2011-12-08 County Times

Man Injured in
Houseboat Blaze
Thursday, december 8, 2011 www.somd.com
Photo By Frank Marquart
Story Page 16
Thursday, December 8, 2011 2
The County Times
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newsmakers
Johnny Knott, on his 30-acre farm in Mechanicsville, is pressing
ahead with his proposal to open a meat processing facility on
his farm.
Christmas Caring program recipient, Maria Long, right, hugs
Kathleen Bellinger with tears in her eyes and gratitude for the
delivery of a Christmas tree with all the trimmings.
county
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26 Games
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31 Hunting
The
governor
is engaged
in a war
with rural
Maryland.
-Del Anthony
J. ODonnell,
talking about
possible state
tax increases
that will hurt
rural areas.
Solomons Volunteer Fire Department
members hose down a houseboat
engulfed in fames Tuesday night,
moored at Placid Harbor Way in
Hollywood.
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The County Times
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Route 245
Hollywood, MD 20636
301-475-2531
Route 246 & Great Mills Rd.
Lexington Park, MD 20653
301-862-7702
Route 5 & Mohawk Drive
Charlotte Hall, MD 20622
301-884-5636
Wildewood Shopping Center
California, MD 20619
301-866-5702
The Shops at Breton Bay
Leonardtown, MD 20650
301-997-1828
By Guy Leonard
Staff Writer
Motorists on Great Mills Road honked their horns and even
leaned out of their car windows clapping as a backhoe tore down
one of two abandoned gas stations Wednesday at the intersection
with Chancellors Run Road.
For more than a decade both stations have epitomized the
degradation of the Great Mills Road corridor that was once the
center of commerce for much of the county.
The razed building had long been owned by Besche Oil but
was recently sold to Malbec Properties for $450,000, accord-
ing to information from the countys Community Development
Corporation.
Its great to get that kind of response from the street, said
Robin Finnacom, director of the Community Development Cor-
poration as the building was being torn down.
There are no plans as of yet to redevelop the property
once the rubble is cleared away, according to the development
corporation.
Malbec Properties LLC is part of Cherry Cove Property
Management and its chief operating offcer, Brian Norris said
that whatever development goes there should be community
serving in nature.
The best thing would not be a convenience store or gas
station, Norris said. Maybe a pharmacy it cant just be any-
thing to go there.
Norris said much will depend on the master plan for Lex-
ington Park and how it will guide redevelopment; that plan has
yet to make it to the Board of County Commissioners for a vote.
Wednesdays demolition was a welcome achievement, es-
pecially after a false start back in 2009 that saw the county com-
missioner board reject proposals to seek federal grant money of
almost $600,000 that could have been used to demolish the old
structure.
County commissioners claimed using the grant money
would have been a developer bailout and instead focused atten-
tion on strengthening ordinances against blighted properties.
A task force recently fnished recommendations that gave
the county more authority against such properties and elected
offcials will consider adding them to county regulations.
[email protected]
Gas Station Demolition Removes Eyesore
County Commissioner Todd Morgan stands amid the rubble of an old gas
station on Great Mills Road that had blighted the community for years.
The County Times
ews
CHRISTMAS
TREE SALE
to beneft
The Center for Life Enrichment
www.tcle.org
Douglas Fir
Fraser Fir
Canaan Fir
White Pine
Freshly Cut Trees 5 ft to 10 ft
The Center for Life Enrichment is a not for proft agency
Serving adult individuals with disabilities in St. Marys and Calvert Counties
Help support individuals with disabilities!!
We are a United Way agency
Route 235, Hollywood, Maryland One mile north of the Route 235 & 245 intersection
(just north of the Hollywood Fire Department) 301-373-8100
Sale begins November 26th, 2011
Monday thru Friday 8:00am ~ 7:00pm
Saturday & Sunday 10:00am ~ 7:00pm
*Check out our Craft & Bake Sale on Saturday & Sunday too!
The Center for
Life Enrichment
Items will be sold to the highest bidder. Antiques, collectibles,
vintage china and kitchenware, tools, and toys, several quality new items.
To be sold: slot machine, Clark's spool cabinet, oak murphy bed, Johnson Bros.
China, Toleware, WWI trunk, oak writing desk, silver, Roy Rogers lunch box,
Breyers Horses, new hunting tree stand, wood chipper, new gas freplace.
Concessions available. Call (301) 884-3165 for more information. Items being added daily!!!
View Listing and Photo Gallery:
farrellauctionservice.com
PUBLIC AUCTION
Saturday, December 10th, 2011 9:00AM (doors open at 8AM)
At Mother Catherine Spalding School
38833 Chaptico Road (Route 238) Helen, Maryland 20635
By Guy Leonard
Staff Writer
Four nominees for a vacant Circuit
Court judge seat here in St. Marys County
are waiting to see who will get the nod from
Gov. Martin OMalley.
The position was vacated by C. Clarke
Raley, who was nearing mandatory retire-
ment age of 70.
Deputy States Attorney Theodore
Weiner, Leonardtown attorney David
Densford, California attorney Brian Du-
gan and former County Administrator Al
Lacer were all nominated in September by
a 13-member nominating panel, which con-
sisted in part of lawyers from St. Marys
and Calvert counties.
Densford told The County Times on
Tuesday that he interviewed with OMalley
several weeks ago and he expects the gov-
ernors decision between the four choices to
come any day now.
Densford said his meeting with
OMalley and his legal staff was a singular
experience.
It was a great experience and I appre-
ciate their hospitality, Densford said of his
talks with OMalley.
Densford said OMalley and his law-
yers quizzed him not only on his experi-
ence but also about the state of affairs in St.
Marys County.
I told them the judge who left had done
most of the jury trials, and as a former pub-
lic defender who has tried jury trials for 27
years I could do that [job.], Densford said.
Densford said he knew of no specific
date for the nomination; the governor re-
cently returned from an official trip to In-
dia to drum up business opportunities for
the state.
I hope to get the appointment, but if he
wants to take his time I understand, Dens-
ford said.
Weiner declined to comment on the
substance of his interview with OMalley.
I would never discuss that, thats be-
tween the governor and me, Weiner said.
Calls to both Lacer and Dugan for com-
ment this week went unanswered as of press
time Wednesday.
The new appointee will fill Raleys va-
cant seat until the 2012 General Election,
when the seat will come up for election.
Any county attorney can file to run for the
15-year term.
[email protected]
Judge Appointment Expected Soon
By Guy Leonard
Staff Writer
A farmer looking to establish a processing
facility on his farm to allow for the butchering,
freezing and sale of locally raised meats will
get the chance to present his case to the zoning
appeals board in January.
Johnny Knott, who faced community op-
position last year when he attempted to estab-
lish a slaughterhouse on his Mechanicsville
property, says his latest proposal would still
beneft farmers in the tri-county region while
having a smaller impact than his initial plan.
The hearing was originally planned for
tonight but the zoning appeals board could not
reach a quorum, necessitating a hearing exam-
iner. But, citizens who live near the proposed
site complained they should be allowed to have
a hearing before the full board to ensure the in-
tegrity of the process and allow their input to
be heard.
County government, shortly afterward,
directed the meeting date be changed.
Knotts plan is to have the processing fa-
cility receive the slaughtered local meat from
surrounding farms via a mobile freezer unit in
the form of a vehicle trailer.
County records of the project show the fa-
cility would only be used for aging, cutting and
packaging meat and would be situated 800 feet
from Reeves Road on Knotts 30-acre farm.
The mobile meat trailer, was well as two
fxed trailers on the site, are designed to pre-
vent the escape of odors, animal byproducts
and gray water. The mobile meat truck would
be the only vehicle traveling to and from the
site.
County offcials said because of the nov-
elty of Knotts original slaughterhouse propos-
al, there was confusion over whether that plan
amounted to a major or minor agricultural use.
The appeals board will decide whether
or not they will grant a conditional use to the
newly proposed processing facility, which has
been deemed a major agricultural use, accord-
ing to county documents.
Its a murky issue, weve never done what
hes asking, said Bob Schaller, director of the
St. Marys Department of Economic and Com-
munity Development.
Schaller added
that such a facil-
ity would mean much
lower costs for local
farmers who want
to raise livestock for
meat sale; currently
they must ship their
meat to a U.S. Depart-
ment of Agriculture
(USDA)-certifed facil-
ity in either Virginia or
Northern Maryland for
processing.
Having a process-
ing facility locally,
however small at frst,
makes sense to kick-
start another agricul-
tural industry in Cal-
vert, St. Marys and Charles counties, Schaller
said.
Knott said the trailer he proposes to trans-
port the already-slaughtered animals to his
processing facility would be able to carry no
more than seven beef carcasses at one time,
limiting the traffc on Reeves Road.
Its not going to have any impact, no
noise, no smell, no traffc, Knott told The
County Times. The USDA man will be right
there to put his stamp on it.
Because many Southern Maryland farm-
ers abandoned farming tobacco to take part
in the state-sponsored buyout 10 years ago,
Knott said new industries are needed to stay
proftable.
I hope they go back to livestock to save
their farms, Knott said.
[email protected]
Meat Processing Farm Could
Help Budding Industry
Johnny Knott, on his 30-acre farm in Mechanicsville, is pressing ahead with his
proposal to open a meat processing facility on his farm.
The County Times
ews
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By Guy Leonard
Staff Writer
U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta
is set to visit Patuxent River NAS on Friday to
discuss the Joint Strike Fighter program, other-
wise known as the F-35.
Panetta has said publicly he is certain
funding can be found for the F-35 fghter de-
spite the recent failure of the congressional su-
per committee to come up with more than $1
trillion in spending cuts.
Defense contractors around the nation as
well as allies across the globe have expressed
worry that the F-35 project would fail if the
super committee failed there was talk of $600
billion in cuts which could push the Joint Strike
Fighter out of production.
Panetta told Canadi-
an defense minister Peter
MacKay in mid-Novem-
ber that the U.S. is com-
mitted to fnishing out the
F-35 project.
Let me make very
clear that the United
States is committed to the
development of the F-35,
Panetta said at a meet-
ing in Nova Scotia. The
F-35 is going to be an es-
sential fghter that will
help in NORAD and will
be the future in helping us with the security
challenges that we face.
The Joint Strike Fighter is one
of the marquis programs at Patuxent
River NAS as well, with some 600
people working on the testing and
evaluation of the aircraft for use by
the Navy, Marine Corp and foreign
allies.
The fghter is noted for its
compact design, advanced avionics
and weapons systems as well as its
unique short take off and vertical
landing technology (STOVL).
But the program has been
plagued with cost issues in recent
years.
During his nomination hearings over the
summer, Panetta was questioned by U.S. Sen.
Rob Portman specifcally about the F-35 pro-
gram, which the senator labeled as $150 billion
over budget.
Panetta responded by saying that even in
tough budget times the defense industry and
government had developed bad habits in not
achieving all the cost savings they could on
critical projects, instead believing that their
products would always be purchased regardless
of price.
Were dealing with a culture we somehow
have to change, Panetta said at the time. Im
absolutely convinced theres a way to achieve
cost savings.
Defense Secretary to Visit Pax River
By Sarah Miller
Staff Writer
Sales tax money that went into the Trans-
portation Trust Fund last year is now being
funneled into the state general fund instead.
To help rebuild the fund, there are mur-
murs among state offcials of raising the gas
tax and other transportation taxes, which are
supposed to go directly into the transportation
set-aside.
Unfortunately, just because the funds are
slated to go into a dedicated fund doesnt mean
that is what they get used for, a fact Delegate
Mark Fisher (R-27B) discussed during a recent
town hall meeting in North Beach.
He said raising taxes to rebuild trust funds
will do nothing unless there are also laws
passed to put lock boxes on the trust funds,
preventing the monies from being used for
other purposes, such as helping to balance the
state budget.
House Minority Leader Anthony J.
ODonnell (R-29C) echoed Fishers concerns,
saying raising the taxes to replenish the trust
funds will only serve to give the state more
money unless preventative measures are taken
to make sure the trust fund money is used for
its intended purpose. Getting such legislation
passed, though, would be diffcult because of
the amount of people who would have to vote
to close those loopholes.
The government gets creative when they
spend more than they make, ODonnell said.
Potential tax increases include motor fuel
taxes, increased registration fees and titling
taxes, among other things.
ODonnell said the taxes punish the rural
areas of Maryland, like Calvert and St. Marys
counties, by making it more expensive to own
cars and drive from location to location, a ne-
cessity in rural Maryland. This type of propo-
sition, which would have the most negative
impact on less urban areas of the state, has be-
come common for Maryland Governor Martin
OMalley, in ODonnells opinion.
The governor is engaged in a war with
rural Maryland, ODonnell said.
He said in addition to being diffcult for
rural areas, the transportation taxes would be
diffcult for the state as a whole to swallow.
In my opinion, the government cant
withstand the gas tax, ODonnell said.
Raquel Guillory, communications di-
rector with Governor OMalleys offce, said
OMalley has no such grudge against rural
Maryland, adding the tax increases were a
recommendation from the Blue Ribbon Com-
mission on Maryland Transportation Funding
a recommendation which may or may not be
supported by the governor.
We have not fnalized any plans in regard
to potential revenue enhancements, Guillory
said.
As for the gas tax increase having a dis-
proportionate effect on people in rural areas,
she said there are also people in urban areas
that use a lot of gas commuting into the cities
and sitting in traffc. She said before anything
is done, they have to study the idea and its po-
tential impact on all residents of Maryland.
Republicans Warn of State Tax Hikes
By Guy Leonard
Staff Writer
Members of the state legislative delegation met with the Board of
County Commissioners on Tuesday night to discuss legislative propos-
als from the county, which include a hike in the hotel tax by 50 percent
as well as a bid to give the county authority to collect a sales tax on
short-term car rentals.
Both measures have the support of Commissioner Todd Morgan
(R-Lexington Park) as ways to drum up county revenues without en-
cumbering county citizens. Morgan has said that either tax would target
businesses and contractors traveling to St. Marys for work.
Morgan called the sales tax on rental cars one of my off-the-wall
out-of-the-box ideas.
House Minority Leader Anthony J. ODonnell (R-Dist. 29C) said
that such a bill might have unintended consequences of actually reduc-
ing revenue from such sales.
He was concerned that many of the rentals might actually come
from county residents traveling out of town.
It actually may have the opposite effect, ODonnell said.
Both Del. John Wood (D-Dist. 29A) and Commissioner Larry Jar-
boe (R-Golden Beach) said that increasing the hotel tax could force busi-
ness to Calvert or even Charles counties.
Larry and I dont often agree, but we agree on this, Wood said.
I dont know that these companies [that rent hotel space] would put up
with that.
Other bills under consideration include:
Allowing the county to operate school buses for 15 years instead
of 12 as long as they meet safety standards;
Correcting typographical errors due to legislative changes that
affected the Metropolitan Commission back in 2007;
Revising requirements for serving on the Agricultural Advisory
Committee to allow those actively practicing farming for proft; current
rules require they earn half their income from farming;
Permitting sale of locally-produced wines at the Maryland De-
partment of Agriculture farmers markets in the county;
A bond bill for $353,513 to complete state highway requirements
and other items at the Home Grown Farm Market;
Allowing a small distillery in the county;
Clarifying when the Redistricting Board is to be appointed;
Creating a
property tax credit for
disabled veterans or a
surviving spouse;
Allowing the
Building Trades
Foundation to be ex-
empt from building
impact fees;
Reducing tax-
able income on phy-
sicians with military
experience who re-
locate to St. Marys
County; and,
Exempting the
county from the re-
quirement that real
property taxes be
paid in advance when
real property is trans-
ferred to the county.
Local Tax Increases Debated
Secretary Leon Panetta
The County Times
ews
By Guy Leonard
Staff Writer
An audit released late last week shows
the State Highway Administration, along with
certain contractors it employed to inspect
taxpayer funded construction projects, delib-
erately mismanaged funds in the amount of
$11.3 million and steered those monies toward
projects other than intended to conceal the
overspending.
By using funds for projects they were not
appropriated for, SHA and the contractors cir-
cumvented the Board of Public Works, which
must give fnal approval for using money for
any other state endeavor, the audit stated.
Also, the cost of certain contracts could
not adequately be measured because paper-
work attached to each job was not outlined
with specifc goals, the report from the Offce
of Legislative Audits stated.
This latest audit is the second in recent
weeks to criticize major state agencies and
their use of tax payer dollars; a previous audit
of the Maryland Department of the Environ-
ment showed that there was not enough over-
sight on the awarding of $1.1 million in grant
money from the Bay Restoration Fund to con-
tractors installing septic systems.
Nearly all of that money was spread be-
tween two contractors the report called the
expenditures questionable.
