2016-01-28 St. Mary's County Times by Southern Maryland Online

Thursday, January 28, 2016

The County Times

County Times St. Mary’s

www.countytimes.somd.com

Priceless

Thursday, January 28, 2016

FE ATURING OUR HE ALTH, MIND & BODY TAB!

St. Mary’s Says Good Bye To Jonas IN LOCAL

Hollywood Development Hearing Rescheduled

IN CRIME

Murder Trial In Its Second Day

IN COMMUNITY Gone: 200 Pounds and 18 Inches

Photo by Frank Marquart

The County Times

Thursday, January 28, 2016

IN LOCAL

“We’ve seen it, we know it’s coming. We need to plan for it.”

- Planning Commission Chair Howard Thompson on the potential for a car dealership at a development project in Hollywood.

Moose Lodge Presents Valor Award

pg. 6

CONTENTS Local News

Marriage Licenses

Letters 10 Cops & Courts

Expanded Business Directory

Obituaries 14 16th Annual Forrest Center Tech Expo

pg. 18

First Friday

Education 18 Feature 19 Community 20 Library Calendar

Education 23

St. Mary’s Says Goodbye to Jonas

pg. 19

Class of 2016 Experiences Public Safety

pg. 8

Community Calendar

Church Directory

Entertainment 26 Classifieds

Games 29 Contributing Writers

P.O. Box 250 • Hollywood, Maryland 20636 News, Advertising, Circulation, Classifieds: 301-373-4125 www.countytimes.net For staff listing and emails, see page 12.

Free InItIal ConsultatIon

The law offices of P.a. Hotchkiss & associates Providing Excellent Service For Over 20 Years

Auto Accidents Workers’ comp

Scan this “Times Code” with your smart phone Accepting: 99 Smallwood Dr. Waldorf, MD • 206 Washignton Ave. LaPlata, MD

SERVING CHARLES • ST. MARY’S • PG • CALVERT

• Divorce/Separation • Support/Custody • Domestic Violence • Criminal/Traffic • DWI/MVA Hearings Power of Attorney • Name Change • Adoption • Wills • Guardianship

(301) 932-7700 (301) 870-7111

The County Times

Thursday, January 28, 2016

WE HAVE EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR A GREAT GAME DAY SLOW PRESS CABERNET SAUVIGNON 750 ML

BLUE MOON ALE ASSORTED VARIETIES 6 PK BTLS

$849

$1399

ASSORTED VARIETIES 750 ML

$1099

SUTTER HOME WINE

SLOW PRESS CHARDONNAY 750 ML

SOLOMON’S ISLAND MIST WINE

ASSORTED VARIETIES 1.5 LTR

2/$20

$13

HENRY’S HARD SODA

GINGER ALE & ORANGE 6 PK BTLS

BAREFOOT WINE SMIRNOFF VODKA FLAVORS ONLY 750 ML

$1099

$879

CHI CHI’S READY TO DRINK COCKTAILS 1.75 LTR

2/$20

ASSORTED VARIETIES 4 PK

$599

BERINGER WHITE ZINFANDEL 750 ML

2/$10

PETER VELLA SANGRIA & MOSCATO SANGRIA 5 LTR

BURNETT’S VODKA

ASSORTED VARIETIES 1.75 LTR

$12

TWISTED TEA

BATCH 19 LAGER

$1199

$879

12 PK CANS

6 PK BTLS

MCKAY’S

CHARLOTTE HALL PRICES EFFECTIVE FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 2016 THRU THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2016

www.mckayssupermarkets.com DAVE MCKAY LIQUORS

ROSATELLO WINE

ASSORTED VARIETIES 750 ML

$1199

$1299

SOLOMON’S ISLAND PINK MOSCATO 750 ML 99

$10

Local News

The County Times

Thursday, January 28, 2016

St. Mary’s Votes Down Study Of Shelter Air Conditioning By Guy Leonard Staff Writer The Commissioners of St. Mary’s have joined with Calvert and Charles counties in calling for new air conditioning to be installed at the Tri-County Animal Shelter in Hughesville but refused to pay for a study to see just how that system would be installed. The lone vote for the study, which would cost a little over $12,000 split between all three counties, was from Commissioner Todd Morgan. He said the 4-to-1 concensus against paying the county’s share for the study seemed to be an abrogation of the memorandum of agreement between the three counties to run the shelter in concert. “I’d hate to say St. Mary’s County won’t abide by the memorandum of agreement that we’ve had for years,” Morgan said. Commissioner John O’Connor retorted that St. Mary’s County had to pay for a portion of funds for the operation of the Southern Maryland Criminal Justice Academy that Charles County did not pay. “Maybe this would be a good chance for them to pay us back,” O’Connor said. “It’s a horrible waste of money… there’s no need for a study to say it’s hot in there and we need air conditioning.” The air conditioning issue was identified as a top priority during a recent meeting of all three county governments in

Prince Frederick, though, as Commissioner Tom Jarboe pointed out, there was some resistance from all three governments to spending the money on the study. Many expressed the need to install more air conditioning before the summer months came. G. Edward Tucker, chief of animal control in Charles County, was questioned by Commissioner Mike Hewitt about other possibly more important priorities at the shelter. Hewitt said a volunteer veterinarian at the shelter had told leaders that animals could readily adapt to different temperature extremes and that having more full time employees on hand the shelter might be more important. “I think they [full time employees] are right up there” as a priority, Tucker told Hewitt. Hewitt reiterated his opposition to the study, since he believed a local contractor could provide an estimate an installation at a much cheaper price. The $12,000 price tag for the study matches the actual square footage of the facility. Essentially the study would cost $1 per square foot to analyze, according to Charles County estimates. “I can’t support this,” Hewitt said. “It’s too much money.” guyleonard@countytimes.net

Calvert Cliffs Has Another Reactor Shutdown By Guy Leonard Staff Writer Officials with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission say that Winter Storm Jonas’ wrath likely was the cause of another unplanned shutdown at the No. 1 reactor at Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant Sunday. “Power output at Calvert Cliffs Unit 1, in Southern Maryland, was reduced to just under 15 percent on Saturday evening after an electrical cable associated with a main tranformer was found to be disconnected,” wrote NRC spokesman Neil Sheehan on a government sanctioned Internet post. “It was not immediately clear if the storm was responsible for the cable coming loose. The downpower was needed to facilitate repairs.” Sheehan said in his post that Calvert Cliffs was perhaps the only nuclear reactor in the Northeastern region administered by the NRC that was “directly impacted by the blizzard.” Sheehan said Tuesday afternoon that Calvert Cliffs Unit 1 was back up to 30 percent power at which time plants “usually start to sync back to the grid.” The cable disconnecting from an electrical transformer was not the only problem at Calvert Cliffs, though. Plant workers there also found that there was condenser tube leakage that could

cause corrosion from seawater from the Chesapeake Bay being mixed in to the plant’s steam system, Sheehan said. “It’s essentially a very large heat exchange system,” Sheehan said. The storm did not appear to have any impact on the second incident at Calvert Cliffs despite occurring in the same time frame, he said. This latest episode will likely not increase the NRC’s oversight at the nuclear plant, though, Sheehan said, since the average number of unplanned shutdowns per 7,000 hours of operation at either reactor has not broken the three-incident threshold. “It does not appear there will be any changes in our oversight,” Sheehan said. “But we’re still investigating this incident.” The last time there was a dual shutdown of reactors was April of last year when a power transmission line leading into the plant from the grid failed. Lacey Dean, communications director for the nuclear plant, said the storm was indeed the cause of the problem but the shutdown had been necessary in order to affect repairs. “There was no risk to public health or safety at any time,” Dean stated in an email to The County Times Tuesday afternoon. “All maintenance is now complete.” guyleonard@countytimes.net

Thursday, January 28, 2016

The County Times

Hollywood Commercial Site Hearing Rescheduled to March By Guy Leonard Staff Writer A public hearing concerning a controversial development just inside the Hollywood Town Center has been rescheduled again, said Planning Commission Chair Howard Thompson, this time to March 14. The hearing, originally continued from Dec. 14, was set to regroup Jan. 25 but was cancelled due to the blizzard. “It’s the first meeting time open that we have available,” Thompson told The County Times, Wednesday. The plan, called the Hollywood Commercial Center, would sit at the north bound corner of the intersection of Route 235 and Sotterley Road and would eventually include a CVS Pharmacy, a commercial site that could be large gas station and another retail element, according to planners. The project, to be built out over three phases, would be located on an old farm plot and is expected to generate almost 13,000 vehicle trips a day. The plan calls for entrances at Route 235, Route 245 and Old Three Notch Road which runs roughly parallel to Route 235. Thompson said the developer’s request to have direct access onto Route 235 was still

an issue. “I’m still very concerned about that,” Thompson said. The entire cluster of close-knit intersections had become worrisome, he said, since traffic safety was problematic there already and car crashes frequent. Another portion of the project, which planning officials have intimated would come only at the later phases of construction would be some kind of car dealership adjacent to the property, but under different ownership. Planning commission members have expressed concerns that estimates of increased traffic may not have included the trips generated by an automobile dealership. “We’ve seen it, we know it’s coming,” Thompson said. “We need to plan for it.” Thompson said that the developers would have an opportunity to present a traffic study they had recently submitted to the planning commission on Jan. 15 about how their development would impact the intersections there. “It’s not going to be an easy case,” Thompson said. guyleonard@countytimes.net

Local News

Most of County Supplied Mulch Depleted The St. Mary’s County Department of Public Works and Transportation says its current supply of mulch, which it makes available to the public at no charge, is nearly depleted.

The department plans on making more mulch available for citizens in the spring.

Annmarie Sculpture Garden and Arts Center in Solomons, Maryland is hosting a Special Valentines Maker’s Market, indoors on Saturday, Feb. 6 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. If you have not been to Annmarie Sculpture Garden and Arts Center recently, now is your chance to experience this delightful Arts Center for free. Celebrate the first Maker’s Market of the New Year inside the Murray Arts Building during the Valentine’s Maker’s Market. Valentine’s Maker’s Market kicks off the season supporting local artists and vendors by offering for sale, homemade, homegrown, and handmade goods! Valentine’s Maker’s Market will have a variety of wonderful

items for sale including jewelry, drawings, paintings, fiber products, and glasswork. Ample, accessible and convenient parking is located in the parking lot and adjacent parking field. Handicap parking is available through the main gate. Begin your day in the comfort of the indoors, shop for a friend or yourself, enjoy art, peruse the artLAB, take a walk along the outdoor path, visit the Gift Shop at Annmarie, register for an art class, and learn more about Annmarie Garden, for free! For additional information visit www.annmariegarden.org or call 410-326-4640.

Press Release

Special Indoors Valentines Maker’s Market

Press Release

Local News

The County Times

24179 TOM HODGES DRIVE HOLLYWOOD, MD. 20636 301-373-CARS

SALES: M - F 8 A.M. - 6 P.M. SAT. 9 A.M. - 7 P.M. SERVICE: M - F 8 A.M. - 6 P.M. SAT. 8 A.M. - 1 P.M.

best tire prices in town! • SAME DAY SERVICE • KNOWLEDGABLE AND Proudly serving the area for

25 years!

FRIENDLY STAFF • WE SERVICE ALL MODELS • FREE SUPREME CAR WASH WITH SERVICE

$75 OFF A SET OF TIRES $50 OFF ALL OTHER BRANDS INCLUDES FREE LIFETIME BALANCE, ROTATION, VALVE STEMS AND FLAT REPAIR. ALL BRANDS 30 DAY PRICE PROTECTION GUARANTEE • SEE ADVISOR FOR DETAILS. EXPIRES 3/31/16

Thursday, January 28, 2016

Moose Lodge Presents Valor Award The Patuxent Moose Lodge presented two local firefighters, Brandon Wible and Tyler Insley from the Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department, the Loyal Order of Moose Valor award. The valor award is given to any local or state police officer, firefighter, or paramedic that has gone above the call of duty. The Hollywood Fire Department was requested to support two other fire departments in a fully engulfed house fire. MR Wible and MR Insley were inside the house conducting search and rescue operations when the oxygen supply indicated to be low. While exiting the house, they hear the distress call from two other firefighters whom had gotten disoriented in the fire and had lost their way out. Both MR Wible and MR Insley searched until they found the two other firefighters and brought them out to safety. Every year local Moose Lodges go out to the community and receive several nominations for acts of valor. The nominations go through a selection board and are processed to the state level. The state then goes through an additional review and will provide to Moose International. The final overall winner will be given a free vacation. Press Release

A Message

of Love

Tell the world how you feel!

Send a message in our Valentines section to someone special on February 11th. Simply fill out the form below and send payment by Feb. 5th. Questions? Call us at 301-373-4125

Photos provided with Press Release

ONLY 00

Mail this form to: SOMD Publishing, P.O. Box 250, Hollywood, MD 20636 OR email in this information to sales@somdpublishing.net Your Name:

Daytime Phone:

Person’s Name: Message Here:

*200 Characters MAX Including Spaces*

Announcing

Thursday, January 28, 2016

The County Times

Marriage Licenses for December 2015 December 1, 2015

December 8, 2015

Matthew Hunter Westerfield 25 Great Mills, Md Elaine Frances Taylor 23 Great Mills, Md

Alexa Reanne Williamson 22 Lexington Park, Md Jacob Luis Reyna 22 Fort Riley, Ks

Peter Douglas Detemple 53 Lexington Park, Md Sandra Gail Harris 47 Lexington Park, Md

December 10, 2015

December 2, 2015 Deborah Rose Runyan 50 Mechanicsville, Md Robert Steuart Williams Sr., 54 Mechanicsville, Md Donald James Rowley 27 Mechanicsville, Md Jennifer Thalman 19 Mechanicsville, Md

Thomas Barychewsky 39 Lexington Park, Md Kathleen Ann Conroy 28 Lexington Park, Md

December 11, 2015 Yuan Lin 30 Leonardtown, Md Ricky Wai Hang Leung 36 Leonardtown, Md

December 3, 2015

Brenda Marie Reigle 34 Bushwood, Md Conrad Bengiman Morris 41 Bushwood, Md

Caceli Marie Bernacett 25 Jersey City, Nj Kelvin Fernandez 23 Weehawken, Nj

Chelsey Marie Berrios 23 Hollywood, Md Rusty William Sanford 25 Hollywood, Md

December 4, 2015

December 14, 2015

Timothy Joseph Feeney 64 Lexington Park, Md Mary Eleanora Glenn 59 Lusby Md

Nicholas Eugene Wood 28 Colonial Beach, Va Jill Marie Mostoller 26 Colonial Beach, Va

December 7, 2015

Hyun Yong Baek 40 California, Md Hye Jung An 40 California, Md

Daryne Lartika Mason 23 Great Mills, Md Pascal Drombet Koffi 38 Great Mills, Md Teresa Ann Robey 31 Mechanicsville, Md Kevin Eugene Wommack 38 Mechanicsville, Md David Lynn Taylor II 29 Hughesville, Md Jessica Lauren Goodman 29 Hughesville, Md

Katherine Patricia Gonzalez De La O 18 Lexington Park, Md Ricardo Barrera Tenas 28 Clinton, Md

December 15, 2015 Kristina Rae Dronenburg 23 Lexington Park, Md Wesley William Rikard 26 Lexington Park, Md

Nichole Raelene Lohry 20 Great Mills, Md Christopher Matthew Beasley 21 Great Mills, Md

December 16, 2015 Brandi Catherine Helms 28 Mechanicsville, Md Gregory Allan Field 28 Mechanicsville, Md

December 17, 2015 Gregory Keith Miller 52 Manassas, Va Lavinia Adrianne Noelani Lima 45 Manassas, Va William Leroy Atkinson 25 White Plains, Md Rosalind Elizabeth Cox 22 Prince Frederick, Md

