Thursday, april 30, 2009

The Sound of freedom

Blue Angels Returning For Air Expo 09 At PAX
PAGe 11

Partners In Progress, Part 2

Story Page 9

School Audit Targets Buses

Story Page 15

Story Page 17

Navy Pier Burns

The County Times

Thursday, April 30, 2009

The County Times

RESULTS
Should the county commissioners raise property taxes or cut $6 million in services?

Cut Services
18%

Raise Taxes

45% 36%

Not Sure
Should the county fully deplete its rainy day funds before raising property taxes?

Dont Know

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Yes

9% 27%

No

64%

Do you think county government is doing everything it can to keep taxes from increasing?

Dont Know
27%

Yes - 0%

73%

No
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Thursday, April 30, 2009

The County Times

WEDDING DAY BLISS

Page 18

Bomb threat suspects still on the run

Page 18

ON THE FRONT ON THE BACK

On T he Covers

The Blue Angels flying in their renowed Delta formation. U.S. Navy Photo Erin Leddy and Katie Love of St. Marys Ryken watch a ball fall between them during the Knights 6-0 loss to Bishop OConnell Friday afternoon.

riverview ready for crowds

If the price is right and the food is good, youll have a lot of support from the golfers, and the community, which we have,
Chairman of the Wicomico Shores Golf Course Advisory Board Page 10

Chico Rivers,

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A.G. TAKE RIVER RIDE

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County News Town News State News Editorial/Opinion Community Money Defense and Military Obituaries Education Crime and Punishment InStyle A House is a Home Real Estate History Entertainment Food Wandering Minds Games Going On Newsmakers Community Special Olympics Sports Desk Softball St. Marys College

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James Manning McKay - Founder Eric McKay -Associate Publisher..................................ericmckay@countytimes.net Tobie Pulliam - Office Manager..............................tobiepulliam@countytimes.net Sean Rice - Associate Editor.....................................................seanrice@countytimes.net Angie Stalcup - Graphic Artist.......................................angiestalcup@countytimes.net Andrea Shiell - Community Correspondent...........andreashiell@countytimes.net Chris Stevens - Sports Correspondent............................chrisstevens@countytimes.net Guy Leonard - Government Correspondent...................guyleonard@countytimes.net Matt Suite - Sales Representative..........................................mattsuite@countytimes.net Helen Uhler - Sales Representative....................................helenuhler@countytimes.net

The County Times

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Blueberry Jelly Bellies were created especially for Ronald Reagan.

ews
By Guy Leonard Staff Writer By Guy Leonard Staff Writer Just how much the county could receive in property tax revenues is still in question as the state and county numbers on property tax revenues dont exactly jibe. The state Department of Assessment and Taxations announcement of the public hearing held April 14 stated that if the county maintains its current tax rate of $.857 for every $100 of assessed value, it would generate $5.9 million. Using the same tax rate, the county, however, estimates $7.7 million in revenue for the proposed fiscal 2010 budget, a difference of $1.8 million. Whos right? State and county officials say it comes down to how the assessable base is determined. According to state law, properties that are added to the rolls for the first time are not included in the states propertytax calculations for that year; that was the likely reason for the difference, said one state official. We exclude property taxes that would be on the rolls for the first time, said Laura Kittel, assistant to the director of the Department of Assessments and Taxation. There may be other reasons out there, but I dont know what the basis for their [the countys] calculation was. Elaine Kramer, chief financial officer for the county government, said that local projections did count property growth, and, she said, officials here were not sure of how the state tallied up its numbers. Its their derived thing, Kramer said of the states numbers used in the announcement of the public hearing. We have absolutely no access to their calculations. Everybody has difficulty [with understanding] it, she said. Commissioner Lawrence D. Jarboe (R-Golden Beach), who has been the sole proponent of reducing the tax rate to just $.798 for every $100 of assessed value, said that regardless of the estimates, under the current tax rate residents were likely to pay higher property taxes this year, he just was not sure how much. The average increase [by county figures] will be $156, he said. Thats one of the largest increases Ive seen in my time as a county commissioner. But long-time homeowners who have taken advantage of the Homestead property tax protection deal, also offered by the state, will likely pay less, since their property tax rate has been capped at five percent. The longer you live in the county, the more benefit it is to you, Jarboe said.

un Fact

Tax-Revenue Estimates Wineries And Banquet Halls Differ By Nearly $2 Million

A text amendment that would allow commercial wineries in the rural and low-density population areas of the county could also pave the way for conference centers and other activities there, giving Planning Commission members pause about potential impacts in those zones. Members extended the period for public comment after holding a hearing on the matter April 27. The commission expects to deliberate towards a decision on the measure in the next few weeks. On initial presentation we had questions that needed to be answered, said commissioner member Shelby Guazzo. We wanted to look into the impacts of [a commercial winery]. Are we getting into unintended consequences if we do that? Officials with the countys Department of Economic and Community Development have been pushing for the text amendments passage for several weeks. The goal is to encourage the start of several commercial wineries in the county that would bring in tourism dollars that currently stream into Calvert County, which already has five commercial wineries in operation. Well be allowing an agri-tourism activity supported by the state, said zoning administrator Yvonne Chaillet. It would be considered a minor agricultural use. Commission members had little issue with a winery having its own vineyard on the property, but were worried that a conference center could bring in greater traffic than the current zoning intended. Planning Commission Chairman Steve Reeves was concerned that the zoning amendment would allow conference and banquetstyle facilities in the rural and low-density residential zones, even if there were no wineries started there. Yet some commission members said that a winery would likely only be able to survive and thrive if it had other activities like wine tasting, food service and some sales. A winery would have to have more revenue streams to be successful, said commission member Merl Evans. It makes sense to have some of these things. The amendment has already been reviewed by the Board of County Commissioners, with Commissioner President Francis Jack Russell expressing opposition to commercial wineries in the rural and low-density residential zones.

No Fees For Elms Beach

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer County Commissioners roundly rejected a proposal on Tuesday to impose a $5 uage fee at the Elms Beach Park near Dameron. The director of the Department of Parks and Recreation, Phillip Rollins, stated in a letter to commissioners that imposing fees might alleviate problems with overcrowding, excessive trash, inadequate toilet facilities and conflicts between groups. But the entire commissioner board rejected the proposal, instead directing Parks and Recreation to limit pavilion rentals on weekends and to forbid alcohol from the park grounds, according to Commissioner Lawrence D. Jarboe (R-Golden Beach). It may help some, Jarboe said of the commissioners decision. Theres a tradition in St. Marys County of allowing the public free access to the water. Jarboe said that the fee proposal didnt even go to a motion. The commissioners were pretty much unanimous in not wanting to charge for access, he said. The proposed fee would have started on Memorial Day weekend in May and cost county residents $5 per vehicle, while out-of-county visitors would have had to pay $8. Photo by Guy Leonard The fee structure would have been used from May 23 County commissioners rejected a proposal that would have required fees to use public facilities until September 30 and on at Elms Beach weekends, according to Rollins letter. The fee structure had the unanimous support of the Recreation and Parks Board, which also wants to restrict the issuance of alcohol consumption permits at the park. Rollins letter stated that alcohol permits would no longer be issued for group functions at the beach. Jarboe said that the county may try to publicize other beach-front public parks in the county that dont get as much attention, such as Myrtle Point and the Piney Point Lighthouse beach, to alleviate problems at Elms. Theres a ton of access in the county to the water, Jarboe said.

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Thursday, April 30, 2009

The County Times

ews

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer

regularly. I dont expect any surprises [on Ganslers visit.] He also said research has shown that the St. State Attorney General Douglas Gansler paid Marys River is not in nearly as poor shape as other a visit to the county Wednesday to take a boat rivers in the bays watershed system. ride on the St. Marys River to gauge the health However, he said he hopes to get Ganslers of the river and determine how his office can betassistance in influencing the federal government ter protect it and its watershed from to help ameliorate pollutants from pollution. the Webster Field Annex in St. Gansler, who has audited the Inigoes. health of other rivers farther north in The facility does classified Maryland, said that fixing the polluwork for the Naval Air Station tion in state rivers that drain into the Patuxent River. Chesapeake Bay was the key to imWebster Field is the only proving the overall health of the bay. point-source polluter in the St. Youve got to fix the polluMarys River, Lewis said. tion, Gansler said to a Wednesday Were willing to go to the morning gathering of local officials feds all the time, Gansler told n Leonardtown, adding that putting The County Times. We think the more oysters into the bay was not the federal government will be more only thing needed to clean it up. willing to clean up with this new Youre just throwing money [Obama] administration. into the water, Gansler said about One state delegate viewed just depending on oysters to clean up Ganslers forays into local waterthe bay. sheds as a tactic to establish himGansler, a Democrat, was unPhoto by Frank Marquart self as an environmentally friendly abashed about his interest in clean- Attorney General Douglas Gansler spoke with state and local leaders Wednesday attorney general. ing up Marylands rivers, and that it about his plans to audit the health of the St. Marys River and prosecute polluters crossed party lines. The environment was my top issue along with public safety, he said. I thought Watershed Association. Id be branded as a tree-hugging liberal but this Lewis said that he did not believe Gansler is a real bipartisan issue. would find many large-scale polluters in the local After the river ride, Gansler was scheduled rivers watershed. to meet with officials and the public at St. Marys I dont know of anything egregious going College at 5 p.m. on, said Lewis, who treks into the watershed

Attorney General Takes River Ride

Advocates for the St. Marys River have said what they really want is more recognition of what they consider to be perhaps the countys most precious resource. Im looking for a greater appreciation for the assets we call the St. Marys River, said Bob Lewis, executive director of the St. Marys River

Clearly its politically driven, said House Minority Leader Del. Anthony ODonnell (R-Dist. 29C) before the Gansler visit on Wednesday. This attorney general has sought to establish his green bona fides. Thats his right but it looks like political theater in search of a civil or criminal problem. Gansler was, ODonnell said, trying to take on the responsibilities of the Maryland Department of the Environment. MDE should be able to point out any serious offenders, ODonnell said. Thats their job. Id prefer hed be the law and order attorney general, ODonnell said. But Gansler said that monitoring the rivers and bay was all part of enforcing the law, and made no bones of his environmental focus. Theres nothing political about it, Gansler said. Our mission is to clean up the bay and the rivers. Del. John Bohanan (D-Dist.29B) said that it made sense for Gansler to probe the countys main watershed. I think his intent is to send a message to whoever pollutes our rivers and streams that theyre [the attorney generals office] is going to enforce the law.

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer

Developers Request More Time

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Developers with projects that have won final construction approval in St. Marys asked the Board of County Commissioners this week to extend those approvals for two years so that they have more time to get financing before their permits expire. The commissioners expect to meet with the Planning Commission to talk about the issue in late May. County officials say that some projects could be forced off the books if they are not given time to weather the economic recession and get more financing. We were approached by the building industry to help these projects along that wouldve expired, said Bob Schaller, director of the countys Department of Economic and Community Development. Schaller said that with the current lagging state of the local construction industry, future growth might suffer if the economy turns around. There are few new developments in the county right now, and if these [ready for approval] were allowed to expire, when the economy picks back up, we wont have much, he said. The text amendment proffered to the county commissioners allowed for the approvals to be extended from January of this year until Dec. 31 of 2010, Schaller said. Hopefully the economy will have improved

by then, Schaller said. Commissioner Thomas A. Mattingly (DLeonardtown) said the text amendment made sense now. In the economy right now it affords them some flexibility on the getting through the [recession, Mattingly said. The text amendment would not just help bigger developers, said the head of CMI Contractors in Charlotte Hall, John K. Parlett. It affects anyone who plans to build something, not just developers, Parlett told The County Times. It will assist anyone going through that planning process. The planning process, including going from just a concept site plan, the first step in the process, to an engineering plan, including a grading permit, can be costly, Partlett said. People arent moving forward [with their projects] because they know theres no market out there, Parlett said. Getting through the process is extremely expensive. To get to an engineering plan, and a grading permit, could cost as much as $100,000 for a midsize project like an office building, Parlett said. A larger subdivision plan has cost him as much as $400,000 to $500,000 to get through the first stage of the planning process, Parlett said. Project approvals last for one year, Parlett said, and developers or builders can apply for extensions, but there are no guarantees that the request would be approved by county planning and zoning officials.

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Police Search For Suspects In Courthouse Bomb Threat

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer St. Marys County investigators are still searching for suspects in last weeks bomb threat that forced the evacuation of both the Circuit Court and District Court buildings in Leonardtown. Were still working on it, said Deputy First Class Cindy Allen, spokeswoman for the Sheriffs Office. The bomb threat in Leonardtown, which closed down the courts for about three hours, is the latest in a string of incidents dating back to February when a worker at the California Wal-Mart Superstore allegedly called in eight separate bomb threats in the space of just about two weeks. Since then there have been threats or suspected explosive devices at the Shoppers Food Warehouse in California, the Wawa gas station on Route 235 and Rue Purchase Road, and a Pizza Hut. All the cases are actively being investigated, Allen said. One incident in March saw a Leonardtown man arrested for delivering suspicious packages with allegedly threatening notes on them to the Dash-In store on Maypole Road and Route 5. The packages were found to be inert by law officers but David H. Mattingly was charged with delivering a phony destruction device and malicious destruction of property as a result. Chantel Cook, of Lusby, has also been indicted in county Circuit Court for her alleged bomb threats at Wal-Mart. Allen said that so far this year there have been 13 bomb threats, seven of which were at Wal-Mart. In 2006, she said, there were 17 such threats but most were at the public schools and included students pulling fire alarms. Those incidents are lumped into bomb threats, she said. Sheriff Timothy K. Cameron said that while bomb threats seemed to be a rising problem, it was important for law enforcement not to lose its edge in dealing with them. Of course were concerned, its the nature of the society we live in, Cameron said, especially of Wal-Marts nationally which attract many bomb threats. I insist we take every one of them seriously. Life is always a priority.

Town

The County Times

Thursday, April 30, 2009

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer

County Gets In Line For Tamiflu

states Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, said the state has 403,522 doses of Tamiflu in its own stockpile, with more from the federal government on the way. By the middle of next week the state should have about 1.2 million doses either on hand or available for use, Paulson said.

There have no reported cases of the swine flu in Maryland but the county needs, as a precaution, to get medication soon from the federal government to combat any indications of the virus, said a local health official on Tuesday. County health officer Dr. William Icenhower told county commissioners sitting as the Board of Health that there is as yet no vaccine here for the swine flu outbreak that is ravaging Mexico and seems to be spreading and mutating rapidly. The only other medication that would be effective in either aborting or ameliorating the effects of the virus in humans is Tamiflu, he said. Icenhower said the federal government has released about 25 percent of its stock of Tamiflu and is apportioning it out to the states. The medication could be released quickly to anyone infected with the virus if the county health department had it on hand from the state. Im urging them to send it down here, because these drugs are most effective within the first 48 hours, Icenhower told commissioners. Itll take months to develop a vaccine that will be effective. David Paulson, spokesman for the

We have more than enough stockpiled to handle any anticipated situation in the near and immediate future, Paulson said Wednesday. The best thing the countys health workers could do is to be vigilant. We wait and we watch, Icenhow-

er said. We have no cases in Maryland, Virginia or [Washington] D.C. Just after his presentation later a Mexican child died in Houston, Texas while being treated for the disease, according to national media reports. In Mexico there have been about 150 deaths from the virus out of some 1,600 cases, Icenhower said In the United State there have been about 91 documented cases so far with most in New York, according to media reports. Swine flu symptoms are similar to those of the winter flu, and the remedy outside of medication is much the same, according to Icenhower. You just have to rest, get plenty of fluids and wait, he said. If a swine flu outbreak does hit the county, health department workers wont be likely to get much rest themselves, because the department is short several people, he said. If it continues to mushroom, well be hard pressed for personnel at the health department, Icenhower said. Icenhower said that anyone who believes he or she may be infected should either go to an emergency room or to his or her family physician and avoid hospital waiting rooms to lower the risk of infecting large numbers of people.

Thursday, April 30, 2009

The County Times

More Baltimore Officers To Patrol Inner Harbor

BALTIMORE (AP) _ More Baltimore police officers will be patrolling the Inner Harbor after two teens were stabbed there. Some businesses at one of the city's top tourist attraction were forced to close or stop admitting patrons because of the disturbance on Saturday night. Police Col. John Skinner, the chief of patrol, says the weather and discounts for kids at some stores attracted a ``a Fourth of July-sized'' crowd, unprecedented for a pre-summer weekend. He says a group of youths beat and stabbed a two teens in separate incidents, leaving them with serious wounds. Two youths were charged as adults with assault. Skinner says staffing levels for the Harbor will be determined at a meeting Tuesday, and Saturday's disturbance will mean more patrols earlier in the season than usual.