It also chided MDE for telling offcials it
had fully implemented a permit and inspection
database to keep track of septic system usage,
but the audits fnding showed it had not.
The contract price to install the electronic
database was $6.4 million but MDE so far has
spent $7.8 million.
House Minority Leader Anthony J.
ODonnell (R-Dist.29C) said both audits fy in
the face of some elected offcials push for an
increase in both the fush tax and the gaso-
line tax.
ODonnell has been a frequent critic of
increasing the gasoline tax, especially because
the state has raided the transportation fund in
recent years to pay for general fund expenses.
The mismanagement of funds by both
agencies, which would gain from increases in
either tax, showed why the increases should be
denied, he said.
Its crazy, ODonnell said. Theyre
talking about [mismanaging] millions of dol-
lars and they want more. Theyre wasting
money on both of these programs and they
both affect rural areas dramatically.
Many rural areas of the state, such as St.
Marys and Calvert counties, have a dispro-
portionately high amount of homes on septic
systems, meaning they pay a substantial por-
tion of the fush tax.
ODonnell has argued that because rural
areas have less public transportation options,
a gas tax hike would also disproportionately
hurt residents there as well.
This latest examination of SHAs busi-
ness and contracting practices follows a sum-
mer audit that showed many of the same prob-
lems in questionable contracts. That audit was
triggered by tips received on the waste, fraud
and abuse hotline.
In the second audit, SHAs responses all
concurred with the auditors recommendations
to shore up its procurement practices, includ-
ing using funds only for designated purposes
and seeking approval from the Board of Public
Works before shifting those funds.
State Report Shows Deep
Mismanagement of Highway Contracts
By Guy Leonard
Staff Writer
A recent state report has found that the
Maryland Department of the Environment
(MDE) did not have proper oversight over tax-
payer funded grant money doled out for various
septic system contracts, nor did it adopt proper
regulations over programs that were part of the
Bay Restoration Fund, which is supposed to
fund reduction of pollutants such as nitrogen
and phosphorous in the Chesapeake Bay.
The discrepancies found in the awards of
grant monies for septic systems projects were
referred to the Offce of the Attorney Generals
criminal division, the report stated.
One example found in the report by the
Offce of Legislative Audits showed that MDE
awarded $1.1 million for 51 projects associated
with the Septic System Program, paid for by
the taxpayer funded Bay Restoration Fund, to
two installation contractors in the same area.
Documentation submitted by the two con-
tractors was sometimes incomplete and also
did not always meet with MDE policies, the
audit stated.
Comprehensive reviews of Septic Sys-
tem Program grant applications were not
performed and resulted in the approval of
questionable awards the report stated.
The report went on to state, that as a re-
sult, there was a lack of assurance that septic
system bids submitted were independent and
fair.
Another fnding in the report showed that
a former employee at MDE received nearly
$225,000 through eight consulting contracts
over an extended period of time; this appeared
to violate state laws, including procurement
and ethics laws.
The report showed that in February 2007,
the employee established their own manage-
ment consulting business and got a year-long
contract from MDE.
That employee retired from their state
position May 31, 2007, the report stated, with
other contracts following.
Our review disclosed that the contract
qualifcations and bid specifcations for the
initial procurement were specifcally tailored
to the former employees experience, skills
and job functions, the report stated. This is
a violation of state procurement law, which re-
quires that specifcations be written to permit
maximum practicable competition and not be
written in such a manner as to favor a single
vendor over other vendors.
The audit noted several other faws in
MDEs administration of certain functions,
including properly standing up a records-keep-
ing system that was not fully utilized.
This system, known as the Enterprise En-
vironmental Management System, which was
designed to replace several disparate permit
and compliance databases, was said by MDE
to be fully functional when in fact it was not.
MDE also exceeded costs on the new sys-
tem, the report stated, spending $7.8 million so
far, instead of the original $6.4 million in the
original contract, the report stated.
Also the report found that MDE did not
ensure that some hazardous materials facili-
ties met state security standards, nor was there
proper oversight of monitoring properties af-
fected by lead paint.
MDE offcials responded to the audit by
agreeing with some of the defciencies while
denying that other fndings were true.
MDE offcials stated they have already
taken steps to ensure that septic grants to lo-
cal jurisdictions would meet oversight require-
ments and they would cooperate with an inves-
tigation into any questionable grant awards,
but they did not agree with the audits assess-
ment of the new environmental database.
The current MDE management cannot
change the historical fact that in 2004, when
this project was initially proposed, it was over-
promised and underfunded, the response to
the audit stated.
Audit Chides MDE for Lax
Oversight of Flush Tax Money
The County Times
To The Editor
P.O. Box 250 Hollywood, Maryland 20636
News, Advertising, Circulation, Classifeds: 301-373-4125
James Manning McKay - Founder
Eric McKay - Associate Publisher..................................ericmckay@countytimes.net
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By Marta Hummel Mossburg
The stink emanating from the planned
move of the Department of Housing and Com-
munity Development from Anne Arundel
County to Prince Georges County rivals rot ex-
posed from corruption trials this year of politi-
cians from the agencys future home.
Financial concerns are one component
of the stench. Abandoning the agencys cur-
rent headquarters owned by taxpayers in
Crownsville for a new $170 million development
in New Carrollton will cost about $3 million per
year in rent, not counting any state fnancing for
the developer. Even more important, the state is
broke and legislators likely will raise taxes next
year to cover core expenses.
But money and economics are not the only
issues.
Carl S. Williams is the other. He is the de-
veloper who for years has been trying to build
the large mixed-use project known as Metro-
view that the state selected as the new DHCD
headquarters.
Williams will not discuss his background
with me. And his record has so far been shroud-
ed by the state, which chose his project over 16
others but will not release the bids, which in-
clude information on the background of the de-
velopers, their fnancing and past history.
Williams is part of a development group,
but the state will only release his name and the
fact that he is from Prince Georges County
both important factors for a project to be built
there.
Keeping a low profle
As it turns out, its easy to see why Wil-
liams would like to maintain a low profle.
Public records raise many questions about
Williams ability to fnance the $170 million
project, his credibility and the prevalence of
crony capitalism in Maryland.
This comes on the heels of legal troubles
for two Prince Georges County political fgures
former County Executive Jack Johnson, who
pleaded guilty to a federal extortion charge for
shaking down developers and business owners,
and state Sen. Ulysses Currie, the former head
of the Budget and Taxation Committee who is
facing possible legislative censure after a federal
jury acquitted him of corruption charges in hid-
ing his fnancial connection to Shoppers Food
Warehouse while advocating on the companys
behalf.
Public records show that Williams is frm-
ly entrenched with Democrats. Williams gave
$19,000 to candidates from the states dominant
party from 2003 to 2011, including $4,000 to
Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown, $4,000 to Currie and
$1,400 to Johnson.
The records also reveal someone with
many debts rising from his businesses, The Carl
Williams Group and the nonproft St. Paul Com-
munity Development Corp.
The Carl Williams Group website lists the
frm as a partner in Metroview. However, ac-
cording to the State Department of Assessments
and Taxation, the company status is forfeited.
This means its existence has been ended by the
State for some delinquency.
A 2008 legal notice showed the company
was the subject of
a foreclosure sale
by UrbanAmerica,
a previous partner,
to recoup $5.5 mil-
lion. UrbanAmeri-
ca did not return a
phone call seeking
information about
the sale.
DHCD, the agency whose new headquar-
ters Williams is supposed to build, rejected
a loan application from him for senior living
apartments he wanted to build in 2005 and 2006.
In response to a Maryland Public Infor-
mation Act request, the department would not
release information about its reasons for reject-
ing Williams loan application, saying that was
private information not covered under the state
public information law.
Questionable DHCD loans
DHCD is not known for its high lending
standards.
One of its questionable decisions, accord-
ing to a state audit, was extending $385,000 to
Tom Kiefaber, the previous owner of the Sena-
tor Theatre in Baltimore. When Kiefaber de-
faulted on that loan, DHCD loaned him another
$378,000.
Prince Georges County court records
show judgments against Williams in relation to
his capacity as head of St. Paul Community De-
velopment Corp.
He owes MMA Capital Corp. $1,995,611.97
from a 2009 judgment listed as still active. In
2005, LaSalle Bank won a judgment against
him of $718,468.21. That case is closed.
Publicly available tax records from 2006
to 2008 list Williams as executive director of
the nonproft St. Paul Community Development
Corp., where his salary reached $125,000 in one
of those years.
Also of note: The Carl Williams Group
spent $125,000 lobbying the state legislature in
2008 the same year as the $5.5 million fore-
closure sale noted above and one year before the
nearly $2 million judgment against him.
Bills listed as subjects of lobbying include
one that codifed transit-oriented development,
important for Metroview, and one to allow bond
proceeds to be used for tax increment fnancing
in Prince Georges County.
According to Prince Georges County
court records, The Carl Williams Group did not
pay Gally Public Affairs, its lobbyist, in full. A
judgment against the company for $73,801.96 in
2010 is still active. Eric Gally did not return a
phone call for comment.
The members of the state Board of Pub-
lic Works Gov. Martin OMalley, Treasurer
Nancy Kopp and Comptroller Peter Franchot
should not vote on the project when it comes
before them without knowing Williams back-
ground. It would be like hiring someone without
a resume, interview and background check.
The agencys current building is already
owned by the state and meets its needs, so the
proposed move should be cancelled. Maryland
taxpayers deserve better than a secretive, expen-
sive deal at a time they can least afford it.
Crony Capitalism in Maryland
Sunday, Nov. 20, was the gala fundraiser for the Leonardtown Arts Center. Held at Caf des
Artistes, and at the center, the event drew more than 60 arts supporters from near and far. I would
just like to thank all those that attended and donated to the center. Your support is so appreciated.
The Leonardtown Arts Center is located at 22660 Washington St. in downtown Leonard-
town, and is a thriving community of artists.
We also would like to thank Karleen and Loic Jaffres for their support and wonderful
brunch. Special thanks go out to the St. Marys County Arts Council for its support, and to
Barbara Bershon of the Maryland Arts Council. I would especially like to thank the artists at
the center Missy Bell, Pamela Callen, Amy Davis, Barbara Hance, Laura Howard, Bill and
Kyong Penn, Mel and Rose Longfeld, Cynthia Rosenblatt and Angela Wathen. Also members of
the executive board Dan Burris, vice president; David Dudziec, secretary; and Mac Clabaugh,
treasurer. A special thank you goes out to Carolyn Egeli, honorary chair of this event.
It was a great event and we were able to raise much-needed funds to support the center.
Joe Orlando, president
board of directors, Leonardtown Arts Center
Leonardtown Arts Center Gala Was a Hit
Over the last few weeks my wife and I have been pleased by the unselfsh help we have had
from citizens of Southern Maryland in our efforts to provide U.S. Military personnel in Afghani-
stan several home-based Christmas care packages (20 Xerox-box sized), as well as providing a
Thanksgiving lunch at Walter Reed Bethesda for over 50 of the most seriously wounded veterans
and their families (a total of 160 were served).
The care packages contained small Christmas trees, Santa Hats, Christmas stockings, Christ-
mas ornaments, beef jerky, cigars, candies and nuts, gum, assorted gifts, candy canes and toiletries.
Several of these items were donated, as well as the much of the shipping costs.
The Thanksgiving Day lunch at Bethesda was greatly appreciated by the wounded and their
families, as meals accessibility for them, other than the hospital cafeteria, McDonalds and Subway
are the norm. A home cooked lunch/dinner, served hot, right in the ward conference room, where
the mobile wounded vets can walk or wheel-in and select their food, and those who cannot walk
or wheel-in have family members get their food and take them to their hospital rooms, brings
many smiles, and sometimes tears. The mother of one of the more seriously injured vets tearfully
thanked us for cooking and serving her son Thanksgiving Day food that he always loved before
he was injured. Another wounded warrior mom said she felt like we were all family! We assured
her that we are!
When we host these events at Christmas, 4th of July, Easter, Thanksgiving and miscellaneous
Sundays, we feel blessed to help out those who have paid their dues to protect our freedom. We will
never be able to pay them back, but we can at least show them our appreciation for their sacrifces.
Being a Vietnam era vet, my wife and I saw frst hand the ugly side of showing disapproval for the
returning vets in the 60s and the 70s.
We want to thank Linda Palchinksy and Lindas Caf, TWIST Wine and Spirits, Pat Myers
and the Rocking Red Hatters, Molly Baker, Tom Burke, Mary Burke-Russell, members of PMA-
205-NAS Patuxent River, Brian Barnhill, Patricia Butler, Bunny OCallahan, and Butch and Phillis
Skelton for their donations of gifts and money. We also want to thank wounded Iraqi veteran 1st Lt.
USMC (ret) Denis and his wife Kate Oliverio, Frank and Pamela Ogens, Jay Stratakes, his daughter
Bethany and his son Collin, Senator Roy Dyson and his legislative aide Barbie Shields for their help
with food, set-up and clean-up at Bethesda on Thanksgiving Day. We are appreciative of each of the
above mentioned American Patriots.
Capt. Ted Harwood (USN-Ret)
Nancy Harwood, Marine Mom
Hollywood, MD
Southern Maryland Cares For Our Vets
The County Times
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By Carrie Munn
Staff Writer
The frst two chili cook-offs Trevor Both-
wells T-Revs Stiff Willi Chili competed in,
it won them both.
In 2009, Bothwells creation was champi-
on at the DC101 Chili Cook-Off, winning him
Rookie of the Year honors as well. That was fol-
lowed up with the peoples choice award at the
ICS Worlds Champion Chili competition.
That award-winning recipe is right on the
bottle of Bothwells chili spice mix which he
sells along with a pepper sauce and humorous
t-shirts online, at local stores and at community
events.
I fgured if I was going to try and sell this
stuff, I had to put my money where my mouth
is, he said.
Bothwell is originally from Olean, NY but
moved to St. Marys County in 1996 to teach el-
ementary school and now resides in Hollywood
and works full-time in NAS Pax Rivers IT de-
partment. He said his oldest of two sons will
soon be the face of the small company.
Ill be using his chili-smeared mug in a
forthcoming marketing campaign, he said.
The chili creator said hes always enjoyed
cooking, since helping in his maternal grand-
mothers kitchen as a kid. Bothwell published
a cookbook in 2001 titled 50 Ways to Impress
Your Girlfriends Parents. A free e-book ver-
sion along with a variety of recipes are available
on the website at www.stiffwilli.com.
Bothwell said he puts the emphasis on a
great product and great customer service. A ris-
qu apron and a quick wit make the chili guy
memorable and the gourmet, all natural prod-
ucts he offers have no preservatives, no salt or
fllers, and amazing favor.
He said word of mouth has worked won-
ders for his basement business.
The goal is to be able to get my products
in front of as many people as possible because I
believe the quality can speak for itself.
Stiff Willi Chili spice mix also makes a fa-
vorful seasoning for burgers, taco meat, veggies
and can be used as a rub for pork or chicken,
he said. Many visitors to the Festival of Trees
on Saturday picked up a bottle after sampling
Bothwells hearty chili.
He said hes extremely thankful for the cus-
tomers who have said it is the best chili theyd
ever put in their mouth.
I cant tell you how many people have told
me theyve bought my spice mix or pepper
sauce as a joke just because of the name and
logo on the label, but when they tasted it, it
was the best stuff theyve ever had, Both-
well said. Thats goodness right there.
Look for T-Revs Stiff Willi Chili at
local McKays stores, Blue Wind Gourmet,
the Early Bird, Smokey Joes BBQ and other
area retailers. Bothwells products are also
available nationwide through his Delaware-
based distributor, Peppers, which also sells
the gourmet sauce and spice mix in its store.
[email protected]
Cheeky Chili Biz Offers Savory Seasonings
Photo by Carrie Munn
Local small business owner Trevor Bothwell restocks his award-
winning T-Revs Stiff Willi Chili pepper sauce and spice mix
during the Festival of Trees event Saturday in Leonardtown.
Many who sampled the chili, took a bottle home.
The County Times
The County Times
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Soledad Aguinaldo, 95
Soledad Ancheta Aguinaldo,
95 of Leonardtown, MD died
December 2, 2011 at St. Marys
Nursing Center.
Born April 21, 1916 in Laoag,
Philippines, she was the daughter
of the late Bonifacio Marcelo and
Lucia (Ancheta) Marcelo.
Soledad is survived by her
son Jose Aguinaldo (Mercedes)
of Leonardtown, MD. In addi-
tion to her parents, Soledad was
preceded in death by her husband,
Patrocinio Luz Aguinaldo.
Family received friends on
Tuesday, December 6, 2011 at the
Brinsfield Funeral Home, 22955
Hollywood Road, Leonardtown,
MD 20650. A Mass of Christian
Burial was celebrated by Rev-
erend John Dakes at St. Aloy-
sius Catholic Church, Leonard-
town, MD. Interment followed
in Charles Memorial Gardens,
Leonardtown, MD.