December 18, 2015 Shannon Tiara Clothier 24 Clements, Md Travis John Wilkinson 30 Albia, Ia Jennifer Rose McGuire 27 St. Inigoes, Md Christopher Lee Boswell 27 St. Inigoes, Md Richard Steven Deakins 33 Indian Head, Md Nichole Marie Buchanan 33 Indian Head, Md Richard Matthew Prevatt 26 San Diego, Ca Isabelle Raquel Disarufino 20 La Mirada, Ca

December 22, 2015 Rebecca Denise Hill 35 Hollywood, Md Troy Allan Jones 51 Hollywood, Md

December 23, 2015 Moreen Elizabeth Gilroy 35 Waldorf, Md Joshua Charles Young 31 Mechanicsville, Md Curtis Richard Mckusick 26 Cedarville, Oh Elizabeth Anne Funk 20 Leonardtown, Md

December 28, 2015 Hubert Kofi Afran Gumbs 22 Clarksburg, Md Amy Mae Schofield 24 Mechanicsville, Md Aaron Lyman Picklesimer 27 St. Leonard, Md Sarah Jane Brewer 24 St. Leonard, Md

December 29, 2015 Kara Kristine Casey 32 Great Mills, Md Cliffton Cornelius Pickeral 33 Great Mills, Md

December 31, 2015 Eli S. Kurtz 21 Mechanicsville, Md Esther Rose Hertzler 20 Mechanicsville, Md Sharon Rebecca Dalcanton 47 Mechanicsville, Md James William Swann 48 Mechanicsville, Md Danielle Elaine Ditto 21 Lexington Park, Md Shannan Erin Foley 35 Lexington Park, Md Suzanne Marie Fowler 30 Lexington Park, Md Kese Eman Lyles 34 Lexington Park, Md

Local News

The County Times

Thursday, January 28, 2016

Class of 2016 Experiences Public Safety On Jan. 14, the Leadership Southern Maryland (LSM) Class of 2016 participated in the third of nine educational sessions – Public Safety. The day began with an introduction and welcome by facilitator Don Bouchard LSM ’10 at College of Southern Maryland’s La Plata campus, and then a tour of Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute’s, Southern Maryland Regional Training Center, where participants learned how the region’s fire and rescue volunteers are trained. Training at the facility that day was the Naval District Washington’s newly hired firefighters. The tour of the training center was led by its coordinator Dan Stevens, and by Tom Mattingly, Sr. and Gerald Gardiner LSM ’15, both long-time volunteers with the Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department. The class then toured the Southern Maryland Criminal Justice Academy in Nanjemoy, Maryland, where the region’s law enforcement officers are trained and certified. Keith Hicks, director of the academy, gave an in-depth tour that included an opportunity to try the crime scene pursuit simulator. A lunch panel discussion at the Port Tobacco Marina Restaurant with Sheriff Mike Evans (Calvert), Sheriff Troy Berry (Charles), Sheriff Tim Cameron (St. Mary’s) and Police Chief Carl Schinner (Town of La Plata) gave the class insights into the challenges each county’s law enforcement faces and how collaboration on issues has mitigated certain criminal activities across the region. The class met at the La Plata campus

Helping Your Loved Ones To Stay Home! 301-373-3888

Sandie Johnson Proud Owner

of the College of Southern Maryland for an afternoon introduction to the Southern Maryland Information Center, where law enforcement collects, evaluates and disseminates information on known or suspected criminal violators, groups or organizations for analytical exploitation. This was followed by an overview of the operations of the Maryland National Guard by Brig. Gen. Tim Gowen LSM ’15 (Commander, Maryland Army National Guard). The class wrapped up their day with a networking event that evening hosted at the LSM Alumni Association at the Greene Turtle in La Plata, Maryland. Class participants were able to meet and interact with LSM alumni, more than 240 strong, as well as Leadership Maryland alumni living in the Southern Maryland region. Leadership Southern Maryland is a nine-month tuition-based program and is designed and dedicated to educate and inspire a diverse group of current and emerging leaders to create collaborations and partnerships to impact the community needs of Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties and incorporates a cross-section of the region to include diversity of geographic location, profession, ethnicity and gender. Leadership Southern Maryland is a 501(c)(3) organization by the Internal Revenue Service (EIN#262989381). Contributions are deductible as charitable contributions to the extent permitted by law. For more information, please contact

Leadership Southern Maryland’s Class of 2016 observes the Naval District Washington fighting a fire at the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute’s Southern Maryland Regional Training Center, in La Plata on January 14, 2016.

the Helen Mattingly Wernecke, Executive Director Leadership Southern Maryland, 240-725-5469 via email helen@leadershipsomd.org or visit www. leadershipsomd.org. Press Release

RIA has your Governor Hogan Introduces imaging covered Legislation to Eliminate

Gerrymandering in Maryland

Open and Anti-Claustrophobic MRIs for your comfort

877-504-XRAY www.RIAssociates.com RIA at Heritage and The Breast Center Clinton, MD

RIA at Pembrooke Waldorf, MD

RIA at Patuxent Prince Frederick, MD

Proposes Nonpartisan Redistricting Apportionment Commission, Constitutional Amendment Governor Larry Hogan today introduced legislation that will reform Maryland’s broken redistricting process and put the state on a new path toward fair representation, election integrity, and transparency. Based on recommendations from the governor’s bipartisan Redistricting Reform Commission, the administration is proposing a nonpartisan Apportionment Commission to replace the existing, governor-led redistricting process. “An overwhelming majority of Marylanders favor an independent, nonpartisan panel for redistricting over the existing biased process,” said Governor Hogan. “For too long, fair elections and a healthy, strong, and competitive two-party system have been nearly impossible in our state. This is about recognizing a problem and choosing to do the right thing to solve it.” Maryland’s congressional districts have been widely recognized as some of the most gerrymandered districts in the country, and Governor Hogan has remained outspoken in his commitment to redistricting reform. Last year, he established a bipartisanRedistricting Reform Commission, which diligently studied the issue and the states that have adopted independent, nonpartisan redistricting commissions, and therefore greatly reducing

the politics and partisanship that comes with redistricting. The Commission also held five public hearings across the state and received input from hundreds of Marylanders on the need for redistricting reform and ideas on how to implement a more fair and transparent system. Today’s legislation is based on recommendations from that Commission and moves Maryland one step closer towards real and lasting reform. Governor Hogan is proposing a constitutional amendment that would repeal existing provisions relating to the redistricting process, and instead create the General Assembly and Congressional Legislative Redistricting Apportionment Commission. Following the decennial census of the United States, this nonpartisan commission would be tasked with dividing the state into legislative and congressional districts, in accordance with state and federal constitutional provisions. This independent process would result in more election districts being based on population, compactness, and natural boundaries, as opposed to politics and partisanship. Press Release

Thursday, January 28, 2016

Local News

The County Times

One More Intellectual Treat for Students, Faculty and the Public How Does Political Theory Explain Economic Inequality?

Presenting the professionals' favorite properties on the market.

Professor Robert Douglass, a the Good (editor and contributor); Georgetown University political and Catholicism and Liberalismtheorist, who is legendary for his -Contributions to American Public abilities to explain complicated Philosophy (editor and contributor). philosophical matters in a simple He has been one of the editors of The and concise manner will give four Responsive Community. lectures at St. Mary’s College of Professors Douglass’ lectures Maryland. are part of the 2-credit course The first lecture will take place on (POSC385-03) Challenges to DemocWednesday, January 27 at 2:40 PM to 4:30 racy: Is Liberal Democracy Losing PM at Glendening Annex at SMCM. Three Ground? that is offered in the Spring other lectures will take place on Wednesdays of 2016. Other guest lecturers include on February 3rd, 10th and 17th Dr. Nasir M. Khilji, Senior Economist, Professor Douglass will explore ideas of U.S. Department of the Treasury; and major political and economic thinkers of the William Glidden, J.D., author of The twentieth century, such as Friedrich Hayek, Supreme Court versus Congress. DisJohn Rawls, and Jürgen Habermas. He will rupting the Balance of Power, 1789– discuss the implications of inequality for the 2014. Latecomers are welcomed to sign quality of American democracy, economy up. and the system of justice. Students enrolling in the course Don’t miss this chance to take advantage are offered an exciting opportunity to of the free, open to public, lecture series that combine theory and practice in a way gives you a fresh perspective to the much-de- of invited participation in the two-day bated issue of inequality. Come to learn how forum, United not Divided: Economic to communicate profoundly about important Inequality and Opportunity Gap that issues our democracy faces today. will be held at Baltimore Marriott Inestate sale Yards on March Dr. Robert B. Douglass’ focus is in nine-2 lots ner Harbor at Camden teenth and twentieth century Western po- 30-31. The event is free of charge and Avenue, litical thought, with particular Thomas interest in the Carter open to Rd, the public, but we MD do ask that development of liberal and socialist thought. you register for the event at http://www. His work has appeared in Commonwealth, smcm.edu/democracy/. the Journal of Politics, Political Theory, the For questions, please contactsale the 2 lots estate Political Science Reviewer, the Review of Center for the Study Carter of Democracy at MD Thomas Rd, Avenue, Politics, and The Responsive Community, (240) 895-6432 or amdozier@smcm. among other journals. His publications also edu. include: The Deeper Meaning of Economic Life (editor and contributor); Liberalism and Press Release

Featured Homes of the Week

Realtor’s Choice

3 BR 2 45768 Calla

2 lots estate sale omas Carter Rd, Avenue, MD

3 BR 2 BA VER 3 BR Calla 2 BA VERY 45768 LaneSe

2 lots estate sale Thomas Carter Rd, Avenue, MD

45768 Calla Lane Grea 2 lots estate sale Thomas Carter Rd, Avenue, MD

3 BR 2 BA VERY Secluded 45768 Calla Lane Great Mills, MD

RMX Zoning

RMX Zo

23532 Mervell Dean

Community Presentation 23532 Mervell Dean Rd. Hollywood on Suicide Prevention Announced

4 BR, 2 Fu 4 BA, BR,Fin.241913 Full 2 Half BA, RMX Zoning 23532 Mervell Rd. Hollywood4 BR, 2 Full 2 Half Bsmt. Sara 23532 MervellDean Dean Rd. Hollywood

RMX Zoning 23532 Mervell Dean Rd. Hollywood RMX Zoning

The Healthy St. Mary’s Partnership edy that our community should 3 BR 1can BAand $1300 mo (HSMP) will host a community pre- work to prevent,” said Gerry McGloin, MD 22357 Cedar St. Leonardtown, sentation provided by the American BHAT Co-Chair and Executive DirecFoundation for Suicide Prevention. The tor of Pathways, Inc. “In some segments HSMP is a community-driven coalition of the population, especially, the rates of partners working together to improve are high and increasing. The American Cedar St. Leonardtown, MD one health in St. Mary’s County.22357 The coaliFoundation for Suicide Prevention, tion mobilizes members through four ac- of the featured presenters at the Marytion teams to address the priority health land Behavioral Health Administration›s issues in St. Mary’s County includ- recent Suicide Conference, is a resource ing Behavioral Health, Access to Care, that may help us form a better response.» Healthy Eating & Active and ToThis presentation 22357 Cedar St.Living Leonardtown, MD is open to any combacco Free Living. munity members who are interested The upcoming presentation will be in learning more about how to prevent held at the next meeting of the Behav- suicide in St. Mary’s County. Visit ioral Health Action Team (BHAT) on healthystmarys.com/suicide-prevention Friday, Feb. 12 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at the for local statistics, resources and inforSt. Mary’s County Health Department mation. Healthy St. Mary’s Partnership located at 21580 Peabody St. in Leonar- membership is free, and all interested dtown. Reducing the rates of suicide in organizations and community members our community has been identified as a are invited to join. Visit healthystmarys. priority by the Behavioral Health Action com or call 301-475-4323 for more inforTeam. mation or to sign up for the free HSMP «The loss of life from suicide and the e-newsletter. devastating and lasting effects of that loss on loved ones and friends is a trag- Press Release

3 BR 1 BA $1300 mo

3 BR 1 BA1$1300 momo 3 BR BA $1300

357 Cedar St. Leonardtown, MD

Ann2CtHal Leo 4 BR, 2 Full 41913 Sara Ann C

41913 Sara Ann41913 Ct Leonardtown Sara 3 BR 1 BA $1300 mo 22357 Cedar St. Leonardtown, MD

Townhouse Indoor/Outdoor Condominiums Recreation Facility Duplex Restaurant Apartments Micro Brewery 4 BR 3.5 BA bay det.Inst. garage Daycare Bank /3Financial Bed And Breakfast Group 645 Miriam Ln, Home Lusby, MD Hotel Public Recreation Facility Outpatient Care Center Roadside Stand Religious Assembly Farmer’s Market Conference Facility Offices

4 BR 3.5 BA 3 bay de

645 Miriam Ln, Lus Call Jimmy Hayden, Realtor 240-925-1928 Cell 4 BR 3.5 B 301-863-2400 Office 4 BR 3.5 BA 3 b

645 Mi 645 Miriam Ln

To list a property in our next Realtor’s Choice edition, call 301-373-4125.

Letters to the Editor

The County Times

The Wilderness On the night the church wasn’t allowed to shelter the man of God. On Friday Jan. 22 Apostle C. Aloysius Bowman was denied shelter at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church. The church was the host sight of the WARM program. This program was created to house the homeless community of St. Mary’s County during the winter months. As an expression of love to our neighbors experiencing this social condition bought on by the absence of humanity in our world, this program failed to accommodate a humble man that chose to do God’s work at a time of need. WARM (wrapping arms round many) has been hallowed as what we can do as an ecumenical community for those of us in need of shelter. Is this the best we can offer in the mother county of Maryland? We are the birth place of religious freedom in our world. A place dedicated to Jesus in honor of the salvation given to us by God. Name

after the Virgin Mary, the women chosen by God to give birth to the Savior of mankind. This community was founded with the hope of being the manifestation of the saving of our world. On this day, we were under a threat of a blizzard that was due to hit later that day. The WARM recipients were told Thursday night that the program had prepared to keep us sheltered until Sunday, Jan. 24. However, if anyone left, they would not be allowed to return. So we would be confined to a facility for three days. Bowman, a volunteer at “Our Daily Bread” food pantry in Great Mills and a civil servant, was expected to serve those needing food in St. Mary’s County. As well he was concerned about caring for some other elderly living alone in our community that would need assistance at this time. That morning he explained in great detail with a cheerful continence what he

There has never been a better time to sell!

Brooks & Barbour CENTURY 21 New Millennium www.brooksandbarbour.com

23063 Three Notch Rd. California, MD 20619 Office: 301-862-2169 Fax: 301-862-2179

Call US!