ANNAPOLIS (AP) _ It was truly a perfect night. A week shy of his 84th birthday, Calvin Johnson did something no other Marylander his age has ever done, at least when it comes to bowling, according to officials in the sport. Johnson, an Annapolis native, rolled a perfect 300 in league competition at Annapolis Bowl on March 6. It was his second game with the Fighting Five team, and came after a not-too shabby 255. His average is 195. Johnson said he didn't get nervous as he kept stepping up and setting down pins for strike after strike. And even with just one frame standing between himself and bowling immortality, Johnson didn't flinch. With a fluid, whipping motion, he artfully guided his 14-pound black and blue ball down the alley and into the pins, knocking down all 10. ``I felt better with that last one than with the first one,'' said Johnson, a great-grandfather who looks more than a decade younger than his age. Johnson said he did a little dance with the last strike before stepping off the alley and accepting congratulations. A week later on league night, which happened to be his birthday, friends and teammates were still celebrating his achievement. ``It's amazing,'' said Mike Worth, manager of Annapolis Bowl, which has posted Johnson's name above one of the lanes in recognition of his feat. ``He (rolls) a decent ball, regardless of his age. There are a lot of very good bowlers (in that league) and he holds his own.'' Despite Johnson's athletic build and about 65 years of bowling experience, it was the first time he's ever gotten a 300. He also plays golf regularly. ``I just enjoy the competition, the exercise, and just

Annapolis Man, 84, Now State's Oldest 300 Bowler

being with different people,'' he said, flashing a smile. At Annapolis Bowl, a 300 game in and of itself isn't that uncommon. In fact, there are usually a couple a week there, and a couple a month in the Friday Mix & Match league that Johnson takes part in, Worth said. But according to Mark Miller, a spokesman for the Texas-based United States Bowling Congress, Johnson is the oldest in Maryland to ever accomplish the feat. Overall, about 12 or 13 older men have bowled 300, Miller said. The oldest is a Tennessee man who was perfect a week shy of turning 88. Johnson's still bowling, though, so anything is possible. ``I don't know how someone 84 years old should feel,'' he quipped. ``(But) I feel like I did when I was 60, even though I know I'm not.'' Johnson, who was an infrared analyst at the David Taylor Research Center, said he's quite happy just to have one perfect game in his lifetime. His friends said they can always tell when he gets hot on the lanes. ``He gets in a zone,'' said teammate Cliff Colbert, of Annapolis, a longtime bowling companion. When Johnson warmed up the week after his 300, he instantly rolled three more strikes before coming up one pin short on his fourth ball. ``Hey, man, save that stuff for the (team)!'' Smith said. ``I'd better quit while I'm ahead,'' Johnson then said, laughing. ``Well, I'd like to have (another 300), but I don't look forward to it. Once in a lifetime is enjoyable. You feel like your bowling hasn't been in vain.''

Md. Gets $1 Million For Harriet Tubman Trail

ANNAPOLIS (AP) _ The Obama administration has announced $8 million in conservation projects in Maryland. Gov. Martin O'Malley said Monday that those funds include $1 million to create a trail that will connect the Harriet Tubman Discovery Center on the Eastern Shore to the surrounding Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. O'Malley says that when completed, the Discover Center will be a major part of the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historic Park System. It is estimated it will bring as many as 75,000 visitors to Dorchester County each year. O'Malley also says the $8 million will help create jobs.

The County Times

Thursday, April 30, 2009

To The Editor:
Enjoy Ms. Renos Column
Your continuing column giving accounts of Maryland history written by Linda Reno [A Journey Through Time] is simply excellent and enriching. And it is not only the history reported in each edition that is so interesting but also that Ms. Reno expresses each accounting with obJames P. Cusick Lexington Park, Md.

Editorial:
vious zeal and her style of reporting makes the story come to life. It is very well done indeed.

Arrestees Raise Over $22,000 For Care Net

On behalf of all of us at Care Net Pregnancy Center of Southern Maryland, I want to thank those that made our first annual Jail & Bail fundraiser such a success. Sheriff Tim Cameron, the events co-host, asked Billy and Joyce Cusic to round up 15 criminals that were charged with lack of bail. Driving their antique St. Marys County black and white police cars, Officer Cusic put the following individuals in plastic handcuffs and brought them to the Old Jail in Leonardtown: Chuck Kimball, Evans Seafood; Charlie Hammett; Brian Norris, Cherry Cove; Mile Bailey, Ignite the Night; Kerry Klear, Printing Press; John Winters, Winters Heating & Cooling; Father Gurnee, Holy Angels Church; Father LaHood, Our Ladys of Medleys Neck Church; Glen Ives, Sabre Systems; Kim Oliver and Dawn Rich, Amelex; Tom Hodges, Tom Hodges Auto; Jim Curry; Wayne Davis, W.M. Davis General Contractors; and Tommy McKay, McKays Fine Foods. There they met with their court-appointed at-

torney, Ben Slick (aka Skip Jones) before going into the chambers of Judge Ment (aka John Papier). After some bantering between the attorney and judge, bail was set at $1,500 per criminal and paid to the bailiff, Diane Jones. After a personal tour of the Old Jail conducted by Agnes Bean and Hal Willard, they were escorted to Tudor Hall for a luncheon in their honor, sponsored by Leo Dilling, the owner of Corbels. They were also given a tour of the beautiful Georgian mansion by Susan Wolfe and Betty Mason Holley of the St. Marys County Historical Society. Sheriff Cameron closed our event by presenting framed arrest warrants to all those that participated in the fundraiser. Thanks again to all of you for helping to raise more than $22,000 for Care Net and having such a great sense of adventure! Rick Tancreto, Care Net Lexington Park, Md.

Mattinglys Work Far Superior

Recently, the United States Supreme Court ruled in my favor in my case with Discover Card. This followed a six-year ordeal after Discover Card sued me. I am an elderly widow with many health problems. When I was sued, I could get no one to help me and my prospects were grim. Thats when I met a small-town lawyer from St. Marys County and he offered to help. I want to publicly thank my lawyer and dear friend, John A. Mattingly Jr., for his work and dedication. Discover Card was charging me wrongfully and was claiming a loophole, which allowed them to do it. Not only did he fight the charges, but also he attacked the loopholes, which allowed Discover Card to avoid lending requirements. As early as 2003, Mr. Mattingly warned the federal courts that these loopholes could break the banking system. At the time, the judges and Discover Card ignored his concerns, stating that it couldnt happen and there was sufficient government supervision. Mr. Mattingly was right and now the dangers he warned about have happened. Throughout the course of the case, Discover Card threw dozens of the best lawyers that money could buy, from all over the country, at me. No matter how many hired guns they threw at me, I knew I was never out-gunned. Mr. Mattinglys skill, dedication, integrity and tireless efforts were like something only seen in the movies. Fortunately for me, Mr. Mattingly was real and on my side. I understand that Mr. Mattingly is now leaving private practice to run for St. Marys County States Attorney. I hope the citizens of St. Marys County know how fortunate they are to have a lawyer of his character and ability to serve them. St. Marys County couldnt ask for a better lawyer or a better man. Sincerely, Betty E. Vanden Baltimore, Md.

Only seven short years ago on April 28, the area dealt with the devastation of a Category 4 tornado that ripped through 28 miles of Southern Maryland. Our community has the chance right now to take some simple steps that can save lives if we are threatened this year by a storm. The disaster relief workers at the Southern Maryland Chapter of the American Red Cross work hard in this community every day to provide relief for those whose lives have been torn apart by disasters. However, in addition to helping after a disaster, the Red Cross mission calls for us to play an equally important role in preparing communities before disaster strikes so that families can learn ways to stay safe when facing the annual tornado season.

Steps To Prepare For Tornado Season

Over the next couple of weeks the county commissioners will finalize their tax and spend plan for the 2010 fiscal year that begins June 1, 2009. New tax and fee rates will be set which project to raise nearly $200 million for fiscal 2010. Once rates are set, then the commissioners will finalize a plan which authorizes various agencies to spend those dollars. As required by state law, the commissioners are required to hold a public hearing on proposed tax rates and a proposed spending plan. Last Tuesday the public hearing for the proposed 2010 budget was held at Chopticon High School. A healthy crowd of citizens showed up to comment on both the proposed tax rates and the proposed spending plan. The process of allowing citizens to voice concern about how their government is taking their money and then how their government is spending their money worked quite well. No matter which side of public policy you stand on, hearing from the people is a relevant and meaningful process. Due to the importance of the debate over this years budget, both The County Times and the Enterprise, St. Marys two mainstream newspapers, did extensive reporting as to what took place at the public hearing. If you were not one who attended the public hearing and instead read both newspapers accounting of the hearing, you might think it was two completely different hearings. Nearly everyone there was respectful and courteous toward the county commissioners and to each other, regardless of who they may have disagreed with. A large portion of the crowd came out to express opposition to higher taxes. Many gave comments and reasons for their opposition with good intentions, focusing on the debate relative to tax and spending policy. These people were not there because they had disrespect for the elected officials, they were there because they did not agree with the elected officials plans. Debating the issues of the day with folks who disagree with you on the issue, then afterward sharing important talk about family, neighbors, and friends with these same people
other emergency items for the whole family. Heed storm warnings. Listen to your local radio and TV stations for updated storm information. A tornado watch means a tornado is possible in your area. When a tornado warning is issued, go to the safe place you picked to protect yourself from glass and other flying objects. If you are outside, hurry to the basement of a nearby sturdy building or lie flat in a ditch or low-lying area. If you are in a car or mobile home, get out immediately and head for safety. Prepare for high winds. Make trees more wind resistant by removing diseased and damaged limbs, then strategically removing branches so that wind can blow through. Install permanent shutters on your windows and add protection to the outside areas of sliding

Public Discourse Healthy, Hate Mongering Unhealthy

is what makes our system of government special. We often disagree with this group of county commissioners when it comes to public policy, and we often express our disagreement. Yet as neighbors and friends we maintain a great deal of respect for these gentlemen. Unfortunately, two individuals at the public hearing used questionable and even hateful tactics to steal the show. These insidious and hateful personal remarks directed toward the commissioners were clearly a minority opinion at the hearing. The County Times reporter highlighted various comments and gave a thorough overview of the hearing by focusing on the majority who spoke respectfully. He focused on the large group that opposed higher taxes and used several quotes from those in that group to express their concerns. Our reporter did not focus on the two individuals who were promoting hate. The Enterprise reporter chose instead to focus almost entirely on the comments made by the two people promoting hate. In fact, our competition was so infatuated with these hideous comments they wrote not one but two front page stories, both featuring almost exclusively those hateful comments and commissioner responses to those comments. The well respected protestors of higher taxes were left appearing as if they were all a bunch of hate mongers who showed up like a gang of villains with hateful signs and threatening words. The good work of good people was marginalized by these misleading stories. Even county commissioner comments were focused on the hate comments, not on policy debate. Our competitor newspaper has a long history of supporting candidates and policy that focuses on higher taxes and bigger government, their desire to make those whom they disagree with look as if they are a threat to our community is nothing new from liberal media. Their coverage of the public hearing smacks of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano referencing conservative thinkers as possible terrorists.

We know that our region is at risk every year, so it is particularly vital that we work to keep our families safe by preparing for tornado season now. Taking a few moments to discuss some simple, common-sense preparedness steps with your family can save your life and the lives of the ones you love. Create and practice a home tornado plan. Pick an uncluttered place where family members could seek shelter: a basement, a center hallway, bathroom, or closet on the lowest floor. Assemble a disaster supplies kit. Kits should contain a first aid kit and essential medications, canned food and manual can opener, bottled water, flashlights and a battery-powered radio with extra batteries and

glass doors. Strengthen garage doors and unreinforced masonry. Move or secure lawn furniture, outdoor decorations or ornaments, trash cans, hanging plants and anything else that can be picked up by wind and become a projectile. For more information on tornado preparedness, contact the Southern Maryland chapter of the American Red Cross at 888-2762767, go online to www.redcross.org <http:// www.redcross.org/> . Together, we prepare, and together, we can save a life. Mike Zabko, CEO Southern Maryland Chapter American Red Cross

Thursday, April 30, 2009

The County Times

Quote Of The Day

A lot of fellows nowadays have a B.A., M.D., or Ph.D. Unfortunately, they don't have a J.O.B.

OBriens Top Men and the Future of St. Marys College

not plan on staying long, as the college did not have a business department. I came here for a year with no intention of coming back. I was a professor at Mt. Union College in Ohio, and I taught business and economics, and theres no business department here, said Botzman, so there was no place for me to ever come back here, but as I stayed here I had a great time. I got to know the faculty, the students and the community and trustees, and about a year later I came back. Since coming back as the self-proclaimed new kid on the block and assuming his role as the vice president of finance, Botzman said he has been steeped in campus development, overseeing financial matters for building projects on the North Campus, residence halls, and overseeing the schools budget. His department has drafted a balanced budget proposal that will go to the board next month, so in a world that is a mess, were doing pretty well at it, he said. Provost Larry Vote started out as a musician, conductor and a stint as musical director to Interact, a Washington, D.C.- based theater company, so it seems appropriate that he worked with Jeff Silberschlag, artistic director and head of performance activities, to form the popular River Concert Series, which will kick off its 11th season this spring. As provost, he spends his time between performances dealing directly with the schools academic programs, institutional research programs and all other aspects of student life. I think weve worked very hard on our relationship with historic St. Marys City and creating good working relationships and programs such as the museum studies program there, said Vote, and deepening our programs of archeology and public history, as well as a finishing complete overhaul of the colleges core curriculum to allow for more hands-on work with students. And it may be fair to say that the skills Vote developed as a musician continue to play an important role in his duties as an administrator. I think theres a lot that can be said about the training that you receive in music that translates to what you need to do as a provost, he said. I could use the analogy that an orchestra is made up of a lot of people that play different instruments, and the conductor needs to be able to bring harmony to people with very different tastes and abilities that kind of skill of being able to talk to people and bring people together and to work with people to come to some consensus is an important one.

Partners in Progress

Speaks

so when you translate those skills it works pretty well. Meringolo said he came to the college after working as a librarian at Penn State University, which boasts one of the largest li-Fats Domino brary systems in the country. My colleagues back at Penn State said they couldnt understand why I would go from one of the largest library systems in the country to a small singlecampus college, he said, but what I really wanted to do was work at a college By Andrea Shiell or university that was more focused in its Staff Writer mission, and I knew that I needed to do As Jane Margaret Maggie OBrien, something dramatically different. What Meringolo did was update the the president of St Marys College, preschools library and information technolpares to embark on the next leg of her journey through academia, leaving her pres- ogy systems, easing into his role as the ent post to join the Centre for Medieval head of campus information technology and Renaissance Studies in England, the as the library and information technology search for her successor is well underway. systems merged. Since then Meringolo has assumed the Meanwhile, her team of lieutenants role of vice president in charge of develremains in place, crediting her with a creative approach to administrative ap- opment, handling academic fundraising pointments that accounts for their present and serving as executive director of the St. Marys College of Maryland Foundation positions. How else would Torre Meringolo, a and the secretary of the board of trustees. Thomas Botzman smiled warmly former librarian, become the vice presias he described how he first came to the dent in charge of development; Larry Vote, a musician, become the schools provost; campus after having given up a career in or Thomas Botzman, an engineer, become engineering to become a professor. In 2002 he was named an American the vice president of finance? Council of Education fellow and began What each of us came into werent the things you would normally expect I looking at colleges and universities to mean, Torre was a librarian, said Botz- do an administrative internship. Several man, but he did a lot of outreach efforts colleagues had recommended St. Marys and thats exactly what you do in a devel- College as a possibility. After a long conversation with opment job, a lot of outreach and working OBrien, Botzman said he was sold on the with people and answering their questions idea of coming to St. Marys, but he did This is the second installment of a two-part series on Jane Margaret Maggie OBrien, the outgoing president of St. Marys College, and her top lieutenants.

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The ladies in hats couldnt make it to Churchill Downs last year, but they had a great time watching the Kentucky Derby anyway on a big screen at Sotterly Plantation in Hollywood, raising money for Hospice of St. Marys at the same time. Organizers are holding the party again this year at Sotterly Plantation on Saturday May 2 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Admission of $75 per person includes mint juleps, food and music by the Southern Maryland Swing Band. New this year is a ladies hat contest and a bourbon-tasting bar. Reserve your place by calling the Hospice office at 301-475-2023. Photos by Frank Marquart

Money
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for the love of

The County Times

Thursday, April 30, 2009

On average, a movie makes about 5 times more from its video sales than ticket takings!

10

un Fact

Change

South County Business Group Takes Off

By Sean Rice Staff Writer The size of the crowd interested in creating a south county business group more than tripled for the second meeting held April 23 at the Ridge Volunteer Firehouse. Guided by the countys economic and community development office, the meeting and the first one held in late March, are aimed at creating a business association that can promote its members and also speak as one voice to effect productive changes in local government. Judging by the increasing attendance and discussions, Christy Henderson, co-owner of Buzzs Marina, said it seems the group will take root and develop further. I felt like there was a lot of interest, Henderson said. But I also almost think were putting the cart before the horse. Henderson said most of the groups desires for example more lodging locations are contingent upon what county zoning laws will allow, so seeking changes in the countys comprehensive plan should be the first order of business. The comprehensive plan, which sets long-term goals for the county and serves as a guide for zoning laws, is in the process of being revised now, many group members learned last week. A revised draft is currently on file with the county planning commission, and it is scheduled for a public hearing on June 22. So I think its really important, now that we know this is going to happen, to try to real quickly get some input from the business down here so we can be included in this plan, Henderson said. My goal is to try to talk to as many people as I can to try to see that we get an accurate accounting of what the people in the south county really want, she added. Bob Schaller, director of the countys development office, told The County Times that he is attempting to arrange a special community meeting within the next month for the south end of the county to collect comments about the revised comprehensive plan. Schallers office is also continuing to work cost of approximately $2.5 million. To pay for the improvements the county borrowed $1.3 million; used $600,000 from the golf courses self-sustaining fund and received $500,000 in state Program Open Space grant money. on a business directory and map he had drawn up, which highlights nearly 100 businesses in the south end of St. Marys County. The pamphlet will be used as a handout at tourism destinations and offices in the county. Were hoping to quickly get that done and on the shelves, before the summer tourism season, Schaller told The County Times. The next meeting for the business group is scheduled for June 4, but Schaller and Henderson hope to have an additional meeting about the proposed zoning plan prior to that date.

-10.01% 24.28% 33.51% -5.95% -3.88% 9.59% -2.77% -7.38% -20.24% 7.97%

Hospital May Join MedStar System

Virginia Terhune Staff Writer Difficulty recruiting doctors to work in Southern Maryland is one reason why St. Marys Hospital in Leonardtown is thinking about affiliating with the MedStar Health network serving Baltimore and Washington, according to hospital officials. Board members recently voted unanimously to enter into a non-binding letter of intent and exclusive negotiations with MedStar Health based in Columbia, said Linda Dudderar, chairwoman of the hospital board of directors, in a press release. The goal is to complete the study over the summer, she said. Southern Maryland has the most significant physician shortages in the state, with critical shortages in four out of five physician categories, according to the statement. MedStar Health could help St. Marys Hospital to recruit physicians in specialty areas, as well as assigning residents and system doctors to help meet the demand for services, according to the release. An affiliation with MedStar may also provide the money and expertise to help the hospital broaden its services to cover an expected 29-percent increase in the population by 2020. Some of the MedStar hospitals include Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., and Montgomery General, Union Memorial and Harbor in Baltimore.