Condolences to the family
may be made at www.brinsfield-
funeral.com.
Arrangements by the Brins-
field Funeral Home, P.A., Leonar-
dtown, MD.
James Armstrong, 54
James E. Dingum Arm-
strong departed this earthly life
on Tuesday, November 29, 2011
at St. Marys Hospital. Family
and friends will unite Friday, De-
cember 9, 2011 at Holy Angels
Catholic Church, 21340 Coltons
Point Road, Avenue, MD 20609
from 10am until time of service
at 11am.
Arrangements by Briscoe-
Tonic Funeral Home, 2294 Old
Washington Road, Waldorf, MD
20601
Julia Bates, 71
Julia Ann Bates, 71, died
November 30 at Anne Arundel
Medical Center after a lengthy
illness. Born December 29, 1939
in Chattanooga, TN to her late
parents, Albert and Lucille Dur-
ham Elrod. A resident of Church-
ton for 33 years, Julia worked in
the food services area of Central
Middle School. She retired from
Anne Arundel County Schools in
1990. She enjoyed spending time
with her family and pets, and
doing yard work. In addition to
her parents, Julia was preceded
in death by her brother, Howard
Pete Elrod, and sister, Gladys
Carson. She is survived by her
husband of 47 years, Bruce W.
Bates; daughters, Michelle Bates
of Royal Palm Beach, FL and
Jennifer Stotler of Leonardtown;
grandchildren, Bryanna, Kalie
and D.J.; sister, Doris Futyma
of Huntingtown; and a special
friend, Barbara Dove. There was
a Memorial Gathering followed
by a memorial, on Monday, De-
cember 5 at Hardesty Funeral
Home, P.A., 905 Galesville Rd.,
Galesville. Interment private. On-
line condolences can be made at
www.hardestyfuneralhome.com
Dorothy Borland, 89
Dorothy Mae Wohlert Bor-
land, 89 of Leonardtown, Mary-
land, formally of Pueblo West,
Colorado and Pittsburgh, Penn-
sylvania peacefully passed on 25
November 2011 at Chesapeake
Shores Nursing Center in Lexing-
ton Park, Maryland.
Dorothy was born on August
27th, 1922 to the late Aage and
Mary Wohlert of Irwin, Penn-
sylvania, the youngest of seven
children. Dorothy graduated from
Norwin High School in 1940. She
married the late William Borland
in 1943 and they lived in Pitts-
burgh, Pennsylvania until they re-
located to Pueblo West, Colorado
in 1990.
During her life she taught
piano to many young adults from
her home. She was passionate
about music and continued to be
an organist for Hope Lutheran
Church in Cranberry, Pennsyl-
vania. During that time she also
was an Assistant to the Secretary
to the Dean of Sewickley Acad-
emy. Later, she worked for Fron-
tiers International Travel Agency;
and from the late 70s to 1989, the
Community College of Allegheny
County from which she retired.
She was also the co-owner of
B & B Fabrics Drapery Shop in
Westview Pa. Her love for play-
ing the piano and organ continued
until her death. Other passions
included sewing, craft making,
cake decorating, candy making,
and f loral arrangements.
Dorothy was preceded in
death by her husband William
Borland Sr. She is survived by
their three children: William Bor-
land, Jr. (Patrice) of Leonardtown,
Maryland; Glenn Borland (Cece-
lia) of Palomar, California; and
Charlet Borland Parker (Ford) of
Windsor, CT. Grandchildren in-
clude Dr. Laura Borland of New-
ark, Delaware; Andrew Borland
of Suwanee, Georgia; Glenn and
Christian Borland and Peter Berry
of Escondido, California; and Ab-
igail Dorothy Parker of Windsor,
CT and great-grandchild, Holden
Borland of Suwanee, Georgia.
The family would like to
thank Cedar Lane Apartments
and Chesapeake Shores Nursing
Center for their everlasting devo-
tion and love of our mother.
All services will be private.
In memory of Dorothy, please
send contributions to Cedar Lane
Apartments, 22680 Cedar Lane
Court, Leonardtown, MD 20650
or Chesapeake Shores Social
Welfare Fund, 21412 Great Mills
Road, Lexington Park, MD 20653.
funeral.com.
dtown, MD.
Danny Davis, 73
Danny Davis, 73, of Lexing-
ton Park, MD, died on December
3, 2011 in Leonardtown, MD.
Born on December 29, 1937in
Coeburn, VA. He was the son of
the late William Edison and Ethel
Mae (Adkins) Davis. Out of his
73 years of life was born son Jef-
fery Wayne Davis (Cindy), and
daughter Stephanie Ann Davis of
Lexington Park, MD. He is sur-
vived by his siblings June Sluss of
South Carolina, Bobby Davis of
Callaway, MD, Louella Clark of
Lexington Park, MD, Teddy Da-
vis of Great Mills, MD, and sev-
eral nieces and nephews. He was
preceded in death by his compan-
ion Patsy Robertson, Sister Ann
Webb, and brother Burnis Davis.
Mr. Davis moved from Coe-
burn, VA to St. Marys County in
1953. Danny was a logger and lat-
er became a truck driver truck for
Southern Concrete and Carruth
and Sons Concrete Company. He
grew up in the mountains of Coe-
burn, Virginia, which he loved
and returned to visit quiet often.
The family will receive
friends on Thursday, December
8, 2011 in the Mattingley-Gardner
Funeral Home Chapel, Leonard-
town, MD from 9 10 a.m. with
a Funeral Service at 10 a.m. with
Pastor James Bell officiating. In-
terment will be private. To leave a
condolence for the family please
visit www.mgf h.com. Arrange-
ments provided by the Matting-
ley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A,
Leonardtown, MD.
Patrick Norris, 62
On December 2, 2011
Patrick Eugene Norris, 62,
of Hollywood, MD passed
away peacefully at home sur-
rounded by family and friends.
Born September 3, 1949 in Leon-
ardtown, Maryland, Pat was a
lifelong resident of St. Marys
County. He was the son of the late
James Alexander and Gertrude
Greenwell Norris. He is survived
by his wife Deborah Rodgers Nor-
ris, his children John Patrick Nor-
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ris of Hollywood, Laura Elizabeth
Norris of Hollywood, and Megan
Norris Flynn (Chuck) of Roanoke,
Virginia and his granddaughter
Avery Flynn. In addition Pat is
survived by his siblings Catherine
Ann Sweeney (Daniel) of Holly-
wood, William Norris (Jeanne) of
Huntingtown, Raymond Norris
(Kathy) of Hollywood, David Nor-
ris (Georgeanne) of Hollywood,
Michael Norris (Betty) of Sunset
Beach, NC, Ronald Norris of Lex-
ington Park, and Theodore Norris
(Gaye) of Hendersonville, NC as
well as many nieces and nephews.
Pat graduated from Chopticon
High School in 1967 and shortly
after enlisted in the United States
Army 101st Airborne. While
serving in Vietnam from 1969-
1970, Pat was awarded the Bronze
Star for heroic and meritorious
achievement. Upon his honor-
able discharge from the service,
Pat returned to St. Marys County
where he worked as an electrician
for PEPCO, UniFirst Corpora-
tion, Chesapeake Beach Naval
Research Laboratory, and for the
past 22- years at Calvert Cliffs
Nuclear Power Plant. He was a
member of the Loyal Order of the
Moose Lodge 2393 in Hollywood.
Pat was an avid golfer and sports
enthusiast. He enjoyed golfing
with his son and his many friends
as well as sitting in the bleachers
as a proud parent cheering on his
daughter throughout her colle-
giate lacrosse career. One of his
greatest joys came from sharing a
joke, a story and his cooking tal-
ents to include his specialties of
scalded oysters, steamed crabs,
and stuffed ham with his friends,
coworkers and family.
The family received friends
for Pats Life Celebration on
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
at the Brinsfield Funeral Home,
22955 Hollywood Road, Leon-
ardtown, MD, followed by a me-
morial celebration of Pats life.
In lieu of f lowers, donations may
be made to the Wounded Warriors
Project, 1120 G Street NW, Suite
#700, Washington, DC 20005 or
Hospice House, P.O. 625, Leonar-
dtown, MD 20650.
funeral.com.
dtown, MD.
Karen Scarano, 67
Karen Jean Jeanne Scar-
ano, 67, of Lexington Park, MD,
died on November 30, 2011 at
her residence surrounded by lov-
ing family and friends. Born on
May 4, 1944 in Washington, DC
she was the daughter of Eugene
Gillroy and Helen Shirley (Ben-
nedict) Schmidt. Karen is sur-
vived by her siblings; Dorianne
Brown of California, MD, Helen
Noelle Derham of FL, Bart Oren
Couey and brother in law Paul Al-
ton Dickerson, Sr. She is also sur-
vived by her nieces and nephews;
Vickie Anne Dickerson, Dawn
Marie Johnson, Paul Alton Dick-
erson, Jr., Robert Banworth, Bri-
an Bowen, Michael Anthony Der-
ham, Michelle Noelle Dickerson,
Nathan Alexander Derham, Re-
becca Brierly and host of friends
and relatives. She was preceded
in death by her sister Christina
Rabinawitz and life partner Frank
Dipietro.
Karen graduated from Blad-
ensburg High School in 1962, and
worked as a paralegal, accoun-
tant, and office manager at Lin-
coln Investment for 17 years retir-
ing in 2006.
A Memorial Service was
held on Saturday, December
3, 2011 in the Potters House
Church, St. Leonard, MD with
Pastor David O. Keyser officiat-
ing. Arrangements provided by
the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral
Home, P.A, Leonardtown, MD.
John Scully, 65
John Michael Mike Scully,
65, of Leonardtown, MD, died on
December 3, 2011 at his residence
surrounded by his loving family.
Born on August 15, 1946 he was
the son of the late John Francis
and Mary Jane Abell Scully. He
was the loving wife of Josephine
Ann Goddard Scully whom he
married on October 23, 1976, in
Leonardtown, MD. Mr. Scully is
survived by her siblings; Mary
Leone (John) Gatton of Holly-
wood, MD, Kenneth Joseph (spe-
cial friend Anita) Scully, Carl
Benjamin (Janet) Scully, and Mar-
garet Adilaide (Willie) Watts all
of Leonardtown, MD. Mr. Scully
is preceded in death by his broth-
er; Thomas Lynch Scully, and
sister in law Joan Scully. Mike
graduated from Leonardtown
High School, in 1964 and was a
lifelong resident of St. Marys
County, MD.
He was an Electrician for the
Department of Defense at An-
drews Air Force Base and was a
member of the Leonardtown Vol-
unteer Fire Department.
The family received friends
on Tuesday, December 6, 2011
in the Mattingley-Gardner Fu-
neral Home Chapel with prayers
being recited followed by fire-
mens prayers. A Mass of Chris-
tian Burial was celebrated on
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
in St. Aloysius Catholic Church,
Leonardtown, MD with Fr. Law-
rence Young officiating. Inter-
ment followed in Charles Memo-
rial Gardens, Leonardtown, MD.
Pallbearers were; Billy Watts,
Keith Watts, Chris Scully, Jona-
than Scully, Chris McDaniel, and
B.K. Abell, III.
Contributions may be made
in memory of John Michael
Mike Scully to Hospice House
of St. Marys, P.O. Box 625, Leon-
ardtown, MD, Cancer Care &
Infusion Services (OPIS) of St.
Marys, 2550 Point Lookout Road,
Leonardtown, MD 20650, Leon-
ardtown Vol. Fire Department,
P.O. Box 50, Leonardtown, MD,
and/or ACTS (A Community That
Shares), P.O. Box 54, Bushwood,
MD 20610. To leave a condolence
for the family please visit www.
mgf h.com.
Arrangements provided by
the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral
Home, P.A, Leonardtown, MD.
Ronald Shields, 76
Ronald Max Shields, 76, of
Midway, TN, formerly of Scot-
land, MD, died December 2, 2011
at his home in Midway, TN. Born
20 Sep 1935 in Bloomfield, Indi-
ana, he was the son of Ester Wil-
son and Maxel Shields.
Ron retired as a Captain
in the US Navy in 1981 after 24
years of distinguished service as
a Test Pilot. During his Naval
Career, he graduated from the US
Naval Academy (1957), US Naval
Test Pilot School (1963), and the
Naval War College (1964) among
other specialized schools. He
served two tours in Vietnam. He
received the Air Medal 9 Strike/
Flight Air Medals; Navy Com-
mendation Medal; Navy Unit
Commendation Medal; National
Defense Service Medal; and Viet-
nam Service Medal. He was list-
ed in the 1970 Whos Who Out-
standing Young Men of America.
After retirement from the Navy,
he was an executive and program
manager for his remaining years
with various Government sup-
port contractors, ending his ca-
reer with the Computer Science
Corporation.
Ron is survived by his wife,
Sheryl Stamey Shields, of Mid-
way, TN; his children, Marc
Shields of Kirby, Texas; Scott
(Debbie) Shields of West Palm
Beach, FL; Derrick (Ally)
Shields of Fairfax, VA; and Mei
Shields (Pat Harrington) of Ches-
apeake Beach, MD. His grand-
children: Daniel and Shayne
Shields and Brittany Carames of
West Palm Beach, FL; Spencer,
Calvin, and Emma Shields of
Fairfax, VA; and Great Grand-
children: Kyle and Ryan Carames
of West Palm Beach, FL.
Services will be held Friday,
December 9, 2011 at the Brinsfield
Funeral Home, 22955 Hollywood
Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650.
A Gathering of Friends will be
held from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. A Cel-
ebration of Life Memorial Service
will be held at 2 p.m. In lieu of
f lowers, donations can be made
in honor of Ron to Bibles Chapel
Church, 1280 Bibles Chapel Rd.,
Midway,TN 37809.
Condolences to the fam-
ily may be made at www.
b r i n s f i e l d f u n e r a l . c o m .
Arrangements are being handled
by the Brinsfield Funeral Home,
P.A., Leonardtown, MD.
The County Times
Philip H. Dorsey III
Attorney at Law
- SERIOUS ACCIDENT, INJURY -
LEONARDTOWN: 301-475-5000
TOLL FREE: 1-800-660-3493
EMAIL: [email protected]
www.dorseylaw.net
Personal Injury
Wrongful Death
Auto/Truck Crashes
Pharmacy & Drug Injuries
Workers Compensation
Medical Malpractice
Briefs
By Guy Leonard
Staff Writer
Detectives with the county sheriffs vice/narcotics division
have arrested three suspects they allege were involved in a scheme
to use stolen prescription note pads to obtain narcotics for sale on
the streets.
Detectives said their investigation netted hundreds of prescrip-
tion pills worth thousands of dollars on the illegal market.
Detectives named Michelle Lee Anderson, 36, of Lexington
Park, Hezekiah Eric Swann, 52, of Windsor Mill, and Kevin An-
thony Clarke, 25, of Pikesville, in their criminal investigation.
Detectives say they received information over the past several
weeks that both Swann and Anderson had been using stolen pre-
scriptions to get controlled substances from pharmacies. Detectives
found that the script being used had been stolen from a doctors of-
fce in Baltimore.
On Dec. 5 detectives learned that Swann and Anderson were at-
tempting to pass a fraudulent prescription at a California pharmacy;
they stopped both suspects and also arrested Clarke, alleging that
he was a past conspirator involved in drug deals from the previous
month, police reports state.
Police searched the suspects vehicle and found bags of marijua-
na and almost 360 oxycodone tablets with a value of nearly $11,000,
police alleged, adding that they found a stolen prescription that had
been flled out to one of the suspects for oxycodone tablets.
They also found a piece of paper that police claim was used to
practice forging a signature of the doctor from whom the script had
been stolen.
[email protected]
Three Arrested in
Prescription Fraud Scheme
By Guy Leonard
Staff Writer
A Lexington Park mans 25-year prison
sentence was reduced to 15 years of active
incarceration after he took a plea bargain late
last week for molesting several children, a lo-
cal prosecutor told The County Times.
Ryan William Snow, 35, was arrested
on charges of child sexual abuse July 7 after
detectives with the Bureau of Criminal Inves-
tigations division of the St. Marys County
Sheriffs Offce completed a week of evidence
gathering.
When Snow was charged, District Court
Judge Christy Holt Chesser shielded the de-
tails of the case from public view.
Assistant States Attorney Julie White
prosecuted the case at the Circuit Court level
and said there were three victims and all were
under the age of 10 and had some level of close
contact with Snow.
This is a very upsetting case, his be-
havior is despicable, White said Tuesday.
Hopefully he can fnd a way to stop molesting
children.