Karen Alford Brooks karenalfordbrooks@mris.com

CELL: 301-481-0644

Lucy Barbour

lucybarbour@mris.com

CELL: 301-904-9914

Thursday, January 28, 2016

was expected to do that day to the site coordinator and walked away into the day. As I walked south along Three Notch Rd. traffic was heavy with people heading to Pax River to work on a day that everyone knew would be cut short due to the threat of severe whether. The roadways had been treated and people prepared for being incapacitated for a few days. I was picked up by one of the volunteer monitors leaving the church and carried to my storage facility to prepare for what could potentially come. Around 11:45 a.m. the roadways were gridlocked as those that tarried to work that morning were let go early to return home because of the blizzard forecast. I spoke to one person that picked me up, as I walked along great mills road, and they told me that they all went to work to get a whole days pay knowing they would only work a couple of hours. I wondered to myself, what they hoped to get done that day at work in so little time. I believed we know they only went in to get money for doing nothing at a time when our country is broken an operating under a financial deficit. At a time when we are challenged as a society with; how to care for those in poverty when we have no money, to fight wars on foreign land, combat the threat of terrorism globally and domestically, while facing the failings of the greatest country in the world. But this all was business as usual in our world. Who really cares about what we are facing as mankind evolves towards humanity? Who really cares for the destiny of our world if we can’t see the brokenness of our community and the vexing of our souls? Is this our dream or just our reality? Will we awaken from this reality or just continue to dream of a greater coming world? So as I walk from Hollywood towards the Immaculate Heart of Mary church, I assisted a 26-year-old lady driving alone trying to get home in Mechanicsville with bad windshield wiper blades at the WaWa on the corner of Rte 4 and Three Notch Rd. She tried buying new blades but the WaWa doesn’t sell any. So I repaired the wipers

she had and they worked so well, she offered me a ride to the church. So I was elated and accepted her charity knowing that journey was about over. So as I arrived at the church I was met by a volunteer just arriving for the night. So she opened the door for me and I walked in the house of God to be met cheerfully by the other guests. Then I was asked by the site coordinator to come with her to the entrance of the church. She began to share how she was shocked and surprised of my arrival and that it put her in an uncomfortable position. You see the rules prevented her from allowing me to stay, but her heart wanted to let me in. So she could not make a decision in her soul. So I asked her, “Is it that difficult to love me and show me compassion?” So there was other discussion at which time I asked is they would call the Priest next door in the rectory to make a decision. They said no. It was not a decision for him as the Priest, but one for the chairman of WARM, so they called her, while home in her warm house, and she decided that the space in the church would not be offered to the man of God to lay his head at this time in a blizzard. So what the chairman of WARM, Maria Scott, would do is call the Sheriff Department instead. So I kick the snow from my feet and walked away from the church boldly to seek where God would have for me to go. I was met along Three Notch Rd. by Deputy Stafford and carried to my destination. I thanked him and entered a place of love that was opened to me at my time of need. So I’m left to wonder, “Where is our world heading?” Will we persist in this state of wilderness, or will we rise to Heaven? I know this one thing. The Kingdom of Heaven is upon us here in this Beloved Community of St. Mary’s County. Is there anyone willing to join the Apostle C Aloysius Bowman on the movement along our journey to hope? Let’s “Unify to UNITY” and Be THE-One! C Aloysius Bowman, Founder The Elijah Foundation, Inc.

Email in your Engagement Announcement Today!

It’s Free!

news@countytimes.net James Manning McKay - Founder

P.O. Box 250 Hollywood, Maryland 20636 News, Advertising, Circulation, Classifieds: 301-373-4125

news@countytimes.net

www.countytimes.net

Contributing Writers:

Eric McKay - Associate Publisher..................................ericmckay@countytimes.net

Ron Guy

Kit Carson - General Manager.................................kitcarson@somdpublishing.net

Laura Joyce

Tobie Pulliam - Office Manager...............................tobiepulliam@countytimes.net

Debra Meszaros

Kasey Russell - Graphic Designer.......................................kaseyrussell@countytimes.net Guy Leonard - Reporter - Government, Crime...............guyleonard@countytimes.net Crista Dockray - Reporter - Business, Community.................crista@countytimes.net Sales Representatives........................................................................sales@countytimes.net

Shelby Oppermann Linda Reno Terri Schlichenmeyer Doug Watson Muirgheal Wheeler

Witness Says Defendant Was Shooter at Murder Trial By Guy Leonard Staff Writer

Cops & Courts

The County Times

Thursday, January 28, 2016

LAW OFFICE OF

DANIEL A. M. SLADE, L.L.C. LOKER BUILDING

RANGEL

During the second day of the trial of Alan Michael Rangel, the man accused of shooting and killing another man at a melee at a house party in Mechanicsville last summer, a witness to the shooting said she saw Rangel fire the shot that prosecutors contend killed Cody Michael Lacey. Victoria Cox testified Wednesday in county Circuit Court that she was just four or five feet away from Rangel, 22, when he began firing in the air at the party on Lavender Lane the night of July 24 into the early morning of the next day, presumably to break up a fight between Christopher Kaufmann and one of his friends. Rangel has also been charged with attempting to kill Kaufmann. Prosecutors have said that the evidence does not suggest that Lacey was the intended target. “The first few [shots] were in the air,” Cox said under direct examination of State’s Attorney Richard Fritz. “Then he moved the gun in the direction of the crowd and fired one shot.” Defense counsel for Rangel cross examined Cox, attempting to show that the shot Rangel allegedly fired into the crowd that night was not meant to hit

Lacey specifically. Cox testified that the party that night was a chaotic scene, with more than 100 people on the property. Some of those people fled the scene when the shooting started, Cox said, while others stayed and yet other fights broke out. Cox also testified that she attempted to render aid to Lacey as he lay on the deck of the home by applying pressure to his wound. Police testified that they found three shell casings discharged from a firearm that night and that they were .380 caliber. After briefly fleeing the county last summer Rangel was apprehended by the U.S. Marshal’s service in Jessup after a police manhunt and brought back to St. Mary’s. Three alleged accomplices of Rangel’s, Amanda Raye-Hartmann, Wade Joshua Braithwaite and Demetrius Jose Burks-Jeffrey were also arrested and charged with being accessories to Lacey’s murder after the fact. guyleonard@countytimes.net

41650 COURT HOUSE DRIVE, SUITE 301 • P.O. BOX 288 LEONARDTOWN, MARYLAND 20650

PHONE: 301-475-5150 • FAX: 301-475-6909

Did You Know That For Thursday, April 2, 2015

.somd.com

www.countytimes

Common Core, Uncommon Challenges

Story Page 12 t Photo by Frank Marquar

ONLY $3000

A YEAR

you can have the St. Mary’s County Times delivered right to your home?

Office: 301-373-4125 • Fax: 301-373-4128 www.CountyTimes.net 43251 Rescue Lane • Hollywood, Md

The County Times

Thursday, January 28, 2016

EXPANDED Business Directory fabric

301-373-3517 26330 Three Notch Road Mechanicsville, MD

store ...for home decor

Does your sofa or chair need new life? Would you like to change the color without having to get new furniture? WE CAN HELP.

Mobile Tax office Preparing tax services at convenience of your home or office

Text us a picture of your furniture that you would like recovered:

240-464-3650

Please call or e-mail for an appointment.

We will give you an estimate on labor on how many yards of fabric you will need. All of our fabric is ONLY $9.95 per yard and we have colors and styles to fit every need.

Reliant Management Consultant L.L.C

~Tony

Income Tax Preparation and Business Management Services reliantconsultant@outlook.com â&#x20AC;˘ www.reliantmanagementllc.com

New Store Hours â&#x20AC;˘ Tuesday - Saturday 10 - 5 Closed Sunday & Monday

240-561-0007 P.O Box 252 â&#x20AC;˘ Hollywood, MD 20636

ds e e rN S u o To Y DING

ter GS Â&#x2021; WEDMORE! a C e D W RIN AN SÂ&#x2021; TH E

GA AY CIAL Â&#x2021; HOLID O S Â&#x2021; S S EVENT FAST CORPORATE NS Â&#x2021; BREAK O E LUNCH

WEDDING PACKAGES AVAILABLE

Personalized Touch Catering 2IIHULQJ 7ZR *UHDW 9HQXHV )RU <RXU 6SHFLDO 'D\

FIDELITY HALL

Chancellorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Run Road Seats 200 People

THE CRYSTAL ROOM Callaway Seats 400 People

1RQ 6PRNLQJ +DOOV Â&#x2021; %DQTXHW 7DEOHV DQG &KDLUV Â&#x2021; 'DQFH )ORRU Â&#x2021; )UHH $PSOH 3DUNLQJ ON-SITE, OFF-SITE OR TO GO SERVICES! 2Q 6LWH &DWHULQJ E\ 3HUVRQDOL]HG 7RXFK &DWHULQJ Â&#x2021; &XVWRPL]HG 3URIHVVLRQDO 0HQX 3ODQQLQJ /LQHQ DQG &KLQD 5HQWDO Â&#x2021; )XOO /LTXRU /LFHQVH DQG %DU 6HUYLFHV 2Q 6LWH

ON-SITE, OFF-SITE OR TO GO SERVICES!

ZZZ SW FDWHULQJ FRP

Owned and operated locally in Hollywood since 1996 by Patty Sparks

Â&#x2021; Â&#x2021; 3VSDUNV #DRO FRP

Mathnasium of California

Mathnasium of Dunkirk

46320 Lexington Village Way Suite 1 Lexington Park, MD 20653

10735 Town Center Blvd., Suite 7 Dunkirk, MD 20754

www.mathnasium.com/californiamd

www.mathnasium.com/Dunkirk

301-737-1357

(410) 28-MATH-1

The County Times

Thursday, January 28, 2016 Phone 301-884-5900 1-800 524-2381

Phone 301-934-4680 Fax 301-884-0398

Cross & Wood

AssoCiAtes, inC. Serving The Great Southern Maryland Counties since 1994 Employer/Employee

Primary Resource Consultants Group & Individual Health, Dental, Vision, AFLAC, Life, Long Term Care, Short & Long Term Disability, Employer & Employee Benefits Planning

12685 Amberleigh Lane La Plata, MD 20646

28231 Three Notch Rd, #101 Mechanicsville, MD 20659

Let us plan your next vacation! www.coletravel.biz

46924 Shangri-La Drive Lexington Park, MD 20653

301-863-9497

NEXT TO THE FAIR GROUNDS

Benjamin Moore We Carry Touch Up Paints For: • Marrick Homes • Clark’s Rest • Elizabeth Hills •Quality Built Homes • Leonard’s Grant • Wildewood 301-475-0448 Leonardtown, MD

DAVE’S ENGINE SERVICE “Where Service Comes First”

Sales & Service

Farm Equipment • Machine Shop Home Industrial Engines • Welding

Truck Load Sale

301-884-5904 Fax 301-884-2884

Mike Batson Photography

Freelance Photographers

Events Weddings Family Portraits 301-938-3692 mikebatsonphotography@hotmail.com https://www.facebook.com/mikebatsonphotography

$267.80 Per Ton • 40 Pound Bag $6.45 while supplies last

27898 Point Lookout Road • Loveville, Md • 20656

To Advertise In A Special Section, Contact A Sales Representative at 301-373-4125 or sales@countytimes.net

The County Times

Thursday, January 28, 2016

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 Mondays may run in the following week’s edition.

Wilbur Howard “Bill” Kirby, Jr., 75 Wilbur Howard “Bill” Kirby, Jr. (75) died peacefully after a long battle with prostate cancer on January 16, 2016 at Georgetown University Hospital with his family by his side. He was born January 13, 1941 at City Hospital in Baltimore to the late Wilbur H. Kirby, Sr. and Catherine Hughes Kirby. He spent the first 12 years of his life at 1229 Leeds Terrace, Arbutus, MD. He would often recite this address when asked about his childhood. His memories of those years are of a close knit neighborhood and playing baseball with the older neighbor boys (they let him stand in the outfield). Bill and his parents moved to St. Mary’s County in 1953 when his father started working for the Kirby Motor Company. He attended Great Mills High School in the 7th through 11th grades. He graduated from the Charlotte Hall Military Academy in 1959. He also attended St. Mary’s College briefly before heading to Florida to attend a baseball training camp. He spent some time pursuing a career in baseball however he eventually had to get a real job. He went to work for the First National Bank until November 1963 when he enlisted in the Army. He was stationed at Fort Bragg and trained in crypto repair. He was deployed to the Dominican Republic as part of the U.S. response to an uprising and was honorably discharged in November 1966. He began working at the Naval Air Test Center as an Electronics Technician. His position involved managing test flights on the Atlantic Test Range. He retired from

the government after 30 years. He then went to work for Wyle as a Logistician for 9 years. Bill married his wife, Linda Abell, on May 2nd 1970 and they have three children, Ellen Young (Tony) of Leonardtown, Patricia Schmalgemeyer (Chuck) of Hollywood and Bill, Jr. of California. He enjoyed his family life and his role as a husband and father. When grandchildren (Claire, Nathan, Joey and Ben) came around, he enjoyed being a grandfather. His early years as the “outfielder” for the older boys in Arbutus started a lifelong love for the game of baseball and almost any game with a ball in it. It began with baseball and from there went to playing soccer, basketball and football throughout his high school years. He pitched for several local championship teams in high school and as a young adult. After school there was bowling, volleyball, involvement in his kid’s sports teams, fishing, shooting pool for Toot’s and finally golf. The friends he made throughout the years in his sporting activities enriched his life, especially the people he golfed with at Breton Bay. They were his golf family. He loved sports, not just for the competition, but for the camaraderie. He like to win, but he also liked to watch good competition even when he was not the one competing. He loved knowing the rules of the game as much as the game itself. He always rooted for the Baltimore teams, The Orioles, the Baltimore Colts and the Ravens. In his later years, Bill had to find less active hobbies so occasionally he, Linda and Bill Jr. would take a trip to Dover to try their luck at the slots. It was win some, lose some but he always enjoyed it. There are many things that Bill left his wife, children and grandchildren that are not material. His humor, sharp wit, guidance and love will be cherished by his family for the rest of their lives. Bill’s family would like to thank ev-

In Loving Memory of Dorothy Lena Currie Sept. 26, 1955 - Jan. 24, 2016

May the Lord be with her children, grandchildren, family and friends as they remember Dorothy.

eryone for all the prayers, thoughts and good wishes received throughout his illness. They meant so much to him and to the family. They would also like to thank Dr. Chhabra and his medical staff for the many years of compassionate care. Family will receive friends on Thursday, January 21, 2016 from 5:00-8:00 p.m., with prayers recited at 7:00 p.m., at Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., 22955 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, MD. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Reverend Eamon Dignan on Friday, January 22, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at St. John Francis Regis Catholic Church, 43950 St. John’s Road, Hollywood, MD 20636. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Honorary pallbearers will be his grandchildren, Claire E. Young, Nathan K. Schmalgemeyer, Joseph A. Young and Benjamin A. Schmalgemeyer. Memorial contributions may be made to Hollywood Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 79, Hollywood, MD 20636, Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 7, Hollywood, MD 20636 and St. John Francis Regis Catholic Church, 43950 St. John’s Rd, Hollywood, MD 20636. Condolences may be made to www. brinsfieldfuneral.com. Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.