Riverview Ready for Crowds

By Sean Rice Staff Writer Wicomico Shores Golf Course is entering its first full season with a fully renovated and expanded clubhouse, which includes the new Riverview restaurant. The addition of the Riverview to the public golf course is a step up for the clubhouse eatery, which went from a low-key bar and grill to a full-blown fine-dining restaurant. The Chaptico golf course and Riverview are entirely countyowned and operated. An advisory board provides oversight. Phil Rollins, the county director of parks and recreation said business had been slow for the first few months after opening in October, due to it being the off-season for golf. The sour national economy brought down golf course revenues on the whole, he added, but April has been the best month so far for restaurant revenues. Rollins said he anticipated the new restaurant would take some time to catch on, and he is optimistic it will take off this spring and summer with the onset of nicer weather. We anticipate it will become a profit center in the future, he said. The place will sell itself, said Chico Rivers, chairman of the Wicomico Shores Golf Course Advisory Board. If the price is right and the food is good, youll have a lot of support from the golfers, and the community, which we have, Rivers said. The golf course lies within the Wicomico Shores subdivision, which contains approximately 500 households. The course is 15 miles north of Leonardtown and 20 miles south of LaPlata. Its a great place for anything like a regional meeting, because its fairly central in the Southern Maryland region, said Karen Everett, the countys public information officer. Everett said the banquet facility in the Riverview is starting to get booked up for the summer with weddings, class reunions and other events. Several local agencies recently held conferences there, including the Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland, St. Marys County Chamber of Commerce and others. The awareness is definitely going up of what a beautiful venue it is and a great place to have a meeting, Everett said. The word of mouth is really starting to take off. The clubhouse renovation and expansion project took 18 months to complete, at a total

The Riverview is open seven days a week until 8:30 p.m. Pictures and a full menu are available online for viewing at www.stmarysmd. com. Click on Recreation and Parks under the Services box, then click on Golf Course.

Photo by Sean Rice The dining area of the Riverview restaurant overlooks the scenic 18th hole of the Wicomico Shores Golf Course.

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Thursday, April 30, 2009

The County Times

Defense & Military

By Sean Rice Staff Writer

Air Expo Returns to Pax River

The Blue Angels, the Golden Knights, the Red Eagle. The acts booked for Air Expo 09 run the full spectrum of aerial acrobatics, from low-speed tricksters to awe-inspiring formations flying near the speed of sound. Event planners expect the crowd for the two-day Air Expo at Naval Air Station Patuxent River on May 23-24 to exceed 100,000, which was the estimated crowd size for the most recent air show on base, held Labor Day weekend 2005. For its triumphant return in 2009, the lineup of events is nearly as awe-inspiring as the acts. See below for highlights from the program lineup. For St. Marys County, having the air show is a great addition to a very strong lineup of events we have every year, said Carolyn Laray, county tourism manager. Laray said the Air Expo coming this year is extra

Submitted Photo The Armys Parachute Team, the Golden Knights, will kickoff each days lineup of aerial events.

special, because it adds to the year-long celebration of the 375th anniversary of Marylands birthplace in St. Marys County. Its always a wonderful event, and it introduces not only the base and the air show, but the whole county to visitors from all over the region, Laray said. As an added attraction at the Air Expo, the county tourism department is hosting a video booth where spectators can record a Happy Birthday Maryland mini-greeting, Laray said. The video messages will be compiled into a video that will be featured on Maryland375.com. Once posted to the Web site, Laray said visitors can go look for friends and others they know who recorded a comment. Hopefully we will maybe even get The Blue Angels or the other folks to drop by an lend their greetings to the video, she said. The event also serves as an open house for Naval Air Station Pax River and is one of the few occasions when the general public can get on base. Its not often that folks get to really go out there and take a look at all the fabulous things they do out there, Laray said. Submitted Photo Weve had a long history of air shows here at Pax River, going back to at least the early 1960s, Red Eagle Air Sports are a national civilian act known for their eye-popping, spectacular performances. said Rebecca March, event coordinator. The gates open each day at 9 a.m., with fesups. tivities getting underway at approximately 10:30 a.m., Spectators are encouraged to bring chairs or a March said. The schedule will be identical for each blanket to sit on, and pay seating will also be availday, with the Golden Eagles kicking off the four-plusable. Food and beverages will be available at vendor hour aerial segment of the show at about 11:30 a.m., booths, along with souvenirs. and ending with the Blue Angels routine. Weapons and explosives are prohibited, along The general public will enter the base via Gate 2, with illegal substances, coolers, alcoholic beverages, near Great Mills Road. Individuals with base access glass containers, pets, bicycles, roller blades, skatecredentials will enter through Gate 1. boards, scooters and backpacks. All persons, vehiThere will be security measures in place, March Submitted Photo cles, diaper bags, camera bags, and purses are subject said, but individual cars will not be checked on the Driver Paul Stender, of The Indy Boys, will to search. way through Gate 2, which should limit traffic backrun down the runway his jet-outhouse, which
is powered by a 1,000 horsepower engine.

If You Go
May 23-24 Gates open at 9 a.m., show starts about 11:30 a.m., daily program ends by 5 p.m. General public enter Gate 2, pass holders use Gate 1. Admission Free Parking Free Handicapped Access Yes Air Expo 09 will showcase the Navys Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, performing high-precision maneuvers, including the four-plane diamond and solo maneuvers by pilots in the fifth and six jets. All six jets will then perform together in the renowned delta formation. The Armys Parachute Team, the Golden Knights, will kick-off

Naval Air Station Patuxent Rivers celebration of flight. As the Official Ambassadors of the Army, the team performs live parachute demonstrations. It has performed more than 15,000 shows in all 50 states and 48 countries. Veteran Air Expo performer Patty Wagstaff, in her German-built Goodrich EXTRA 300S will perform low-level aerobatic routines. She is the first woman to win the title of U.S. National Aerobatic champion and one of few performers to win it three times. She is also a six-time member of the U.S. Aerobatic Team that competes in Olympic-level international competition. The F-16 Viper East Demo Team will showcase the multi-role fighter aircraft, the F-16CJ. With its lightweight airframe and powerful General Electric engine generating 31,000 pounds of thrust, the F-16CJ can fly at speeds in excess of Mach 2.

Red Eagle Air will perform inverted flat spins, inside and outside loops, multiple snap rolls, tail slides, torque rolls, plus their signature maneuvers: the Torqued Eagle, Topcoat This, the Squirrel Cage, The Towering Centrifuge, The Farvel Loop, the Tuck-Under Break and head-on passes that will take your breath away. The Aerostars will make its Patuxent River debut with the Yak 52TW demonstration team. Performing in the Yak 52TW, a 400-horsepower Soviet Trainer, the Aerostars fly within a few feet of each other at speeds exceeding 250 miles per hour. From formation loops and barrel rolls to a break-away cross, bomb burst and opposing passes, the Aerostars make formation aerobatics look effortless. A unique design of the Yak 52 allows the Aerostars pilots to perform sustained inverted maneuvers not possible in most other aircraft.

The Disabled Veterans of America will present the B-25J Panchito, which served with the 396th Bomb Squadron, 41st Bomb Group, 7th Air Force, stationed in the Central Pacific. The B-25 was produced in greater numbers than any other American twin-engine combat aircraft and was one of the most famous twin-engine medium bombers used during World War II. And last but not least, the Indy Boys will race a jet-powered bus down the runway at more than 300 miles per hour. At nearly 10 feet high and 35 feet long, it is the largest jet vehicle on earth and is powered by a 42,000-horsepower engine straight out of an F-4 Phantom. Driver Paul Stender will also run his jet-powered outhouse which is powered by a 1,000- horsepower engine. For more information on the weekends events, go to www. paxairexpo.org.

The County Times

Thursday, April 30, 2009

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Thursday, April 30, 2009

The County Times

Jeanne Appleby Berner, 88

Jeanne Appleby Berner, 88, of Hollywood, Md., went to be with the Lord on Mon. April 20, 2009, at St. Marys Nursing Center in Leonardtown, Md., after a lengthy illness. Jeanne was born on Sept. 15, 1920, in Philadelphia, Pa., the only child of George and Elizabeth Appleby, and lived in the Bywood area for several years. During the Depression, she and her parents moved to Masonville, N.J., and later to Moorestown, N.J. She attended Moorestown High School and upon graduation went to secretarial school. Her years as a secretary always brought back fond memories. From 1939 to 1941 she worked at the Park-In, Drive-In Theaters in Camden, N.J. During the war years she worked for the New York Shipbuilding Corp. in Gloucester, N.J. From 1946 to 1952 Jeanne worked for the Micronizer Processing Corp./Pittsburgh Plate Glass Co. as secretary to the plant manager. From 1952 to 1954 she worked for A.C.S. Home Builders, Inc. in Moorestown. Probably her favorite job was working as a secretary to the principal at Moorestown High School from 1954 to 1957. She loved her co-workers and the students and fondly called them her kids. She also brief ly worked at Lenape High School while it was under construction. After her marriage, she worked for Gaskill Construction Co. In the 1970s she worked part time at Moorestown Middle School as an aide in the special education division. In 1956 she married Herbert C. Berner whom she had admired since she was a young girl and settled in Moorestown where they had one daughter. In 1980 they moved to Laurel, Del. Several years after her husband passed away, she moved to Hollywood, Md., to live with her only child, Susan Berner Morrison; Susans husband, Andrew Morrison; and Jeannes granddaughters, Elizabeth and Rebecca. Jeanne enjoyed reading, dis-

cussing current events, camping and spending time with her family and dogs as well as being a mentor for elementary school children. She was the best mom a daughter could have. She was preceded in death by her husband, Herbert C. Berner; her parents; and one infant son, Tommy. In addition to her daughter and family, she is survived by her cousin, Jack Mears (who was like a brother) and his children; Cheryl Mears Smith and Terry Mears, whom she dearly loved; and brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews. As she requested, a small graveside service will be held on May 2, 2009, at the Odd Fellows Cemetery in Laurel, Del. Friends may sign a guestbook and leave condolences at www.brinsfieldfuneral.com. Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to Suburban Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation, 26972 Baptist Church Road, Mechanicsville, MD 20659; or the Galilean Childrens Home, P.O. Box 880, Liberty, KY 42539; or Samaritans Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607-3000.

James Aloysius Jamie Butler Jr., 36

ter, Alajiah Destiny Butler; sister Tamika Mason (Cory) of Frederick, Md.; brothers William (Willy), Pierre (Buck) and Travis (T.T.) Butler, all of Great Mills, Md.; maternal grandmother, Mary Delia Maddox; six nieces, two nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and a host of friends. He was preceded in death by his sister, Mary De Karla Butler; paternal grandparents William Henry Butler Sr. and Mary Madeline Jordan Butler; maternal grandfather John Nathaniel Maddox Sr.; aunts Hilda (Sug) Herbert and Mary Agnes Butler; and uncles Joseph (Joe Boy) Maddox, John (Drag) Butler, Robert Lee Jordan, James Paul Jordan, Thomas Edward Jordan and John Richard Jordan. The family will receive friends on Thurs., April 30, 2009, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, from 9 to 10 a.m. where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. with Father Jack Kennealy officiating. Interment will follow at Charles Memorial Gardens, Leonardtown, Md. A Repast will be held at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church Hall. Condolences to the family may be made at www.brinsfieldfuneral.com. Arrangements provided by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, Md.

James Irving Tinks Pratt, 77

of Scotland, Md.; Lorrine Jimmie Simms and her husband George of Culver City, Calif.; his brother Robert Pratt of Clifton, Va.; and his sisters Mary Thelma Snooky and her husband James Raley and Salinda Mae Carroll of Ridge, Md. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister Alice Trossbach, and three brothers, Bill, Mark and Ed Pratt. After high school, he served in the U.S. Army from April 8, 1951, to March 27, 1954. Upon returning home, he joined The American Legion Ridge Post 255, becoming an active member. After he served three terms as Post Commander, the post awarded him a life membership and Legionnaire of Year in 1997 and 2001. He retired from the Patuxent River Naval Air Station Fire Department in 1981 and together with family and friends, restored the Pratt family home place, a 1798 manor home listed on the National Register as Bards Field. The family received friends at Trinity Episcopal Church in St Marys City on Sunday April 26, 2009, from 4 to 8 p.m. with prayers at 7 p.m. A Funeral Service was held at 11 a.m. on Mon., April 27, 2009, with Rev. John Ball presiding and his niece Kim Norris, organist. Pallbearers were his nephews: Ned Pratt, Steve Pratt, Eddie Pratt, Jimmy Pratt, Francis Raley, Timmy Raley, Billy Raley, Joe Carroll and Blaine Tilton. Burial was private. Memorial contributions may be made to St Marys Parish Chapel Roof Fund, P.O. Box 207, St Marys City, MD 20686 or the Ridge Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 456, Ridge, MD 20680. Condolences to the family may be made at www.brinsfieldfuneral.com. Arrangements were made by Brinsfield Funeral Home in Leonardtown, Md.

2009, in Georgetown University Hospital. Born July 14, 2006, in Leonardtown, Md., he was the son of Joseph M. Scrivener Jr. and Jennifer L. (Simms) Scrivener. In addition to his parents, Jack is survived by his brother, Andrew Allan Scrivener; paternal grandparents, Joseph M. Joe Scrivener Sr., and Jeanette Jan (Mullen) Scrivener of Drayden, Md.; maternal grandmother, Anne Marie Simms; maternal great-grandparents, Michael and Dorothy Cox of Leonardtown, Md.; maternal great-great-grandmother, Teresa (OBrien) Schaffer of Lexington Park, Md. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Bruce Allan Simms. Family received friends for Jacks Life Celebration on Thurs., April 23, 2009, from 5 until 8 p.m. in the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., 22955 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650. Prayers were recited by Deacon George LHeureux at 6:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Fri., April 24, 2009, at 11 a.m. in St. George Catholic Church, 19199 St. Georges Church Road, Valley Lee, MD 20692. Msgr. Karl A. Chimiak was the celebrant. Interment followed in St. George Catholic Church Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Andrew Allan Scrivener Scholarship Fund, c/o Joseph M. Scrivener, Jr., P.O. Box 414, Valley Lee, MD 20692. Condolences to the family may be made at www.brinsfieldfuneral.com. Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, Md.

May Elizabeth Lott Sherman, 96

Jack Michael Scrivener, 2

James Aloysius Jamie Butler Jr., 36 of Great Mills, Md., died April 23, 2009, at Prince Georges Shock Trauma Center. Born June 5, 1972, in Leonardtown, Md., Jamie was the beloved son of James Aloysius Butler Sr. and Patricia Louise Butler. He obtained his education through the St. Marys County Public School System. After his education, Jamie held various jobs and traveled to numerous locations. Jamie enjoyed playing basketball, listening to his go-go, fishing, helping others no matter how big or small the task was, and being with family as well as friends, especially his nieces and nephews. He greeted each and everyone with a smile, hug or handshake. He is survived by his daugh-

James Irving Tinks Pratt, 77, of Ridge, Md., after a long battle with leukemia died April 24, 2009, at his residence with his family around him. Born May 24, 1931, in Ridge, Md., he was the son of the late George William and Hattie Elizabeth Nauman Pratt. He was the husband of Audrey Cullison Pratt, whom he married on July 19, 1958, at St. Michaels RCC in Ridge, Md. They celebrated their 50th anniversary in July 2008. He is survived by his loving wife and siblings Hattie Dunbar

Jack Michael Scrivener, 2, of Drayden, Md., died April 18,

May Elizabeth Lott Sherman, 96, died on April 16, 2009, at St. Marys Nursing Center in Leonardtown, Md., after a brief illness. She was born in Washington, D.C., on May 1, 1912, to William and Elaine Lott. May graduated from Eastern High School in Washington, D.C., and in 1936 she married Joseph F.

The County Times

Thursday, April 30, 2009

14

Continued
Sherman, also from Washington, whom she met at Colonial Beach, Va. They lived in Northwood Park, Bethesda and Petworth before settling in Anacostia where her two children, Elizabeth and Donald, were raised. May was a secretary at Orr and at Randall Highlands elementary schools in Washington, D.C., for most of her working career. She and Joe later moved to Camp Springs, Md., In Anacostia. May was a Girl Scout leader, Cub Scout Den Mother and was active in the PTA. As a child, May first visited St. Marys County by steamboat. In 1941, her parents purchased a cottage at White Point on the Potomac River. She loved being on the river, crabbing, fishing and just watching the birds. She not only taught her children to crab, fish and swim, but then taught her two grandchildren the same love for the water and its creatures. She enjoyed taking pictures of family, friends, pets, wildlife, clouds and the ever-changing river. May is survived by her daughter, Elizabeth, son-in-law Joseph Mitchell, her son Donald and his wife Marie and two grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph, and her siblings, Ruth, Donald, William and Frederick. Family received friends on Mon., April 20, 2009, at Brinsfield Funeral Home, Leonardtown, Md., after which a service was conducted by her friend, Jeannette Findley, a lay minister at First Saints Community Church, Leonardtown, Md. In lieu of f lowers contributions may be made to the Friends of Cedar Lane, Inc., 22680 Cedar Lane Court, Leonardtown, MD 20650 or the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 387, Leonardtown, MD 20650. Arrangements provided by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, Md. Condolences to the family may be made at www.brinsfieldfuneral.com.

Treat your Special Mother to a Special Event. Mothers Day Brunch at Corbels!