W h i t e
said that Snow
masked his be-
havior from oth-
ers and was able
to lure the chil-
dren while at the
same time gain-
ing the trust of
their parents.
He preyed
upon very young
children and
gained their trust and their parents trust to
victimize them, White said.
According to court records, the abuse of
the children took place between September
2009 and December 2010.
Part of Snows plea agreement requires
him to be under fve years of supervised proba-
tion upon his release from state prison; he will
also have to register as a sex offender.
[email protected]
Man Gets 15 Years for
Molesting Multiple Children
Hezekiah Eric Swann
Michelle Lee Anderson
Kevin Anthony Clarke
Ryan William Snow
Burglary Suspect Arrested
During the month of October, police units responded to several residences in the Lexington
Park, California and Leonardtown area which were broken into during the daytime hours
and had personal property removed. The St. Marys County Bureau of Criminal Investigations
assumed the investigation into the burglaries. Following a month long investigation and the ex-
ecution of search and seizure warrants, detectives arrested and charged Joseph A. Wilson, 23, of
Waldorf, with three counts of frst-degree burglary and three counts of theft $1,000 to $10,000.
Additional charges are pending following a review with the States Attorneys Offce, police
reported. Wilson is currently incarcerated in the St. Marys County Detention Center and has
additional charges pending in Charles and Prince Georges counties for similar alleged crimes
in those jurisdictions, police said.

Detectives Make Drug Arrests
Vice narcotics detectives conducted an investigation that spanned several weeks into an
alleged drug distribution network that was being operated in the Park Hall area. The St. Marys
County Sheriff Offce Emergency Services Team and Sheriffs Offce K-9 deputies assisted in
the execution of a search warrant where suspects Brendon Dirk Mydock, 22, and Eric William
Taymon, 21, were arrested. More than $3,500 worth of marijuana was seized along with $5,700
in cash, packaging materials and scales, police reported.
Vice narcotics detectives responded to a California pharmacy related to a possible prescrip-
tion fraud. Megan Renee Eccard, 29, of Hollywood, and at least one additional co-defendant,
obtained codeine by allegedly fraudulent means. This has taken place on at least 10 separate
occasions, police alleged. A search of their home produced additional evidence, according to
police. Eccard was arrested and additional charges and arrests are pending a review with the
States Attorney Offce.
Brian Keith Stapleton, 24, of Lexington Park, was arrested after a Search Warrant revealed
a quantity of marijuana which indicated possession with the intent to distribute, police alleged.
He was originally held without bond.
On Nov. 27, at 1:15 p.m., Maryland Natural Resources Police Offcers checked a hunting
camp located on Spring Lick Road and uncovered two illegally killed antlerless deer.
Offcers charged Matthew Lanham Fluharty, 22, of Welcome, and David Michael Murd-
za, 24, of Mechanicsville, with possession of antlerless deer during antlered only season and
removing the head and hide of a deer without checking it into the Department.
Citizens may report suspected poaching, trespassing or maritime related incidents to the
NRP Communication Center at 800-628-9944. For callers that wish to remain anonymous
and also be eligible for cash rewards that lead to convictions, call the CATCH-A-POACHER
hotline at 800-635-6124.
Local Man Charged with
Hunting Violation
The County Times
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California, MD
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For All Your Real Estate Needs.
The County Times
Know I
n

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Education
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By Carrie Munn
Staff Writer
Creating and adapting school districts to
meet the needs of an expanding student body
is a bit like putting a puzzle together. While
the plans for a new elementary school in
Leonardtown are approved, it will be a while
before construction begins. In the meantime,
some schools are bursting at the seems and
more developments are in the works, accord-
ing to school offcials.
A superintendent-appointed redistrict-
ing committee came to a consensus Monday
to move their plan forward and seek approval
of a measure to prevent overcrowding of Ev-
ergreen Elementary School. Though its the
newest elementary in the county, the rapid
growth in the Wildewood community and
surrounding area has led to the enrollment of
700-plus students.
Two new residential developments,
though not yet built, are presently zoned to
have those future students attend Evergreen
and the committees proposal is to shift the
district boundaries to move some students
to the not so densely populated Town Creek
Elementary.
Brad Clements, St. Marys County Public
Schools Chief Operating Offcer co-chaired
the School Boundary Advisory Committee
along with Trisha Post, a parent representative
from the County Council of PTAs. Others
involved with the redistricting plan included
school system administrators, school princi-
pals and PTA members.
Clements explained how signifcant
growth in the central part of the county, with
more on the horizon, combined with the states
formula behind new school construction has
led to Evergreen approaching its maximum
capacity rather quickly.
A 240-apartment development on First
Colony Blvd. and a 333-unit construction on
Johnson Pond Lane are just beginning site
work or construction and wont be occupied
until summer of 2012, at the earliest. But Cle-
ments said its easier to make adjustments like
this when there are no students affected.
While the new elementary school con-
struction is a ways off and dependent upon
funding, Clements said its likely more redis-
tricting efforts will be required as the project
gets underway. The entire stretch of Route 4,
St. Andrews Church Road, will need to be
looked at, he said, adding work is going on
now to alleviate any overcrowding and pres-
ent a solution, at least for the short-term.
Evergreen principal Kim Summers said
she just received three new students earlier
that day, and while some students come and
go due to their familys military obligations,
she has been amazed at the rate of new enroll-
ments in her school.
Few, if any, current students will be af-
fected by the change. A detailed report of the
committees recommendations can be found
online at www.smcps.org/dss/cpgs/redistrict-
ing. The committee will present the plan to
Superintendent Martirano on Dec. 16 and,
upon receiving his approval, the plan will go
to the Board of Education in January. A public
hearing will be held before the plan goes into
effect.
Redistricting Plan Results from Rapid Growth
Through the 2011 Maryland and Southern
Maryland qualifying competitions held at the
College of Southern Marylands La Plata Cam-
pus on Dec. 3, six FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC)
teams and six FIRST Lego League (FLL) teams
will advance to the state championships in 2012.
The St. Marys County FTC Teams ad-
vancing to the state championship at the Johns
Hopkins Applied Physics Lab on Feb. 25, 2012,
are RoboBees-1 and RoboBees-2 of the Dr.
James A. Forrest Tech Center of Leonardtown
and Under the Son of Hollywood.
Local FLL Teams advancing to state
championship at University of Maryland Balti-
more County on Jan. 28, 2012, are Mr. Roboto
of Hollywood, Egg-Stremes of Leonardtown,
CyberKnights of Charlotte Hall and Father An-
drew White Team JFTI of Leonardtown.
Awards presented to teams participating in
the FTC and FLL competitions included:
FIRST Tech Challenge Awards
PTC Design Award Under the Son,
Hollywood
The intent of this award is to expand the
challenge, inspiring teams to incorporate indus-
trial design into their robots.
FIRST Lego League Awards
Inspiration Award Kings Christian
Academy Eagles-1, Callaway
This award celebrates a team that is em-
powered by their FLL experience and displays
extraordinary enthusiasm and spirit.
Champions Award Mr. Roboto,
Hollywood
Runner Up Egg-Stremes, Leonardtown
This award recognizes a team that embod-
ies the FLL experience, by fully embracing our
core values while achieving excellence and in-
novation in both the robot game and project.
Mechanical Design Award CyberK-
nights, Charlotte Hall
This award recognizes a team that designs
and develops a mechanically sound robot that is
durable, effcient and highly capable of perform-
ing challenge missions. This is the top ranked
team in the Robot Design category and will be
going to the state competition.
Programming Award Little Flower
School Patriots, Great Mills
This award recognizes a team that utilizes
outstanding programming principles, including
clear, concise and reusable code that allows the
robot to perform challenge missions autono-
mously and consistently.
Strategy & Innovation Award FAW
NAWCAD, Leonardtown
This award recognizes a team that uses sol-
id engineering practices and a well-developed
strategy to design and build an innovative, high
performing robot.
Robot Performance Award Mr. Roboto,
Hollywood
Runner Up FAW Team JFTI Bad Ap-
ples, Leonardtown
This award recognizes a team that scores
the most points during the Robot Game. As
winners of the Champions Award, the Mr. Ro-
boto team is attending the state competition,
and judges invited the runner-up to the state
competition.
Research Award Kings Christian Acad-
emy Spikers, Callaway
This award recognizes a team that utilizes
diverse resources to formulate an in-depth and
comprehensive understanding of the problem
they have identifed.
The competitions were sponsored by BAE
Systems, TIME Center, PNC Bank, Booz Allen
Hamilton, SAIC, CSM Foundation, Rockwell
Collins, PTC, Network Solutions, Army ROTC
and General Dynamics.
For information on the colleges robotics
programs, visit www.csmd.edu/ISTEM.
Mr. Roboto Cleans Up at Lego Challenge
The County Times
Know I
n

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e
Education
By Carrie Munn
Staff Writer
Delegates Johnny Wood (D-29A), John
Bohanan (D-29B) and Tony ODonnell (R-29C)
joined Superintendent of St. Marys County
Public Schools Michael Martirano and Board of
Education members in a Tuesday morning dis-
cussion of education issues prior to the upcom-
ing legislative session.
ODonnell said the frst item on the agen-
da, full funding of public education, is an issue
defned differently by different people. He said
with the state facing a billion dollar operating
defcit, the get as much as we can get model
isnt always the best approach.
When we dont have it, we dont have
it, said Wood, adding, We were elected to
be responsible, and despite diffcult economic
times, we want to see our kids get the best edu-
cation we can.
Bohanan explained that while St. Marys is
fourth highest in the state for per pupil wealth
growth, it remains last in per pupil spending.
There are dramatic shifts in whos paying for
what, he said. Locally, he said, the state pays
more than $6,600 in per pupil funding while the
county pays $4,600, almost $2,000 less than the
average local level funding.
He said creating a well-educated workforce
is critical for the local economys bottom line
and encouraged the group to keep the needs
of the Department of Defense and the Navy in
mind.
Local funding is not necessarily a mea-
sure of success, ODonnell said, adding theres
a need for real, adult discourse on the issue.
Board of Education mem-
ber Mary Washington said
while SMCPS has proven they
can be effective and effcient,
our employees are stretched to
the max and I dont know how
long that can last. She told the
group that while many in St.
Marys beneft from growing
wealth trends, they encounter
many students that are home-
less or poverty stricken.
Martirano expounded on
the sentiment after ODonnell
inquired about the relatively
low graduation rates at Great
Mills High School and the need
for follow-up with concerned
advocates with the NAACP.
The superintendent explained
grant funding has enabled on-
line credit and course recovery
programs and has supported the
Fairlead Academy, and as a result, 10 to 20 more
students would graduate this year.
Were doing what we can, but its not
yielding results fast enough, Martirano said.
Martirano plainly told the delegates
SMCPS is growing, with enrollment at 17,449
students, offcially as of the end of September,
and more than 100 students added in the short
time since.
He said funding levels are back to what
they were in 2009, meaning indicators such as
larger class sizes and strain on the staff are be-
ginning to emerge.
He also inquired about a more timely distri-
bution of data, explaining the school system has
been accused of bringing things to the county
commissioners table late, but have since tried to
work together in creating a more in-sync budget
timeline.
Director of Fiscal Services Greg Nourse
said they often work with fudged numbers for
the sake of getting the budgets done.
Another hot topic at the morning meeting
was the shifting of teacher retirement costs to
the local level.
Bohanan said that the cost of teacher pen-
sions was about to surpass the $1.1 billion the
state spends to maintain the university system,
stating, The House has been a backstop on this
issue.
ODonnell agreed, adding the State Sen-
ate had passed a bill pushing the cost onto local
jurisdictions, but the House stopped it. It is be-
coming increasingly diffcult to stave this off,
he said. Hopefully when [economic] times are
better, at least a proportion of that cost will fall
to the county.
Wood also said that with the state strug-
gling, dealing with furloughs and such, its
tempting to pass that cost along. This is pinch-
ing everybody, were all aware of that.
[email protected]
Offcials Talk Of Tough
Financial Times to Come
Were doing what we
can, but its not yielding
results fast enough,
-Superintendent Michael Martirano
Michael J. Martirano
Delegates Johnny Wood, left, Tony ODonnell, and John Bohanan.
The County Times
STORY
www.somd.com
Your Online Community For Charles,
Calvert, and St. Marys Counties
By Guy Leonard
Staff Writer
Volunteer Firefghters from Hollywood, Bay District and
Solomons fre companies helped fght a blaze Tuesday night that
destroyed a houseboat moored in Hollywood, state fre marshals
report.
The occupant of the houseboat, John Stagg, suffered minor
injuries as a result of the fre. He sustained burns to his left hand
and was treated for his injuries at St. Marys Hospital, fre mar-
shals report.
The estimated loss of the 41-foot seagoing houseboat was
$10,000, marshals reported.
Investigators have deemed the fre accidental, caused by an
electrical problem at a computer inside the boat.
The occupant was displaced by the fre but is receiving aid
from friends, according to fre marshals.
It took 20 frefghters just seven minutes to control the blaze
that took place on Placid Harbor Way at about 8:30 p.m.
[email protected]
Houseboat Fire Injures Occupant
Photos by Frank Marquart
The County Times
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The County Times
By Carrie Munn
Staff Writer
On a bleak and rainy Wednesday, a little bit
of joy brightened up the day for one St. Marys
County family thanks to the Christmas Caring
program headed by the countys Division of
Human Services and the Department of Social
Services.
The local senior center operations staff
visited the home of Maria Long in Oakville to
deliver a Christmas tree, ornaments, decora-
tions and stockings, and to let them know that
the staff and members of the senior community
had been pooling their efforts to make sure the
moms two sons would have a great holiday de-
spite what Long said has been a rough year.
With her long-time boyfriend, Robert Tra-
han, losing stable employment after nine years
and struggling to get work despite submitting
over a hundred applications, Long teared up and
hugged each visitor, telling them, If it wasnt
for you all, my kids literally wouldnt have one
gift to open.
Jennifer Hunt, Community and Outreach
Manager with the Department of Aging said
Longs heartfelt letter touched the many that
read it and sparked the adoption of her family,
which includes two boys aged 9 and 5.
It was really hard to ask for help, she said.
Hunt said Longs sons and entire family
will be delighted to see how much people in
the community are willing to give, enabling
their Christmas morning to be as exciting as
anyones.
Long thanked the ladies repeatedly and
said, Hopefully one day, when were back on
our feet, well be able to help someone else.
At the time of publication, 1,203 families
qualify and are in the system as in need of help
supplying Christmas gifts for their kids. So far,
759 have been adopted and will beneft from the
fundraising efforts and generosity of business-
es, organizations and citizens in the community.
There are 444 families still in need of adoption,
according to program coordinator Stephanie
Figeroux.
Many area businesses have been long-time
contributors to Christmas Caring, like SAIC,
which hosts an annual company chili cook-off
with proceeds and canned food items going di-
rectly to local families in need.
County Commissioner Todd Morgan was
on hand this year to taste-test 11 crockpots of
chili varieties with names like Texas High-
way My-Way and Workaholic Chili and to
give out some door prizes. Hunt, Figeroux and
renowned local chili guy, Trevor
Bothwell, served as the guest
judges at the event that Morgan
said typically raises several hun-
dred dollars that goes toward
holiday food baskets and gifts for
local families in need.
One St. Marys man, Walt
Briscoe, has made Christmas
Caring sponsorship an integral
part of his familys holiday tradi-
tion for many years.
At frst, he sponsored a
small family but when grandchil-
dren started arriving he wanted
to involve them as well. For every
grand-child [he has], Walt gener-
ously sponsors a child.
Information about how to
help a neighbor in need through
St. Marys County Christmas
Caring program can be picked
up at the Department of Human
Services at 23115 Leonard Hall
Drive in Leonardtown, or online
through the county government
website or by calling 301-475-
4200, extension 1849.
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Photos By Carrie Munn
Staff from the Department of Aging and Human Services deliver a tree with all the trimmings to the family
theyve sponsored as part of the Christmas Caring program this year. From left is Bridget Maddox, Jennifer
Hunt, Maria Long, Kathleen Bellinger and Shellie Graziano.
Christmas Caring program recipient, Maria Long, right, hugs Kathleen
Bellinger with tears in her eyes and gratitude for the help.
The County Times
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N
ew
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308 San Souci Plaza, California, MD 301-737-4241
MENS NIGHT
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9TH: 4 TO 8 P.M
Join Ricks Jewelers for our 18th Annual Men's Night.
Come in with your ladies wish list and fullfll all her gift needs.
Free Gift wrapping, Pizza and adult beverages will
be served. Many other specials throughout the night!
(discounts may not be combined. Sale prices not efective
with special holiday ofers. See store for details.)
301-475-2811
GUY DISTRIBUTING COMPANY, INC.