Jerry M. Kiger, 77 Jerry M. Kiger, 77, of Waynesburg, died January 19, 2016 in Lexington Park, MD. He was born June 7, 1938 in Holbrook, PA, a son of the late Mercedes Morris Kiger Wagley and Albert J. Kiger, Jerry served his country for three

years in the U.S. Army from October 1955 to October 1958. He began his military service with basic training at Fort Jackson, SC. After basic training he was sent to Ft. Bliss, TX where he graduated from the Antiaircraft Artillery and Guided Missile and Radio Controlled target maintenance Schools. From there he went to the US Army Southeastern Signal School for Morse code and radio/telecommunications training at Fort Gordon, GA. After graduation he transferred to Fort Clayton, Panama Canal Zone for duty at the Quarry Heights Communications center. He worked in the communications center relaying information from various South American countries to the Pentagon in Washington, DC. Jerry was honorably discharged from the Army at Fort Meade, MD on October 13, 1958; from there he returned home in Waynesburg, PA. Jerry began a Civil Service career as an Air Reserve Technician (ART) with the Air Force reserve at the Great Pittsburgh Airport as Military Affiliate Radio Station _MARS) Operator and Airborne Radio Operator Instructor for the 758th Troop Carrier Squadron Flying C-119C Aircraft from June 1958 to August 1962. Then he transferred to the 2802nd Initial Guidance and calibration Group Communications Center, Newark Air Force Station (AFS), Ohio performing basic Communication Center duties. In 1967, Jerry accepted a civil service position at the Patuxent River Naval Air Station in Lexington Park, MD as an Electromagnetic Compatibility Technician. He supported NAVAIR on multiple fixed wing fighter aircraft and helicopter platforms. He wrote test plans, performed compatibility testing on new or modified components installed in aircraft, to ensure compatibility with existing aircraft systems. In January 1993, he retired from Civil Service after 371/2 years of dedicated service. Jerry was an avid golfer and loved to spend time on the course with his brothers and friends. He also enjoyed playing cards, which could often become intense. He was always ready for a game with the family. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Nancy Jane Kiger, whom he married December 28, 1956; daughter, Sharon E. Dement (David) of Summerville, SC; three sons, Mark A. Kiger of Ridge, MD; Jerry M. Kiger, Jr. (Jan) of Hollywood, MD and J. Scott Kiger of Lexington Park, MD; five grandsons: Brandon, Ryan, and Taylor Dement; Zachary Kiger; Dustin Reid; and two great granddaughters: Peyton and Karley Dement; sister, Annabelle Shuntich of Girard, OH; three sister-in-laws, Wilda Kiger of Waynesburg, PA, Susan Gilbert Kiger of Waynesburg, PA and Jean Kiger of Mineral Ridge, OH; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he is also preceded in death by his son, Brad Lee Kiger, triplet brothers who died at infancy, three brothers, Albert Roland Kiger, Charles Duane Kiger and James Edward Kiger, and his brother-in-law, Peter Shuntich. Family will receive friends on Tuesday, January 26, 2016 from 5:00 p.m. to

The County Times

Thursday, January 28, 2016

8:00 p.m. at Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A. 22955 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650. On Wednesday, January 27, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. Funeral Service will be celebrated by Minister Adam Tune at the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of St. Mary’s, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650. Condolences may be made to www. brinsfieldfuneral.com. Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.

Dorothy Lena Currie, 60 Dorothy Lena Currie, 60, of Great Mills, Md. formerly from Valley Lee, Md. passed away on Jan. 24 in Callaway, Md. Born on Sept. 26, 1955 in Valley Lee, Md. she was the daughter of the late Nora Mary Glenn and William Glenn. Dorothy was the loving wife of the late James Currie, whom she married on June 15, 1979 in Leonardtown, Md. and who preceded her in death on Jan. 1, 1998. Dorothy is survived by her children: James Currie, Jr. of Yelm, Washington, Natalie Souza of Cransten, Rhode Island, Nicole Martinez of Lexington Park, Md., and six grandchildren. Siblings: Helen Pegues of Oxon Hill, Md., Jerry Glenn and Noel Glenn both of Valley Lee, Md., William Glenn of Baltimore, Md., and Isamae Bowie of Crete, Ill.. She was preceded in death by her siblings: Gladys Glenn, William Glenn, Stanley Glenn and

James Glenn. She was a lifelong resident of St. Mary’s County, Md., and graduated from Great Mills, Md. Dorothy worked as a Nurse’s Aide. The family will receive friends on Friday, Janu. 29 from 10 to 11 a.m. in St. George Catholic Church Valley Lee, Md. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11a.m. with Father Paul Nguyen officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Pallbearers will be: Marcus Dorsey, Daryl Brown, Daryll Bowman, Josh Austin, Marion Porter, and John Viland. Honorary Pallbearers will be; Mike Russell and Casey Turner.

Free estimates • in-County Delivery • QuiCk turn arounD

Your Local Independent News Source

YOUR NEWS

...anytime you need it

County Times St. Mary’s

Thursday, April

30, 2015

Solar Power Rising

• In your mailbox!

• Wedding Invitations, Programs and Accessories

• Commercial Offset Printing

• Online • In the stands

• High Speed Digital Printing: Color and Black/White

Photo by Frank

• Invitations - All Events • Funeral Programs • Newsletters • Announcements • Composition & Layout • Letterheads • Envelopes • Business Cards • NCR Forms • Contracts • Books • Briefs • Posters • Flyers • Raffle & Admission Tickets • Certificates

• Brochures • Rubber Stamps • Bumper Stickers • Magnetic Signs • Labels • Menus • Copy Service • Envelope Inserting • Laminating • Bindery • Document Scanning • Photo Reproduction • Easels • UV Coating • Addressing • Bulk Mailing Service

Marquart

Story Page 13

Going further than your basic news, a quality paper with quality material. Plus successful advertising!

301-373-4125 Call Today and Find Out About Our Advertising Options For Both Publications!

• Custom Full Color Envelopes

• Multiple Binding Options: GBC, Perfect, Coil, Saddle Stitch • In House Graphic Design

41690 Courthouse Drive Leonardtown, Maryland 20650 Phone: 301-475-5531 orders@printingpressinc.com Hours: Mon - Thur 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

www.printingpressinc.com

To Place A Memorial, Please Call 301-373-4125 or send an email to info@somdpublishing.net

The County Times

Thursday, January 28, 2016

The County Times

Education

The County Times

16th Annual Forrest Center Tech Expo By Skylar Broome Contributing Writer High school and middle school students alike flooded into the Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center for its 16th annual Forrest Center Tech Expo. Students and their parents were both able to tour the facility to view the different programs that offered a more hands-on approach to education and trains students specifically for their future careers. For students applying

Thursday, January 28, 2016

to take a course next year, it was a requirement to visit the Forrest Center at least once – and what better time than to go on this night? Classroom demonstrators (all students) were able to show off their craft and what future students would learn if they took that specific course. Teachers were able to give short overviews of the various two-year, one-year, or elective classes. It was an excellent time to learn about all 23 programs, not just the ones that perhaps get the most ‘face time.’ The event took place

Three culinary students volunteer to help with running the table outside of their classroom – because applicants must visit the Tech Center at some point, their visits must be documented.

on Thursday, Jan. 21 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. and was open to the public. contributing@countytimes.net Instructor Eric Millham discusses both the TV Production course and the one-year Radio elective. Photos by Skylar Broome

.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..Artists ........................................ .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... .. .. .. .. .. .. ..Reception . . . . . . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . .. .. .. ..Leonardtown .. .. .. ... ... ... ... ... ...Arts .. .. ..Center .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. First Friday, March .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 4.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..from .. .. ..5-7pm .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. The . . ..show . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ... ... displayed .. ... ... ...will... ...be... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...All... ...St.... Mary’s .. .. .. .. ..County .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. students in grades are .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..invited .. .. .. .. ..to..submit .. .. .. .. ..a ..piece .. ..6-12 .. of.. ..artwork ....... March 430, 2016 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ... ... ... ... ... ... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..inspired .. .. .. .. .. .. by .. .. the .. .. .. theme: .......... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..St. .. .. .. .. ..Mary’s .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..County ................... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..Pr .. .. .. iz .. .. ..es .. .. ..!.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..For.. ..1st, .. .. 2nd .. .. ..&..3rd.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..plac .. .. e.. win .. .. ners .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .

Rocks!

For more information and to register visit www.stmarysartscouncil.com or contact Nell Elder at info@smcart.org

Sponsored by

Local School’s Agriculture Lab Gets National Attention

Mechanicsville Mother Catherine Academy, the only independent Catholic school serving southern Maryland, is proud to be part of The American Gardener’s story, “The Worldwide Dwarf Tomato Project,” appearing in the January/ February edition of the magazine, which is published by The American Horticultural Society. The story mentions how students at the academy grew two varieties of tomatoes from Craig LeHoullier’s Dwarf Tomato Project (http://dwarftomatoproject.net or http://craiglehoullier.com). The school project, under the direction of middle school science teacher Sarah Gascon and volunteer Jerry Spence, is part of MCA’s innovative agriculture lab, which opens more opportunities for teachers to develop handson student activities to enhance and reinforce the curriculum. Additional plans for the agriculture lab are blossoming. Students from the new MCA garden club will lead a multi year tomato breeding project, which will provide handson experience with science and math and hard work involved in selectively breeding plants for specific traits. Future plans also include bringing technology into the program, teaching students to use CAD software to plan improvements to the garden, and spreadsheets and databases to collect and analyze data. Most importantly, in donating some produce grown in the lab to area food pantries, the school executes on its core mission of teaching Christian values such as charity.

“There is a tremendous opportunity to provide the children with a rich experience that shows them how to apply the education they receive in the classroom,” said Spence, who serves as the school’s garden and agriculture liaison and is a member of the board of trustees. “Already MCA’s agriculture lab has proven its worth, and we’re only beginning to tap its full potential. The implementation of these projects, utilizing the agricultural lab, will help roundout the exceptional educational experience MCA students receive.” Spence said he expects some of the produce from the garden will be used by other students at MCA who have joined the newly formed cooking club, which is cosponsored by Chef Loic of Cafe de Artistes in Leonardtown. The national recognition coincides with significant enrollment gains at the school growing 5 percent since the start of this school year that have solidified the young school’s foundation. The agriculture lab is one among many unique programs that ensure students at the school get the best education possible. For more information on MCA’s unique programs that complement its excellent curriculum, or to schedule a tour of the school, interested families can call the school office at 301-8843165 or visit http://mothercatherine.org. The Academy has open enrollment yearround and school tours are available by appointment. An open house is scheduled for Jan. 31 from 1 to 3 p.m. Press Release

Thursday, January 28, 2016

The County Times

Feature Story Obituaries

County Still Digging Out From Snowstorm

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer County officials say St. Mary’s County recovered quickly from the historic snow storm that blanketed the area with a little over a foot of snow, but that hasn’t stopped citizens from getting concerned over the county enforcing a new snow removal ordinance. County leaders were quick to reassure residents that the requirement for property owners to remove snow from county sidewalks that abutted their land would not be enforced until 72 hours after the snow stopped. Wednesday marked the deadline. At the Tuesday meeting of the Commissioners of St. Marys’ County, Commissioner Tom Jarboe said the ordinance passed by the commissioners last year was meant “for able bodied people to do their share” when it came to removing snow. But the county was not intent on pressing the fines allowed in the ordinance. “We don’t have a ticket book,” Jarboe said, adding that property owners who were elderly, disabled or otherwise unable to clear the snow would not be punished. He said the county government had become inundated with e-mails over concerns from residents about the ordinance. “We will help you,” Jarboe said Tuesday, even offering to personally help residents who had problems digging out. George Erichsen, director of the Department of Public Works and Transportation, said the county’s desire to pursue violators of the ordinance was not strong when he spoke to The County Times on Monday. “That’s very low on our priority list for enforcement,” Erichsen said. The county government was quick to remind citizens of the ordinance, however, just before the storm hit the afternoon of Jan. 22. By Sunday evening many of the county roads were clear and by Monday morning many businesses were reopened, though county government remained closed. Though the county government’s administrative offices were closed that day, the next day commissioners were quick to point out how well the county had dug out from the storm and that other jurisdictions had not made nearly the progress of St. Mary’s in recovering. On Monday, Erichsen said that despite the relatively low snowfall compared to the rest of the region, windblown snowdrifts had climbed to much greater heights.

“There were reports of windrifts from between three feet and six feet,” Erichsen said, mostly out in the county’s more rural areas like Bushwood. Snow plowing crews were going almost non-stop during the storm, with just brief pauses during the worst parts of the blizzard. Erichsen said there were about 15 county dump trucks out on the roads, but they were teamed up with 104 pieces of contractor owned equipment. Temperatures were such that the next day after the snow stopped the salt laid down by road crews were already starting to do its job. “The salt’s working really well,” Erichsen had said. “We’re getting a lot of melt.” Erichsen said the county’s preparations would have stood it in good stead even if the snow had been much worse. “We wouldn’t have done anything differently if we had gotten 20 inches of snow instead of the 13.5 inches we got,” Erichsen said. “It just worked out in our favor.” Though the county weathered the storm well, said Bob Kelly, director of the Department of Emergency Services and Technology, there were still areas that county emergency services could not reach with ease even after the first two days of good weather. Kelly said there were still sidewalks and drive ways that were not fully plowed or shoveled, making it necessary to send fire department apparatus out with rescue squads to help them answer calls. On Tuesday, Kelly predicted it would still take time to make all roads and communities accessible to services. “We know it’s going to take a couple of days before all that happens,” Kelly said. The storm offered at least one scare that officials were happy to see not come to fruition: sustained heavy winds that were supposed to last for nearly 12 hours. “Friday night the National Weather Service said they were very concerned about St. Mary’s County, and that we were facing 65 mile-per-hour winds from 2 a.m. Saturday to 2 p.m.,” Kelly said. County officials at the emergency operations center were elated to find that the sustained winds never arrived, though the sheer amount of snow that fell would likely burst the county’s snow removal budget this year, Kelly said. guyleonard@countytimes.net

Photos by Frank Marquart

In Our Community

The County Times

Gone: 200 Pounds and 18 Inches By Crista Dockray Staff Writer

At his heaviest John Kreuter, 30, weighed 516 pounds. “I have been big my whole life and my entire life I have always wanted to lose weight. I have always wanted to be skinny,” he said. Last March he decided to make a change, a big one, and has not looked back. Behind him are four shirt sizes, 18 inches from his waist, and 200 pounds. Kreuter said he decided to take the first step when he realized how difficult remedial tasks were becoming. He struggled with simple things like putting on shoes and socks, getting out of the shower, and finding clothes his size. At one point, he decided enough was enough. “I guess something just clicked, these are things that you shouldn’t have trouble with, these are things that should come easy,” said Kreuter. His first thought was that he didn’t believe he could lose weight on his own, so he made an appointment with a bariatric specialist to discuss the option of gastric bypass. From that, he was referred to a dietician. “Just from talking to the dietician, I came to the realization that my diet was the reason that I was as big as I was,” said Kreuter. At his consolation, the dietician asked him what a typical day of food looked liked. Kreuter told her what he had eaten the night before. “I remember it very vividly,” he said. From Checkers he ordered 20 chicken wings, two chicken sandwiches, two large sweet teas, and chili cheese fries. “When I told the dietician, who deals with bariatric patients all the time that are typically excessive eaters, her eyes opened wide,” said Kreuter. She told him that he could have significant weight loss just from changing his diet and told him to start his change with just two simple steps. The first was to eat breakfast, which he never used to do. The second was to stop drinking the almost gallon and a half of sweet tea he consumed daily. “When I left there, I was motivated instantly. I think that’s part of my personality, when I am dedicated to something I do it to the fullest,” said Kreuter. He went home and wrote himself a diet plan. “With any person my size, you try diet after diet, and you fall off. You might lose 20 pounds here, 10 pounds there, but eventually you go back to your old habits,” said Kreuter. He said he had, had success with the Atkins diet, so he tried to stay on their meal plans as well as implement the tips from the dietician.