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Thursday, April 30, 2009

The face of a penny can hold about thirty drops of water.

un Fact

By Andrea Shiell and Virginia Terhune Staff Writers

School Audit Targets Busing, Procurement Practices

that the implementation of new software may require additional staff. Besides busing issues, auditors also recommended changes in purchasing practices, including instances of approving change orders prior to work being done, and bidding procedures. Auditors also recommended hiring and internal auditor and setting up a hotline to accept calls about suspected waste or fraud. The school system budgeted $51 million in fiscal year 2008 for nonpayroll disbursements, according to the audit. The superintendent has formed a committee that meets monthly to revise existing policies and regulations with the goal of reporting to the Board of Education by July 1, according to the audit. The committee is also reviewing all contracts with vendors and consultants to ensure compliance with the new standards. The 72-page audit, which focuses on the period from July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008, was done by the Office of Legislative Audits in conjunction with the Department of Legislative Services and the Maryland General Assembly. It covers topics ranging from financial management, bidding practices and inventory control to transportation, food service and school board oversight. Auditors made 20 recommendations, some of which are listed below with responses from the school department. Food Service: Auditors recommended reducing the number of voided purchases in the cafeterias and also independently verifying inventory checks, shipments and vendor charges. In one case, a vendor overcharged for milk, accord-

In The

15

The County Times

Know
Education
Students from the Chesapeake Public Charter School peered over white trays and through discovery scopes filled with aquatic invertebrates on Tuesday, April 28, at the Great Mills Canoe/Kayak Launch. Nearly 60 second- and fifthgrade students participated in the environmental field trip hosted by the St. Marys River Watershed Association, with help from high school students from the Dr. Forrest Career and Technology Center and from the St. Marys College of Maryland St. Marys River Project Education Group. As a society, we have become prisoners of our homes, workplace, cars and other manmade structures. We are constantly captivated by television, video games, and Internet sites. We are no longer aware of the natural world and how we are impacting it, said Bob Lewis, who serves as executive director of the association. Interaction with the natural world is stimulating for young people. They quickly become attracted to the beauty and the serene atmosphere. This triggers the imagination and students learn to be more creative and expressive. The calming effect of the field trip persists into the classroom where attention span lengthens and learning is enhanced. Appreciation for the natural world can only be achieved through awareness, said Lewis. April is Environmental Education Month throughout the state of Maryland.

Students Discover River Critters

The St. Marys County public school system appears to be overpaying its school bus contractors and it need to update its routing software, according to a legislative audit submitted to the General Assembly this month. Jeff Thompson, director of transportation services for the school system, acknowledged auditors comments about unnecessarily high reimbursements, but he said that payments to contractors had been in line with school board policy. The school contracted with more than 50 bus contractors as part of its $11.7 million transportation budget for fiscal year 2007, according to auditors, who recommended administrators review the current system to determine whether its cost effective and also verify bills submitted by vendors. Thompson said that the school system would consider hiring a consultant to analyze and compare the student transportation system with other systems in Maryland. When you take it as a whole as far as other counties, then were middle of the road, said Thompson, adding later that, we were already taking steps before the audit to update our routing software. Chief Operating Officer Bradley Clements said the school system would be reviewing demos from software vendors this spring to find a program that will be compatible with the systems current GPS system for redistricting, which is used by the department of capital planning, but

ing to auditors. School officials agreed and said they have already started to make changes. Auditors also said the self-sustaining food service program, which is supposed to cover expenses with revenues, is not factoring in utility costs. Revenue and Billing: Auditors concluded that the system has adequate revenue and billing cycle controls, but recommended an update of procedures and controls over its cash receipts. School officials replied that they implemented tighter controls in October 2008. Human Resources and Payroll: Duties should be segregated and people should have access to data only to perform assigned duties. An independent review should also be set up to check personnel and payroll-related changes, which school officials agreed to do, along with improving relaying of personnel data from Human Resources to the Information technology department. Inventory Control and Accountability: Right now each school manages its own textbook inventory. Auditors recommended centralizing an inventory system that would help with purchasing decisions, which school officials agreed to do. Health Care Costs: The system provides health benefits to active and retired employees, paying premiums and fees of about $20 million, said auditors, who indicated not all available steps had been taken to verify the authenticity of participants or audit the property of claims. The school system has asked its vendor, CareFirst, to submit a multi-year proposal to control health care costs that will be sent to the superintendent in August for inclusion in the fiscal year 2011 budget cycle, according to the audit.

By Andrea Shiell Staff Writer

Chopticon Suspensions Questioned

sions, demanding extra security cameras at the high school and providing additional evidence in the form of cell-phone videos taken by student witnesses. In the wake of the fight on April 17 that sent one boy to the hospital, students have been told not to congregate in hallways and more teachers and administrators are now in the hallways as students change classes. One parent is reportedly gathering videos of the fight. Frederick Wyant, supervisor of safety and security for the school system, said in an e-mail that officials will accept the evidence and relay it to law enforcement officials. A parent has also reportedly filed a petition to have more security cameras added to school hallways and stairwells. Wyant said that a strategic plan for safety and security measures at the schools had been submitted to the superintendents safety advisory committee. We are in fact working on enhancements for all high school security camera systems to be implemented during the 2009-2010 school year, he said. If we receive a petition, we will certainly review and consider any request submitted by a parent. The trouble started on April 16 when a student dropped a quarter down a stairwell, hitting another student in the eye, according to Deputy First Class Cindy Allen. The next day, the students dropped crayons on students below, one of whom responded by calling her son a racial epithet, said Kim Bannister, mother of one of the students who was suspended. A fight then started involving 10 to 12 students, she said. One student was punched in the back of the head and another in the face, according to Allen. Following the fight, Bannisters son was charged with second-degree assault and another student has also been charged. School officials declined to say

A fight between some white and African-American students at Chopticon High School nearly two weeks ago that resulted in assault charges and suspensions appeared to end Monday when one of the suspended students returned to school without incident. But some affected parents are still questioning the fairness of the suspen-

Students from St. Michaels School in Ridge celebrated Earth Day by participating in a number of environmental research activities such as making blue bird houses out of gourds, determining the ages of trees and making planters out of newspaper and planting seeds. These students made a garden in a glove under the direction of St. Marys Farm Queen Noelle Barnes, and Farm Bureau Womens Chairman Judy Hayden.

how many students had been suspended from school. Bannister said the number was five African American students and two white students. Bannister acknowledged her sons involvement, but also said she felt everyone involved in the fight should have been disciplined. Some were suspended for five days, other three days, and others received no suspensions, she said. Im still not 100-percent confident they did what they could with some kids continuing to deny their involvement, she said. According to Chopticon principal Garth Bowling, an estimated 200 students were gathered in the hallway watching the events unfold. It was a fight involving teenage boys, said Bowling. Occasionally, they try to settle things with their fists, but really I think people are making a mountain out of a mole hill, he said. Bowling said that rumors of future incidents and weapons had been found unsubstantiated in both school and police investigations, and the school has been peaceful since the incident. This rumor, I guess, is just going to have to run its course. Its like a virus, it spreads and takes on a life of its own, he said. When asked if he felt that the incident had been spurred by racial tensions, Bowling said it had not. This was not a racial incident, he said, we dont have racial incidents here at Chopticon. (Staff Writer Virginia Terhune contributed to this report.)

SMECO Honors Math and Science Teachers

Three St. Marys County mathematics teachers were recognized by Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO) as Outstanding Mathematics teachers. Jennifer Cord, who teaches mathematics for fifth graders at White Marsh Elementary School; Christopher Paskvan, who teaches mathematics at Esperanza Middle School; and Rick Condle, from Leonardtown Middle School, were recognized at Tuesdays meeting of the Board of Education for excellence in teaching. Three St. Marys County science teachers were recognized by SMECO as Outstanding Science teachers as well, including AnnMarie Thompson, who teaches grade 5 science at Benjamin Banneker Elementary School; Keri Gray, who teaches eighth grade science at Leonardtown Middle School; and John Urban, who teaches biology at Chopticon High School.

The County Times

Thursday, April 30, 2009

16

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17

Thursday, April 30, 2009

The County Times

Man Charged With Child Sex Abuse

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer District Court Judge John F. Slade III ruled Wednesday that a man charged with multiple counts Clyde J. Gainer, 47, of Charlotte Hall was arrested and charged Tuesday by Bureau of Criminal Investigations detectives for allegedly sexually abusing an 8-yearold girl in his care over a 2-year period. At his bail review in District Court, Gainer said that his girlfriends ex-boyfriend had tried this twice before to implicate him in charges of child abuse. Gainer said that he could get his own lawyer. Slade said the charging documents against Gainer provided probable cause to hold him without bond. I have no reason to run, your honor, Gainer said. According to charging documents filed against Gainer, the victim in the case told school officials that Gainer had sexually molested her. The victim alleged in charging documents that Gainer had forced her to engage in sex acts with him inside her residence just before she had to get on the school bus. The victim alleged that these incidents occurred while her

Virginia Terhune Staff Writer

A Day To Thank Officers

Crime&

Punishment
Briefs
Man Killed In Motorcycle Wreck
On April 23, 2009, at approximately 3:52 p.m., deputies from the St. Marys County Sheriffs Office responded to a personal-injury accident involving a motorcycle on Laurel Grove Road in the area of Kavanaugh Road in Mechanicsville. Upon arrival deputies located the operator, James Aloysius Butler, 36, of Eden lying on the ground with life-threatening injuries. Butler was flown by Trooper 7 to Prince Georges County Hospital Shock Trauma Center. Members of the Sheriffs Office Collision Reconstruction Team were requested and assumed the investigation. Investigation revealed Butler had been operating an unregistered 1996 Suzuki GSX600 Katana motorcycle, well in excess of the posted 30-mph speed limit, when he failed to negotiate a curve in the roadway. The motorcycle exited the south side of the roadway, struck two trees and became airborne. Butler was ejected and struck another tree. At the time of the accident Butler was not wearing the required safety equipment. Several hours after the accident, Butler succumbed to his injuries at the trauma center. Speed and operator error are contributing factors in the crash. The investigation is continuing by the St. Marys County Sheriffs Office Reconstruction Team and anyone with information or who witnessed the accident is asked to call Cpl. D. Mills at 301-475-4200 ext. 1984.

Crime victims groups have chosen Thurs., May 7, to thank law enforcement officers by organizing the first annual Tri-County Law Enforcement Blessing, which will take place in Charlotte Hall. The blessing will start at 7:30 p.m. at the Encounter Christian Center, 30080 Henry Lane in Charlotte Hall (located behind the Burger King about one mile over the county line). The event is sponsored by the St. Marys County chapter of the Maryland Crime Victims Resource Center in partnership with Advocates Working for Victims Rights and the center. It is a day we will be giving thanks for the law enforcement officers who work every day to serve and protect those who are harmed as a result of selfless criminal acts on vulnerable members of the community, said organizers in a press release.

of child sex abuse be held without bond in the countys detention center.

mother was away at work with Gainer in temporary custody of her. Gainer would also touch the victim in her private areas while she was in his care, the victim alleged in charging documents. When Gainer was interviewed by detectives at the sheriffs office, court papers alleged, he agreed to speak to them without an attorney present.

Gainer admitted he babysat the alleged victim while her mother was away at work on the weekends. Gainer became upset at the interviews conclusion, charging documents state, and asked for an attorney, whereupon the detectives terminated the interview. Gainer was charged with child sexual abuse, child abuse and child sexual abuse in a continuing course of action.

Man Kills Himself In Shootout With Police

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer A man whom police were seeking in connection with an assault and stalking complaint over the weekend killed himself before police shot him while they searched a house where the suspect was hiding, according to information from the county sheriffs office. Police state that Daniel Decker, 46, of Leonardtown shot himself before being shot by Deputy First Class Shawn Cathcart, according to a preliminary report from the Medical Examiners Office in Baltimore. Sheriff Timothy K. Cameron said that Cathcart remained on administrative leave after the shooting and that the investigation was continuing into the circumstances surrounding Deckers death. Were still conducting the administrative and criminal investigations, Cameron said. Itll take a significant amount of time. Cameron said that it was still unclear exactly what happened leading up to Deckers taking his own life. He said that how many shots both Decker and Cathcart fired were questions that would be answered during the investigation. Police were first alerted to look for Decker when deputies responded to Belvidere Lane in Leonardtown where a woman, who had recently broken off an intimate relationship with Decker, said he had broken into her home and began to argue with her. Decker refused to leave, police reports state, and threatened to harm both himself and the victim with a long gun. Decker forced the victim to stay in her home. She tried to escape, police reports stated, but Decker grabbed her and held her back. She was eventually able to get away from Decker, police stated, and when she tried to drive away. He jumped on the hood of the car and pointed his gun at her. She pulled away in the vehicle, police stated, and Decker fell to the ground. Law officers continued to look for Decker and officers found him at the same residence at about 10 a.m. April 26. Deputies tried to contact Decker in the home via phone and a loudspeaker but eventually entered the home. Deputies and Decker exchanged gunfire but Decker killed himself before he was shot by the St. Marys deputy. The Bureau of Criminal Investigations is continuing to investigate the incident after the Medical Examiners initial ruling.

On April 24, 2009, deputies responded to a residence on Leesa Court in Lexington Park for a domestic assault in progress. Investigation revealed John William Carey, 21, of Lexington Park, was engaged in a verbal dispute with the victim, which turned physical when Carey allegedly grabbed the victim by the arms. Carey was arrested and charged with second-degree assault.

Domestic Call Leads To Arrest For Assault

On April 24, 2009, deputies responded to a residence on Kinder Lane in California, for a domestic assault in progress. Investigation revealed Mary Nell Miller, 47, of California, was engaged in a verbal dispute with the victim, which turned physical when Miller allegedly bit the victim on the hand. Miller was arrested and charged with second-degree assault.

Woman Arrested, Charged For Biting Victim

A fire Tuesday evening severely damaged an industrial pier at Navy Recreation Center, Solomons Island, an annex of Naval Air Station Patuxent River. Volunteer firefighters from Calvert and St. Marys counties were called to the scene at approximately 6:30 p.m., reports Rick Thompson of the Pax NAS public affairs office. The cause of the blaze remains under investigation by Navy fire investigators, and a cause is not yet known, Thompson said. Only one vessel was docked at the pier at the time of the fire, the 200-foot USS Hugo NS-8201, a NAVAIR-owed ship that is operated by employees of Computer Sciences Corporation. Thompson said the ship received minor damage from a fire onboard that was extinguished by the crew. It was towed from the scene. Fire crews extinguished the flames, which were highly noticeable by traffic on the Thomas Johnson Bridge, by 9:15 p.m. A cost estimate of damages is not yet known, Thompson said. There were no injuries. Photo submitted by Wayne Devereux

Navy Pier Burns

On April 24, 2009, deputies responded to a residence on Liberty Street in Lexington Park for a report of a burglary in progress. As deputies responded to the residence, a lookout was dispatched for the suspect. Upon arrival deputies observed a male matching the suspects description in front of the residence. Deputies made contact with the subject who was identified as Randall Clark Rieves, 28, of Lexington Park. When deputies ordered Rieves away from the residence he refused. When deputies attempted to detain Rieves, so they could investigate the burglary, he allegedly pulled away and resisted the deputies attempt to handcuff him. Once Rieves was secure, the deputies continued their investigation, which revealed the victim heard someone knocking on her door. When the victim inquired who was at the door, the suspect refused to identify himself by name. The victim opened the door slightly to see who was at the door and Rieves entered the residence unlawfully. The victim ran to the back of the residence and Rieves followed. The victim retrieved a handgun and told Rieves to leave, at which time Rieves complied. The victim locked the door and called the police. As the victim was waiting for deputies to arrive, Rieves again attempted to enter the residence by turning the doorknob and hitting the door to the residence with his shoulder. The victim did not know Rieves and he did not have permission to be in her residence. Rieves was charged with fourth-degree burglary.

Man Charged For Alleged Unlawful Entry

The County Times

Thursday, April 30, 2009

18

Brides-to-be very often state that finding their perfect wedding gown is one of the most anxietyinducing parts of planning a wedding, but it can also be an amazing adventure. With a simple plan in hand, gown shopping can be that much easier. Here are some tips to consider. * Start shopping for your gown at least six to nine months before your wedding. This allows time to order the dress and arrange for alterations. * Know what you like. While it's adviseable to keep an open mind and listen to recommendations from a store's bridal consultant, go in with a list of starting off points such as, " I like ivory, strapless, A-line gowns." * Don't forget comfort. You will be spending the entire day in your gown, so make sure it looks beautiful and is comfortable at the same time. If

Wedding Day Bliss Starts With A Dream Dress

you can barely stand in your gown because it's so heavy, it's probably not the best choice. * Have a set budget in mind. Remember, the most expensive gown isn't always the best. There are many retailers that offer beautiful gowns in price ranges for every bride.

It's already May and the summer swimsuit season is right around the corner. So how do you ready yourself for being scantily clad at the shore or around the pool -- and fast? The good news is there is still time to slim down and firm up before you don the bikini. It is reasonable to lose about 8 pounds in 4 to 6 weeks. A loss of 8 pounds can make a big difference in how you look in a swimsuit and other summer clothing. * Skip the sweets and packaged foods. Stick to fresh fruits; several small, light meals; and plenty of water. * Get out there and sweat. You will need to exercise to shed the weight. Aim for 30 to 60 minutes a day. * Write down everything that you eat so you can see where you over-indulge. * Avoid gas-producing foods or eating/drinking in a manner that can trap air in your digestive system. This will only make you look bloated. * Skip salty foods that could cause you to retain water.