LOCATED IN LEONARDTOWN SINCE 1950
Responsibility Matters
Holiday Greetings
The Following Locally Owned Businesses Would Like to Join The County Times in Sending
And to Wish Prosperity for the New Year!
The Residents, Board of Directors and Staff of
Cedar Lane Senior Living Community
would like to say Thank You to the entire community for
its continued support and wish everyone
Happy Holidays and a Healthy New Year.
Cedar Lane Apartments is a Smoke Free Community
301.475.8966
www.cedarlaneapts.com
Serving the community for over 30 years
The Residents, Board
of Directors and Staff of
Cedar Lane Senior Living Community
would like to say Thank You to the entire
community for its continued support
and wish everyone Happy Holidays
and a Healthy New Year.
Serving the community for over 30 years
name: phone #:
address:
Monday 9am to 6pm
Tuesday 9am to 5pm
Wednesday 9am to 6pm
Friday 9am to 5pm
Saturday 9am to 2pm
coupon
and tanning
NEW HOURS
Walk - Ins Welcome!
www.tobysbarbershop.com
21797 D North Coral Drive
301-863-8733
The County Times
Community
Antique & Collectible
Friday, December 9th - 6 p.m.
Grocery Auction
Saturday, December 10th - 4 p.m.
Consignments now
being taken for our
upcoming New Years
Day Auction and a
future Gun Auction
Chesapeake Auction House
St. Leonard, MD 20685 410-586-1161 chesapeakeauctionhouse.com
The Candy land board game brought to life event
Saturday brought hundreds of visitors to the St. Marys
County Fairgrounds and raised nearly $3,000 for a local
team participating in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer.
The 24th Annual
St. Marys Hospital
Foundation Gala held
Nov. 18 at the Hol-
lywood Social Hall,
brought in $170,000 to
go toward the Founda-
tions scholarship pro-
gram, as well as hospi-
tal capital projects and
equipment. This years
theme was A Night at
the Museum and the
hall became a place
where museum statues
and artwork came to
life.
The success of
the Foundations an-
nual Gala fundraising
event is the result of the
tremendous support we
receive from this com-
munity. We appreciate
the contributions made by numerous local businesses, individuals and our
hospital community, without which our Gala would not be the signifcant
event it is, Micheline Lopez-Estrada, the 2011 Gala chairperson, said in
a press release. Community members were involved in this years event
more than ever and it gave all of us extra creative energy.
Several of Southern Marylands most prominent businesses, medical
professionals and local organizations sponsored the evenings festivities,
which featured delicious cuisine from renowned caterer Ken Upton. Music
was provided by Highway Star.
Guests followed the red carpet into one of the most appealing black tie
events sponsored by the Foundation, walking past metal dinosaur sculp-
tures on loan from Mike Schwartz of Mikes Bikes. As they entered the
social hall, guests stepped into a replica of a museum foyer created by
graphic design students at the Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology
Center. Beautiful banners of famous paintings, complete with sponsors
names, graced the social hall. The historical fgures of Sakajawea, Teddy
Roosevelt and Amelia Earhart were portrayed by volunteer actors from The
Newtowne Players, and graceful and unique Ikebana centerpieces designed
by Casey Page and Molly Ridgell adorned the dining tables.
Attendees purchased chances that put them in the running for a chance to win one of three exquisite prizes. The
original oil painting by artist M. Jane Rowe was won by Paula and Rick Tepel; the LASIK eye surgery from Whitten
Laser Eye went to Doran Upton; and the winner of an exquisite diamond and tanzanite pendant generously donated by
Blairs Jewelry and Gifts was Lori Tribino.
To date, the Foundations scholarship program has made awards to over 100 students pursuing education in nurs-
ing and allied health, ensuring a qualifed healthcare workforce today and for the future. Funds raised by the founda-
tion also provide support for capital expansion projects, physician recruitment and medical equipment.
Next year will be the silver anniversary of the Foundations Gala. The 25th anniversary event will be held Nov. 16
2012, during St. Marys Hospitals centennial year.
A Night at the Museum
Raises $170,000
Festival of Trees
Candy Land Game Brought to Life
Presenting sponsor of the 2011 Gala was
AMEWAS, Inc. President and CEO of AME-
WAS, Inc., Chuck Jeffries, accepted the
sponsors plaque from the chairperson of
the event, Micheline Lopez-Estrada.
St. Marys Hospital Foundation Board members
engaged support for the annual event from
numerous individuals, organizations and
businesses throughout the county.
One of many unique displays at Saturdays Festival of Trees beneft-
ing Hospice of St. Marys was this very merry green tree was sponsored
by Michelle Radiz, owner of The Vintage Source, and hospice volunteer
and Smartronix Communications Director Beth Joseph, with ornaments
crafted by students at Mechanicsville Elementary.
Photo By Carrie Munn
The County Times
Community
23314 Surrey Way California, Maryland 20619
Fax: 301-737-0853 [email protected]
Owned and Operated by
301-737-0737
Call For More Information:
Bella Bailey, Marketing & Leasing MGR.
301-862-5307
Discounted
Cable
Playground
Free on Site
Storage
with Every
Apartment
Walk to
Shopping/
Restaurants
Amenity
Package
Available
$
150

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n
ly
!
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Located in Old Downtown Lexington Park, Outside Gate 2 PAX NAS
301-862-3544
Order Your
Stufed Hams before
Monday, Dec. 19th at
The Barns of Southern
Maryland Book Signing
From 12-2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, author J.C. Sharp will be signing copies of his book The
Barns of Southern Maryland at Fenwick Street Used Books & Music, 41655A Fenwick Street,
Leonardtown.
This new work allows readers to visually see and appreciate the counties of Southern Mary-
land, and the years of growing tobacco. Sharp skillfully takes the reader back to the year 1634
and the frst landing of European immigrants on American shores at St. Clements Island. They
ventured from England on two wind-driven ships: the ARK and the DOVE.
With considerable research, he moves through a short history of the earliest beginnings of
Maryland's birth. The material is easy reading and beckons' the reader to become part of the story
of Southern Maryland's growth and economic importance to the state, a press release states.
The author has a nice transition to the short history of Barns themselves; why they were
Red; introducing Quilt Barns, Round Barns, and the famous barn advertisers that promoted, the
rare to be seen, Mail Pouch Tobacco Barns.
Next is an introduction to the farmers best friends: Cats, and the Barn Owl. We discover how
they are truly worth their weight in gold. A more somber view of labor employment is followed by
the many ways of drying tobacco.
Sharp introduces each the three lower counties with a short history of their contributions to
expansion and agricultural production. This is followed by personal interviews of local farmers,
and how the Maryland Tobacco Buyout of 2000 affected each in their decision to participate or
pass. Far more accepted the cash buyout than the state anticipated.
Remaining growers of tobacco today are the Amish, Mennonites, and those farmers with
deep personal objections to the proposal.
Finally, he engages the readers attention to the subjects of restoration and preservation, as
seen through the eyes of a three-year old child: Priceless.
In closing, the writer suggests a major challenge to all farm families.
Sadly, you are probably the last generation of your breed for demonstrating work ethics, per-
severance, and perfection in everything you do. The pride you exhibit must become contagious.
COSMIC Symphony
Messiah Sing-Along
The COSMIC Symphony presents Handels Messiah Sing-Along on Dec. 10 at Patuxent
Presbyterian Church, California at 7 p.m. or Dec. 11 at Crossroads Christian Church, Saint
Leonard at 4 p.m. Bring your own score or simply enjoy this classical Christmas tradition.
Advance tickets available at www.cosmicmusic.org, Allegro Music, Nambos Music, Stevens
Studio and Educate & Celebrate. General admission $10; seniors, students, military, MD
State employees $8; family four-pack $35.
New Sporting Program for
People with Disabilities
Paralympic Sport Southern Maryland is a community-based sports club developed to
involve youth and adults with physical and visual disabilities in ongoing sports and physical ac-
tivity, regardless of skill level. All programs and activities will be based in Southern Maryland
and run by the St. Marys County Department of Recreation and Parks.
U.S. Paralympics is dedicated to creating opportunities for individuals with physical and
visual disabilities to be physically active in their own communities. Participation in physical
activity enhances not only self-esteem and peer relationships, but also results in greater achieve-
ment, better overall health and higher quality of life, Mike Mushett, U.S. Paralympics Director
of Community Programs, said in a press release.
With 21 million Americans living with a physical or visual disability, including thousands of
military personnel who've been severely injured while on active duty, this is an important com-
munity need. U.S. Paralympics is committed to working with community organizations across
the United States to create 250 Paralympic Sport Clubs by 2012.
St. Marys County Recreation and Parks is a strong advocate for people of all ability levels;
the Department believes every individual, regardless of ability level, is deserving of satisfying
recreational, leisure and sporting activities. Paralympic Sport Southern Maryland will initially
focus on aquatic programming and programs for injured military personnel, with hopes of ex-
panding to cycling and kayaking in the near future. Sponsors and volunteers are currently being
sought.
For more information on how to get involved with Paralympic Sport-Southern Maryland
contact Christina Bishop, 301-475-4200 x 1802 or [email protected]. For more
information about U.S. Paralympics, please contact Susan Katz, (719) 866-2068 or susan.katz@
usoc.org.
The County Times
Thursday, Dec. 8
Holiday Open House
St. Marys Adult Medical Day Care Center (24400 Mervell Dean Rd.,
Hollywood) 4 to 8 p.m.
The event provides an opportunity to meet the staff, tour the cen-
ter and learn more about the Medical Day and Senior Center Plus pro-
grams. Complimentary hors doeuvres and beverages will be served.
St. Marys Adult Medical Day Care is the only medical day program
for individuals age 16 and older in St. Marys County. It is designed
to enable functionally and/or cognitively impaired individuals to re-
main in the community and includes therapeutic activities, medication
administration, meals and transportation. For more information or to
RSVP, contact Dorothy Flynn at 301-373-6515 or by email at market-
[email protected].
NEW Compassionate Friends - St. Marys Meeting
First Saints Community Church - St. Pauls Campus (Leonardtown,
next to St. Marys Hospital) 7 - 8:30 p.m.
The Compassionate Friends is a national nonproft, self-help sup-
port organization that offers friendship, understanding, and hope to
bereaved parents, grandparents and siblings. There is no religious af-
fliation and there are no membership dues or fees. For more informa-
tion, please call 240-434-8414.
Friday, Dec. 9
Christmas Cantata: The Star Still Shines
First Saints Community Church (25550 Point Lookout Rd., Leonar-
dtown) 7 p.m.
The Star Still Shines is a musical that proclaims the true reason
for our seasonal celebration that Jesus is the one true light of the
world. Join us for our Christmas Cantata, the Star Still Shines- a musi-
cal that proclaims the true reason for our seasonal celebration that
Jesus is the one true light of the world. Concert is free for all.
Roll Bunco at VFW 2632
VFW Post 2632 (23282 Thre Notch Rd., California) 6:30 p.m.
Everyone over age 21 welcomed. Bunco offers the perfect excuse
to get together with friends for laughs, drinks, conversation and relax-
ation. Its a fun dice game that is easy to play. Bring a friend or meet
new friends at the VFW. Cash buy-in is $5 cash payouts are deter-
mined by the number of players. Game instructions will be explained
at 6:30 p.m. and game play starts at 7 p.m. Register at lavfwbunco@
gmail.com.
Saturday, Dec. 10
Young Professionals Initiative of St. Marys County to host
Holiday Party at The Lounge at Bollywood
The Lounge at Bollywood (2576 MacArthur Boulevard, Suite 348,
California) 7 to 9 p.m.
Young professionals living or working in St. Marys County are
invited to come celebrate the holidays with other young profession-
als. If you are not a member of YPI, this is a great and informal way to
learn more about the organization and meet new people. It is a Black
Dress/Tie event. The cost is $15 for YPI Members and $20 for non-
members. Cost includes Tapas Buffet and entertainment. Please come
with a $5 or less white elephant gift to participate in the gift ex-
change. After the YPI Holiday Party ends, The Lounge at Bollywood
will continue the fun at 9 p.m. with a Black Dress Party. For more
information or to RSVP, contact [email protected].
St. Johns School Christmas Bazaar
St. Johns School (43900 St, Johns Rd., Hollywood) 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Support the school while fnishing up holiday shopping. New and
returning crafters and vendors will be featured. A Christmas gift raf-
fe, refreshments and homemade baked good will be available. Admis-
sion is free. Contact Aleah at 240-925-0041 or Lisa at 301-904-6770
or email [email protected] for more information.
Annual Breakfast with Santa
James Forrest Tech Center (24005 Point Lookout Rd., Leonardtown)
8 to 11 a.m.
Enjoy a delicious breakfast prepared by the Forrest Centers Culi-
nary Arts students. Admission to this event, which includes breakfast,
is $8 for adults and $4 for children ages 4 to 12. An omelet bar is avail-
able for an additional $2. Santas Workshop will be available for chil-
dren to purchase small gifts (under $10). Children will be assisted by
Forrest Center students. These gifts will be wrapped for the children.
Dont forget to have your child photographed with Santa. For a small
fee, students from the Forrest Centers Graphic Communications pro-
gram will photograph your child with Santa while they let him know
their holiday wishes. In addition, there are a variety of activities for
children of all ages including a silent auction of gift baskets provided
by many of the Forrest Centers programs. Proceeds will beneft the
Forrest Centers student programs and SkillsUSA chapter. For more
information, contact the Forrest Center at 301-475-0242.
31 Bags Bingo Beneft
St. Marys County Fairgrounds (42455 Fairgrounds Rd., Leonard-
town) 2 p.m.
Event to beneft St. Marys County Community Media-
tion Center featuring 31 brand bags, totes, gifts and accessories.
Doors open at 1 p.m. Games start at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 in ad-
vance of $25 at the door and include one book of 20 regular games.
For information or to order tickets call 410-474-2958 or order online at
www.st-marys-mediation.org.
Cookie, Craft & Vendor Boutique
Church of the Ascension (21641 Great Mills Road, Lexington Park)
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Annual event offers cookies cookies galore to choose from,
crafts and more available. Contact Marsha at 301-475-3344 for details.
Santa Claus and Puppy Paws
Companion Care Veterinary Hospital (28105 Three Notch Road,
Unit D, Mechanicsville) 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Santa Claus is coming to Companion Care. Portraits with Santa
for pets, family, kids or both. There will be face painting and crafts for
the children. Christmas baskets for raffe for pets and their owners.
Proceeds collected will be donated to GREYT Expectations Grey-
hound Rescue.
Sunday, Dec. 11
Second District Breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus
Second District Valley Lee Fire Dept. (45245 Drayden Rd., Valley
Lee) 8 to 11 a.m.
All-You-Can Eat Breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus featur-
ing a menu that includes: scrambled eggs, home fried potatoes, pan-
cakes, french toast, sausage links, ham, hot biscuits, creamed chipped
beef, spiced applesauce, assorted juices, milk and coffee. Cost for
adults is $8, children ages 6 to 12 is $4 and children under 5 are free.
The event is sponsored and prepared by the 2nd District Volunteer
Fire Dept . and Rescue Squad Auxiliary. For more information call
301-994-9999.
Cookie March
Little Flower School (20410 Point Lookout Rd., Great Mills) 8 a.m.
to 1 p.m.
Come out for this giant Christmas cookie bake sale and pick up
a variety of home-made cookies, mix-and-match for $6 per pound.
Proceeds beneft Little Flower School.
Breakfast with Santa
Hollywood Volunteer Rescue Squad (43256 Rescue Ln., Hollywood)
7:30 to 11 a.m.
The menu will include: sausage gravy and biscuits, sausage
links, bacon, scrambled eggs, fried potatoes, pancakes, escalloped
apples, scrapple, chipped beef, assorted juices, coffee, tea and hot
chocolate. The cost is $9 for adults, $4 for children ages 5 to12 and
children under age 5 are free. Sponsored by the Hollywood Volun-
teer Rescue Squad.
Leonardtowns Second Sunday: Music and Art
Leonardtown Arts Center (22660 Washington Street, Second Floor,
Leonardtown) 1 to 4 p.m.
Explore the wide variety of artwork in the studios while listening
to Eric Skow and Bob Pfeiffer provide their interpretation of vintage
music. With a growing following in Southern Maryland, Eric and Bob
play an interesting mix of music from the 60s up to today.
Monday, Dec. 12
Blood Drive
Second District Valley Lee Fire Dept. (45245 Drayden Rd., Valley
Lee) 1:30 to 7:45 p.m.
The American Red Cross is holding a blood drive ad asks that
donors or potential donors call 301-994-1038 to schedule an appoint-
ment or get additional information.