Thursday, January 28, 2016

Kreuter was told to eat five times a day, so every three hours he had a small meal. He began eating a lot of salads and ruffage and completely cut off sweet tea, which he had never been able to successfully do in the past. “I didn’t add any exercise,” said Kreuter. “At my size, normal activity burned a ton of calories.” After a month, he lost 30 pounds. “It just started melting away,” he said. Kreuter had two parts to his weight loss journey. From March to November, he worked on his own and lost 130 pounds. He contributes it the fact that he stopped drinking sweet tea and carbonated beverages, stopped consuming sugar, stop consuming caffeine, and ate a lot of salad and low fat, high protein foods. “You get those late night cravings, it’s not like I didn’t crave food…the John Kreuter, Before Weight Loss first month was really, really hard,” said John Kreuter, After Weight Loss Photos Courtesy of John Kreuter Kreuter. The second step was his surgery. The He is also happy to report that his sleep apnea is almost bariatric surgeon suggested he do the gastric sleeve and not the gastric bypass. This type of surgery, according to completely gone and since the surgery in November, he has their conversation, was less risky and had less of a chance lost 70 pounds. He now weighs 316 pounds. for complications. “And I’m still going,” he said. According to Kreuter, the gastric sleeve removes 80 perKreuter says his goal weight is 220 pounds, but he would cent of your stomach and leaves a continuous sleeve that be happy at 250 pounds. goes down into the intestines. To get there, he said, “It’s all about a lifestyle change, The surgery was scheduled for Nov. 3 and Kreuter made sure he did the best he could with his own weight loss be- creating better habits and doing things better in your life.” Since the surgery, he has gotten a plethora of positive fore his operation. feedback. He has received compliments from his co-work“It’s not a cure-all, it’s a step,” said Kreuter about his ers at Papa John’s where he has worked for 12 years and surgery. “It’s a tool that you can use for weight loss.” He explained that the diet after the surgery is very simi- holds the position of Area Supervisor for seven stores in lar to what he had been doing and he contributes his success Calvert and St. Mary’s. He has also surprised and motiand ease with the surgery to the fact that he came prepared. vated family and friends. His life has been more positive as well. His knees don’t “I made a lifestyle change,” he said. bother him at all anymore and neither do his feet. Kreuter Another contribution to his success was that, besides said that he used to go through a pair of shoes a month and sleep apnea, he was a clean bill of health. After the surgery, to avoid blood clots in his legs, he was now he rarely has to purchase new ones. He has gone from a 6X to a 2X in shirt sizes, he has told to walk. saved money in food and clothing expenses, he dropped 18 Kreuter started with walking to the end of his driveway and then walking back to the house. After, he walked to his inches in his waist, and he lost 200 pounds. As he continues to lose weight, Kreuter has set his sights neighbor’s mailbox and walked back. He kept going farther on some new goals. He would like to complete a 5K and and pushing himself as time went by. “Now a buddy and I walk our dogs around the neighbor- work up to a 10K, he would like to compete in gun compehood,” Kreuter said. “We walk a mile everyday, which is tition, he would like to go hunting, and he wants to build muscle and be more active overall. something I would have never done before.” “If there is one thing that I would tell anybody, is that He added that in the past it was hard for him to even walk you have to really decide that losing weight is what you and talk at the same time. want and you have to stick to it,” said Kreuter. “I would say to someone, start small, build on that, and take pride in the results that you get.” crista@countytimes.net

SELLING A CAR? LOOKING FOR A BABYSITTER?

RENTING OUT AN APARTMENT?

PEOPLE STILL LOOK TO THE CLASSIFIEDS FIRST!

43251 RESCUE LANE • HOLLYWOOD, MD Office: 301-373-4125 • Fax: 301-373-4128

www.CountyTimes.net

Thursday, January 28, 2016

St. Mary’s County Division of Tourism Happenings in Tourism & Hospitality: The Right Mix By Carolyn Laray, Tourism Manager Contributing Writer St. Mary’s County boasts two new tourism assets: the newly enhanced Patuxent River Naval Air Museum complex; and the county’s latest state park at Newtowne Neck. Both will bring benefits to surrounding businesses, and have the potential to attract new markets and leverage future growth—all good things as we put together the pieces of a tourism and hospitality master plan for St. Mary’s County. Set to open this spring in Lexington Park, the “new” Patuxent River Naval Air Museum and Visitor Center, with its impressive new exhibit hall, new displays, and hands-on activities, is designed to have broad visitor appeal. The museum’s inspiring story of those who work on the cutting edge of technology to safeguard our nation, fits nicely with the increasing interest in STEM education in our schools. This should make the museum an appealing destination for families. The museum also has potential to attract motorcoach tours and military reunion groups. Families, motorcoaches and reunion groups: these are all market sectors that favor stays in quality mid-market brand hotels. This is good news for the many along Route 235. These hotels are heavily reliant on Monday through Thursday baserelated business travel, but over-reliance on base travel can prove risky, as became evident a few years ago when federal travel cutbacks and furloughs resulted in drops in room occupancy. Groups especially, provide communities with good economic returns. A motorcoach group staying two nights is calculated to spend over $9,000 in the locale visited. Military reunion groups also spend big in communities. In addition to money spent on lodging and meals, each reunion-goer spends an additional $100 per day in the reunion community. The Patuxent River Naval Air Museum has identified a target reunion market of more than 100 squadrons and military societies with ties to Pax River. Newtowne Neck, Maryland’s newest state park, strengthens Leonardtown’s destination appeal. The town, with its central location, it’s developing waterfront, and its emerging identity as an arts community since designation as a State Arts and En-

In Our Community

The County Times

tertainment District in 2013, make it key to the County’s growth as a travel destination. Now, with a grand state park located just minutes from the town and featuring nearly 800 acres of Potomac shoreline, woodlands and panoramic landscapes, the area offers even more to explore. The 2010 Maryland State Parks Economic Impact and Visitor Study states that 70 percent of spending and employment benefits derived from state parks are concentrated within a 20-minute drive of each park and within its local, “gateway community.” Combine paddling, hiking, cycling and birding at Newtowne Neck, with shopping, dining and winery visits in Leonardtown, and one has the makings for great weekend getaways to entice a well-off D.C. market. Sports complexes? Conference centers? Resort hotels? Certainly to be considered. All require careful study in terms of zoning, workforce availability, sustainability, cost and community receptivity. But here are two examples of leveraging new opportunities with existing assets. From the Seventh to South County, these sorts of considerations will also be important to developing a great tourism and hospitality master plan that fits St. Mary’s County. Information about the St. Mary’s County Tourism and Hospitality Master Plan is posted on the County’s Web site. To find out more about the process, sign-up for updates, or get involved, visit www.stmarysmd.com/ ded/THMP.asp. To learn more about all there is to see and do in St. Mary’s County right now, visit the Travel & Tourism Web site at www.visitstmarysmd.com.

Seniors and The Police: Triad/SALT Helps Local Seniors Stay Safe, Get Involved By Andrew Wildermuth Contributing Writer

Since 2012, the Department of Aging and Human Services and the Sheriff’s Office have campaigned a local chapter of Triad/ SALT (Seniors and Law Enforcement Together), a national program to promote open communication between the police and local seniors citizens. According to St. Mary’s County Representative, Sarah Miller, the objectives of the Triad/SALT campaign are “to alleviate fear of victimization, enhance delivery of law enforcement services, and improve quality of life to our senior citizens.” In order to do this, St. Mary’s Triad/SALT hosts monthly meetings held to establish a healthy dialogue in our community, ensuring a more peaceful and safer life for our local seniors. The monthly meetings are advertised on stmarysmd.com/aging. Previous meetings have informed the local senior community on topics that seniors have suggested, including prescription drug safety, personal safety, and identity theft protection. In 2015, a group of seniors toured the 911 call center here in St. Mary’s County.

The next meeting will be held at Loffler Senior Activity Center in Lexington Park on Feb. 25 at 1 p.m. Detective Paul Ciepiela, of Baltimore City Police, will “lead a presentation about senior security and ways to be safe both at home and in the community,” said Miller. Detective Ciepiela is the current President of Maryland Crime Prevention Association, Inc. Triad/SALT gets local seniors involved in more than just discussion: “Local participants also volunteer with the Department of Aging and Human Services, helping at events such as the annual Health Fair and the St. Mary’s County Fair,” said Miller. “They partner with the department in the annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Day luncheon in May.” All local seniors can help by coming to the meetings or even joining the senior council, where one can help plan future meetings and get involved in the community volunteer programs. St. Mary’s seniors are encouraged to contact Miller at sarah.miller@stmarysmd. com or 301-373-4200, ext. *1073 with any questions. contributing@countytimes.net

Lexington Park Active

Adult Community

Reserve Your Space Today!

21895 Pegg Road • Lexington Park, MD 20653

(240) 725-0111

BC County Times Ad 47 55 56_Layout 1 9/2/15 5:55 AM Page 1 22 In Our Community

The County Times

Thursday, January 28, 2016

PET OF THE WEEK

Meet Maverick!

LOVE BUG HERE! My name is Maverick. I was born in June or July of 2015. I am incredibly friendly. I am between the computer and my foster mom’s chest as she types this purring away. I keep bumping my face into her face and rubbing against her. Every now and then I give her a kiss. I love attention and affection from humans. She rescued me from the kill shelter because I am so friendly and she hoped she could get me adopted quickly so she could rescue another cat. You can meet me on most Saturdays and Sundays between 11 and 3 at the Petco in California. I can’t wait to find my own family or person. If you are interested in adopting me, please fill out an application <www.feralcatrescuemd.

org/ uploads/2015_Adoption_Application.pdf> and email it to Diane at diane@feralcatrescuemd.org. Will it be you? Love you forever, Maverick

LIBRARY ITEMS

MHBR No. 103

Veterans Book Group Lexington Park Library will host a Veterans Book Group on the first Friday of each month starting February and going through June from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. This program is free and lunch and all materials are provided. To register contact Cecelia Thomas at 301-863-8188, press 3 or email cthomas@stmalib.org. A reading and discussion series for veterans led by Vietnam veteran, author, and College of Southern Maryland professor, Wayne Karlin. Service members of all eras are welcome. Participants should plan to attend all five sessions. The Veterans Book Group program is offered by the Maryland Humanities Council in partnership with the Maine Humanities Council and eleven other state humanities councils across the country. The program has received major support from the National Endowment for the Humanities’ Standing Together initiative, created to promote understanding of the military experience and to support returning veterans. Handmade at your library Lexington Park Library will hold a craft program for beginner and experienced do-it-yourselfers on Saturday, Feb. 6 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. The library will supply the instructions and materials, and you bring the creativity. This month we will be making Crayola candles. This is an adults only program. Registration required on www.stmalib.org or call 301-863-8188. Genealogy Open Lab Lexington Park Library will host a Genealogy Open Lab on Monday, Feb. 8 from 2 to 4 p.m. This is an open lab for individuals doing genealogy research. A librarian will be on hand to make users aware of resources, including free access to Ancestry Library Edition, and to help with questions in an informal setting. Registration is recommended at www.stmalib.org or call the Lexington Park branch at 301-863-8188. New Year, New Job: Job Searching class Lexington Park Library will hold a New Year, New Job: Job Searching class in partnership with JobSource, St. Mary’s One Stop Career Center on Tuesday, Feb. 9 from 2 to 4 p.m. This workshop is designed to assist with navigating through the Maryland

Workforce Exchange (MWE) system to conduct Job Search. Participants will learn how to job search utilizing additional career sites to enhance employability, learn tips on how to complete an online application and learn how to conduct a successful job search. Professionals will help review position descriptions and utilizes ONET online resource center to enhance your resume and application content. Registration is required: www. stmalib.org or call the Lexington Park branch at 301-863-8188. Microsoft Office: Introduction to Excel 2013 Leonardtown Library will hold a Microsoft Office: Introduction to Excel 2013 class on Wednesday, Feb. 10 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. This class is recommended for individuals who are new to Microsoft Excel or have limited spreadsheet experience. Participants will learn an introduction to spreadsheets and the practical uses and versatility of Excel. Students will learn time saving features and tips for using Excel effectively. Prerequisites: Computer Basics 1 and 2, or basic skills in using the mouse and keyboard. Adult computer classes are limited to ages 16 and up. Registration is required on www.stmalib.org or call the Leonardtown branch at 301-475-2846. Minecraft Mania Lexington Park Library will hold Minecraft Mania for ages 6 to 14 on Wednesday, Feb. 10 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Share strategies with other Minecrafters, explore new terrain, gather raw materials and create amazing structures. Registration is required and opens two weeks before the program. Register on www. stmalib.org or call the Lexington Park branch at 301-863-818week8. Preschool STEM Explorers: Project Wild Leonardtown Library will hold a Preschool STEM Explorers: Project Wild program on Friday, Feb. 12 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Little scientists and their grown-ups can walk on the wild side as they experiment with natural materials and learn about our local ecosystems. Ages 3 to 6, please register on www. stmalib.org or call the Leonardtown branch at 301-475-2846. Registration opens two weeks before each program.

Business

The County Times

Thursday, January 28, 2016

It’s Showtime: Gelrud Boys Are Back In Town By Andrew Wildermuth Contributing Writer

17 years after its 1999 closing, Showtime Deli, the home of the overstuffed sandwich, has finally reopened in St. Mary’s County. This time, it’s located on Great Mills Road in Lexington Park. Paul and Jonathan Gelrud, son and grandson of Lexington Park founding father, Jack Gelrud, have teamed up to bring back St. Mary’s County’s favorite sandwiches. It may have been a long time since this local legend has been open - but the word is, it’s still much the same. “Oh, this is the bomb,” Cheryl Trossbach, of Ridge, exclaims as she rubs her hands together in anticipation. “Incredible! I just can’t wait.” Cheryl says she never considered Showtime reopening, and simply couldn’t believe the news when she heard the good word. “You can’t consistently get a good sandwich anymore. It’s sad,” says Cheryl, serious. “I think Showtime Deli is good for the community, really. I really do.” It seems the community agrees: on just the second day of its new life, the little deli is packed tight with hungry and happy locals. It’s a celebration. Folks recognize each other at every turn; the whole place is filled with a chorus of “how-do-you-do’s,” closing cash registers, and the sizzle of sliced steak on the grill. Old friends meet up in this south county reunion - talking of mutual friends, family, and rumors of the impending blizzard. There’s certainly a special buzz to

this place. It’s quite obvious: there is a unique spot for Showtime in the heart of St Mary’s County. But, of course, a great business and great sandwich don’t make themselves: there’s hard work that goes behind this place to make it so special. “Orchestrating this place ain’t as easy as catching an oyster,” says former County Commissioner and St. Mary’s County legend, Jack Russell, looking like a kid on Christmas. The guys and gals in the kitchen - all locals, of course - are in perfect rhythm. It’s as if they never closed. The co-owner, Paul Gelrud, shakes hands with long-time customers, askThe Philadelphia Story. ing about their families and wishing them all well. There’s a common sentiment among Gelrud’s uber-pleased Jonathan, smiling. “I’ve been telling patrons: “We can’t believe it.” It’s clear dad I’ve been ready for a long time. I that he’s not just their sandwich man, finally convinced him.” Paul Gelrud is a friend. Jonathan Gelrud certainly has a lot “You stay good, you hear me?” Gel- to live up to, but from the looks of this rud says warmly to a leaving customer. ecstatic crowd of customers, he has a “You know, we’re lucky,” says Paul. bright future that will make his family “We get to see people we grew up proud. It’s a new time - a new century, with, went to school with.” A customer in fact - but it doesn’t seem the Gelrud’s walks in and excitedly shouts a greet- stamp on St. Mary’s County will fade ing to the co-owners. “I coached this any time soon. From the looks of it, the guy in Basketball,” Paul says, laughing Gelrud’s story could just be beginning. and hugging the incoming customer In a time of unprecedented change and friend. and growth for St. Mary’s, the Gelrud’s Paul’s son, Jonathan, 31, says he is have gifted a much needed old-school ready to take the reins and continue place to meet, greet, and eat. “It’s the his family’s rich history in St. Mary’s small things in life that matter,” Cheryl County. His grandfather started one of Trossbach said. the first stores in this area after World Cheryl’s right. But for St Mary’s War II and played an influential role County, Showtime Deli is no small in the creation of modern St. Mary’s thing. County; his father continued the legacy and has started six local businesses; contributing@countytimes.net and now he’s ready. “It’s my turn,” says

Paul and Jonathan Gelrud, son and grandson of Lexington Park founding father, Jack Gelrud. Photos by Andrew Wildermuth

Over 250,000 Southern Marylanders can’t be wrong! Your Online Community for Charles, Calvert, and St. Mary’s Counties

www.somd.com Affordable, Peaceful Living

The Beautiful Apartments Of Wildewood Have So Much To Offer!