Beach-Ready Body

Make A Statement With A Shaved Head

There's something to be said for a full head of hair, and there's also something to be said for a shiny, shaved head. For centuries, men have been shaving their heads for a variety of reasons. Whether for religious beliefs, or for sanitary reasons, a bald head was often a necessity. Today, head shaving among men is more of a fashion statement. While there are plenty of men who lop off their locks to disguise a receding hairline, there are plenty who prefer a close crop because it's stylish. The look is popular among celebrities, including Bruce Willis, Michael Chiklis, Chris Daughtry, and Michael Jordan. However, you'll find plenty of regular Joes sporting a chrome dome, too. There are several advantages to going bare up there. For many, the primary benefit is convenience, particularly in the mornings before leaving for work. There is also the financial savings on shampoo and conditioner (although those savings may be offset by shaving cream and sunblock). You can also save by not having to visit the barber or a hair salon, particularly if you're a shave-at-home sort of guy. Another benefit is that a shaved head eliminates the dreaded and embarrassing combovers or toupees that many balding men sport to "hide" their receding hairline. Shaving the head can disguise balding and make a bold statement that plays up facial features. When you're ready to lose your locks, there are some pointers that can make the process go easier and reduce the risk for nicks and cuts. Head Shaving How-To 1. Use electric hair clippers to cut your hair to no more than a quarterinch in length. If you don't have clippers, you may want to visit the barber one last time to get trimmed down. 2. Invest in a quality shaving blade. Options like the Headblade are specifically designed for shaving the head, as the name implies. 3. To get a smooth, even shave, it helps if your scalp muscles are relaxed and the remaining hair is softened considerably. That is why it's often recommended to shave in the shower. Invest in a non-fogging mirror and bring your shaving supplies into the shower. 4. Allow the steam and water to relax the scalp and soften the hair. Work a shaving lubricant, such as a foam or gel, into your scalp thoroughly. 5. Work in long, clean strokes to shave off all of the hair. Avoid going over the same areas twice to prevent irritation. Rinse the razor repeatedly during the process. 6. Rinse and shampoo your head and check for any areas that need touch-ups. 7. After the shower, apply a noncomedogenic facial moisturizer to your head that won't block pores. Remember to apply sunscreen to your face and head to prevent sunburn. Your newly exposed skin will be very sensitive. 8. Repeat the process as needed to maintain your shaved look

19

Thursday, April 30, 2009

The County Times

Dining on the Water

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A House is a Home

The County Times

Thursday, April 30, 2009

20

Buying in a Bad Economy

When historians one day reect on 2009, comparisons to the Great Depression and the market crash in late October 1929 will no doubt be made. Though politicians and pundits have remained wary of the D word, many have admitted the country is in its greatest recession in decades, if not its worst downturn since the worldwide economic downturn of the 1930s. While nancial struggles have moved to the forefront for many families, others have noticed that 2009 is actually proving a good time to buy, particularly for those hoping to enter the housing market. For example, according to the Warren Group, a real estate and nancial information service serving the New England area, single-family home prices in Connecticut fell 17 percent in February of 2009 compared to the same month of a year ago. Whereas the median selling price for such homes in Connecticut was $263,000 in February of 2008, that gure fell to $218,000 in February 2009, a sharp decline thats bad for sellers but a boon to buyers. Still, as benecial as the current market can be for buyers, there are things to consider before buying a home in the coming months. * Can you stay? Its no secret the country is experiencing record unemployment rates. By the end of March 2009, seven states posted unemployment rates above 10 percent, with Ohio quickly approaching the double digits. Those statistics, courtesy of the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, indicate that very few people are secure. Anyone considering buying a home needs to be certain they can stay in the home, at least for a few years, once theyve signed on the dotted line. If not, and theyre forced to move too soon, the transaction costs of buying and selling a home could ensure that they actually lose money. Even if they buy low now and sell higher in the immediate future, these extra costs could negate any gains in sale price, and even leave them in the red. * Are you living above your means? While each individual case is different, since the onset of the housing crisis many people realized they were living well above their means. Whether this was a great revelation or they knowingly chose to use debt as a tool to nance a lifestyle they simply couldnt afford, the consequences were the same regardless -- many found themselves the victims of foreclosure. Those who ignore the past are doomed to repeat it. So while a 5bedroom home today might be the same price of a 3-bedroom home this time last year, that doesnt mean you should buy the 5-bedroom. Rather, remain within your means and reap the rewards of responsible borrowing as opposed to suffering the inevitable consequences of living above your means. * Do you want to qualify just because you can qualify? Because of the market, many prospective home buyers are nding out that they are still eligible for a home loan even if they cant pay the traditional 20 percent down payment. This, however, is not as much of a no-brainer as it seems. Obviously, if youre not able to pay the 20 percent, youre automatically going to be borrowing more. In addition, a lower down payment might result in a higher interest rate. So a decision must be made as to whether you want to qualify just because you can, or wait a little longer and qualify for a loan because youre as worthy and as nancially equipped as you would be under more normal circumstances.

21

Thursday, April 30, 2009

The County Times

Forrest Farm Nearly Sold Out

By Sean Rice Staff Writer Forrest Farm, one of Quality Built Homes Inc.s oldest and biggest subdivisions in St. Marys County, is nearing complete build-out with only 12 lots left to sell. Unfortunately we only have probably 12 lots left, because its just an amazing subdivision, said Ann Kalmus, sales manager at Forrest Farm. You just get really a nice feeling when you come in here. The last two construction phases are underway now, and with Quality Builts track record, Kalmus said time is running short to get into this sprawling luxury community. Lot sizes still available range from 1 to 1.5 wooded acres, and prices start in the low $400,000s. The community is accessed from Brown Road and lies within the Leonardtown school district. Sales have been absolutely fabulous, Kalmus said, Its just been one after the other. Its like people are rushing to get them now. Quality Built construction ve spec houses in recent months at Forrest Farm, four of which sold quickly, she added.

A House is a Home

Some of the features that are attracting buyers include the community pool, tennis courts, soccer eld and club house, which can also be rented for parties or gatherings. The company is also running a special promotion, in which a full-nished basement is thrown in free with purchase. Its a real nice extra thing to have when youve got two or three

kids, a nished basement is wonderful, Kalmus said. Sales are also being helped by historically low mortgage interest rates, the federal governments $8,000 rst-time home buyers credit and $15,000 in closing help from Quality Built. Its been a wonderful time here, Im sorry its coming to an end, said Kalmus, who has been selling homes at Forrest Farms for nearly its entire nine-year existence, and has witnessed the development go from bare ground to a complete community. Its a wonderful neighbor-

hood, lots of kids. And thats probably one of the main reasons people move there, Kalmus said. It really does have the nicest people I think Ive ever met. Just full of them. Despite media reports saying the housing market is in a slump, Quality Built continues to sell, Kalmus said that is because of the companys amazing reputation. Its because of Qualitys reputation. You certainly get what you pay for, Kalmus said. I always tell people you can go bang on anybodys door, if you think Im fooling you, and ask them if they like the house, she added.

Photos By Sean Rice

Book Provides Glimpse into Internationally Renowned Architects Work

Art comes in many shapes and sizes. Whether youre a lm fanatic, voracious reader or a student of historys greatest painters, art has plenty to offer. Perhaps no art form is more pervasive in our daily lives than the art of architecture, surrounding us at virtually every turn. Be they novice fans or architecture afcionados, fans of this most prevalent art form can take a journey through the architectural designs and stunning works of architect Charles R. Stinson with the book Compositions in Nature. Known for his distinctive style of balancing space and light to create designs that are both translucent and grounded, Stinson has been featured in every edition of 100 of the Worlds Best Houses. Architecture is about the invisible, like faith, he says. Its about manifesting the dreams people have. For more than 30 years, Stinson has honed an original compositional methodology that encompasses a range of site conditions and geographical locations. His projects range from a bank to a poolside gazebo, an entire master-planned community to a condominium, a new lakeside or urban home to a rural renovation. Many of these outstanding projects are featured in this monograph. The 256-page book features full-color photographs by Peter Bastianelli-Kerze and poetic text written by Camille LeFevre. Original compositional sketches add an intimate component to this collection interspersed with the behindthe-scene philosophy of one of the countrys most recognizable and respected artists of architecture. Charles R. Stinson Architects: Compositions in Nature is published by Images Publishing in Australia. Order a copy today from amazon.com or barnesandnoble.com and take a journey through a Charles R. Stinson masterpiece.

A House is a Home
Helpful Real Estate Buying Advice
Quite the title I have chosen, isnt it? I will try to make sure this article lives up to it. Below you will see a mixture of helpful advice for buyers in todays market. If you are interested in foreclosures or short sale, these are some of the things you really should do. You need to get pre-approved. I am not talking about pre-qualication. You can get that anywhere with absolutely no real information being provided. Pre-qualication is what you get in the mail from credit card companies. The banks want you to be pre-approved. If you have the trimerge credit report run as well, that will put you in the better bargaining position. If you are shopping for homes that are not in foreclosure, you would still do well by yourself if you choose to get pre-qualied. It can come in handy and make your offer stronger, especially if you end up offering to buy the same house as another buyer. When deciding on an offer price, dont guess. Ask your agent to do some research into what has sold in the area, how much it sold for and when. Also, look into what is on the market and what maybe was withdrawn from the market. Just saying that you are going to offer 10, 15 or 20 percent less than the asking price is not a good plan. If the seller has the house at the right asking price, you may need to offer the full asking price. Certainly, bargaining is happening, but I am also seeing houses get priced correctly at the beginning of the listing and selling quickly. What about the location of your home? Do you want to live in a community with a homeowners association? Buying a home in a community with an association can be very

The County Times

Thursday, April 30, 2009

22

Look for products with high value and low cost

Families know how important it is to retain the value of their homes, especially when we hear so much about diminishing home values and foreclosures. Still, remodeling is one of the best ways to preserve your homes value and in some parts of the country, homeowners can still recover up to 90 percent of their remodeling costs despite falling home prices. If youre a homeowner whos in the process of remodeling, consider budget-friendly options to get the look you want without breaking the bank. Here are several tips to give you some less expensive options when remodeling.

Home Improvement Projects More Important Than Ever

advantageous, but it can also backre if you do not follow the rules. The associations duty is to all of the homeowners, and in reality, to their property values. Yes, they may arrange for the grass to be cut and snow to be removed. They may even have a pier or a playground, Kitchen but if you have too many cars out front The countertops are one of the high of your house, or want to build a garage, you had better be sure it is allowed in Affordable renovations, such as high denition laminate in impact surfaces in your kitchen. While natyour community. Make sure you read the kitchen, can be wise investments for budget-conscious ural stone options like granite and quartz, as well as solid surfaces are alluring, theyre the association documents carefully. homeowners. expensive and can quickly drain your reYou need to know what the assessments modeling budget. Now is a good time to check out a contemporary laminate countertop, which and charges are, and what they are for. Also, offers luxury looks at a surprisingly low cost when compared to stone. Wilsonart(R) HD High plan on joining the board. It is a great way to Denition Laminate is available in 43 designs created specically for heavy use horizontal surfaces help protect the values of your home. like countertops. The deep, rich look and dimensional texture can give your kitchen countertop the Get a buyers agent. Remember that look you want without the sacrice. Custom cabinets, though gorgeous to look at, can also make a there is no good reason not to have an agent signicant dent in your budget plan. To get the same look for less, install oversized crown molding who owes their allegiance to you. Sellers got on top of stock cabinets to make them pop. Most people wont notice the difference, and youll save somebody to represent them when they hired enough to buy a new appliance or two. their agent. You should have somebody as well. The really great news is that the buyers Bathroom agent is going to work for you, but he or she A beautiful, updated bathroom will undoubtedly add value to your home, but it can also be a will get the sellers to pay for it! Do not go to money pit that sucks away your remodeling dollars due to potentially high material and labor costs. new construction sites without an agent eiIn an effort to cut back, try searching for discounted xtures like shower heads and faucets at home ther. The agent there is only looking out for improvement stores or at online sources like eBay. the builder, and again, the builder will pay Oftentimes, the cost of new luxury-name xtures can run between $500 to $1000 while massfor your buyers agent! What a deal. market versions may provide the same look for less. Many manufacturers, like Moen and Delta, proI wanted to mention that the rst meetvide detailed installation instructions so you can save there, too. Those popular glass or decorative ing of the real-estate investor club went nickel knobs and pulls on cabinets and doors can often run as much as $20 apiece. A better option is great. We will be meeting again on May 7 oversized hardware -- eight to 12 inches long as opposed to the standard four to ve inches -- which with a guest speaker who will help us all ungives you a bold look for less. derstand many different ways to obtain the You can also save money on bathroom countertop surfaces by considering durable laminate cash we need for investing in real estate. If instead of stone, which can be stained by cosmetics and cleaners. Another advantage of laminate you would like to attend, call me at 301-672is that if you decide to change the color scheme of your bathroom in a few years, laminate can be 1925, or just show up. switched out easily and inexpensively. Buyers, sellers, renters and investors, contact me at PatrickDugan@mris.com. Family Room Estimates tell us that adding a family room, as opposed to simply remodeling one, will help a homeowner recoup as much as 80 percent of their original investment at resale. Remember to plan the space by factoring in the size of your family, the ages of your kids (and their friends), and perhaps even the possibility of additions to your immediate family, like grandparents or babies. Some families go as far as taking out walls to improve space, but careful planning and wise furniture positioning can help you avoid drastic changes to the room that tend to drain your budget. If youre handy or can afford to hire a carpenter, built-in shelving and possibly an entertainment/gaming nook One of the biggest decisions a person must make upon moving into a new home are useful and popular additions, and can be painted, stained, or simply covered with laminate to or apartment is what size bed to purchase for their new place. Oftentimes, the dimenmatch your decor. sions of the room make the decision for you. For example, a studio apartment is rarely big enough to comfortably accommodate a king size bed. When measuring a room for Bedrooms a new bed, keep in mind the following standard dimensions for the ve most common From a purely practical standpoint, your bedrooms are places for you and your family to sleep mattress options. and take refuge from the outside world. A master bedroom remodel should reect an atmosphere of serenity and comfort. Its also the perfect place to install energy efcient windows, which will help Twin: 39 X 75 keep you cool in the summer, warm in the winter, and allow you to eventually recoup the cost with Double: 54 X 75 savings on your monthly energy bill. Queen: 60 X 80 Color is typically one of the easiest and most cost effective ways to make a signicant change King: 78 X 80 in the look of your bedrooms. Kids bedrooms can benet from bright colors and easily washable California King: 72 X 84 surfaces. Pick up a pre-fabricated laminate countertop slab and a couple of le cabinets at a local home center to create a simple desk with the look of a custom piece. Wilsonart has a large, cuttingedge collection of colorful laminate patterns that children can easily grow into, in addition to a bevy of designs perfectly crafted for a childrens room. For more information and some examples of successful home remodeling projects, visit www. countertop.com.

Did You Know?

A Journey Through Time

The
By Linda Reno Contributing Writer Many years ago I was told that my ancestor, George Philip Davis, had been killed by Jodie Spalding and that Jodie had been smuggled onto a steamboat at Leonardtown by his family and was never seen again. It took me a number of years to nd the real story (or at least most of it) and during this quest for information, I became addicted to genealogy. No cure, no 12-step program. What I eventually found was that it wasnt George Philip Davis who was murdered by Jodie Spalding, but there had been a murder and Jodie did it. James Hilary Davis, son of George Davis and Mary Alvey, was born in 1835 near Oakville. He married Mary Amanda Thompson, daughter of Ignatius Thompson and Eleanor Dean, on Jan. 4, 1856, and they quickly had two little boys named George William Davis, born in 1857, and James Hilary Davis Jr., born in 1858. The family lived quietly until Oct. 24, 1859, when James Hilary Davis was murdered over a game of cards at Spaldings store in Oakville. FATAL ENCOUNTER We learn that a difculty occurred at Oakville on Monday last between Joseph H. Spalding and Hillery Davis, during which Davis was stabbed and died the same evening from the effects of the wounds he had received. We have received several accounts of the affray, but as it will be a matter of judicial investigation, we have concluded not to give them publication. Spalding has not yet been arrested. (St. Marys Beacon, Oct. 27, 1859). Joseph H. Jodie Spalding, born in 1836, was the son of Thomas Spalding and Ann F. Johnson. By 1853, Jodie was an orphan, as his father died in 1838 and his mother in 1853. He probably lived with his sister, Sarah Ann Sally Spalding, who had married James Marcellus Heard in 1844. On March 22, 1860, Jodie was arraigned for the murder of James H. Davis. He pled not guilty. There was no further activity until Nov. 24 of that same year when it was ordered that Jodie be delivered to the Circuit Court on the third Monday of November. The names of several witnesses to the murder were given at that time, i.e., Z. T. Spalding (Zachariah Thomas Spalding, born 1828, son of Zachariah Spalding and Cecelia Van Reswick and Jodies rst cousin); James L. Thomas (born 1842, son of William Henry Thomas and Matilda Ann Edwards); and A. A. Wood (Albert Alexander Wood, born 1838, son of Alexander Sandy Wood and Jane Alvey Jane Alvey was a sister of Mary Alvey, mother of James Hilary Davis). Two years would elapse before there was any further activity. In March 1862 the Circuit Court records indicate a criminal appearance for Joseph H. Spalding, but I dont believe he appeared and that he ed right after his arraignment, as hes not found on the 1860 census. The case would be continued time after time until Nov. 28, 1864, when a bench warrant was issued to no avail. Was he smuggled out of town on a steamboat? Well never know for sure, but he was gone and that was the end of the case. This event must have been an emotional disaster for both families, but for Hilary Davis wife and children, it led to nancial ruin. On

23

Thursday, April 30, 2009

The County Times

Old Murder Sparks Addiction to Genealogy

Chronicle

Columnist Linda Reno is a historian and genealogist specializing in Southern Maryland history. Mrs. Reno is a member of the St. Marys County Historical Society, St. Marys County Genealogical Society, Charles County Genealogical Society, Maryland Historical Society and the Maryland Genealogical Society. She has authored many books and articles on local history. We hope you will enjoy these articles Sept. 6, 1861, Mary and welcome your comments Davis and John W. and suggestions for Harper as administrators of the estate of future subjects. Hilary Davis showed payments to Z. T. Spalding for funeral expenses; George S. Long for making his cofn; H. C. Graves, George W. Buckler and James S. Posey for appraisal of the estate; and John H. Buckler, auctioneer. There was not enough money to pay all of the creditors. This led to the sale of a small Photo Courtesy of Jay R. Long parcel of land that Hilary had bought in 1858 from William O. On Sept. 16, 1903, George Reeder called Part of Workington William Davis married Mary Ellen Park. Long, daughter of George Simon The estate was nally settled Long (who made his fathers cofn) Feb. 21, 1865, when the auditors re- and Teresa Ellen Gatton. ported the distribution of the estate The house shown in the accomof James H. Davis amounting to $10 panying picture stood behind the (after court costs of $260). old Montana Bar at Oakville (as you Mary Amanda Thompson, Hil- turn on Rt. 472) and I believe, but arys widow, married second, James am not positive, that this may have H. Gatton, April 2, 1861, and they been Spaldings store. The photo had a daughter Maria, born 1864. was provided to me by Jay R. Long James Gatton died 1864-1865. Her who has collected a treasure trove of third husband was Henry Edward information and pictures from this Wood whom she married Jan. 19, often historically neglected area of 1866. St. Marys County.

