have been working hard developing pleasing and tasty foods by adding sugar and processed fats. So what’s the trick? Adding more fat to your meals! It’s simple to incorporate healthy fats by utilizing some of these ideas: Add high quality nuts and seeds to snacks or meals Utilize coconut oil, which can be consumed right off the spoon if you wish or added to cooking. One tablespoon will do the trick. You can blend coconut oil with grassfed cow’s butter, or add a tablespoon to your favorite protein shake. Add a tablespoon of unheated olive oil to your veggies or salad. Consider taking a high quality fish oil and whole food Vitamin D supplement with your meal. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin. Doing one of these with each meal aids the body in managing sugar levels and helping with sugar cravings. Adding a bit more fiber from flax, chia and other healthy sources is an additional idea. But don’t utilize fiber from processed grains, as that will not help sugar cravings, but most likely increase them. ©2014 Debra Meszaros MXSportsNutrition.com. All rights reserved; no duplication without permission. DISCLAIMER: When you read through the diet and lifestyle information, you must know that everything within it is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other health care professional. I am making no attempt to prescribe any medical treatment. You should not use the information here for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem or for prescription of any medication or other treatment. The products and the claims made about specific products have not been evaluated by the United States Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. You should consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet, exercise or supplementation program, before taking any medication, or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem. Confirm the safety of any supplements with your M.D., N.D. or pharmacist (healthcare professional). Some information given is solely an opinion, thought and or conclusion based on experiences, trials, tests, assessments or other available sources of information. I do not make any guarantees or promises with regard to results. I may discuss substances that have not been subject to double blind clinical studies or FDA approval or regulation. You assume the responsibility for the decision to take any natural remedy. You and only you are responsible if you choose to do anything with the information you have read. You do so at your own risk. I encourage you to make your own health decisions based upon your research and in partnership with
It’s Not the Thought That Counts Laura Joyce Contributing Writer
I want to invite my readers to join me, the wonderful staff and Board of Directors, and our friends from the community on Saturday, February 15th at Fitzie’s Marina Restaurant and Bar. The incredibly talented and fun local band, Wiskers, will be performing to benefit the Center for Family Advocacy, and we promise lots of dancing, a little singing along, and a great time with old friends—and new. If you read my column from time to time, you know that now and then I mention the Center: for 35 years the Center has been providing legal representation and advocacy at no cost to victims of domestic and dating violence, sexual violence and stalking. We rely on grants and on your generosity to keep the doors open and the services going, and every dollar raised at the fundraiser goes directly to providing legal representation to victims. Tickets are $20/pp in advance and $25/pp at the door and are tax deductible; to purchase tickets and get more details go to our web-site at www.smcfa.net. We operate on a tight budget in the best of times, but things are really tough this year. The bad economy over the past several years has brought more and more people to our door, desperate to end the violence in their lives. As you can imagine, we want to help every single individual needing our services, but this is becoming increasingly difficult. Since 2009 most Federal and State funding has decreased each year for programs like ours. And, inexplicably—despite a huge surplus—two years ago, St. Mary’s County cut critically needed funds to nonprofits, including the Center. Imagine if each year your non-negotiable expenses like food and housing went up, and each year, your employer, who’s sitting on profits of millions, cut 5 or 10% from your salary—oh, and added 30-40% more to your workload, which you could probably refuse to do, except that if you did, people might get injured or die. It’s kind of like that. These days, because the demand for our services exceeds the staff available to respond due to funding decreases, we have to turn away some victims even though their safety is on the line and their rights are being violated. Of the staff we still have, half earn poverty-level wages, and on average the rest
earn roughly half of what their private sector and government counterparts make. None of our staff members receive benefits like health insurance. You could argue that it’s a choice they make, and you’d be right: our staff members are highly skilled professionals any employer would be lucky to have. You could also argue that we’re all lucky to have a job in this economy, and again you’d be right: each of us is thankful to be employed, certainly, but even more so, we are grateful and proud to be employed doing work that changes the lives of people who are too often marginalized, without a voice in their own homes and without the resources to reclaim their lives and protect themselves and their families.