• 24-Hour Maintenance • Fitness Center & Sparkling Pool • Great Schools • Pet Friendly

• Security Key Locks • Warm, Friendly Professional Staff • Within Walking Distance of the Wildewood Shopping Center

23314 Surrey Way • California, Md 20619

www.apartmentsofwildewood.com

Call today to see how we can help you find the PERFECT apartment home! (301-737-0737) LEASING OFFICE HOURS Mon. - Fri. 9 A.M. - 5 P.M. • Sat. 10 A.M. - 5 P.M. • Sun. 12 - 5 P.M.

IN A QUIET SETTING • EXCELLENT SCHOOLS

WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE TO STORES, RESTAURANTS AND OTHER CONVENIENCES

WildeRidge Apartments

• 1, 2 & 3 Bedroom Apartments • Pet Friendly • 24 Hour Maintenance • Facility Upgrades • Security Key Locks • Amenity Package Available

www.apartmentsofwilderidge.com

Picture Your Family Here…

22760 Laurel Glen Road California, Md 20619

Owned And Operated By The Apartments Of Wildewood

301-862-5307 • 301-737-0737

Directions: Rt 235 (Three Notch Road) Turn At Panera Onto Old Rolling Road, Make Left On Laurel Glen Road, We Are On The Left

Community

Calendar

Month Long Angel Wings and Things St. Michael’s Church (16560 Three Notch Rd., Ridge) Angel Wings and Things Thrift Store will be open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., except holiday weekends. We have a huge selection of winter clothes, coats, shoes, and so much more. We also have a great baby room, kids’ toy room, and tons of wonderful winter items. All items are in terrific shape, and very reasonably priced. We look forward to having you visit us! For any questions, please contact Marti Lloyd at St. Michael’s School, at 301-872-5454. Open Skate Nights Leonard Hall Recreation Center (23145 Leonard Hall Dr., Leonardtown)- every Saturday, 6 to 9 p.m. Looking for an evening of roller skating fun? Well, strap on your skates and bring your family and friends to Leonard Hall Recreation Center in Leonardtown! For all ages, $5 per person. Skates available for rental at $2.50 per person or bring your own. For more information, please call 301-475-4200 ext. 1800 or 1801.

Thursday, Jan. 21 Forrest Center Tech Expo Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center (24005 Point Lookout Rd., Leonardtown)- 5:30 to 8 p.m. 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. 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, Jan. 28 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Beach Sarong Craft Northern Senior Activity Center (29655 Charlotte Hall Rd., Charlotte Hall.)- 1:30 p.m. Dress up your favorite summertime apparel with this bohemian-styled beach sarong with no sewing skills required! Learn to use a seam ripper to create fringe and use knots to create a decorative pattern. Sarongs can be made long or short, your choice as plenty of material is provided. Use them at the beach or in early spring as an earth-toned shawl that will go with everything. The cost of the class is $8 and will include all materials, tools, and instruction. For more information call 301-475-4002, ext. *3101. Zumba Fitness Hickory Hills Community Club (22630 Athlone Dr., Great Mills)- 6 p.m. Zumba fitness is a Latin-inspired workout! We use Latin and international rhythms to make you move. This is a pay as you go fitness program. $5 drop in. Six classes/$25 punch cards. All fitness levels are welcome, no dance experience is needed! Punch cards and daily passes are available at the Hickory Hills office. For more information, call 301-481-0752.

The County Times

Bingo Night Harry White Wilmer American Legion Post 82 (6330 Crain Hwy., La Plata)- 7 to 10 p.m. American Legion Auxiliary Unit 82 will hold smoke-free BINGO Thursdays. Doors open at 6 p.m. Call 301-9348221. Public Welcome. SMART Medicine Loffler Senior Activity Center (21905 Chancellors Run Rd., Great Mills)- 10 to 11 a.m. SMART Medicine is a local campaign designed to generate awareness for the rising issue of opioid misuse and abuse in addition to providing information and resources regarding the safe management and disposal of prescription medications. Please join the St. Mary’s County Department of Aging and Human Services as we share our knowledge and resources to ensure that prescription medication is used only to help, not harm. To learn more, contact MaryEllen Kraese at 301-475-4200 ext. *1681. Gutbuster Cheesesteaks VFW 2632 (23282 Three Notch Rd, California)- 5:30 to 8 p.m. Stop by and enjoy one of our delicious GUTBUSTER Philly-Style Cheese Steaks. All Cheese Steaks served on a hoagie roll with your choice of cheese and grilled veggies, and served with American Fries for only $8. Choose from Chicken or Steak. Eat here or take one to go. This event is open to the public.

Friday, Jan. 22 Brenda’s Meatloaf Dinner American Legion Stallings Williams Post 206 (Post Building 3330, Chesapeake Beach Rd. E on Route 260)- 5:30 to 7 p.m. Brenda will serve up her famous meatloaf with sides, salad, rolls, and beverage included in the $12 price tag. Hosted for the benefit of the Southern Maryland District Children and Youth Program. For more information, call 301-855-6466. Open Mic Christ Church Parish Hall (37497 Zach Fowler Rd., Chaptico)- 7 to 10 p.m. The Southern Maryland Traditional Music and Dance HomeSpun CoffeeHouse will sponsor an Open Mic. This is a great event with many varieties of music and lots of friendship, so if you haven’t been to an SMTMD event before, this is a great time to start! The doors open at 7 p.m. and the music starts at 7:30. The admission fee for this event is only $7, and performers are admitted free. Light refreshments will be provided (donations are suggested.) For additional information, or to sign up to perform, please contact John Garner at garner@wildblue.net or call John at 301-904-4987.

Saturday, Jan. 23 Pottery in a Hurry Annmarie Sculpture Garden and Arts Center (13480 Dowell Rd., Dowell)- 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For ages 16 and up. Member cost

Thursday, January 28, 2016

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.

is $125, nonmember cost is $135. This fast paced class is designed to introduce people to all aspects of making pottery. Attendees will learn to use the potter’s wheel and make four to six pieces of pottery, then return the next day to glaze them. No experience necessary! Registration required. To register, call 410-326-4640. For more information, visit www.annmariegarden.org. Two class series. Seafood Feast St. Paul’s Parish (Baden) (13500 Baden Westwood Rd., Brandywine)- 4 to 8 p.m. Catered by Thompson’s Seafood. Steamed shrimp, fried oysters, baked haddock, fried chicken, potato salad, coleslaw, green beans, hushpuppies. Pay $25 in advance for adults, $30 at the door. Children 7 to 12 years old are $10. Children 6 and under are free. For reservations/information, call Wanda at 301-888-9217 or Mary Jane at 301-579-2230. Fifth Annual Chili Bowl Middleham and St. Peter’s Parish (10210 H G Trueman Rd., Lusby)- 5 p.m. “Baby, It’s Cold Outside”, but your insides don’t have to be. Bring your famous chili to share and we will vote for the one we like the most. Special prizes will be awarded. You do not have to bring chili, if you just want to savor the creations from others. The planning committee will provide bread, condiments (shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped onions, etc.,) salad, beverages, and ice cream for dessert.

Sunday, Jan. 24 Pottery in a Hurry Annmarie Sculpture Garden and Arts Center (13480 Dowell Rd., Dowell)- 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. For ages 16 and up. Member cost is $125, nonmember cost is $135. This fast paced class is designed to introduce people to all aspects of making pottery. Attendees will learn to use the potter’s wheel and make four to six pieces of pottery, then return the next day to glaze them. No experience necessary! Registration required. To register, call 410-326-4640. For more information, visit www.annmariegarden. org. Pirates on the Chesapeake North Beach Town Hall (8916 Chesapeake Ave., North Beach)- 2 to 3 p.m. Don Shomette will present this fun and historical presentation about Pirates on the Chesapeake: Being a True History of Pirates, Picaroons, and Raiders on the Chesapeake Bay 1610 to 1807. Come dressed in your best pirate get-up. Prizes! Costumes not required. For more information, call 410-535-0291 Hand Dance and Line Dance Party House of Dance (24620 Three Notch Rd., Hollywood)- 5 to 9 p.m. The best of oldies, hand dancing, line-dancing, bopping, free styling, and much more! DJ is Mean Gene. Cost is $10 per person at the door. Come early (4 to 5 p.m.) for a Drop-In of Hand Dance or Line Dance Class. $15 for the class and party. There will be a cash

bar, light refreshments, and an evening of fun! For more information visit www. thehouseofdance.org or email admin@ thehouseofdance.org.

Monday, Jan. 25 Foundations of Zentangle Northern Senior Activity Center (29655 Charlotte Hall Rd., Charlotte Hall)- 9 to 11 a.m. Drawing Zentangles is a meditative art form that provides a beautiful, creative outlet and is also a relaxing practice to enjoy. This experience is for everyone regardless of artistic experience or ability. The instructor is certified Zentangle teacher Jill Smithson. The cost of the workshop is $5 and will include all materials and instruction. For more information, call 301-4754002, ext. *3101.

Tuesday, Jan. 26 Family Dinner Post 3330 Chesapeake Beach Rd. E on Route 260- 5:30 to 7 p.m. Bring the Kids! The Sons of the American Legion Stallings Williams Post 206 will host a Family Dinner consisting of pizza ($8 + $1 for each extra toppings,) French fries ($2,) and chicken fingers with fries ($6.) Public Welcome. For information, call 301-855-6466.

Wednesday, Jan. 27 St. Mary’s County Chapter of the Maryland Writers Association Reading Group Leonardtown Library Meeting Room (23250 Hollywood Rd., Leonardtown)7 to 8 p.m. Bring your poetry, fiction, and nonfiction to read. Pen in Hand submissions will be discussed. Share your New Year’s writing resolutions! Uppity Women of the Bible Middleham and St. Peter’s Parish (10210 H G Trueman Rd., Lusby)- 7 to 8 p.m. A three week study. The study will focus on the Book of Esther. Featured on DVD, the Rev. Dr. Lisa Wolfe will assist us in a lively and thoughtful exploration of the Book of Esther, a story set in an exotic Persian kingdom complete with a dim-witted king, a defiant queen, an egotistical lieutenant, and a loyal uncle. The book is a fascinating study of power, corruption, violence, and courage. Can the beautiful and courageous Esther avert disaster for her people? Each Wednesday evening begins with an optional pot-luck supper at 6:15 p.m. All are welcome, you do not need to be a parishioner. Indian Head Senior Center Book Discussion Indian Head Senior Center (10 Cornwallis Square, Indian Head)- 11 a.m. to noon. This is a monthly book discussion group of seniors discussing a variety of genres and interest. Our selection for January will be “A Painted House” by John Grisham.

Thursday, Jan. 28 Gutbuster Cheesesteaks

The County Times

Thursday, January 28, 2016

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.

VFW 2632 (23282 Three Notch Rd., California)- 5:30 to 8 p.m. Stop by and enjoy one of our delicious GUTBUSTER Philly-Style Cheese Steaks. All Cheese Steaks served on a hoagie roll with your choice of cheese and grilled veggies, and served with American Fries for only $8. Choose from chicken or steak. Eat here or take one to go. This event is open to the public. Bingo Night Harry White Wilmer American Legion Post 82 (6330 Crain Hwy., La Plata)- 7 to 10 p.m. American Legion Auxiliary Unit 82 will hold smoke-free BINGO Thursdays. Doors open at 6 p.m. Call 301934-8221. Public Welcome.

Friday, Jan. 29 Polynesian Paradise Luau Northern Senior Activity Center (29655 Charlotte Hall Rd., Charlotte Hall)- 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. A summer celebration in the winter! The celebration will include music with DJ Mean Gene, Hula Hoop and “Tackiest Tourist” contests, Polynesian dancing entertainment and lesson, door prizes, and a money lottery. Tropical paradise attire, including Leis, flowered shirts, straw hats, and shades, are encouraged. Tickets are required. For more information, call 301-475-4002, ext. *3101. Spaghetti Dinner American Legion Stallings-Williams Post 206 (3330 Chesapeake Beach

Rd. E on Route 260)- 5:30 to 7 p.m. The Nam Knights of American Motorcycle Club will be hosting a spaghetti dinner with all the trimmings. Cost is $12 per person and the public is warmly invited. Questions may be directed to Andy at 301-855-6466. Dinner Theatre Our Lady Star of the Sea School (90 Alexander Ln., Solomons)- 6 p.m. Alumni Players present “Play On.” Tickets are $40 and include beer, wine, soft drinks, buffet dinner and performance). Doors open at 5:45 p.m. Proceeds benefit the Arts Program at Our Lady Star of the Sea School. Pitch Tournament –High-Low-Jack -Game Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department (22733 Lawrence Ave., Leonardtown)- 7:30 p.m. Join us for a fun filled evening playing in our Pitch Tournament. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. Must be on time as all tables have to start at once! Cost: $20 Registration Fee; bumps are an additional $1 per partner at your table. Bid 4 and make it, you receive a ticket for a chance to win the Buddha Bump Money Fund. Lucky ticket winner takes 100 percent Bump Money. Payouts for the top 5; plus we even pay the biggest loser. Cash bar and food available. For more information please e-mail Jennifer.russell@smeco.coop. This event is sponsored by The Auxiliary of the Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department.

Community

Saturday, Jan. 30 Bluegrass Winter Festival Mechanicsville Moose Lodge (27636 Mechanicsville Rd., Mechanicsville)noon to 8 p.m. Bluegrass music at its best, There will be five local bands performing, this is a family event children under age 15 free with paying adult. Food will be available for purchase. Breton Bay Polar Bear Plunge Breton Bay Community Beach (Society Hill Rd., Leonardtown)- 1 p.m. Free event. Bring a canned or dry food or monetary donation to benefit St. Mary’s Caring Soup Kitchen. Bring a shareable snack or appetizer and beverage of your choice to the PostPlunge Party immediately afterward at the Avenmar Community Clubhouse, located at end of Heron Way off of Bretmar Drive. Guitar Fest Kingston Room at Cocoa’s (21847 Three Notch Rd., Lexington)- 2 p.m. Join PJMA in celebrating the love of guitar. The event is sponsored by the Maryland State Art’s Council and the St. Mary’s County Arts Council. The event included an afternoon work shop from 2 to 5 p.m. featuring the Back Porch Blues Bands with Eleanor Ellis Guitar. In the evening there will be a Guitar Concert featuring the Back Porch Blues Bands with Eleanor Ellis Guitar, Hamm-it-ups, Joe Molina, Bob Schaller & Friends and many more. For more information go to the www.PJMA.info website.

Calendar

Dinner Theatre Our Lady Star of the Sea School (90 Alexander Ln., Solomons)- 6 p.m. Alumni Players present “Play On.” Tickets are $40 and include beer, wine, soft drinks, buffet dinner and performance). Doors open at 5:45 p.m. Proceeds benefit the Arts Program at Our Lady Star of the Sea School. 50’s 60’s 70’s Request Night American Legion Stallings Williams Post 206 (Post Building 3330, Chesapeake Beach Rd. E on Route 260)- 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. What’s your favorite tune? With DJ Stephen Varney. The cost of $10 includes draft beer and sodas. Tickets available at the door. Public warmly welcomed. For information, call 301-855-6466. St. Michael’s Grocery Auction St Michael’s School (16560 Three Notch Rd., Ridge)- 6 to 10 p.m. All are welcome! The Grocery Auction starts at 6pm. Great deals on groceries. Bring a cooler for your frozen items. Refreshments will be for sale. All proceeds benefit St Michael’s School.