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The County Times

Thursday, April 30, 2009

24

Geezer Still Rocks

By Andrea Shiell Staff Writer It may be fair to say that no other band in St. Marys County is as jokingly selfdeprecating as Geezer, the playful classic rock cover group that runs with the theme of being middle-aged, slightly confused, and just enough out of touch to make them seem like a quaint novelty act that is, of course, until they start playing. With a song list comprised of wellknown classics by the Beatles, Tom Petty, The Grateful Dead, The Eagles, and a swarm of fans of all ages attending their shows, they may more in touch than they Photo By Angie Sta claim. lcup Dennis Logan, who lends his keyboard, guitar and vocal talents to the band, said that he had teamed up with Mickey Ramos (drums, vocals) and Charlie Hugg (bass guitar) in another band several years ago. In October 2006 the trio got together with Robin Guyther (guitar, vocals) and started playing. It sounded pretty bad at rst but we knew there was something to it, said Logan, explaining that over time, Frank Taylor (guitar, vocals) and Bob Schaller (who juggles vocals and lead guitar in addition to his duties as head of the countys Department of Economic and Community Development) came on board and put on the nishing touch we needed. Members decided to call themselves Geezer as a joke about their ages, as well as a play on the popular band Weezer. Our name certainly has an element of self-deprecation and people seem to be amused by the name, said Logan, adding that since these old men have started taking the stage, Do Dah Deli in Leonardtown has become their favorite venue. We have a standing joke amongst the band members that the Do Dah Deli is to us what the Cavern of Liverpool was to the Beatles, said Logan. Though he declined to say whether the popular sandwich spot had brought the likes of Brian Epstein (the famous music producer who discovered and managed the Beatles), Logan did say that the band enjoys their regular spot at the deli, playing there the third Friday of every month. gie Stalcup An Geezers stage show seems to stay in line with the bands By o sense of middle-aged humor, and rightly so. ot We have started the wrong songs or the wrong tempo and just looked puzzled at one another but made it work without anyone in the audience knowing whats going on, said Logan, adding that band members will also answer cell-phone calls from their kids in mid-performance, and that We have had to explain to an audience that we cant do song requests because our memories are not that good anymore. Perhaps its their swelling set list of rock favorites, or their constant joking between themselves and their audience about the perils of middle age, but Geezer has managed to stay true to the spirit that fuels rock and roll, so it may also be fair to say these old crows still have a few new tricks up their sleeves. Geezer will be playing at the Hollywood Volunteer Fire Departments Social Hall on Friday, May 1, for the Democrats of St. Marys annual dinner. For more information on the band and their upcoming performances, visit their Web site at www. geezerband.googlepages.com.

Movie Review: Hanna Montana: The Movie

By Christie Lemire AP Movie Critic Hannah Montana: The Movie just shouldnt be analyzed from an adult perspectivewhich, frankly, is irrelevant. The big-screen version of the Disney TV series is not made for us its made for girls aged 6-14 and no one else and so we must consider how theyre going to respond to it. Now, this will come as no surprise at all: Theyre gonna love it. And it makes sense, really. If you were a 10-year-old girl, you would of course want to be small-town sweetheart Miley Stewart and/or her secret pop-star alter ego, Hannah Montana. Singer/songwriter/dancer/trendsetter Miley Cyrus makes both characters so likeably harmless, so attractively accessible, its hard not to be charmed. Just you try to resist her endless supply of energy and moxie! Even when she gets a little petulant and carried away with her celebrity lifestyle in Los Angeles which prompts a return to Tennessee for some hometown reprogramming she still has a magnetism about her. Nevertheless, Hannah Montana: The Movie drags us all back to the ctional Crowley Corners to bang us over the head with the message that big cities are bad and small towns are good. And theres plenty of down-home singin and cuttin up to emphasize that point. (Amazingly, Taylor Swift and Rascal Flatts just happen to live there, too. What are the odds?! The predictable (though beautifully photographed) lm from director Peter Chelsom (Serendipity, Shall We Dance?) nds Mileys dad, Robby Ray (Cyrus real-life father, Billy Ray), taking her home against her will to reconnect with her roots. As in the Hannah Montana 3-D concert lm from last year, Miley and Billy Ray Cyrus have an obvious, comfortable bond on camera; the moments they share seem sincere and provide some much-needed substance amid the perkiness and pratfalls. Back home, Miley bonds with Grandma Ruby (longtime character actress Margo Martindale, whos done far more interesting work) and nds her rst boyfriend, Travis (Lucas Till), a non-threatening farmhand shes known since childhood. Hoedowns and horseback riding ensue. But the idyll cant last forever. A British tabloid reporter (Peter Gunn) has followed her there, trying to dig up some dirt on Hannah. (For some strange reason, neither he nor anyone else can gure out that Hannah is just Miley in a blond wig; the Clark Kent routine even fools the sensitive Travis, who seemed to have such insight into Mileys true nature.) But the reporters portly presence also brings an unwelcome tone of sitcommy physical humor. Miley gets hit in the head a lot (with a coconut, a volleyball, etc.), and the second she places some fresh eggs in the back pocket of her denim overalls, you know shes going to fall on her butt and smash them. But Gunns obnoxious Oswald Granger bears the brunt of the pain, skidding on a scattered pile of walnuts or tumbling face-rst into a puddle of mud. Hannah Montana didnt need all that, given the warmhearted family tone the one element that may appeal to audiences beyond the tweens and the catchiness of the pop tunes. Not only will you have Hoedown Throwdown stuck in your head as you leave the theater, you may end up trying to master the elaborate choreography right alongside your 10-year-old. Resistance is futile. (Released by Walt Disney Pictures; rated G; running time: 106 minutes.)

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25

Thursday, April 30, 2009

The County Times

Idle Americans host Open Blues Jam Fatboys Country Store (Leonardtown) 8 p.m. TOOMANYMIKES Veras White Sands 9 p.m. prots to benet the school. Tea and cookies served. Free admission. Texas HoldEm Bounty Tournament St. Marys County Elks Lodge (Chancellors Run Road) 3 p.m. 8-Ball Singles Tournament Cadillac Jacks (Lexington Park) 6 p.m. Nuttin Fancy Band Spring Festival (County Fairgrounds) 7 p.m. One-Act Plays Three Notch Theatre (Lexington Park) 8 p.m. CSM Annual Jazz Festival CSM Fine Arts Center (La Plata) 8 p.m. Comedy Night Solomons Volunteer Rescue Squad 8 p.m. Citizens Band Radio Cryers Back Road Inn (Leonardtown) 8 p.m. Karaoke with DJ Tommy T and DJ T Applebees (California) 9 p.m. Immaculate Conception Festival Churchs 18th annual parish dinner from noon to 5 p.m. in the parish center, 28297 Old Village Road, Mechanicsville, directly behind the church. The menu includes steamship round, crab balls, southern fried chicken, green beans, beets, applesauce, coleslaw, potatoes, garden salad, rolls, desserts and beverages. Cost is $16 for adults and carryout; $6 for children ages 6 to 12; children under 6 eat free. Festivities include a 50/50 rafe, white elephant table, bake table, door prizes and bingo. For tickets, call 301-884-3123 or 240-256-0812. St. Marys Musica Out Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church (Solomons) 3 p.m. One Act Plays Three Notch Theatre (Lexington Park) 3:30 p.m.

Thursday, April 30
St. Michaels School Benet Golf Tournament Breton Bay Golf & Country Club 9 a.m. Southern Maryland 16th Annual Spring Festival St. Marys County Fairgrounds (Leonardtown) 5 p.m. (Thurs.-Sat.) Ladies Night Fatboys Country Store (Leonardtown) 7 p.m. Texas HoldEm Donovans Irish Pub (California) 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 2
Point Lookout Lighthouse Open House Lighthouse in Point Lookout State Park 10 a.m. Pet Portraits Help Second Hope Rescue Local professional animal photographers Debbie Patterson and Christina Dale will be at Peppers Pet Pantry in Solomons from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. One 6 x 4 photo for $10; three 6 x 4 photos for $25. The theme will be a tiki/beach scene. For reservations and directions, call Peppers Pet Pantry at 410326-4006. Photos will be ready in time for Mothers Day. Checks and cash payment accepted, no credit cards please. For more information, call 240-925-0628. Shop Til You Drop Tea party and shopping from 1 to 4 p.m. at Father Andrew White School, Leonardtown. Vendors include Southern Living At Home, Longaberger Baskets, Pampered Chef, Tastefully Simple, Creative Memories, Silpada, Phoenix Trading, Party Lite, Celebrating Home, Dunkin Donuts Coffee, Usborne Books, Arbonne and Occasion Ography. Vendors will donate a percentage of their

Friday, May 1
Silent Auction to Benet Relay for Life Leonardtown Square 5 p.m. Texas HoldEm VFW Post 2632 (California) 7 p.m. Nathan Tasker in Concert Good Samaritan Lutheran Church (Lexington Park) 7 p.m. One-Act Plays Three Notch Theatre (Lexington Park) 8 p.m.

Wednesday, May 6
Leonardtown Lions Club Meeting The Leonardtown Lions Club will hold its May 2009 meeting at Olde Breton Inn. The Board of Directors will meet at 6 p.m., the Social Period will begin at 7 p.m. and the dinner/business meeting will commence at 7:30 p.m. Mr. John Boyles of the St. Marys County Health Department will present an overview of several ongoing programs within the department following dinner.

Sunday, May 3
Parish Festival/Dinner 28297 Old Village Ave. (Mechanicsville) 12 noon

First Fridays on the Square

Experience Leonardtown at its First Fridays events held from 5 to 8 p.m. on the rst Friday evening of every month, year round. Downtown Leonardtown, Breton Marketplace and the Maryland Antiques Center boast trendy art galleries, superb restaurants and unique retail businesses, many of which offer something special for First Friday, including poetry readings, book signings, cooking classes, and jewelry making. The galleries invite you to browse and meet the artists and purchase ne art to showplace in your home or ofce. Complete the evening with dinner at one of the restaurants, with many offering dinner and drink specials unique to First Friday. For a list of participating businesses, go to www.leonardtownrstfridays.com.

The Girl Scouts is looking for volunteers to spend a week or any part of the week helping to supervise hands-on activities, games, songs and crafts offered through its summer camp program. Without volunteer help, the organization may have to place girls on a waiting list or even face the possibility of having to say no to them. Please, help us to welcome all girls to camp, volunteer today. For more information about the locations of the camps, go to www.girlscouts4u.org or call Lori Davis at 1-800-834-1702 or 301-638-5373.

Summer Camp Volunteers Needed

LIBRARY ANNOUNCEMENTS
All three branches will be closed on Friday, May 8, for the annual staff and volunteer day.

Amusement Park Tickets on Sale

The Recreation and Parks Department will begin sales of amusement park tickets Monday, May 4, in the Patuxent Building, located at 23150 Leonard Hall Drive in Leonardtown. Tickets will be on sale during regular ofce hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cash and credit cards with picture ID are accepted, but personal checks are not. All tickets are listed as Good Any One Day this season unless otherwise noted. The selection of Parks includes Busch Gardens, Paramounts Kings Dominion, Water Country in Virginia, Dutch Wonderland, Hershey Park, Dorney Park and Sesame Place in Pennsylvania, Six Flags America both in Maryland and New Jersey. All sales are nal. For more information, call 301-475-4200, ext. 1842.

Libraries to Close May 8

Whats

oing On G

The library systems Teen Advisory Groups are sponsoring free events for teens. On April 30 teens can watch the movie Hancock with other teens at Leonardtown at 5:30 p.m. or play Wii at Lexington Park from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. On May 1 Transporter 3 will be shown at Charlotte Hall at 1 p.m. and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull will be shown at Lexington Park at 2 p.m. All three movies are rated PG-13. Snacks will be provided at all the activities. Teens are invited to join the librarys Teen Advisory Groups on May 5 at 4 p.m. at Lexington Park, May 11 at 5 p.m. at Charlotte Hall and May 14 at 5:30 p.m. at Leonardtown.

Teen Movies and Game Night

Children and their parents or caregivers can drop in and enjoy six interactive reading activities together at the Side-by-Side Reading Fun on May 12 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Leonardtown or on May 13 at either Charlotte Hall from 5 to 6 p.m. or Lexington Park from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. The activities are geared for children ages 3-7. Registration is requested.

Reading Together

The public is invited to the Friends of the Library annual dinner at Caf des Artistes on May 11. Sue Gibbs will talk about her participation on the 2009 Caldecott Award Selection Committee. Menu selections and reservation forms are available at the library and are due by May 5.

Friends Annual Dinner

A story time in both English and Spanish is planned at Lexington Park on May 6. Charlotte Hall and Leonardtown will offer a regular evening story time on May 7. All three start at 6:30 p.m.

Bilingual Story Time

The libraries provide free basic computer classes each month. During May, in addition to the basic classes, Leonardtown has added classes geared towards job searchers, including using the Internet and e-mail for job searching, as well as resume building. Register by calling a library. Each branch has created a Job Search Center to aid those looking for jobs.

Classes for Job Seekers

Cuisine

The County Times

Today in St. Marys County we have many wonderful options for dining out. Each week we will feature a local restaurant and give our readers an overview of what they can enjoy on the menu at each location. Bon Apptit!

Thursday, April 30, 2009

26

On The Menu
Evans Seafood, located on historic St. Georges Island, boasts one of the most magnicent waterfront settings in Southern Maryland. Local owners Chuck and Bip Kimball have created a dining destination where everyone can experience a place that locals have loved to bring their family and friends for many years. Their unique menu combines fresh seafood and local recipes to make a lasting impression on those who visit, whether by boat or land. Start your feast with one of Evans tantalizing appetizers or Maryland cream of crab soup. For a lighter meal you can enjoy a crab cake or soft shell crab sandwich, cheeseburger or grilled chicken sandwich. Or try a basket of oysters, scallops, shrimp or fried rocksh served with French fries and Evans coleslaw, priced from $9 to $15.

& More

Healthy Bites
Keeping Grilled Chicken Moist
By JIM ROMANOFF For The Associated Press Browned and crispy skin gives chicken mouthwatering avor and, unfortunately, anywhere between 50 and 75 percent of its fat. Thats why most health-conscious cooks remove the skin and trim any visible fat before cooking. But thats often at the expense of avor and moistness. The good news is that leaving the skin on during cooking, then removing it before eating, doesnt add fat to the meat and helps produce chicken that is more moist and tender. One caveat is that any seasonings or sauces you rub or drizzle onto the chicken before or during cooking will get tossed along with the skin. The best way to avoid that is to gently tuck seasonings under the skin. If you still would prefer to remove the skin, a good alternative is to baste the chicken with a glaze during cooking. This peanut butter-chutney barbecued chicken uses this approach. But because it is grilled, there is an added par-cooking step to ensure that the sweet glaze wont burn before the chicken is fully cooked. The recipe calls for chicken thighs with the bones in, which add avor and also help to keep the chicken moist. Thigh meat is quite succulent and tends to dry out less than breast meat, especially when grilled over high heat. The sweet and savory glaze is made with jarred mango chutney, which adds spicy, vinegary notes to the smooth and salty peanut butter. Look for mango chutney with other condiments or in the international section at your market. This exotic, yet simple-toprepare dish is perfect for a Mothers Day dinner that will impress without stress. It also keeps Dad cooking in his comfort zone at the grill. To complete the meal, serve with basmati rice and baby sweet peas and pearl onions.

EVANS SEAFOOD RESTAURANT

16800 Piney Point Road, Piney Point, Md.

301-994-9944, www.evansseafoodrestaurant.com
For a healthy appetite, you cant go wrong with Captain Chucks fried seafood platter or Chef Neils colossal steamer platter. Steak and seafood lovers will also nd a steak and cake dinner or surf and turf. All these ne entrees are priced from $21 to $37. Your choice of strawberry shortcake or cheesecake will be sure to nish your meal off just right. A full bar is available on site. Evans Seafood Restaurant is open Thursday from 4 to 9 p.m., Friday from 3 to 9 p.m., Saturday from noon to 9 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 8 p.m. Stop by today and watch your favorite sport on the big screen TV or just enjoy an unrivaled Potomac River sunset while you unwind with a delicious meal.

On The Vine
By MICHELLE LOCKE Associated Press Writer CALISTOGA, Calif. (AP) Vintner Karen Cakebread can remember when women in wine were a rare vintage. Fast forward a decade or so and Cakebread is launching her own line of wines, Ziata, made by a woman winemaker, named after Cakebreads mom and being released, naturally, on Mothers Day. Its a different world, she says of womens viticultural efforts. There arent exact statistics on the number of women working in wine around the nation, but Cakebread estimates that today as many as 15 percent of California winemakers may be women. One sign of the times is the National Womens Wine Competition. Though it was only launched in 2007, it already gets entries from more than 200 women winemakers annually, most of them in California, says organizer Lea Pierce. Yet despite the changes, the wine industry as a whole remains predominantly male, especially at the executive level. You dont see a lot of all-women operations, says Brandi Jocelyn Pack, who works with mom Susan Curtis at the Jocelyn Lonen Winery in the Napa Valley. It was founded by her late father, Lonen Curtis. Their winemaker is Alison Doran, who started in the industry in the 70s and worked her way up to winemaker in 1981. Back then, women winemakers were sort of a mascot, Doran says with a chuckle. But breaking into the male domain of viticulture, getting out into the vineyard, was tougher. Id be the only girl at all

Woman Vintners New Wine a Toast to Mom

viticulture things. Now, women have realized If they take the course, if they get the degree, theyre going to get the job, says Doran. Robert Smiley, a University of California, Davis, professor who follows the industry, thinks the sink-or-swim nature of the business bad wine wont sell, whether its made by a man or a woman was a factor in women succeeding in winemaking. The wine industry essentially rewards quality, he says. Its a pretty clear meritocracy and I think they were good. Timing may have been an issue, too, says Michaela Rodeno, chief executive of the St. Supery Vineyards and Winery in Rutherford. The industry essentially was revived during the70s when there was quite a feminist movement going on, she points out. Cakebread is starting her new brand with 250 cases of a crisp sauvignon blanc; she plans to release 200 cases of pinot noir at the end of the year. The wine is named after her 86-year-old mother, Mary Annunziata, and the sauvignon blanc is being released May 10, Mothers Day. Not surprisingly, that went over well with Mom.