Leahs House Fundraising Night
Texas Roadhouse (45255 Abell House Lane, California) 4 p.m. to
closing
Ten percent of your bill will beneft the Leahs House shelter all
evening. Support a worthy cause and help founder Marguerite Morris
celebrate her birthday. Call for an invitation at 301-994-9580.
Tuesday, Dec. 13
Dinner and Service featuring Speaker David Ring
Callaway Baptist Church (20960 Point Lookout Rd., Callaway) 6
p.m.
Dinner at 6 p.m., followed by the service at 7 p.m. This is a free
event. Child care will be provided. A love offering will be taken. Call
301-994-0655 for details.
Wednesday, Dec. 14
Nature Time at Greenwell
Greenwell State Park (25420 Rosedale Manor Lane, Hollywood) 10
to 11:30 a.m.
Enjoy the wonders of nature at Greenwell State Park through
games, crafts, stories, movement and exploration. Nature Time is
for young children and their families or caregivers. Pre-registra-
tion (no later than 24 hours in advance) is required. Parents and
caregivers must supervise their children at all times. There is no
fee for adults. Cost is $5 per child age 2 and over. Call 301-872-5688 for
more info.
W
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G
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In Entertainment
Thursday, Dec. 8
Live Music: The Sam
Grow Band
The Tides Restaurant (46580
Expedition Drive, Lexington
Park) 7 p.m.
Live Music: The Andy
Bopp Duo
Casey Jones Pub (417 E.
Charles St., La Plata) 9:30
p.m.
Comedy Night feat. Larry
Lancaster and Ray Diva
Rustic River Bar and Grill
(40874 Merchants Lane,
Leonardtown) 8 p.m.
80s Night
Fat Boys Country Store
(41566 Medleys Neck Road,
Leonardtown) 7 p.m.
Live Music: Gretchen
Ritchie
Cafe Des Artistes (41655
Fenwick Street, Leonardtown)
6 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 9
Live Music: Chopper Trike
Rebels and The Maiden
Project
Memories Nightclub and Bar
(2360 Old Washington Road,
Waldorf) 8 p.m.
Live Music: Naked Jam
Band
Martinis Lounge (10553
Theodore Green Boulevard,
White Plains) 8 p.m.
Live Music: Joe Martone
Duo
Chefs American Bistro
(22576 Macarthur Boulevard,
San Souci Plaza suite 314,
California) 8 p.m.
Live Music: Billy Breslin
Island Bar and Crab House
(16810 Piney Point Rd., Piney
Point) 7:30 p.m.
Live Music: Justin
Crenshaw Band
The Blue Dog Saloon (7940
Port Tobacco Road, Port
Tobacco) 8 p.m.
Live Music: HydraFX
Veras White Sands Beach
Club (1200 White Sands
Drive, Lusby) 9 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 10
Live Music: The Sam
Grow Band and Synergy
Hotel Charles (15110 Burnt
Store Road, Hughesville) 9
p.m.
Live Music: Legend
Cryers Back Road Inn (22094
Newtowne Neck Road,
Leonardtown) 8 p.m.
Live Music: Groove Span
Ruddy Duck Brewery (13200
Dowell Road, Dowell) 8 p.m.
Live Music: Car 54
- Acoustic
Casey Jones Pub (417 E.
Charles St., La Plata) 9:30
p.m.
Live Music: Pet the
Monster
Toots Bar (23971 Mervell
Dean Road, Hollywood) 8
p.m.
Live Music: Herb Reed
and the Platters
Leonardtown High School
(23995 Point Lookout Road,
Leonardtown) 7 p.m.
COSMIC Symphony:
Handels Messiah
Patuxent Presbyterian Church
(23421 Kingston Creek Road,
California) 7 p.m.
Live Music: HYJINX
Veras White Sands Beach
Club (1200 White Sands
Drive, Lusby) 9:30 p.m.
Live Music: The Craze
@ Apes Annual Christmas
Party
Apehangers Bar and Grill
(9100 Crain Highway, Bel
Alton) 8 p.m.
Live Music: Random
Impact
Big Dogs Paradise (28765
Three Notch Road,
Mechanicsville) 9 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 11
Live Music: The Sam
Grow Band
Anthonys Bar and Grill
(10371 Southern Maryland
Boulevard, Dunkirk) 7 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 12
Open Mic Night
Rustic River Bar and Grill
(40874 Merchants Lane,
Leonardtown) - 7 p.m.
$2.50 Margaritas All Day
Big Dogs Paradise (28765
Three Notch Road,
Mechanicsville) 10 a.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 13
Open Mic Night
Dowell Road, Dowell) 6:30
p.m.
A Barbershop Christmas
Fine Arts Center, College of
Southern Maryland, LaPlata
Campus (8730 Mitchell Road,
La Plata) 8 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 14
Live Music: Sam Grow
Dowell Road, Dowell) 8 p.m.
Live Music: Mason
Sebastian
DB McMillans (23415 Three
Notch Road, California) 5 p.m.
The County Times
I WILL ROLL OVER ON MY BACK IF YOU
WILL RUB MY BELLY!
My brother Travis and I were adopted out when we
were kittens but our family fell on some fnancial hard
times and we have been taken in by the fne folks at
Feral Cat Rescue. We have been around people and
other cats our whole lives. I am super sweet. I love to
be petted. I love to be loved. Will you love me? Please fll out an application at
www.feralcatrescuemd.org and email it to my foster mom at [email protected]. If you have any questions,
you can call her at 301-481-0171. I am fully vetted.
Love always,
RAVEN
www.somd.com
Your Online Community
For Charles, Calvert,
and St. Marys Counties
Over 250,000
Southern Marylanders
cant be wrong!
New to the area?
Lifelong resident?
Stop by and see what
Southern Maryland Online
has to offer!
Stay abreast of local happenings
Check our highly
popular classifeds
Speak your mind in the forums
Enter our contests and
win terrifc prizes
Holiday fun planned
Children of all ages will enjoy holiday sto-
ries, crafts and fun at the holiday parties to be
held at Charlotte Hall on Dec. 13, Lexington
Park on Dec. 15 and Leonardtown on Dec. 22.
Each program starts at 6 p.m. The programs are
free but registration is required.
Library staff demonstrates eReaders
For those who are thinking about purchas-
ing an eReader, each branch has the new Kindle
Fire, NOOK Color, Kindle, iPad and a few oth-
ers for customers to see and use within the li-
brary. Staff will demonstrate their use and the
downloading process from the librarys eBook
collection.
Charlotte Hall branch is offering an eBook
workshop on Dec. 16 at 2 p.m. Those attend-
ing will learn about the most popular eReaders,
how to browse, check out and download free eB-
ooks from the librarys collection. Registration
is required.
Customers are reminded that a NOOK Col-
or will be given away at each branch and a Kin-
dle countywide in a drawing on Dec. 17. Any
customer who visits a library and inquires about
eReaders or attends the workshop will be en-
tered. These eReaders were donated by South-
ern Maryland Regional Library Association.

Free movies shown during holiday break
Families can attend a free showing of a
movie during the holiday break at any branch.
Charlotte Hall and Leonardtown will show a
G-rated movie about Pooh Bear and his friends
trying to fnd their lost friend. Charlotte Halls
will be on Dec. 19 and Leonardtowns on Dec. 20
with both starting at 2 p.m. Lexington Park will
show the Muppet version of the Christmas Carol
on Dec. 22 at 2 p.m. Snacks will be provided.

Monthly book discussions offered
Each branch offers a monthly book discus-
sion, which is open to the public. They meet
on the following days: frst Monday at 7 p.m.
at Charlotte Hall, second Tuesday at 6 p.m. at
Lexington Park, and third Thursday at 7 p.m. at
Leonardtown. Books are available at the host-
ing library. A list of the titles selected for 2012
are available online or at the branches. The next
books to be discussed include: Guns, Germs,
and Steel: the Fates of Human Societies by Jared
Diamond at Lexington Park on Dec. 12, Water-
ship Down by Richard Adams at Leonardtown
on Dec. 15 and Great House by Nicole Krauss
at Charlotte Hall on Jan. 3.
Library Items
Cat of the Week
PEt of the Week
Hello Everyone, My name is Garth and I am a sweet and lovable male collie/
beagle mix. I am a little shy and just need someone who can give me lots of love and
attention. I was born on July 1, 2010 and am looking for a family who will love and
cherish me the rest of my life. Our one sister found a home and I still have another
sister and two brothers who are looking for families to call their own. We would love
to be home for the holidays! We are current on vaccinations, neutered, crate trained,
heartworm negative and identifcation micro chipped. If you have a place in your
heart and home for me please contact [email protected] or call 240-925-
0628. Please Adopt, Dont Shop !!!
Mini Grant Funding Opportunities
The Southern Maryland Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Board has an-
nounced that applications for the Mini Grant Program are available.
Projects selected for funding will assist RC&D in implementing its Annual Plan and Area Plan
which are both focused on community development, land conservation, land management and water
management in Charles, Calvert, St. Marys and Anne Arundel counties.
The maximum amount for each mini grant award is $500. The Southern Maryland RC&D Board
will accept applications at its offce in Leonardtown via email, fax or regular mail.
The Mini Grant Program will operate on a rolling basis throughout the fscal year (July 2011 to
June 2012) while funds are available. Applications are due the 1st of every month.
Visit the website at www.somdrcd.org for more information about RC&D. Call the RC&D offce
at 301-475-8427 X 6 or email [email protected] if you are interested in applying and
would like to receive an application.
The RC&D is a nonproft organization that carries out community development and conserva-
tion projects in Charles, Calvert, St. Marys and Anne Arundel Counties.
The County Times
The County Times is always looking for more local talent to feature!
To submit art or band information for our entertainment section,
e-mail [email protected].
Historic-Themed Holiday Events Abound
Holiday Exhibit
and Open House
at Piney Point
Lighthouse, Museum
and Historic Park
(44720 Lighthouse Road, Piney Point)
Enjoy a free day of admission on Sun-
day, Dec. 11 from Noon to 4 p.m. Come and
see the holiday exhibit inside the lighthouse
keepers quarters where each room is flled
with a different holiday storybook theme.
There will be a holiday activity for kids and
free refreshments, plus the nautically-themed
museum will offer their version of Sandy
Claws with a visit from Pinch, the mascot of
the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs Baseball
Team from noon to 2 p.m. There will be a
one-day 10% discount for all shoppers at the
Lighthouse Lens museum store, which offers
an array of unique holiday gifts, many light-
house and nautical items, sea glass jewelry,
clothing and more. There will also be tours
of the Potomac River Maritime building and
the lighthouse.
Visit www.stmarysmd.com/recre-
ate/museums for dates and hours through
December or for more information, call
301-994-1471.
Holiday Madrigal Dinners at
Historic St. Marys City
(47418 Old State House Road, St. Marys City)
For four decades, this traditional event has heralded the
advent of Christmas. The season calls for crackling fres and
candlelight, toasts with friends and fne food, the sounds of
hearty laughter and familiar music. Marylands colonial set-
tlers will welcome guests to the Jacobean-style State House
of 1676 where they will begin the evening with wassail, oys-
ter stew and traditional fare, with a Southern Maryland-style
dinner will follow. The Great Hall will be beautifully deco-
rated for the occasion by the Mistress Brent Garden Club. A program of traditional Christmas
aires, performed by St. Maries Musica, a troupe of colorfully costumed and skilled musicians,
will close the feast.
Enjoy the evening, beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday, Saturday or Sunday; Dec. 9, 10 and 11
& 16, 17 and 18. Admission for the fne dining and holiday music is $85; $75 for members.
For reservations or additional information, call Muffn at 240-895-4991 or email events@
stmaryscity.org.
Winter hours for Historic St. Marys Citys gift shop and visitors center are Friday, Sat-
urday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Christmas Open House and 26th Annual Doll
& Train Exhibit at St. Clements Island Museum
(38370 Point Breeze Road, Coltons Point)
All are invited to visit the museum free of
charge on Saturday, Dec. 10 to enjoy a holiday pro-
gram of fun and festivities. Santa and Mrs. Claus
will be on hand from noon to 2 p.m., greeting chil-
dren and parents, listening to those very special
Christmas wishes. Christmas caroling with St.
Marys County Commissioner Cindy Jones and
Ellynne Brice Davis from 2 to 4 p.m. Also from 2
to 4 p.m., a colonial re-enactor portraying the 17th-
century character Dr. Thomas Gerard explaining the origin of the famous song Twelve Days
of Christmas and playing heritage games with the kids.
Holiday refreshments will be served, there will be a bike raffe and The Crab Claw Mu-
seum Store will greet all shoppers with a one-day 10% discount! The Doll & Train exhibit has
been a St. Marys County tradition for years and offers a wide selection of antique and collec-
tor dolls and working miniature trains to delight kids of all ages.
The museum is open through Dec. 16, Wednesday to Sunday from Noon to 4 p.m. and
will be open daily Dec. 17 through 30 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 301-769-2222 for details.
Sotterley Christmas Past
(44300 Sotterly Lane, Hollywood)
Take a time-
traveling tour span-
ning 300 years of
history at this years
Holiday Candlelight
Tours on Dec. 9 and
10. An historic dra-
matization by the
Sotterley Players
unfolds in the 1703
Plantation House,
bringing visitors
into fve Christmas
Eves past.
Live musical performances
from local premiere high school
choral groups and complimentary
cookies and hot cider in the barn
will round out the holiday evening.
The 40-minute tours begin ev-
ery 10 minutes, with the frst tour
beginning at 6 p.m. each night.
Tickets are $15 and reservations
are required. Visit www.sotterley.
org to save your spot.
The historic site is open Tues-
day through Saturday 10 a.m. to
4 p.m. and Sunday noon to 4 p.m.
throughout December and boasts a
museum shop offering unique gifts.
Cecils Old Mill &
Cecils Country Store
(20853 Indian Bridge Road, Great Mills)
Meander out
to the historic mill
site which houses
local fne arts and
crafts from the St.
Marys County
Arts Association on
Saturday, Dec. 10
for this years Santa
Day, from 11 a.m.
to 3 p.m. There will
be make and take
crafts for the kids
and unique handcrafted or-
naments and gifts as well as
refreshments will be avail-
able. This is a free public
event.
The mill is open Tues-
day through Saturday, 10
a.m. to 5 p.m. until 2 p.m. on
Christmas Eve. Call 301-994-
1510 for more information.
Right across the road
sits Cecils Country Store,
a unique shopping stop offering work from local artist Mary Lou
Troutman, candles, home interior, toys and many unique holiday
gifts and decorations. The store is open Monday through Saturday
10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
The County Times
DireCTory
Business
Prime Rib Seafood Sunday Brunch
Banquet & Meeting Facili ties
23418 Three Notch Road California, MD 20619
www.lennys.net
301-737-0777
Cross & Wood
AssoCiAtes, inC.
Serving Te 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 Benefts Planning
Phone 301-884-5900
1-800 524-2381
12685 Amberleigh Lane
La Plata, MD 20646
Phone 301-934-4680
Fax 301-884-0398
28231 Tree Notch Rd, #101
Mechanicsville, MD 20659
301-866-0777
Pub & Grill
23415 Three Notch Road
California Maryland
107 Days Till St. Patricks Day
www.dbmcmillans.com
Entertainment All Day
Franzen Realtors, Inc.
Helping Good People
Find Good Homes.
Addie McBride
Cell: 301-481-6767 Home: 301-737-1669
www.addiemcbride.com [email protected]
www.franzenrealtors.com
22316 Three Notch Rd. Lexington Park, MD 20653
Ofce: 1-800-848-6092 Ofce: 301-862-2222 Fax Ofce: 301-862-1060
For All Your Real Estate Needs.
A beautiful lawn doesnt happen by i tself
Mowing
Trimming
Edging
Blowing
Flower beds
General yard
cleanup
Tree Planting
Pressure Washing
House, Sidewalk, Siding, Decks
Outside Home Maintenance
Gutter Celaning
Waverly Crafton Owner (240) 561-1471
Cutting Close Lawn Care Service
Services Provided:
24-Hour Towing Light/Medium/Heavy Duty Major and Minor Repairs
Diesel Is Our Specialty Chrome Refnishing
37720 Manor Road Chaptico, Maryland 20621
301-884-3701
Sun, Wed, Tur: 12 9
Fri, Sat: 12 10 Closed: Mon and Tues
27301 Tree Notch Rd.
Mechanicsville, MD
CAPTAIN LEONARDS
SEAFOOD RESTAURANT
Est. 1982 Lic #12999
Heating & Air Conditioning
THE HEAT PUMP PEOPLE
30457 Potomac Way
Charlotte Hall, MD 20622
Phone: 301-884-5011
snheatingac.com
Classifieds
The County Times will not be held responsible
for any ads omitted for any reason. The County
Times reserves the right to edit or reject any clas-
sifed ad not meeting the standards of The County
Times. It is your responsiblity to check the ad
on its frst publication and call us if a mistake
is found. We will correct your ad only if noti-
fed after the frst day the frst publication ran.