We are an affluent community with an educated, informed citizenry that understands that domestic violence in all its forms damages not just the victim and the victim’s family, but every part of our community. We need to be a county that lives up to its promise: adequate government funding of services like legal representation for victims of domestic crimes, shelter for the homeless, help for those with mental illnesses should be a given. Until it is, I have a favor to ask of you. With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, as you buy chocolates for your sweetheart, or order a dozen roses, as you pause to think about love and what it means, I’m asking you to remember that love comes in all sorts of forms. One form is love for our neighbors, for people who have less, for people who have lost their way and lost their voices. Love can be reaching out to lend them a hand up, a way out of the violence that destroys families, and lives, and communities. Sometimes, it’s not the thought that counts: love requires action. If every reader donated just one dollar to the Center, that one action would help protect the safety and the rights of hundreds of additional victims and their children, who are living in homes where they are surrounded by violence. I hope you’ll join us—whether it’s at Fitzie’s on the 15th, or online at our web-site, where your dollar or more can change someone’s present and future. Join us in celebrating love and friendship and community, and the beautiful, amazing transformation that can happen when just one person reaches out to extend caring to another. As you celebrate, I’ll be wishing you that same show of caring and support from the loved ones in your life. I love hearing from you; feel free to contact me at thewordtech@md.metrocast.net if you have comments or questions about the column.
The County Times
Thursday, February 6, 2014
7 Facts About the Cove Point LNG Project Dominion’s proposal to add export capability to its Cove Point Liquefied Natural Gas facility in Calvert County will be Southern Maryland’s largest private investment in at least a generation. So it’s no surprise the project has received broad and strong support. Still, we believe we have a responsibility to make sure everyone knows the facts about this project.
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The project will deliver substantial and far-reaching economic benefits.
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The project’s economic benefits include strong job growth.
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By using clean-burning natural gas, the project will protect the environment.
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Dominion is continuing a 40-year record as a trusted neighbor.
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We’ve done our homework, and made it public.
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We’re designing to have the smallest local impact possible.
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The facility will be built somewhere. Calvert County should be able to enjoy its benefits.
Calvert County will initially receive more than $40 million in new revenue each year from the project. That’s in addition to the $15 million being paid now. To put it in perspective, that’s almost 15% of the county’s current $274 million operating budget. This new revenue could be used for tax relief; sewer, water, recreation or road improvements; support for schools; aid to senior citizens; or any combination of worthy projects. Thousands of construction jobs will be created over the course of the project. Most of those are expected to go to local residents. Another 75 high-paying permanent positions will also be created. And that’s not to mention the opportunities for local businesses to participate in the project, as well as the spending increases other local businesses will enjoy. The facility’s new equipment will use natural gas, the cleanest-burning fossil fuel. It meets the most stringent environmental limits to protect air quality. It has been carefully designed to optimize efficiency while minimizing impacts. And it will also be zero-discharge—no water used will disturb the bay. In all, Dominion has provided more than $2.3 million in charitable grants and donations in Maryland since 2002. One example is the Dominion Reef at the Gooses—one of the largest efforts to restore the Chesapeake Bay’s oyster population. Beyond that, Dominion led an initiative to save the largest freshwater marsh on the bay’s western shore when it was damaged by a storm. And for nearly four decades, the facility’s daily operations have gone largely—and pleasantly—unnoticed.
Over the past 20 months, Dominion has filed more than 20,000 pages of documents as part of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s review of the project. And that’s just one of about 50 federal, state and local government permits and approvals needed. As a result, the project is being given a thorough review to minimize potential impacts on the bay and other water resources, residential areas, wildlife, vegetation, air, soil, noise, public safety, traffic and visual quality. The LNG facility will be built entirely within the existing fenced industrial area. The surrounding 800 acres Dominion owns will remain a woodlands and wetlands preserve. The heat generated by the natural gas-fired turbines used in the liquefaction process will be reclaimed to generate clean electricity for the facility. A sound wall to shield neighbors from noise will be concealed by 350 feet of tall trees. And road improvements and other initiatives will minimize traffic disruptions.
If this project does not go forward, our customers may choose to either export gas from other competing projects in the United States, or import gas from the Middle East, Russia or other parts of the world. In the end, global demand will be met. But without this project, Southern Maryland will get none of the benefits.
Despite these facts, we know some people will still have questions. And we’re committed to answering each and every one. So far we’ve held 39 meetings with local residents, and have many more planned. The government approval process is open, and we encourage our neighbors to participate. Our website, dom.com (keyword: Cove Point), offers even more background about this project, a regularly updated list of FAQs and a place to ask questions and sign up for our e-newsletter. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter. We’ve been neighbors for four decades. And we believe we’ve been good neighbors. Our goal is to continue working together to improve Calvert County and all of Southern Maryland. We firmly believe the plans we have for Cove Point will do just that.
Thank you.
To learn more visit dom.com/covepoint
@Dom_CovePoint
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