Women in Wine

Recipe

PEANUT BUTTER-CHUTNEY BARBECUED CHICKEN

Start to nish: 1 hour (30 minutes active) Servings: 6

cup mango chutney cup peanut butter 2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons white vinegar 12 bone-in chicken thighs, skin removed, trimmed of fat (about 4 pounds) teaspoon salt teaspoon ground black pepper Heat the oven to 375 F. To make the sauce, chop any large chunks in the chutney (brands vary). In a medium bowl, whisk together the chutney, peanut butter, soy sauce and vinegar. Set aside. Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper, then place them on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, heat a gas grill to medium-high or prepare a charcoal re. Remove the chicken from the oven and brush with the peanut butter-chutney sauce. Grill the chicken, turning and basting frequently, until well browned and cooked through, about 10 minutes. Nutrition information per serving (values are rounded to the nearest whole number): 331 calories; 127 calories from fat; 14 g fat (3 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 161 mg cholesterol; 8 g carbohydrate; 41 g protein; 1 g ber; 955 mg sodium.

Wanderings
of an Aimless
White Shirt Blues
By Shelby Oppermann Contributing Writer Who was Murphy and why did he make all those laws? There are many laws named after him, but one of the favorites at our house is, You know you will spill something red or drippy on a white shirt.

27

Thursday, April 30, 2009

The County Times

Min

d
215 pages

When you are at a restaurant, it is a given; at a crab house, it is for sure. Even if you dont get something on your own clothes eating crabs, then the person directly opposite you will break open the crab shell and spray crab stuff on your shirt and glasses. Why is it you can wear any color shirt when eating out and youre ne, but when you wear a nice bright

c.2009, Viva Editions

By Terri Schlichenmeyer Contributing Writer

Feisty First Ladies and Other Unforgettable White House Women by Autumn Stephens
$16.95

Book Review
another portrait: that of herself. Not content with rescuing paintings, Elizabeth Monroe once saved a human from the guillotine. Yes, the White House has seen plenty of unique individuals. Several First Ladies shunned publicity and became virtual hermits while their husbands were in ofce. There was once, arguably, a mentally ill First Lady, and a few who were quite possibly better educated than their husbands. Some acted as advisors and offered unagging support for their mates, while others (unhappily) shared the president not only with constituents but also with other women. And then there was the 20th century First Lady who was rumored to have offed her husband to save him from embarrassment . I was afraid when I got this book that it was going to be more blahblah-blah about Washington Wives. I couldnt have been farther from the truth. Feisty First Ladies is a lively book lled with thumbnail bios of not just First Ladies, but of daughters, nieces and other women who left their marks on 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Author Autumn Stephens surprised me, page after page, with delicious political gossip and little known, trivia-like factoids. I was pleased to see mini-chapters on the rst woman who ran for president (long before women could vote); the irrepressible Martha Mitchell; the First Lady who refused to share a checkbook with her husband; and the woman whose name came from an Italian opera term. Even if youre tired of Washington business as usual, grab this book anyhow. Feisty First Ladies makes politics seem like a party.

Remember last years political uproar? No, Im not talking about election stumping or nger-pointing. Not mavericks or sixpacks or porcine lipstick (although who can forget those?). No, think farther back. This uproar came with a conundrum of sorts: If a woman became president of the United States, what would we call her husband? First Man is too clinical. First Gentleman sounds so stodgy. Maybe First Guy? Or maybe not. At any rate, the argument is safe for now. But would you believe that our First Ladies werent so-called until our nation was several years old? In fact, would you believe that the rst First Lady really wasnt? Read more in Feisty First Ladies and Other Unforgettable White House Women by Autumn Stephens. Back when our country was just born and the Senate wanted to call George Washington His Highness, Martha Washington struggled to nd a suitable name for herself in her new position. Marquise was a brief possibility but, in the end, Lady Washington sufced. Incidentally, although portraits usually depict Martha as a dignied elderly woman, she was known for sassiness in her youth. And speaking of less-than-demure behavior, Quaker-raised Dolley Madison was said to cut quite a gure on the dance oor. She loved snuff, plunging necklines and fabulous chapeaus, and her patriotism is legendary: during the War of 1812, as the British were Descending on the White House, she snatched a portrait of George Washington off the wall and hurried to safety. What most history books dont tell you is that she also saved

white one, the food is drawn to it like a magnet? Ill look at my husbands shirt and well both laugh. Hell say, Well, Im wearing white. Cookouts are always the cause of some great stain ascos. I know I cant be the only person who likes loads of catsup on my hot dogs and hamburgers. These are sneaky foods. A bite at one end of a hot dog is sure to squeeze out a good shot of catsup on the other side. You dont even notice that there is a big globber of catsup on your pants leg until you rest your plate on your lap for a minute to take a drink, then you reach down and its on your hands, you move the plate and its on the other leg, and so on. Barbecued ribs and corn on the cob are a whole other issue. Its always good to start eating from side to side and not start in the center. The reason is because no one will tell you if you have barbecue sauce or butter marks on your nose and cheeks. They wont tell you about the corn in your teeth either. I have purchased a few of those stain pens over the years, and they work pretty good if you remember to keep them in your purse or in the right vehicle. Like most women, my purse begins to accumulate all the necessities of life and then you realize the cost of therapy for severe shoulder pain isnt worth it. So you then take all of the extras out and promptly need every item you have removed. I marvel at how men make it through daily life with only a wallet. Now I know how. Honey, do you have scissors with you? Do you have a 5-in-1 tool in your purse? How about Ibuprofen, aspirin [ll in the blank]? More often than not, one woman in the crowd will have anything that is needed. My personal Murphys law is spilling hot tea down my sleepwear onto my slippers. I always end up lling the tea cup right up to the

brim with extra cream to get the temperature just right, and then shakily try to lift the cup to my lips. At the last second is usually when the big spill occurs. Tidbit is ready and waiting. I have had other clothing disasters that some readers may have experienced also. These are the kind you should only need to do once and then learn from. Wearing white to work is not a good idea either. Years ago, I was working on a project that required staining and wore a new white dress. I made it through the project ne, and then when I was putting the lid on the stain can, decided to hammer it down tightly. Yes, I now had a leopard-print dress the rest of the day. But I was able to save the dress by means of animal print appliqus. It was the 80s. The other clothing disaster was the great bleach disaster, also in the80s. I lost control of the bleach jug while pouring and it poured not only on what was in the washer, but also on all the clothes waiting to go in the washer. Some of course were ruined. But I was crafty then and had energy, bought fabric paint pens and xed multi-colored skirts and dresses where you could not even tell. Now I would say, Oh, work rags. When I nd this guy, Murphy, I am going to have him eat crabs or spaghetti with us. Ill tell him everyone has to wear white. Everything bad is supposed to happen to him, right? That might be the only night my husband and I have a shot at staying spotless. Well save you a seat too. To each new days adventure, Shelby Please send comments or ideas to: shelbys. wanderings@yahoo.com.

Over 250,000 Southern Marylanders cant be wrong!

The County Times

Thursday, April 30, 2009

28

ie KiddKor

ner

1. Ancient Syrian city 5. A fashionable hotel 8. Symbol indicating pitch 12. Brewed beverage 13. Soft-nned shes 15. Get a grip or grab 16. Soluble ribonucleic acid 17. Ready money 18. Lips 19. Harry Potter #4 22. ____ 500, car race 23. Take in solid food 24. A tributary of the Missouri River 26. Made disorderly 29. Algerian port 30. Run after 32. ___bo: Latin dance 34. Siddhartha author 36. Radioactivity unit 37. Sudden ood 39. More (Spanish) 40. City in N. Zambia 42. Informed wrongly 43. About two 45. Cures 47. Greyhound or tour 48. Something that is owed

CLUES ACROSS

49. Annual hoop frenzy 54. The Californian author 56. Chinese dynasty 57. Research workplaces 59. Dancer De Mille 60. At some prior time 61. Breastplate 62. Time and Materials poet 63. CNNs founder 64. Considerateness

CLUES DOWN

1. Point that is one point S. of due E. 2. Floating ice mountain 3. Tonights host 4. Saddle horses 5. A way to split up 6. Pertaining to bog fuel 7. In addition 8. Maps out 9. Rounded subdivision of an organ 10. ___ Lilly, drug company 11. Licenses drugs 14. Superhigh frequency 15. False names 20. Liqueed natural gas

21. Fixed charges 24. Greek mountain nymph 25. Saucy 26. Female parent 27. Electronic communication 28. Palm fruits 29. Resistance unit 30. African gator 31. Norse goddess of the dead 33. ___ student, learns healing 35. Bears patiently 38. Thrombocyte 41. Record 44. Lets up 45. Enclosed by a row of shrubs 46. Point that is one point N. of due E. 48. Trip the light fantastic 49. Messenger ribonucleic acid 50. Type of health coverage 51. Coin factory 52. Heroic tale 53. Invests in little enterprises 54. Expresses surprise 55. Honorable title (Turkish) 58. The Concorde was one (abbr.)

Last Weeks Puzzle Solutions

29

Thursday, April 30, 2009

The County Times

Deadlines for Classieds are Tuesday at 12 pm.
To Place a Classied Ad, please email your ad to: classieds@countytimes.net or Call: 301-373-4125 or Fax: 301-373-4128 for a price quote. Ofce hours are: Monday thru Friday 8am - 4pm. The County Times is published each Thursday.

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Reduced In Time For Spring! Waterfront home for sale in Town Creek Marina area. Very close to Solomons island, NAVAIR and lexington park. Located on a creek off of the Patuxent River, close to the Chesapeake Bay for great boating! Home was completely renovated in 2007 with new roof, siding, wiring, plumbing, kitchen cabinets and appliances, ceramic and carpeted oors, new bathrooms, and new vinyl windows. Must see to appreciate. mall cottage, perfect for a couple or person that wants to downsize and be very close to the water! Huge pier with power. Lot next door has ramp. Call 804-224-1555. $550,000.

Real Estate Rentals

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Vehicles
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General Merchandise
Jasmine Heirlooms Quilting Frame. Barely used, no basting quilt frame. Has short and long rails to accommodate up to a king size quilt. Price: $250. If interested, please call 301-373-4289.

CONTRACTORS
301-399-2525
WINDOWS & DOORS HOME IMPROVEMENTS

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Yard Sales

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Saturday, May 9th 7:00am-12:00pm

St. Marys County Health Department

21580 Peabody Street Leonardtown

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Open Daily
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First Fridays Dinner Special 5pm - 8pm leonardtowntearoom@gmail.com

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Important
The County Times will not be held responsible for any ads omitted for any reason. The County Times reserves the right to edit or reject any classied ad not meeting the standards of The County Times. It is your responsiblity to check the ad on its rst publication and call us if a mistake is found. We will correct your ad only if notied after the rst day of the rst publication ran.

(301) 475-1980

26005 Point Lookout Road (Rt 5) Leonardtown MD, 20650

The County Times

Thursday, April 30, 2009

30

31

Thursday, April 30, 2009

The County Times

The Queen of Christmas in April

Mary Ann Chasen, director of St. Marys Christmas in April.

ewsmakers Now Arriving

Photo By Andrea Sh Crews at a home in Great Mills wo iell rk on landscaping and interior improvem during Saturdays ents Christmas in April event.

need, but being unsure how to ll those needs, she said between phone calls. I am not a skilled tradesperson, and when someone calls in to ask for a piece of mateea rial, I dont know what that is, so then I rely dr n yA on the wonderful volunteers that do know to B Pho what that is. By Andrea Shiell Crews may have taken on fewer Staff Writer homes this year than in previous years, but Chasen said that the extent of the work Mary Ann Chasen, director of the needed required a heavier dose of materiCountys annual Christmas in April event, als and manpower than in previous years. On a normal year, itll be about sighed and fanned herself as she sat on a loose formation of scrap lumber outside $80,000, but were spending a lot more this the groups warehouse at the County Fair- year, said Chasen, but we knew, doing so grounds on Saturday, where operations many roofs, that it would be an expensive were in full swing for this years home- year for us, so were just hoping that the people who pledged to be renovation projects. nancial sponsors will still be They call us sending their checks. the St. Marys County Of the 22 homes on the version of Extreme repairs roster, Chasen said Makeover, she said, that, House 14, I would laughing. say, is the most extensive. But for more than She explained that a crew 1,500 volunteers workof more than 70 people ing that day, there were were replacing the roof, no television cameras, no the ooring and many of producers and very little the walls. fanfare, just wave after I was one of the wave of materials and conlast applicants, said struction crews pitching in homeowner Lisa Christo repair 22 low-income tine Thomas, who was homes in need of work relaxing in the shade of throughout the county. This years biggest exndrea Shiell her backyard while the Photo By A pense, according to Chasen, lunteers helped crews worked on her ore than 70 vo Great Mills, house in Great Mills. was the number of roofs M e in out at this hous , ooring and Team leader Jeff needing extensive repairs. of replacing the ro y resident. Davenport said he had This year at Christe luck started on Thursday, mas in April, we had an in- walls for on doing work on the master bathroom. From crease of over 21 percent of people asking for help and lling out our there he said he just found more and more free applications, she said. There was things that Ive had to redo. Everybodys an enormous amount of people in need of been doing really good, its just a lot of roof repairs, so even though we couldnt extensive work, he said, fanning himself choose everyone who needed roof repairs, while taking a break from work. Its unout of the 22 homes were repairing today, fortunate, but its years and years of dam14 of them are either getting total roof re- age thats taken its toll, and led to more damage, he added. placements or roof repairs. It might take them two weeks, I For Chasen, a retired secretary who has had her role at Christmas in April for wouldnt be surprised, said Thomas, 19 years, the days workload did not seem smiling as she surveyed the army of overwhelming, though she directed traf- volunteers breathing new life into the c and routed materials and workers from home where she has lived with her the fairgrounds with the kind of speed and family for 16 years. But theyre efciency that would make a professional doing a real good job, and theyre working real fast, foreman blush. I guess the most infuriating thing is she said. Im just wanting to do the right thing, and wanting very excited and to make sure that everybody has what they grateful.
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Community
Hi, my name is Wyatt. and Im an adorable, approximately seven-yearold male Jack Russell Terrier. Personality is my middle name. I love to play and give kisses, but I also enjoy snuggling up in your lap to relax. I get along great with children and other dogs but because of my breed, I would be happier in a house without cats. I come up to date on all vaccinations; Im neutered, house- and cratetrained and identification micro-chipped. For more information, call Second Hope Rescue at 240-9250628 or e-mail mary@ secondhoperescue.org.

The County Times

Thursday, April 30, 2009

32

The rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd took their name from a high school teacher named Leonard Skinner who had suspended several students for having long hair.

un Fact

WYATT Latest Farmers

Market Guide

Searching for farm-fresh produce? The Farmers Market Guide for 2009-10 is now available from the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission. The guide lists market contact information by county (Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Prince Georges, St. Marys and Washington, D.C., area) as well as operating hours, Web sites and dates of special market events and customer appreciation days. A fold-out map makes it easy to pinpoint the exact location of each market, and a regional harvesting chart shows when seasonal favorites will be available at their most delicious peak. For restaurants, stores and brokers seeking local produce, the guide also includes the locations of the regions two wholesale-produce auction sites. To see the guide, go to www.somarylandsogood. com or call 301-274-1922 for a list of pick-up sites.

Call Our Leasing Ofce For Details

301-737-0737
Apartments of Wildewood

Anyone who wants to go shing in the second annual Bottom County Rocksh Tournament to raise money for Hospice of St. Marys needs to register by midnight on Fri. May 8. The tournament to be held Sat. May 16 is in memory of Gerry Cullison. The $150 entry fee is considered a charitable donation and nonrefundable. First prize is $2,000; second prize is $1,500; third prize is $1,000; and for participants 17 and under, the prize is a savings bond worth $500 at maturity. For forms, call the Hospice ofce at 301475-2023. Send to Second Annual Bottom County Rocksh Tournament, c/o Hospice of St. Marys, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650; fax to 301-862-1248 or e-mail mlcullison@netzero.com. Checks should be made payable to Hospice of St. Marys. For more information call 301-862-3248.

Fishing for Hospice

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Call For More Information Bella Bailey Marketing & Leasing MGR.

St. Marys County Historical Society Holds Annual Meeting and Spring Dinner
At its annual membership meeting and spring dinner, held on April 24, 2009 at the Olde Breton Inn, members of the St. Marys County Historical Society re-elected the following individuals to its Board of Directors: Robert Goldsmith, Silas Hurry and Debra Pence. Also elected was new member, Dr. John W. Roache. Ofcers of the Society for the next term are John Hanson Briscoe, President; Alfred Gough, Vice President; J. Ernest Bell, Secretary; Christine Senese, Treasurer; and Scott Lawrence, Editor of the Chronicles of St. Marys. Other Board directors include: Jack Candela; Fr. Rory Conley; Richard Gass; Dr. J. Roy Guyther; Peter Himmelheber; Edward Lawrence; William Mattingly; and Kathleen Reif. Susan Wolfe is Executive Director of the Society. Dr. Regina Faden, Executive Director, Historic St. Marys City, presented a program on The Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum; The Importance of Community. Also present at the dinner was Richard Moe, President, Historic St. Marys City Commission, and President of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and his wife Julia, Vice President, Historic Sotterley Foundation. Three St. Marys County Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative board members, Bo Bailey, J. Douglas Frederick, and Francis Hewitt, also attended. Richard Meyers, a representative from Senator Mikulskis ofce, presented a certicate to the Society in recognition of its excellent care of the countys history.