Important
To Place a Classifed Ad, please email your ad to:
[email protected] or Call: 301-373-4125 or
Fax: 301-373-4128 for a price quote. Offce hours are:
Monday thru Friday 8am - 4pm. The County Times is
published each Thursday.
Deadlines for Classifeds are
Tuesday at 12 pm.
Real Estate
Own for less than rent. Great Starter Home! Nice 3
BR 1 BA Rambler on corner lot. Newer HVAC system
Large country kitchen with lots of cabinets and room
for table. Laundry room off of kitchen. Open foor plan
with large great room. Sold as is but shows well. Seller
says bring offers. This property is eligible for 100%
Financing. Contact me for more details, 301-862-2169.
Equal Housing Opportunity. Price: $134,900.
26 wooded acres with 2 percs and abundant wildlife.
Property is great for hunting as well as a home in
the woods. Possible owner fnancing. House with 12
acres also available. 240-298-7032. Price: $190,000.
Real Estate Rentals
One Bedroom/bath cottage, large livingroom, bedroom,
kitchen, bath and front porch. 5 mins south of Pax River
NAS. All utilities, satellite and trash service included.
No washer/dryer or hookup. One year lease required. No
smoking or pets. Call after 6pm 301-737-2749. Rent: $695.
Apartment Rentals
Furnished bdrms single family home in Coltons
Point, utilities included,shared kit & bath,
cable access, off street parking $600 a mth call
240-587-9359.
Seeking Young Professional roommates for 3 bedroom,
1 bath Leonardtown home. Must be okay with two
(very friendly) cats. One room will be available Janu-
ary 1st, another room will be available around February
or March. House is a small rambler with a full kitchen,
dining room, living room, screened-in back porch, large
yard, and unfnished basement (used for storage, litter
boxes, and second fridge). Very reasonably priced,
along with split utilities. Background check. Please
email for more information - [email protected].
Serious inquiries only please.
Employment
General service automotive technician position avail-
able. Must have experience preforming oil changes, tire
replacement/tire repair, and general maintenance. Must be
professional and motivated ! call Art 301-467-2973.
Experienced dental/medical scheduling supervisor want-
ed for well established fee for service practice in Me-
chanicsville. Experience preferred but will train the right
person! Monday through Friday hours no weekends.
Excellent salary, 401k, proft sharing, medical insurance,
and leave benefts. Please email resume to stmarysden-
[email protected] or download application
from our website at www.stmarysdental.com
1 BR apartment, $775 plus utilities.
$775 security deposit. Newly renovated, W/D, A/C
and off-street parking. Walking distance to public
transportation and all conveniences of downtown.
22756 Lawrence Avenue, Leonardtown.
Call 301-475-8384 or email [email protected].
The County Times
Last Weeks Puzzle Solutions
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24. Meat from a calf (alt.)
25. 7th Greek letter
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33. Angle (abbr.)
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The County Times
By Linda Reno
Contributing Writer
During the time of slavery,
being granted your freedom or
even being born free did not neces-
sarily mean you would always live
so. Such was the case of a young
woman from St. Marys County
who ended up in the Prince Wil-
liam County, Virginia jail in 1835.
Eliza Ann Barnes said in court that she was born in
St. Marys County and that she was the daughter of Mary
Barnes and the granddaughter of Patience Barnes who had
been given her freedom about 1805 by Colonel Barnes.
The 1804 will of Richard Barnes who lived at Tudor
Hall, said The poor slaves whose melancholy situation
I have long deplored, their freedom three years after my
death. They must behave themselves well. Any in viola-
tion of the law or otherwise improper conduct or convicted
before two magistrates may be sold as slaves. They are
required to take the surname of Barnes. My Executor, if
he thinks proper, is to provide them with money, stock, or
credit to enable them to live as tenants on my property.
They are to take care of their old, young, and infrm.
Eliza Ann went on to say that she was raised by Mrs.
Polly Dorsey in St. Marys County until 1832 when she
moved to Baltimore to live with her aunt, Susan Handy.
There she got a job as a cook on a fshing boat. At the time
of her arrest, she was in Washington, D.C. and on her way
home to Baltimore.
There appears to have been some collusion between
the constable, jailor, and the jailors brother because the
sale of the women took place inside the jail at the break
of daylight with only a few people present, including the
jailor William Ball, his brother James Ball of Prince Wil-
liam County, Enoch Smallwood, and Evan G. Jeffries.
Although the chain of ownership or the sequence of
transactions is not clear there is no doubt
that Enoch Smallwood, Evan Jeffries, Champe Terry,
and the two Ball brothers were all involved in this scam.
Also in the testimony we fnd that at some point Wil-
liam Cockrell came upon James Ball with the two women
chained together at their feet. Cockrell began to question
Ball about the women and without receiving a satisfactory
answer, asked the women who they were and where were
they going.
They told Cockrell that they were free women that had
been sold as slaves for only jail fees and that they were be-
ing taken to Georgia. Cockrell then enlisted the help of a
Mr. Farrow who obtained a warrant and took possession of
the women over the strong objections of James Ball.
As stated before, the outcome is not known; but on
August 3, 1835 Barnes and Sewell were granted leave to
fle a petition to sue Champe Terry in forma paupers. The
next day a motion was made in court by Champe Terry to
have the women delivered to him upon the payment of all
costs in the amount of $9.28.
A Journey Through Time A Journey Through Time
The Chronicle
of an
Aimless
Mind
Wanderings
Christmas
Countdown
By Shelby Oppermann
Contributing Writer
Uh oh, there is no half and half for Tidbits and my tea this morning.
Tidbit is not going to be a happy dog when she fnds this out. At pres-
ent she is still curled up on her, oh so soft, bedding in our bedroom. She
knows it is rainy and dark this morning and cannot be coaxed off of her
bed until she hears hot tea. It might be like the facebook post I read early
this morning about someone having to grade papers without tea one
comment was horror of horrors. This comment may have been made in
jest, but it would be a crisis for myself and other tea drinkers. I guess its
the same for people who are coffee drinkers.
All I can fnd in the refrigerator is 2% milk, eggnog, and half a pint
of heavy whipping cream. I dont know which will work with my Irish
Breakfast tea. Maybe I could make an Irish Breakfast Chai by adding
the eggnog (or eggneg as my brother always calls it) to the tea. It doesnt
sound too good, but new food fads have been created by such crazy con-
coctions. Or, I could mix a little milk and whipping cream into the tea,
or go the healthier way and opt for no cream at all, no sugar. Ahhhh, the
milk whipping cream mixture is just right. I wasnt brave enough to try
the eggnog concoction. Ill save the eggnog for the eggnog martini Ive
heard is so good. And, I am taking the slow, winding, torturous route to
healthy living.
The Christmas countdown is upon us, and its nearly time to bring
the Christmas tree out of the big shed. We usually haul it out a few days
before we want to bring it inside so it airs out a bit. The reason we need
to do that is because the 16 x 20 shed has a slight mothball smell from
us scattering the stinky little mothballs around the corners to ward off
foraging little creatures. After we bring the tree out I usually Febreeze it
quite a bit and then spray it with Santa Pine scent by Chase (a made in the
USA product as it happens). Ive spent quite a bit on different pine sprays
with little luck. This was the best by far, and I cannot remember where I
bought it.
I guess Ill leave all the grapevine and lighted reindeer in the shed.
My husband says he is not putting up Christmas decorations this year. He
told me he is still recovering from Halloween. We still have one creature
hanging out on an out of the way tree. It seems like any day we have a nice
day to take him down we are not home, and the days we are home its rain-
ing. Creature is well over six feet tall, and hard to fnd a place for. I think
if we give him a Santa head and hat and a red jacket we could still use
him. The saw blade in his head and dagger in his glove have to go though.
I still have some Fall decorations to put away, but that just makes it
to real that Christmas is a little over two weeks away. The New Christmas
Target ads have captured the feeling perfectly. A woman shows her rela-
tives out the door with all of them wishing each other a Happy Thanks-
giving and then as soon as she closes the door and turns back inside the
whole house is magically decorated for Christmas as her husband holds up
a glass and says, Eggnog?. I think part of the slogan is Santa has Elves,
you have Target. I wish I had some elves. Ive started painting portraits
of people and pets on glass ornaments again, and could really use a little
elf to do everything else on my list. I might even start my old series of
crabs, oysters, rockfsh, etc on the ornaments again. And I still have some
Christmas jewelry to make, and I want to paint some miniature AND
large Christmas paintings, and I have lots of Christmas orders & projects
to take care of at my shop andWhat am I thinking?!! My true middle
names must be pain and deadline. This is why I start looking forward
to January right now. I bring it upon myself I know, but its the way my
brain is wired.
Tomorrow night I will take a break from my own deadlines as we set
up our own Santas workshop at our Christ Church, Chaptico parish hall.
Well have a potluck supper, and then have stations for cookie-making,
ornament painting, Christmas card-crafting, ornaments from nature, and
a fresh greens station, with ribbons and candles to make centerpieces.
Its quite a fun, and messy night. Kids and adults craft and bake at all the
stations. If you would like to come bring some old crafts, or craft ideas,
greens, whatever and forget about what you have to do at home. As we say,
All are welcome.
To each new days adventure,
Shelby
Please send your comments or ideas to: [email protected]
B
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By Terri Schlichenmeyer
Contributing Writer
The footage of that day was beyond
scary.
It looked like those frst few steps when
someone gets off a carnival ride, those dizzy,
leg-shaking seconds of no equilibrium. Like
walking on a waterbed. Or like waltzing on a
sea of jelly as the world breaks apart.
Whatever it was like, you vowed that
youd never go through an earthquake without
a little preparation. But then life stepped in and, well, The
Big One might never arrive anyhow, right?
Maybe, but why take chances? With the new book
Are You Ready? How to Prepare for an Earthquake by
Maggie Mooney, youll be well-armed.
So you saw the news from Japan last spring. Maybe
you even experienced an earthquake yourself and you
never want to go there again and for good reason. Mag-
gie Mooney says that over 3 million people died in earth-
quakes in the twentieth century alone.
In order to be completely safe from a quake, you need
to understand psychology, she says. Humans tend to natu-
rally under-perceive risk. We assess risk based on our
likes and dislikes rather than by true advantages and
disadvantages.
To counter that, we must prepare, push aside denial,
and foster resilience.
Because our brains usually take over during times of
crisis, Mooney says that our bodies must be conditioned
to respond faster. Practice by dropping to your knees,
crawling under a desk or table (to attain the
Triangle of Life) and hanging on to the clos-
est, most secure object. Running outside or
standing in a doorway, she says, are no longer
recommended.
Develop a communication plan and make
a home emergency kit. Assign each member of
your family a special bag to hold ID, medical
information, and other documents. Make prep-
aration a game for the kids, and dont forget to
include your pets in the plan. Know the haz-
ards in your home, where to turn off gas and
electricity, and (gulp!) what to do if youre trapped.
Whistling in the dark wont work. Wishing is use-
less. You already know that you cant continue to pretend
you wont be affected by an earthquake; what happened in
Japan, Haiti, and Washington DC has proved otherwise.
But with Are You Ready? How to Prepare for an Earth-
quake, youll at least be equipped for the worst.
With a little geology, a little human behavior, and a
lot of common (and not-so-common) sense, author Mag-
gie Mooney herself a resident of a quake-prone area
presents a step-by-step method to ensure that your entire
family is ready for tremblers of any size. She wisely and
repeatedly cautions against panic but imparts a sense of
urgency and helpfully offers a checklist as well as resourc-
es for more information. I liked those extras, and I liked
that theyre easy to read and useable.
Are You Ready? How to Prepare for an Earthquake
is one of those books you hope youll never need but if you
do, youll be glad you read it. Without this book, in fact,
if an earthquake happens, you could be on shaky ground.
Are You Ready? How to Prepare for an
Earthquake by Maggie Mooney
c.2011, Greystone Books $15.95 / $17.95 Canada 160 pages
The County Times
Book Discussion Group
The Garvey Senior Activity Center will dis-
cuss Christmas Letters by Debbie Macomber on
Wednesday, Dec. 14 at 10 a.m. Read the selection
and come prepared to share your likes, dislikes,
and opinions. Thought-provoking discussion ques-
tions will be provided to encourage interaction and
conversation among participants. For more infor-
mation, call 301-475-4200, ext. 1050.
Off the Shelf all about books
On Monday, Dec. 12, from 10:30 a.m. to 2
p.m., enjoy a day dedicated to everything about
books reading, writing, publishing and more. If
you have literary leanings and interests, you will
enjoy our information, presentations and guest
speaker. Please contact the Center at 301-475-
4002 ext. 1001 by noon on Dec. 9 to sign-up for the
session and/or roast beef sandwich lunch.
Easy Listening Lounge
On Wednesday, Dec. 14, at 12 noon, the
Easy Listening Lounge will be held during lunch-
time at the Northern Senior Activity Center. This
performance series showcases local artists in a so-
cial and casual atmosphere. Enjoy good company,
food, and refreshments while enjoying the enter-
tainment. Pastor Abraham Thomas and family will
grace us with piano music and spiritual songs for
the season. A ham and yams lunch will be served at
11:45 a.m. Lounge tables will be set near the stage
for the most attentive listeners. A collection for our
guests will be taken by staff. Get your meal ticket
at 11:30 a.m. lunch will be served at 11:45 a.m. Re-
serve lunch by noon 24 hours in advance by calling
301-475-4002, ext. 1001. The cost for lunch is by
donation for seniors 60 and older; $5 for individu-
als under 60.
Holiday Gift Shop
The Northern Senior Activity Center Coun-
cil is sponsoring several vendors on Saturday, Dec.
10, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Northern Senior Ac-
tivity Center in Charlotte Hall. Come see Miche
handbags, sterling silver jewelry and ceramic gifts
available for purchase. Please contact Pat Myers
301-884-8714 with any questions.
Gift donations needed for Christmas Gift
Bingo
New items for our Christmas gift bingo are
being gratefully accepted at Loffer Senior Activ-
ity Center daily, Monday-Friday, between 8 a.m.
and 5 p.m. The bingo will be held on Friday, Dec.
16 -- 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. If youve bought or
made something in the past year and found that
you didnt use it after all or received a gift that
doesnt quite work out for you maybe you would
like to donate it to our annual Christmas gift bingo
(please, no candles, expired foodstuff or shopworn
items- our players give these as gifts to their loved
ones.) And while youre bringing things by, sign up
to play Christmas Gift Bingo yourself! THANK
YOU!!! For more information call 301-737-5670.
Christmas Gift Bingo at Loffer
There are still a few more days to sign up for
the annual Loffer Senior Activity Center Christ-
mas Gift Bingo. This is a chance to do your Christ-
mas shopping while playing Bingo and will hap-
pen on Friday, Dec. 16. The fun starts at 10:30 a.m.
and continues until 1:30 p.m. (there will be a brief
break for lunch.) Cost to play is $5 for three cards.
Some very nice things have been donated already
and we are continuing to take donations. To sign up
call 301-737-5670 ext. 1658 or stop by the Loffer
reception desk before noon on Wednesday, Decem-
ber 14. Please indicate if you wish to order a lunch.
Dates for Next Scripture Study at Loffer in
December
If you are interested in participating in the
Loffer Senior Activity Centers new scripture
study program, the next date is Friday, Dec. 16 at
10 a.m. We have bibles on hand but the print is pret-
ty small so if you have a favorite bible you might
enjoy bringing it with you. For more information
call 301-737-5670 ext. 1658.
Lofer Senior Activity Center 301-737-5670, ext. 1652;
Garvey Senior Activity Center, 301-475-4200, ext. 1050;
Northern Senior Activity Center, 301-475-4002, ext. 1001;
Ridge Nutrition Site, 301-475-4200, ext. 1050.
Visit the Department of Agings website at
www.stmarysmd.com/aging for the most up-to date information.
SENIOR LIVING
St. Marys
Dept of Aging
Programs and Activities
Humor Roundtable
Find us on Facebook!
Laughter lightens the soul,
breaks down barriers between peo-
ple, releases an endorphin that helps
dull physical pain in the body, and
reduces feelings of stress. The list of
benefts goes on and on, but what it
really comes down to is that we can
all beneft from a good laugh. So grab
your jokes (clean jokes only) and share
them with others during this humor roundtable at the Garvey Senior Activity Center on Thursday,
December 15 at 11:00 a.m. For more information and to sign up, call 301-475-4200, ext. 1050.
Receive the latest St.
Marys County Department
of Aging & Human Services
news, updates, and information.