Sunday, Jan. 31 American Legion Turkey Shoot Big Foot Trap Club (Just off Pin Cushion Rd., Loveville)- 1 p.m. Turkey Shoot for meats and cash. 12 gauge with .675 choke and 36” max barrel. Bring your family and tailgate. Plenty of parking. New faces always welcome. For more information, call 301-274-3522.

CHURCH SERVICES DIRECTORY METHODIST CHURCH Hollywood United Methodist Church

24422 Mervell Dean Rd • Hollywood, MD 20636

301-373-2500

Rev. Sheldon Reese, Pastor Sunday Worship 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. Sunday School for all ages 9:45 a.m. All of our services are traditional. Child care is provided. Sunday Evening Youth Group Christian Preschool and Kindergarten available

CATHOLIC CHURCH St. Cecilia Church

47950 Mattapany Rd, PO Box 429 St. Mary’s City, MD 20686 301-862-4600 Vigil Mass: 4:30 pm Saturday Sunday: 8:00 am Weekday (M-F): 7:30 am Confessions: 3-4 pm Saturday www.stceciliaparish.com

St. GeorGe roman CatholiC ChurCh St. George Church: Saturday, 5:00 p.m. • Sunday, 8:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m. St. Francis Xavier Chapel: Saturday, 7:00 p.m. (Memorial Day-Labor Day) Weekday Mass Schedule: Tue, Wed, Thur, Fri, 1st Sat: 9:00 a.m. Confessions: Saturdays: 4:00 - 4:30 p.m. or by appointment

19199 St. George Church Road • Valley Lee, MD 20692 301-994-0607 • www.saintgeorgeromancatholicchurch.org

BAPTIST CHURCH

NON-DENOMINATIONAL CHURCH

CATHOLIC

Victory Baptist Church

Grace Chapel Ministry

301-884-8503

Teaching The Bible Without Compromise

29855 Eldorado Farm rd CharlottE hall, md 20659

Order Of gOOd news services sun schOOl, all ages…...............10:00 sun mOrning wOrship.............…11:00 sun evening wOrship….................7:00 wed evening prayer mtg.........…7:00

ProClaiming thE ChangElEss word in a Changing world.

Member of the Grace Fellowship Brethren Churches

Sunday Worship • 8 A.M. Sunday School • 9:15 A.M. Blended Worship • 10:30 A.M. Wednesday Bible Study • 7 P.M. Tuesday Youth Group • 7 P.M. American Heritage Girls 1st & 3rd Thursday • 7 P.M.

Senior Pastor - Dr. Carl Snyder Assoc. Pastor - David Roberts Youth Pastor - Luke Roberts

You are invited to worship with us.

victOrybaptistchurchmd.Org

We Are Located On The Corner Of Route 5 & 238 39245 Chaptico Rd., Mechanicsville, Md. 301-884-3504 • Email: seeugoingup@yahoo.com www.gracechapelsomd.org/faith

HUGHESVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH

PENTECOSTAL CHURCH

Jesus saves

A member of the Southern Baptist Convention 8505 Leonardtown Road, Hughesville, MD 20637 301-884-8645 or 301-274-3627 Senior Pastor Dr. J. Derek Yelton Associate Pastor Kevin Cullins

• Sunday School (all ages) • Sunday Morning Worship • Sunday Evening Worship & Bible Study • Wednesday Discipleship Classes (Adults, youth & Children)

9:15 am 10:30 am 6:00 pm 7:00 pm

21800 N. Shangri-La, Dr. #8 PO Box 1260 Lexington Park, MD 20653 301-866-5772 Pastor James L. Bell, Sr.

Church Schedule

Sunday Morning Worship 10 a.m. Tuesday Bible Study 7 p.m. Friday Men Perfecting Men 7 p.m

Greetings from the Bible Temple Church family in Mechanicsville Maryland. Here at Bible Temple, we believe that in this life it is important to have strong and healthy relationships 1. A relationship with Christ 2. A personal relationship with family and friends Through these relationships, we develop the characteristics of love, understanding and forgiveness; the true heart of Christ. “ Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3).

We invite you to experience the change… the transformation with us. Just bring your heart and God will supply the rest. Come grow with us in a place, “Where the Word Reaches the Heart!” Everyone is Welcome! Leadership: Pastor Joseph and First Lady Marilyn Young Sunday School for all ages: 9:00AM Sunday Morning Worship: 9:45AM Bible Study: Wednesdays at 7:30PM Address: 29050 New Market Village Road, Mechanicsville, MD 20659 Website: www.bibletemplechurch.org Phone number: 301-374-9110

Entertainment

The County Times

“Born To Entertain”

Broadway Cabaret Presented At Indian Head Black Box Theatre Join us at the Indian Head Center for the Arts Black Box Theatre for a Broadway style Cabaret on Saturday, Feb. 6 at 7 p.m. “Born to Entertain” stars Broadway hopefuls Amelia Arrigo and Kristin Kauffman, who will wow you with their brassy voices and hilarious patter. Meanwhile you’ll sit comfortably in the newly renovated Black Box Theatre, located at 4185 Indian Head Hwy., Indian Head. Kristin Kauffman of Great Mills, MD and Amelia Arrigo of Newtown, Pa. have been singing together for over 13 years. They’ve played sisters multiple times, they’ve directed each other, and they’ve sung duets together since their teenage years. Suffice it to say that these divas will dazzle, and not just because of the diamonds they wear. As the folks in New York say, there’s no business like show business, and these girls mean business! In “Born to Entertain” you’ll enjoy classics from shows like Fiddler on the Roof, Annie Get Your Gun and Les Mis-

presents

erables, peppered with more modern showstoppers from Nunsense, Jekyll and Hyde, and Hairspray. Watching these two women switch from a highenergy comedic duet to an introspective dramatic song is captivating. Come out to see this flash-bam-Broadway reunion at the Indian Head Black Box Theatre and you won’t be sorry. The Indian Head Center for the Arts is a 501(c)3 non-profit theatre organization dedicated to the cultural advancement of the region by providing a broad spectrum of performing arts programs. The Center encourages community interaction, supports economic development, enhances educational programs and provides a variety of opportunities for local residents and businesses. If you can’t attend the cabaret, consider making a donation today to support the ongoing community efforts at the Black Box. Contact Kerry Doss at info. ihca@gmail.com to donate. Press Release

Kristin Kauffman & Amelia Arrigo in

Born to Entertain a Broadway Cabaret

Tickets: $10 cash bar

n O g Goin

In Entertainment

Thursday, Jan. 28 Monthly Comedy Night The Lounge at Bollywood (22576 MacArthur Blvd., California) Friday, Jan. 29 Still Standing Ruddy Duck (13200 Dowell Rd., Dowell)- 7:30 p.m. Last Remains Anthony’s Bar and Grill (10371 Southern Maryland Blvd., Dunkirk) Saturday, Jan. 30 Comedy and Variety Show The Lime Lounge (22608 Three Notch Rd., Lexington Park)- 10 p.m. 80s Night with Wildgood The Lounge at Bollywood (22576 MacArthur Blvd., California) Sunday, Jan. 31 Elks Special Deep Stack Tournament St. Mary’s County Elks Lodge (45779 Fire Department Ln., Lexington Park)- 2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 1 Pizza and Pint Night Ruddy Duck (13200 Dowell

Saturday, February 6, 7 p.m. The Indian Head Center for the Arts is a 501(c)3 non-profit theatre organization dedicated to the cultural advancement of the region by providing a broad spectrum of performing arts programs. The Center encourages community interaction, supports economic development, enhances educational programs and provides a variety of opportunities for local residents and businesses. If you can’t attend the cabaret, consider making a donation today to support the ongoing community efforts at the Black Box. Contact Kerry Doss at info.ihca@gmail.com to donate.

www.IndianHeadBlackBox.org for tickets

Thursday, January 28, 2016

Rd., Dowell)- 4 p.m. Team Trivia Ruddy Duck (13200 Dowell Rd., Dowell)- 7 p.m. Makhni Monday The Lounge at Bollywood (22576 MacArthur Blvd., California) Tuesday, Feb. 2 Burger and Pint Night Ruddy Duck (13200 Dowell Rd., Dowell)- 4 p.m. Team Feud Ruddy Duck (13200 Dowell Rd., Dowell)- 6:30 p.m. Trivia Night with Cash Prizes The Lounge at Bollywood (22576 MacArthur Blvd., California)- 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 3 Open Mic Night Ruddy Duck (13200 Dowell Rd., Dowell)- 6 p.m. Free Latin Dance Classes The Lounge at Bollywood (22576 MacArthur Blvd., California)- 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 4 Swamp Candy Ruddy Duck (13200 Dowell Rd., Dowell)- 7:30 p.m.

The St. Mary’s 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 noon on the Tuesday prior to our Thursday publication.

The County Times

Looking for a Career, Not Just a Job?

Thursday, January 28, 2016

Have You Thought About Media Marketing as a Possibility?

NOW HIRING

Marketing Professionals Meet New, Interesting People Get Out From Behind a Desk Determine Your Own Income Get Paid for What You Sell

Apply NOW for Immediate Consideration Send a resume to kitcarson@somdpublishing.net and letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s discuss the possibilities.

301-373-4125 www.countytimes.net

The County Times

Thursday, January 28, 2016

CLASSIFIED Ads 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 two inch minimum. All private party ads must be paid before ad is run.

Publication Days

The County Times is published each Thursday. Deadlines are Monday at noon Office hours are: Monday thru Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Affordable, Peaceful Living

The Beautiful Apartments Of Wildewood Have So Much To Offer!

• 24-Hour Maintenance • Fitness Center & Sparkling Pool • Great Schools • Pet Friendly

Important Information

The St. Mary’s County Times will not be held responsible for any ads omitted for any reason. The St. Mary’s County Times reserves the right to edit or reject any classified ad not meeting the standards of The St. Mary’s 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.

IN A QUIET SETTING • EXCELLENT SCHOOLS

• Security Key Locks • Warm, Friendly Professional Staff • Within Walking Distance of the Wildewood Shopping Center

Call today to see how we can help you find the PERFECT apartment home! (301-737-0737) 23314 Surrey Way • California, Md 20619

www.apartmentsofwildewood.com

WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE TO STORES, RESTAURANTS AND OTHER CONVENIENCES

WildeRidge Apartments • 1, 2 & 3 Bedroom Apartments

• Pet Friendly • 24 Hour Maintenance • Facility Upgrades • Security Key Locks • Amenity Package Available

www.apartmentsofwilderidge.com

LEASING OFFICE HOURS Mon. - Fri. 9 A.M. - 5 P.M. • Sat. 10 A.M. - 5 P.M. • Sun. 12 - 5 P.M.

Dedicated Runs Available for drivers living in the Baltimore Area!

Picture Your Family Here…

22760 Laurel Glen Road California, Md 20619 Owned And Operated By The Apartments Of Wildewood 301-862-5307 • 301-737-0737

Directions: Rt 235 (Three Notch Road) Turn At Panera Onto Old Rolling Road, Make Left On Laurel Glen Road, We Are On The Left

Everything

Amish

Weekly Hometime! Newer Equipment. Req’d: 1yr OTR exp. 22yrs Old, CDL-A

HELP WANTED

866-370-4476 • www.drive4marten.com

301-932-4164

Help Wanted: Southern Maryland Women’s Lacrosse Officials Association (SMWLOA) is looking for men and women 20 years of age and older interested in officiating high school girls lacrosse in the spring. If interested or have any questions please email SMWLOA.MD@gmail.com. Thank you!

Small Mobile Home 1 bedroom, with washer/dryer located 10 miles South of Paxriver NAS $650.00 per month + security deposit

240-925-6157

Over 250,000 Southern Marylanders can’t be wrong! Your Online Community for Charles, Calvert, and St. Mary’s Counties

www.somd.com

Sales Person with Experience

Must Come In To Fill Out Application

1/2 Mile North of Hughesville Bypass 7700 Leonardtown Road Hughesville, MD 20637

DRIVERS: GREAT HOME TIME. EXCELLENT PAY PACKAGE. BCBS/DENTAL/VISION. NO-TOUCH, PLENTY OF MILES, BONUS PROGRAM & GREAT TRUCKS. CDL-A 888-406-9046

Camp Maria Retreat Center seeks an Associate Director who is able to commit to the mission, values of Camp Maria Retreat Center and the values of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth. He/she is responsible for Food Service/Dining Room Management and Housekeeping Management. A Bachelor's Degree is preferred, with at least two years of experience in administration, budgeting, food service management and personnel supervision with the ability to organize, delegate, prioritize and implement present and future goals in areas of responsibility. This position is full time and includes a benefits package.

Games

Thursday, January 28, 2016

CLUES ACROSS

1. Cathode-ray tube 4. A leglike part 8. Old world, new 11. Sec. of Def. Panetta 13. Greek god of E or SE wind 15. Supervises flying 16. In a way, bothers 19. Federal savings bank 20. Stout lever with a sharp spike 21. F.S. Fitzgerald’s wife Zelda 22. Snakelike fish 23. Scads 24. Prophet 26. Former “Daily Show” star 31. Organized crime head 34. Oil obtained from flowers 35. 2X WWE Divas Champ 38. Brine cured Canadian cheese 39. Slow oozing 41. Volt-ampere 42. Phenyl salicylate 44. European defense organization 45. Anglo-Saxon theologian 46. Doctrine 49. Soviet peninsula 51. Large long-armed ape

55. Protects from weather 56. Mops 60. Bridge expert 61. Fabric woven from goat and camel hair 62. Capital of Honduras 64. Tell on 65. Wooden clog 66. Beloved 67. Fed 68. Decays 69. Single Lens Reflex

CLUES DOWN

1. Applauds 2. Actress Zellweger 3. Obtained by addition 4. Chief executive officer 5. Flees 6. Murres genus 7. __ Wong, spy 8. Works well as a remedy 9. Tripod 10. A nautical unit of depth 12. Most populous Native Am. people 14. Genus Capricornis 17. Universally mounted spinning wheel 18. Spanish shawl

The County Times

25. Macaws 27. No (Scottish) 28. Takes dictation 29. Spanish appetizers 30. The Muse of lyric and love poetry 31. Romaine lettuce 32. Alias 33. A way to beat 36. Son of Jacob and Zilpah 37. Amount of time 39. Most guileful 40. Younger US political party 43. Electrical resistance unit 45. Side way 47. Milton’s Cormus composer Henry 48. Sheep up to age one 49. Green algae 50. Capital of Morocco 52. S.E. French city on the Rhone 53. Asian nation 54. Great No. Am. RV Rally 57. Culture medium and a foodgelling agent 58. Inflamed lymph node swelling 59. Native of Edinburgh 63. Belonging to a thing

Last Week’s Puzzle Solutions

Games

The County Times

Thursday, January 28, 2016

St. Mary’s Department of Aging Programs and Activities Pickleball Clinic Pickleball is a game played with a perforated plastic ball and wood or composite paddles on a court similar to badminton. This scheduled clinic at the Leonard Hall Recreation Center on Wednesday, Feb. 3, from 8 to 10 a.m., is facilitated by two experienced Pickleball players who will teach the rules of the game and offer pointers. Paddles and balls are provided. This class is designed for those new to Pickleball. Cost: $4. To learn more, or to register, call 301-475-4200, ext. *1050. History Video at Loffler Red Tails: The Real Story of the Tuskegee Airmen, a 55-minute video about these WWII heroes will be shown at the Loffler Senior Activity Center on Wednesday, Feb. 3 a t 10 a.m. There is no cost to watch this video but reservations are re-

quired as there is limited seating. To register, call 301-737-5670, ext. 1658 or stop by the reception desk. Diabetes Discussion at Northern MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital Health Connections will present “Diabetes Prevention and Complications” at the Northern Senior Activity Center on Tuesday, Feb. 9 at 12:30 p.m. To sign up, please call 301-475-4002, ext. *3101. Movie Mondays During the month of February, the Northern Senior Activity Center will feature movies celebrating the lives of African Americans and their journeys for equality. The first movie of the series will be Selma, to be shown on Monday, Feb. 2 at 9 a.m. This film is about the life Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his efforts to bring about the signing of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Ad-

vanced signup is required to due limited seating. Call 301-475-4002, ext. *3101 to sign up or get more information. Balancing Act Returns to Loffler Strength training instructor Dave Scheible will offer his Balancing Act class- a 4-part series of classes on Tuesdays at 9 a.m. beginning Tuesday, Feb. 2 and continuing through Feb. 23 at the Loffler Senior Activity Center. Cost for the classes is $20 for all 4 sessions and is payable to Dave on the first day of class. To sign up for the free demonstration and/or the classes call 301-7375670, ext. 1658. New York Summer Tour July 14-17 Enjoy an exciting 4 day tour of the Big Apple this summer! Luxury motor coach departs Garvey Senior Activity Center at 7:30 a.m.

on Thursday, July 14. All-inclusive price of $1,565 per person for double occupancy includes 3 nights at the Holiday Inn North Bergen (or similar hotel) in New Jersey, three dinners, three hotel breakfasts, tours of the Statue of Liberty Tour and Ellis Island, a Broadway show (as yet unnamed), guided East Village Walking Food Tour, guided bus tour of the city, snacks on bus both ways, and 2 bottles of water each day per person. Additionally, all taxes, tips, and gratuities are included. This trip includes activities requiring a strong degree of mobility as several of the tours are walking activities. For reservations or more information call Shellie Graziano at 301-737-5670, ext. 1655 or e-mail sheila.graziano@stmarysmd.com. Tour is limited to 18.