Keyword: St. Marys
County Department of Aging
Adult Community
Lexington Park
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
FOR SENIORS 55+
21895 Pegg Road Lexington Park, MD 20653 (240) 725-0111
SPECIALS
$899
for a 1 bedroom
Application
Fee
Waived!
$999
for a 2 bedroom
Security
Deposit
$250
ST. MARY'S ADULT
MEDICAL DAY CARE
Invites you to attend a
On Thursday, December 8th
From 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Drop by to meet our staff, learn more about our
center, and enjoy a selection of specially
prepared Hors d'oeuvres and wine.
For more information, please Contact Dorothy Flynn
at 301-373-6515 or [email protected]
24400 Mervell Dean Road Hollywood, MD
We look forward to seeing you and wish you a
Happy Holiday Season!
The County Times
Some people think they have to spend hours at the gym
sweating on the treadmill or elliptical trainer in order to
burn calories and lose weight. As it turns out, the things you
do every single day could be burning more calories than
you realized. Some discipline with your diet and certain
healthy habits can make the difference for those attempting
to lose weight.
Getting eight hours of sleep can burn more than 300
calories for the average person. But there's a good chance
you are interested in what activities you can do while awake
to help burn calories.
Courtesy of Discovery Health and Harvard Medi-
cal School, here are common everyday activities and how
many calories can be burned depending on weight. These
fgures are based on a person weighing around 150 pounds
and a duration of one hour of activity.
Supermarket shopping: Pushing a wagon around
the supermarket for an hour can burn 240 calories or more.
Up the ante by bagging groceries yourself and packing and
unpacking them from the car.
Raking leaves: If you spent time manually raking
leaves this past fall, you were doing something good for
your body. In addition to working several muscle groups,
you may have spent 300 calories.
Dusting: Spring cleaning is right around the corner,
and that can be good news for your health. Dusting alone
can burn as much as 160 calories.
Cooking: Here's a reason to get fred up about cook-
ing. Making a simple meal can add up to 200 calories lost.
Just don't sabotage those lost calories by cooking up a fat-
tening dinner.
Moving: Packing and moving may seem like a big
task one rarely looks forward to, but carrying boxes can
burn 460 calories an hour. Packing, moving and unpacking
yourself may be the diet plan you've been seeking.
Painting: Perhaps you've been procrastinating on
that house painting project. Here's inspiration to break out
the rollers and brushes. Spending an hour painting can burn
350 calories. After several hours applying a primer and then
top coat, you may fnd you painted yourself thinner.
Community service: If you want to help the environ-
ment and your health, spending time picking up trash from
a park or seaside can shed some serious calories -- 450 an
hour.
Playing with kids: Engaging in some fun family
time can burn around 400 calories. Plus, it's a great way for
parents and children to bond.
Debra
Meszaros
is a Certifed
Sports Nutri-
tionist and Bio-
feedback prac-
titioner with
further educa-
tional studies
in Naturopathy,
Homeopat hy,
Or t homolecu-
lar Nutrition
and additionally
holds fourteen U.S. patents. Through her
extensive health education, and experi-
ence of 20-plus years in cellular biology,
she has developed an all-encompassing
Holistic health service that allows in-
dividuals to discover their biochemical
uniqueness, allowing them to fne tune
their health. The basis of her service is to
facilitate access to information that will
help your understanding of health pro-
cesses and elements that are within your
area of control. Her services are available
in Maryland, Virginia and South Caro-
lina. She can be reached at (540) 622
4989 Monday through Friday.
Keeping Muscle Tone as You Age
Daily Activities Can Burn Calories
By Debra Meszaros
MXSportsNutrition.com
Aging gracefully is actually an obtain-
able goal. Just raising your awareness about
certain processes of your body can help you
reach it successfully.
First, we must clarify a belief, that car-
diovascular training is the answer to being
in shape. Cardio training is only part of
being ft; aging gracefully is a more com-
prehensive program. The larger issue is
tissue deterioration due to immobilization.
This makes strength training on a regular
basis one of the main components of an
anti-aging program. Older muscles do not
respond too well to sudden exercise; so do
not rest those muscles for long periods of
time. Your objective should be to keep exer-
cising throughout your life. If you are at the
point in your life where you have already
been immobile or not exercising, then start
by gently beginning a program that is age
appropriate and within your level of current
ftness. Otherwise you increase the likeli-
hood of causing scarring or infammation.
Seeking the help of a qualifed trainer or
physical therapist is a safe approach.
Feeding your muscles
As we age our bodies biochemistry
changes. After the age of twenty, our body
begins to manufacture less enzymes with
each passing year; enzymes desperately
needed to carry out vital functions of the
body. We get to a point where we struggle
to utilize the protein in our food for growth,
maintenance, and building muscle. Both
digestive and metabolic enzyme supple-
mentation has been the focus of providing
some of what the body may be missing to
overcome this issue. Adding a highly ab-
sorbable protein source, like a protein pow-
der drink, within ffteen to twenty minutes
after your exercise can give the body the
nutrients needed to fuel repair, recovery,
and growth. Protein powders are not just for
body builders.
Managing stress
Stress whether in the form of mental,
emotional, or physical, creates a higher de-
mand from your body for some key nutri-
ents, primarily the ones fueling your adre-
nals: Vitamin C and most of your vitamin
Bs. With adequate supply of these nutri-
ents, the body has an easier time dealing
with stress. For many, incorporating these
into your supplementation program has its
benefts, so you may want to explore this
option. Lastly, both yoga and meditation are
two anti-stress forms of exercise that can
contribute greatly to anyones anti-aging
program.
So, take your health into your own
hands, stay active, feed your body, and
manage your stress. Its easier than you
think. You can build a new you through a
healthy routine.
DISCLAIMER: When you read through
the diet and lifestyle information, you must
know that everything within it is for informa-
tional purposes only and is not intended as a
substitute for advice from your physician or
other health care professional. I am making
no attempt to prescribe any medical treatment.
You should not use the information here for
diagnosis or treatment of any health problem
or for prescription of any medication or other
treatment. The products and the claims made
about specifc products have not been evalu-
ated by the United States Food and Drug Ad-
ministration and are not intended to diagnose,
treat, cure or prevent disease. You should
consult with a healthcare professional before
starting any diet, exercise or supplementation
program, before taking any medication, or if
you have or suspect you might have a health
problem. Confrm the safety of any supplements
with your M.D., N.D. or pharmacist (health-
care professional). Some information given is
solely an opinion, thought and or conclusion
based on experiences, trials, tests, assessments
or other available sources of information. I do
not make any guarantees or promises with re-
gard to results. I may discuss substances that
have not been subject to double blind clinical
studies or FDA approval or regulation. You as-
sume the responsibility for the decision to take
any natural remedy.
You and only you are responsible if you
choose to do anything with the information you
have read. You do so at your own risk. Use
your intelligence to make the decisions that are
right for you. Consulting a naturopathic doctor
is strongly advised especially if you have any
existing disease or condition.
Cleaning rain gutters can burn 372 calories in one hour.
The County Times
Community
Mark Doc Grace, Owner/Operator of
Mellomar Golf Park in Lower Marlboro has
teamed up with Mary Bowen of Prosperity
Acres, a beef and goat farm in Sunderland.
to create a true win-win arrangement in the
world of golf and goats.
In the world of golf course maintenance,
two of the biggest expenses on the balance
sheet are labor and chemicals, a press release
from Mellomar states. In the world of goat
raising and breeding, there is always a need
for more grazing land and larger herds. All
this is coming together at Mellomar Golf Park.
What we have here is basically a free
lease arrangement, explains Grace. My
situation is the need to control unwanted veg-
etation in certain areas of the golf course. But
the times being what they are, budget restric-
tions are hindering my ability to adequately
address this problem. Marys goats are the
answer. They willingly work weekends and
arent aware of any scheduled holidays.
Tee one up on any given day at Mello-
mar and youll come across the herd, dutifully
munching, gnawing, and trimming back the
underbrush that restricts much needed air cir-
culation around the turf.
The farm needed room to expand, ex-
plains Bowen. So when Doc came looking
to purchase a couple goats we discovered our
mutual needs and the arrangement was made.
It all came together perfectly.
Turns out this has a become a win-win-
win-win situation. Mellomar Golf Park has
saved money in manpower and chemicals,
and Prosperity Acres has found new grazing
land and the goat herd is in the process of ex-
panding. It really is a sight to see, just dont
touch the fence, the press release states.
Prosperity Acres, a family-owned beef
and goat farm, produces local, naturally fed
meats for their family and community. Find
them on the web at www.prosperityacres.
com.
Mellomar Golf Park consists of a driv-
ing range, nine-hole par three course, and a
regulation length nine-hole course. They can
be found on the web at www.mellomar.com.
Golf Course Shows Environmental
Responsibility Not A Baaaaad Thing
The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Washington, is
setting priorities for investigating a number of munitions sites on
Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River and Webster Field, as well
as former water ranges in the Patuxent River and Chesapeake Bay
that were associated with NAS Patuxent River and Navy Recre-
ation Center (NRC) Solomons.
The Munitions Response Program addresses munitions and
explosives of concern at ranges that are no longer operational and
at related sites such as munitions burial areas. Prioritization of the
munitions response sites is based on overall conditions at these lo-
cations and takes into consideration safety and environmental haz-
ards. The Navy is soliciting valuable public input on the prioritiza-
tion process.
A public meeting is set for 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 11, at the
Frank Knox Center, Route 235 and Cedar Point Road, Lexington
Park, MD (just outside Gate 2 of the base).
The public comment period is Dec. 11, 2011, through Jan. 11,
2012.
Comments may be submitted at the public meeting or by writ-
ing to: Gary Younger, Public Affairs Offcer at 22268 Cedar Point
Road (Building 409), Patuxent River, MD 20670-1154 or gary.
[email protected].
For more information, munitions response site documenta-
tion and initial prioritization scores are available at the Lexington
Park Public Library (21677 FDR Boulevard, Lexington Park, MD
20653) and the NAS Patuxent River Library (Building 407 on Ce-
dar Point Road).
For questions about the munitions response or environmen-
tal cleanup programs at NAS Patuxent River, please contact: Gary
Younger, Public Affairs Offcer at 301-757-6478 or gary.younger@
navy.mil.
Munitions Response Sites:
St. Inigoes/Webster Field: Aerial Bombing Range
NAS Patuxent River: Historic Munitions Disposal Area
NAS Patuxent River: Former Pistol and Skeet Ranges
NAS Patuxent River: Former Island Ranges, including the
following sub-areas:
Barren Island Range
Kent Island Range
Piney Point Range
Machine Gun Range
Sharps Island Range
NRC Solomons Water Ranges: Located in the Patuxent River
(approximately from Broomes Island to Solomons Island) and in
the Chesapeake Bay (approximately from Taylors Island to Smith
Island) and including the following sub-areas and activities:
Acoustic Courses
Barges and Boats
Mine Warfare
Air Test Runs
Broomes Island
Restricted Area (near Solomons)
Former Torpedo and Explosive Test Areas
By Sarah Miller
Staff Writer
A new initiative from the Southern Maryland food
bank has been not only successful, but is expanding before
the end of its inaugural year.
Since October, the food bank has been running the
Snack Sak program at Lexington Park Elementary School.
Every Friday, 16 students from the Free and Reduced Meal
(FARM) program have been receiving bags with seven
pounds of food to feed them over the weekend.
Brenda DiCarlo, director of the Southern Maryland
Food Bank, said she has been working on the program for
about a year, and similar programs from the Feed America
program inspired it. She and co-worker George Mattingly
implemented the program during the current school year.
We decided it was something we had to do, DiCarlo
said.
She said the response from the school, the parents and
the students has been positive.
There have actually been children asking for bags,
DiCarlo said.
Karyn Timmons, the parent liaison for Lexington Park
Elementary School, said the students have been good about
bringing the bags back at the beginning of the week and the
end of the week. The students are issued numbers which cor-
relate to their bags, and their names are never attached to the
sacks themselves.
She said the food supplied is kid friendly, like canned
spaghetti and ravioli, peanut butter and jelly and crackers
and oatmeal. They ainclude information about nutrition
and games. They also get information about the amount of
siblings the children have and try to adjust accordingly so
they can share with other children in their homes. The sacks
never weigh more than seven pounds, which is a safe weight
for the children to carry along with their backpacks.
Timmons said during holidays, like Thanksgiving
and Christmas, they want to give more to the students to
help during the longer break. To accomplish this, they ask
parents to come pick the sacks and their children up. Dur-
ing Thanksgiving, they also gave food to the families for
Thanksgiving dinner.
Now, in the face of success at Lexington Park Elemen-
tary, the United Way has stepped up and offered fnancial
backing for an additional three schools, totaling another 45
students receiving Snack Saks. The program will launch at
George Washington Carver, Green Holly and Park Hall el-
ementary schools.
Were flling basic human needs, said Jennifer Hol-
lingsworth, the executive director of the St. Marys County
United Way. She said donations to the Snack Sak program
can be made through the United Way website at www.unit-
edwaysmc.org.
Moving forward, DiCarlo said there is need for a space
for storage and weekly preparation, as the operation has out-
grown the food bank. She is also looking for fnancial back-
ing for the program. It costs $4,000 per year, per school, to
provide Snack Saks to 15 students.
For more information, call the Southern Maryland
Food Bank at 310-274-0695.
[email protected]
Photo by Carrie Munn
The Patuxent River Naval Air Museum on Tuesday hosted its frst job fair specifcally designed for disabled veterans, with the support of NAVAIR
and the Wounded Warrior project. More than 35 federal, private defense contracting and higher education organizations participated in the
well-attended event, at which 120 service members from military treatment facilities from around the country were brought in. Author Edward
Crenshaw spoke on changing the perceptions of todays wounded veterans.
Public Hearing Set
on Old NAS Pax River
Munitions Sites
Feeding Children at
Home on Weekends
Wounded Warrior Job Fair
The County Times
By Keith McGuire
Contributing Writer
Over the years,
I know I have bought
more hunting equip-
ment, clothing, and re-
lated paraphernalia than
I have room to store in
the off season. Every
fall, I spend another
small fortune to update
the inventory with more
modern equipment to
make sure that I have
the latest and greatest
items to fnd game, at-
tract game, hide from
game, and stay warm
and comfortable while
doing so.
The pinnacle of my
late autumn/early win-
ter hunting adventures
is the deer frearms
season. Dont get me
wrong! I love all of the other seasons be-
fore and after the deer frearms season, but
the climax of the year is the 15 days of the
frearms season. Without a doubt, I spend
more time and money on this season than
any other during the year.
I have spent countless hours to make
sure that I can hunt with good concealment
(including the required hunter orange), in
absolute comfort with
foul weather gear suit-
able for the most severe
winters, and high up in
a tree in the best and
greatest of tree stands.
This year, I have actual-
ly purchased and placed
several of these stands in
different locations of the
property where I hunt, to
make sure that I will be
where the big bucks will
walk on any given day.
Safety in a tree stand is
a primary concern, so
I have bought the most
exclusive full-body
safety harness for use
in the stands. For other
areas, I have two ground
blinds, placed and fully
equipped with comfort-
able chairs for long days
in inclement weather.
I have purchased
the best scent controlling soap for my morn-
ing showers along with the best scent elimi-
nation concoctions marketed for spraying
every exterior part before heading into the
woods as a fnal step. I have scouted my
hunting locations meticulously to assure
that deer are travelling through the areas,
and verifed the presence of deer with trail
camera photographs.
I have purchased some of the sexiest
smelling doe pee available to place in stra-
tegic locations depending on the wind di-
rection that will attract the largest and most
amorous bucks.
And there I sit, in one of these locations
day after day, from before the frst morning
light until well into the day, and then from
early to mid afternoon until well past sun-
set, contemplating the trail camera pictures
of that huge buck that has visited the area in
the middle of the night.
The woods come alive every morning
with squirrels, birds, and other critters be-
fore taking a rest from the early morning
activity. Then again in the evening right
up until dark, they make a scurry through
the woods for their last bedtime snack. The
things missing here are the deer!
After more than a week into the sea-
son, one doe and one spike buck have
walked by a stand that
I was in
during daylight. Ive rechecked the trail
cameras and all of the pictures are still in
the middle of the night. Have the deer in
my woods have become totally nocturnal?
How did this happen? We have a group of
eight hunters who hunt these woods during
the season, and on most days, there are no
more than three of us in the woods at any
one time. Im there almost every day. No
shots have been fred!
Oh well, there is still another week.
Maybe things will get better or at least as
good as the bow season!
If you have a particularly interesting
hunting story and a picture, please drop
me a line at [email protected].
How Did This Happen?
Sp rts
Fur and
Feathers
Fur and
Feathers
The County Times
MHBR
No. 103
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