Loffler Senior Activity Center 301-737-5670, ext. 1658 Garvey Senior Activity Center, 301-475-4200, ext. 1050 Northern Senior Activity Center, 301-475-4002, ext. 3101 Visit the Department of Aging’s website at www.stmarysmd.com/aging for the most up-to date information.

Mosby’s Rangers, Pt. I

By Linda Reno Contributing Writer

Mosby’s Rangers was the informal name for the 43rd Battalion of the 1st Virginia Cavalry during the Civil War. The approximately 1,900 men served under John Singleton Mosby (1833-1916) aka “The Gray Ghost.” They were partisan rangers who operated under special rules, e.g., “they shared in the spoils of war, had no camp duties and lived scattered among the civilian population.” They became known for their “lightning quick raids and their ability to elude Union Army pursuers and disappearing, blending in with local farmers and townsmen.” In March 1863 Mosby and 29 of his men silently raided the Fairfax County Courthouse. Mosby found Brig. General Edwin

Stoughton (Union) asleep and woke him up by spanking him on his bare back. The sleep-befuddled Stoughton demanded to know why he had been awakened this way. Mosby asked if he’d ever heard of “Mosby” and Stoughton said “yes, have you caught him?” Mosby replied “I am Mosby…we have possession of the Court House--be quick and dress.” This raid netted, in addition to the General, two captains, 30 enlisted men, and 58 horses. Not one shot was fired. Although enemies during the war, Mosby and future president Ulysses S. Grant became friends with Mosby serving as Grant’s campaign manager in Virginia. This didn’t set well with the Virginians. Mosby said “there was more vindictiveness shown to me by the Virginia people for my voting for Grant than the North showed to me for fight-

SELLING A CAR? LOOKING FOR A BABYSITTER? RENTING OUT AN APARTMENT?

ing four years against him.” So far I have identified eight men from St. Mary’s County who were Mosby’s Rangers. They were: Lt. David Stone Briscoe, 1841-1914 “David Stone Briscoe, for many years one of the leading lawyers in this city, died of heart disease yesterday of heart disease at his home, 12 W. North avenue, following an illness of about 2 weeks. He was 73 years old. Mr. Briscoe was the son of Dr. Walter Hanson Briscoe and Emmeline Dallam Briscoe of St. Mary’s Co., and was one of a family of 13 children reared on the old family estate, Sotterley, on the Patuxent River, which was recently purchased by Herbert Livingstone “Satterlee” , the son-in-law of the late J. Pierpont Morgan as a country estate. At

the outbreak of the Civil War, Mr. Briscoe enlisted in the cause of the Confederacy, and after serving in both the army and navy of the South, he became a member of Mosby’s Rangers, with whom he remained until the close of the war. He entered into the practice of law, first in St. Mary’s Co. and later in Baltimore where he became known as an expert in equity and real estate…” (Baltimore Sun, June 18, 1914). David Stone Briscoe was married three times. His first wife was Ellen Forbes Key (1839-1870), daughter of Henry Greenfield Sothoron Key and Maria Harris, and widow of John Ferguson Bruce. The second wife was Ellen Straith, a native of Virginia, who died in 1879. The last wife was May Penniman who survived David, dying in 1920. To be continued.

PEOPLE STILL LOOK TO THE CLASSIFIEDS FIRST!

Whatever your needs, we’ll get you in the Classified section! Just call our office and ask for an advertising representative to get started! 43251 RESCUE LANE • HOLLYWOOD, MD • Office: 301-373-4125 • Fax: 301-373-4128 • www.CountyTimes.net

Thursday, January 28, 2016

Wanderings of an Aimless Mind

“To Our Tidbit” By Shelby Opperman Contributing Writer This has been a week, so far, of lots of tears, but lots of laughter and memories. Our sweet, doggie Tidbit passed away on Tuesday in the early afternoon at Three Notch Vet with both my husband and I, Dr. Veitch, and a caring assistant present. You all know how much Tidbit was loved in our house – just like all of you who are pet lovers. They are truly part of the family. As Tidbit got closer to the end, my husband and I had many tearful discussions on how to handle the end. We both agreed, of course to not let her suffer long and needlessly. Neither one of us had ever been present during the final moments in the Veterinarian’s office. Most of my dogs had passed away at home quickly. It is so hard to be the person that sets the time of a beloved animal’s death. I wasn’t sure I could be present, but now I am so glad I was there. It was a very gradual process and I felt like it took her away so gently. Dr. Veitch was calming to us as we held our Tidbit until her final breath. So much better than the awful seizures. Tidbit had a few nice outings on Tuesday morning before we left. It was hard for her, but she was determined to get to the end of the driveway and to walk up the road a little ways. Tidbit could barely get in the car by the time we were leaving, so Robert picked her up and put her in the back seat on all her blankets. But this did not stop her from jumping from the back seat into my seat up front. Normally that would be her seat when she and I were running errands. And we stopped by the dump on our way and opened the window so she could sniff around. Dump trips and going to our friends’ John and Karen’s farm, and getting treats from Shelley and family across the street were her happiest times. Tidbit lived a happy life as you all know from reading about her adventures, and seeing her pictures. We are so blessed and happy to have had her in our lives. Thank you for all the e-mails about her over the years. You made her very happy too. This won’t be a long column today, as I am leaving for colon surgery at St. Mary’s Hospital in about ten minutes – looking forward to 4 hours of sleep during the surgery. By tomorrow (Thursday) I will be hitting that morphine button and hopefully resting fairly comfortably. I will catch up with everyone next week on things and get on with a different sort of routine to my days in recovering and without our Tidbit. 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

Email in your Engagement Announcement Today!

It’s Free!

news@countytimes.net

The County Times

Giving Cupid a Run for His Money By Laura Joyce Contributing Writer Each year, the expectations seem to get worse: if you’re single and over the age of about twelve, when Valentine’s Day arrives, it brings with it a whole host of unreasonable expectations. There’s pressure to go somewhere, pressure to do something, pressure to be someone’s sweetheart, if only for that one day. If you’re not wearing something frilly, something pink or red (men are exempt from this particular requirement, you’ll be relieved to know) and if you can’t be found dancing the evening away in the arms of a beloved other, you may end up feeling defensive, wondering if people are questioning why flowers and chocolates haven’t arrived at your doorstep yet. Here’s the truth: most people aren’t giving your love life that much thought; they’re too busy trying to avoid the pressure that Valentine’s Day brings to their own lives. While single people get the “Are you dating anyone?” questions, it’s not as if married people are any more able to dodge the Valentine’s bullet; the expectations just take a different shape. Husbands worry about whether the card they buy, written by someone putting in a romantic eight hours a day in a cubicle farm somewhere, channels love well enough. Wives wait to see if this will be the year that reality trumps romance, the year that they finally get a vacuum or a toaster to celebrate the deep intimacy and endless sparks of love (I once had a toaster that did indeed represent the sparks of love: it almost set my kitchen on fire). A few years ago, the Center for Family Advocacy started a new tradition in honor of Cupid, that chubby little cherub who goes around accosting people with a bow and arrow (I’m sure he means well, although I wish he’d wear more than a diaper, and I also wish he’d de-emphasize the expensive cards, the heart-shaped boxes of chocolate, and the soon-to-be-forgotten tokens of affection—except diamonds; who wouldn’t like the occasional diamond?). As you may recall, the Center provides legal representation and advocacy, all at no cost, to victims of domestic violence, stalking and other intimate-partner crimes. Our tradition, now in its third year, celebrates the supportive na-

ture of love, the healing power of love, the way that people who have love in their lives and love in their hearts—singles, couples, friends and colleagues—can gather to enjoy each other’s company and end up helping people who have unfortunately had a different, far less loving experience. With the support and bottomless help of Fitzie’s Marina Restaurant and Bar, the Center is hosting its third annual “Get Your Heart On” event on Saturday, February 6th from 7:30 p.m. until midnight. Beloved local band Wiskers will be there with great music for dancing. Friends—old and new—will be there with great company for just hanging out. There will be plenty of food and drink, and a fun, friendly, low-pressure atmosphere. The ladies from the Southern Maryland Roller Derby are teaming up with us this year, as well, and will be providing yummy appetizers and their dedication to a great cause to add to the fun! We’re guaranteeing a great time: after all, gathering with friends while raising money for a good cause is a combination you can’t top! Tickets are only $20 per person in advance through February 4th and can be purchased online at www.smcfa.net. (Tickets are $25 at the door) You can also advance-purchase tickets by calling 301-373-4141 now through February 4. Attend as a single, a couple or with a group. As a special bonus, I personally promise that you don’t have to wear frills (pink or red), that we won’t ask you who you’re dating, and that no one will be wondering whether you got a vacuum instead of roses this year. All you have to do is show up and mingle with people who have the same goal— spending a great evening with like-minded others who know that true love isn’t about greeting cards and boxes of chocolate. It’s about being there when someone needs you—whether that ‘someone’ is your special person or an agency that helps victims of domestic violence in their most vulnerable, difficult moments. Please join us in reaching out in caring and support for others who may be thinking that love has passed them by.* *Parts of this column are reprinted from 2015. I love hearing from you; feel free to contact me at thewordtech@md.metrocast.net.

BOOK REVIEW

“Pet Friendly” by Sue Pethick

c.2015, Kensington • $15.00 / $16.95 Canada • 224 pages By Terri Schlichenmeyer Contributing Writer In the end, your dog always tells you he’s happy. And that’s exactly where the communication comes from: the end. His tail goes wild when you come home, when you’re going for a walk, giving treats, sharing a heart-to-heart, or cooing praise. And in the new book “Pet Friendly” by Sue Pethick, that “best friends” stuff goes both ways. Meeting your future roommate at a funeral isn’t exactly ideal, but Todd Dwyer didn’t have much choice: his late Uncle Bertie’s dog, Archie, was attending the services, then Archie was supposed to go directly home with Todd afterward. Todd had always wanted a dog – even one nicknamed “Houdini” – and Archie seemed like such a good pup. Claire, Todd’s sister, had offered to take the dog but she had a young family and besides, Todd was sure his fiancée, Gwen, would be as excited about the new addition to their family as he was. But as it turned out, Archie’s nickname was unfortunately appropriate: he escaped from Todd’s house on the first night, after he ate Todd and Gwen’s dinner and after Gwen had a hissy-fit about a mutt she hated on sight. And then, after she insisted that Archie had to go, the dog escaped from Todd’s truck on the road to Claire’s house… Emma Carlisle absolutely could not figure out how Spirit Inn was losing money. Her grandmother, from whom Emma had inherited the old hotel, had no problem making a living. She taught

Emma everything about running an inn and half the staff had agreed to stay on when Grandma died, but the place was still leaking cash. Emma couldn’t get a loan to keep it running; she had too many good childhood memories to let it go. She’d had her first kiss on the grounds there, from an old crush named Todd. When a bedraggled dog showed up at Emma’s cabin, followed by a familiar face from the past, Emma mistakenly figured Todd was homeless. Todd, who’d recently sold a successful business, couldn’t believe Spirit Inn was up and running after all those years and that Emma was still there, but he slowly came to understand that there was trouble: rumors claimed that the old hotel was haunted. Could a ghost be stealing money from Emma’s business? I’m not always a person of few words, but here’s one: okay. That’s “Pet Friendly.” It’s okay – not great, not awful. Predictable, but amusing. Cute, but trite – and okay. There’s nothing earth-shattering or even very mysterious in this book: in a plotline that seems almost Saturdaymorning-cartoonish, we know who’s romancing whom and who’s “haunting” the Inn because it’s all quite transparent. We see exactly what’s going to happen long before it does. And yet – that makes author Sue Pethick’s tale one of those easy-to-read, don’t-have-to-think-much novels that you reach for when you don’t want something too involved. “Pet Friendly” is the perfect airport book and if that’s what your winter’s day requires, then look for it. It’s the kind of thing you’ll want in the end.

s y e l a R

SINCE 1958

The County Times

SALE STARTS TODAY at 10am AT BOTH LOCATIONS!

Thursday, January 28, 2016

IT’S THE

BIGGES SALE E T IN OUR 5 VER 8

g MEGA n i l e d o m Re SALE HURRY...TIME IS SHORT! HOME FURNISHINGS IS HAVING A

HISTORY YR !

TIC TOC

TIC TOC TIC TOC

30 Days or Less to Save!

70 UP TO

OFF

rice P l i a t e R g Re

D E T C E L E ON S EMS IT ey Last! While Th

SAVE ON ALL LIVING ROOMS, BEDROOMS, DINING ROOMS, MATTRESSES and much more!

50OFF

YOU COULD SAVE HUNDREDS ...EVEN THOUSANDS!

•ENGLAND •BEST CHAIR •CRAFTMASTER •VAUGHAN-BASSETT •SIMMONS MATTRESS and many others!

11800 Holly Lane Route 301 and Holly Lane

301-843-0000

THE BESTOR SELECTIO N!

HUGE DISCOUNTS!

Reg Retail Price

BIG NAMES! BIG SAVINGS!

WALDORF

DON’T HESIT HURRY INATE F

ALL MA TTRESS SE While T TS

Raleys SINCE 1958

HOME FURNISHINGS

hey Last!

LEXINGTON PARK 21716 Great Mills Rd 301-863-8181

visit us online at raleyshomefurnishing.com

BOTH LOCATIONS - SPECIAL SALE HOURS: MON thru SAT 10-7 • SUN 12-5 CASH, VISA, MASTERCARD, DISCOVER, AMERICAN EXPRESS AND APPROVED CHECKS ACCEPTED. FINANCING AVAILABLE. *Discounts are off original and regular prices which may or may not have resulted in prior sales. ALL SALES ARE FINAL. All merchandise sold “as-is”. No Lay-Aways. Quantities are limited. First come first to save. All prior sales and previous discounts excluded. Not responsible for typographical errors. Pictures are for illustration purposes only. See store for further details.

County Times - Full Page (9.5 x 12.75)