23314 Surrey Way California, Maryland 20619 Fax: 301-737-0853 leasing@apartmentsofwildewood.com

33

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Special Olympics Athletes Go for Gold

By Andrea Shiell Staff Writer from the College of Southern Maryland and the Center for Life Enrichment. They took to the eld waving banners for a dense crowd of community members, coaches, parents and dignitaries, A total of 234 athletes registered to compete in the 39th An- including the members of the St. Marys Board of County Comnual Special Olympics Spring Games for St. Marys County this missioners and the Board of Education. year, making for the largest turnout the games have seen so far, Athletes can compete at the local level at the age of six, and said Connie Thompson, the assis- they can compete at the state level at the age of eight, Thompson tant director for the event. said. Most of the athletes that we have here today start at age Tuesday morning saw eight, and there is no upper age limit, she added. the track at Leonardtown There were no shortage of events for the athletes to compete High School peppered in, as groups were spread across the track and eld for 25-, 50with athletes of all siz- and 100-meter runs, 20- and 50-meter walks, relays, shot put, es, representing all of softball throws, tennis-ball throws and mini-javelin throws. the countys public We also have ve bocce games going on right now, said schools, as well as Thompson, smiling as her walkie-talkie buzzed on her hip. A selected group of athletes from Tuesdays event will be going to compete at the state level; that competition will be held at Towson University from June 57. Nearly 1,500 athletes will compete in aquatics, athletics (track & eld), bocce, cheerleading, equestrian events and softball. Approximately, our delegation is about 120 people, which includes about 85 athletes and volunteers, said Thompson, who said that the St. Marys delegation for the state games was one of the largest in Maryland. Thompson added that gold-medal winners at the state competition would have their names pooled and then drawn randomly to determine who will compete at the national games, which will take place in Nebraska in July 2010. Meanwhile, competitors at Tuesdays Larry F event donned their running shoes and Mills By to cheered for each other, and also for MiPho running Photo By Frank Marquart chael Anthony, a former competitor who the 4x4 relay. passed away from leukemia less than a Bobby Hislop tosses a bocce ball.
ra nk Ma rqu art

The County Times

Photo By Frank Marquart

Kyle Russell, an athlete from Leonardtown Middle School, lights the torch at the 39th Annual Special Olympics Spring Games as Capt. Edward Willenborg, Cpl. Andrew Holton, and 1st Sgt. McCauley look on.

month ago, and for whom the days games were dedicated. He competed here in the spring games, and his last event was at the summer games in Towson last year Hes been an athlete for many years, and well miss him terribly, said Thompson. Though the memory of Michael Anthony lent a somber note to the spring games this year, athletes still joined cheerfully in the spirit of competition, all reciting loudly the Special Olympics oath: Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.

The County Times

Thursday, April 30, 2009

34

Michael Jordan makes more money from Nike annually than all of the Nike factory workers in Malaysia combined.

un Fact

Cheerleading Tryouts Coming Up

Maryland SuperStarz All-Star Cheerleading will hold tryouts for their 2009-2010 Competitive Teams at Unique Sports Academy, 109D Post Ofce Road, Waldorf. Tryout dates are May 12-14 and May 1921 for ages 6-11, 5:45 to 7 p.m. and Ages 12-18, 7 to 8 p.m. ages 3-5 on May 12 and 20th at 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Please visit our web site for more information at www.uniquesportsacademy.com or call Lisa Shaw at 240-320-7962.

Lear Scores First Potomac Win of the Season

Submitted By Doug Watson Public Address Announcer at Potomac Speedway BUDDS CREEK Severn Marylands Kyle Lear was victorious for the rst time this season in last Friday nights 25-lap, limited late-model headliner at Potomac Speedway. Stevie Long and former track champion Paul Cursey brought the eld down to the waving of the green ag. Long grabbed the top spot by lap one and appeared to have the car to beat as he led the event for the rst 20 circuits. Third starting Kyle Lear, who had taken second by the rst lap, was applying heavy pressure to Long until Longs racer dropped a driveshaft coming down to complete lap 21. From that point on Lear would lead the nal 5 laps to post his fourth career Potomac LLM feature win. Its all about momentum. Lear said from Potomacs victory lane. Track position is so important down here and we had our car set up to run the bottom tonight. That was a tough brake for Stevie (Long) but were here to win. Lear said off-season preparation is the key to his early season success. We did a lot of off research and development during the winter months and the on-track results are starting to show. Sommey Lacey, came home second; two-time winner Tommy Wagner Jr. was third, Mike Latham was fourth and PJ Hatcher completed the top ve. Heats for the 14 cars on hand went to Lacey and Paul Cursey. In the 20-lap modied feature, Dan Arnold broke James Marshalls two-race win streak as he scored his rst feature win of the season. Marshall started on the pole and would eventually lead every lap to post the win. Joey Polevoy took second, Rich Marks was third, defending class champion Brett Hamilton was fourth and 12th-starting James Marshall rounded out the top ve. In other action, Richard Gwizdale captured his rst win of the season in the 15-lap four-cylinder feature. Veteran Larry Fuchs took top honors in the 50-lap strictly stock event, and John Latham collected his third win of the season in the 15-lap hobby stock main after apparent winner Rusty Alton failed a post race inspection.

Adult Kickball Meeting Set

The St. Marys County Department of Recreation and Parks will hold an informational meeting for an Adult Kickball League on Thurs. April 30 at 7 p.m. at the Leonard Hall Recreation Center in Leonardtown. After a successful 2008 season, R&P anticipates that there will be an increase of teams for this coming season. The league is co-ed, for ages 18 and up, with a maximum of 20 players allowed on a team. Games will be played on Saturday afternoons at Dorsey Park in Hollywood, beginning Saturday June 20. A team payment of $200 will be due on the date play is set to begin. For more information, call Kenny Sothoron at 301475-4200, ext. 1830.

Limited Late Models 25 laps (Lap leaders Stevie Long 1-20, Kyle Lear 21-25)
1. Kyle Lear 2. Sommey Lacey 3. Tommy Wagner Jr. 4. Mike Latham 5. PJ Hatcher 6. Chuck Cox 7. Derrick Quade 8. Paul Cursey 9. Brendan Long 10. Ed Pope 11. Stevie Long 12. Glen Buckler 13. Dave Adams 14. Jeremy Nichols (DNS)

Modieds 20 laps
1. Dan Arnold 2. Joey Polevoy 3. Rich Marks 4. Brett Hamilton 5. James Marshall 6. Chet Gagnon 7. Josh Harris 8. Jack Foulkes 9. Craig Ramich 10. Brandon Galloway 11. Wayne Taylor 12. Tony Quade

Softball
By Chris Stevens Staff Writer

35

Thursday, April 30, 2009

The County Times

OConnell Bounces Ryken To Hold On To First Place

Photo By Frank Marquart

Sp rts

LEONARDTOWN Friday afternoons Washington Catholic Athletic Conference softball game began as a showdown between the conferences top two teams, and it ended with Bishop OConnell cementing their place as the WCACs best team. Behind sophomore Jillie Falles seven strikeouts and Maria Zavalas two-run homer, the Knights defeated host St. Marys Ryken 6-0 to open up a two-game lead for the regular season championship with just about a week left to play. We feel like Ryken is our rival, said Falle, who only allowed four hits on the afternoon. Im sure they feel the same of us. These are the two top teams in the WCAC, head coach Tommy Orndorff said. For the girls to show up and play the way they did, I was pleased. One bad inning, said Ryken The Knights Gabby coach Scott Kuhns of the second in- Morgan connects ning that saw OConnell take rm on a pitch in hold of the contest early on, pushing Fridays game. four runs across on four hits. The balls just seemed to fall in the hole for them. Zavala led off the inning with a single, but was thrown out at second on a perfect throw by Ryken rst baseman Gabby Morgan on a elders choice. After that, Allison Grasmeder, Falle and Jessica Burk hit RBI singles to help propel OConnell to the lead. Zavala homered in the top of the fth inning to close out the scoring. I was just hoping the ball fell, Zavala said of the shot that went beyond the reach of freshman left elder Hannah Gray. When everybody told me to keep going, I said yes!

Rykens Hannah Gray slides safely back to second base during the rst inning.

Photo By Frank Marquart

Sat., Apr. 25 Wed., Apr. 22

Softball Elizabeth Seton 1, St. Marys Ryken 0 Baseball McDonough 16, Leonardtown 6 Leonardtown 3, Great Mills 1 North Point 10, Chopticon 6 DeMatha 12, St. Marys Ryken 2 Boys Lacrosse Northern 10, Leonardtown 7 Girls Lacrosse St. Marys Ryken 14, St. Johns 8 Softball North Point 15, Chopticon 8 Huntingtown 12, Leonardtown 0

Thurs., Apr. 23
Baseball Great Mills 5, Calvert 3 Leonardtown 6, North Point 2 Bishop OConnell 21, St. Marys Ryken 9 Boys Lacrosse Leonardtown 9, Patuxent 3 Chopticon 11, Great Mills 5 Girls Lacrosse Great Mills 15, Chopticon 6 Leonardtown 15, Northern 2
Photo By Frank Marquart

Sun., Apr. 26
Baseball St. Johns 12, St. Marys Ryken 2 Softball St. Marys Ryken 15, St. Johns 1

Softball Great Mills 6, Calvert 1 North Point 8, Leonardtown 3 Tennis Thomas Stone 7, Great Mills 2 Leonardtown 9, North Point 0

Mon., Apr. 27
Baseball Great Mills 9, Westlake 3 Leonardtown 2, Chopticon 0 Softball Great Mills 14, Westlake 0 Leonardtown 1, Chopticon 0 St. Marys Ryken 8, Good Counsel 1 Girls Lacrosse Leonardtown 20, Chopticon 1 Tennis Leonardtown 9, Chopticon 0 Great Mills 7, Westlake 2

Karen McEvoy makes a catch in right eld in the in the fourth inning.

While the OConnell bats were sizzling on a brutal spring afternoon, Falle provided central air for St. Marys Rykens hitters, striking out seven with a wicked curveball that produced several groundball outs. Jillys a competitor, Orndoff said plainly. She did a great job today. Rykens lone bright spot was senior outelder Katie Love. With regular center elder Raven Manigualt out of the lineup, Love moved over from left eld and collected three of the Knights four base hits on the afternoon, including a triple. Im proud of the way I played, Love said. I think I did a pretty good job in center. I havent played there in a few years, so I did what I could. For Kuhns, the Knights second straight loss since returning from the Grand Strand Softball Classic meant that his team would have to reach deep down inside to get their successful season back on track. Weve got to nd that heart we had early in the season, he said. I dont know where it is, but weve got to nd it. Katie Love feels that Ryken will be ne when they Photo By Frank Marquart meet OConnell Saturday in Arlington, Va. I have condence in my teammates, because we Katie Love, shown here throwing the ball towards the ineld, collected three hits in a losing effort as the Knights fell to Bishop are a good team, she says. We just need to get some hits. OConnell 6-0 Friday.

Fri., Apr. 24
Baseball Leonardtown 6, McDonough 5 (9 innings) Chopticon 8, St. Marys Ryken 1 Northern 5, Great Mills 2 Softball Bishop OConnell 6, St. Marys Ryken 0 Northern 13, Great Mills 4 McDonough 5, Leonardtown 0 Boys Lacrosse Leonardtown 17, Great Mills 1 St. Marys Ryken 12, Gonzaga 10 Girls Lacrosse Patuxent 10, Great Mills 8

Tues., Apr. 28
Boys Lacrosse Leonardtown 24, Great Mills 0 St. Marys Ryken 10, Paul VI 9 Girls Lacrosse Leonardtown 17, Great Mills 7 St. Marys Ryken 17, Paul VI 5

By Chris Stevens Staff Writer

Money An Issue For Turf Surfaces

Sp rts

The County Times

Thursday, April 30, 2009

36

High School Sports Schedule 04/30/09-05/06/09

Thurs., Apr. 30
Baseball Great Mills at Huntingtown, 4:30 p.m. St. Marys Ryken at Bishop McNamara, 5 p.m. Boys Lacrosse Broadneck at St. Marys Ryken, 4 p.m. Chopticon at Northern, 6:30 p.m. Girls Lacrosse Huntingtown at Leonardtown, 6:30 p.m. Golf St. Marys Ryken at The Bullis School, 3 p.m. Softball Great Mills at Huntingtown, 4:30 p.m. Tennis St. Marys Ryken at DeMatha, 3:30 p.m. Track & Field Chopticon at Thomas Stone, 4 p.m. Great Mills/Westlake at Huntingtown, 4 p.m. Leonardtown at North Point, 4 p.m. Girls Lacrosse Northern at St. Marys Ryken, noon Great Mills at Patuxent, 2 p.m. Softball Lackey at Leonardtown, 3 p.m. Track & Field St. Marys Ryken at Annapolis High School, 2 p.m.

SPRING SPORTS

Right now, St. Marys Ryken is the only St. Marys County school in line to replace a natural grass athletic eld with articial turf. But that doesnt stop the countys public schools from considering the idea. The cost is the only drawback that I can see, said Chopticon Athletic Director Ray Sapp when asked about the subject Monday afternoon. I dont have an idea of the cost of turf, but it cant be cheap. Turf, indeed, is not an ordinary expense. According to A.K. Johnson, athletic director at North Point High School in Waldorf, when Eagle Stadium opened in 2005 with brand new turf, the cost at that time was $650,000. With the country in a full-on recession, schools wishing to upgrade their facili-

North Point High School eld turf.

Photo By Frank Marquart

a kM an y Fr Photo B

ties have a choice to make. You have to think long term, Johnson says. Nowadays you have to wonder, Do you cut a program to put in turf? Do you want to do that? Sapp agrees with that sentiment, adding, Its a tough time right now, so wheres the money coming from? Leonardtown girls lacrosse head coach Ken McIl-

henny believes theres a way that the schools themselves can fund these surfaces. A lot of schools recognized and get corporate support, they let them advertise at the schools, McIlhenny said after a game against Calvert a week ago. We can raise the dollars for the elds because they make money. I dont know why the administration hasnt thought about it. Great Mills eld hockey coach Michelle Richmond shares much the same sentiment as McIlhenny. Lots of high schools ask

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for sponsors, and my girls have mentioned that they would be willing to do what was necessary to get the turf in St. Marys County, Richmond said. As far as the school board well, it couldnt hurt to ask if they would pay for part of it. Field turf as compared to natural grass makes for a faster game in eld hockey, and no one knows better about the differences than Richmond. In the previous two seasons, Richmond has led the Hornets to the Class 3A state semi-nals, and with the school moving to the 4A region this coming fall, she feels turf is a necessary addition if the Hornet athletic programs, including eld hockey, are to continue to be competitive. Turf makes the game a whole lot faster it is another adjustment that you have to make when entering the state playoffs, Richmond said of moving from grass to turf. Moving to 4A, we will have to face more teams who play on turf. Simulating the difference in surfaces, Richmond had her girls practicing in the Great Mills High School parking lot up to their 2-0 state seminal loss to Atholton this past November. Johnson feels that while expensive, turf is a worthwhile investment because of low maintenance and weather concerns. You can have a monsoon during the week and still play a game on Friday because theres no wear and tear on the eld, he explains. With that in mind, it is Richmonds hope that the County School Board looks into turf elds as a way to help the athletics programs keep up with other programs in the state. I think people in the county need to take a look at turf surfaces and how they can benet (cost-wise) in the long run, she said. Every coach/AD I have spoken with has said it is worth having the turf it is a chunk of money up front but that it pays for itself in the long-run.

rq ua rt

Mon., May 4
Baseball Westlake at Leonardtown, 4:30 p.m. Boys Lacrosse Huntingtown at Great Mills, 6:30 p.m. Girls Lacrosse Chopticon at Wilde Lake, 6:30 p.m. Softball St. Marys Ryken at Bishop OConnell, 4 p.m. Westlake at Leonardtown, 4:30 p.m.

Tues., May 5
Baseball Chopticon at Northern, 4:30 p.m. Great Mills at Lackey, 4:30 p.m. Boys Lacrosse Calvert at Great Mills, 6:30 p.m. Leonardtown at Patuxent, 6:30 p.m. Girls Lacrosse Great Mills at Huntingtown, 6:30 p.m. Patuxent at Leonardtown, 6:30 p.m. Softball Chopticon at Northern, 4:30 p.m. Great Mills at Lackey, 4:30 p.m.

Fri., May 1
Baseball St. Marys Ryken at Leonardtown, 4:30 p.m. Boys Lacrosse Great Mills at Harford Tech, 5 p.m. Leonardtown at Huntingtown, 6:30 p.m. Girls Lacrosse Great Mills at Calvert, 4 p.m. Leonardtown at St. Marys Ryken, 4 p.m. Tennis Chopticon at Mills, 4 p.m. Great

Sat., May 2
Baseball Bishop Ireton at St. Marys Ryken, 1 p.m. Lackey at Leonardtown, 3 p.m. Boys Lacrosse Bel Air vs. Chopticon, 5 p.m.

Wed., May 6
Baseball Chopticon at Westlake, 4:30 p.m. Softball Chopticon at Westlake, 4:30 p.m.

37

Thursday, April 30, 2009

The County Times

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The County Times

Sp rts SMCM
Washington Baseball Sweeps Seahawks
on six hits in 3.1 innings. Killebrew and Kralle each had two hits for SMCM. After the Shoremen scored the rst run of the nightcap in the rst for an early 1-0 lead, St. Marys dominated the second inning with seven runs on ve hits and two walks. Sophomores Mark Dattilio (Hagerstown, Md./N. Hagerstown) and Brad Shepherd (Columbia, Md./Oakland Mills) each drove in two runs as Dattilio had a two-run single and Shepherd connected for a two-run double. Washington responded with six of its own in the bottom of the second to knot the game at 7-all. The Seahawks then took an 8-7 lead in the sixth inning as sophomore Matt Baden (Sunderland, Md./Huntingtown) score an unearned run following a throwing error by the pitcher. St. Marys one-run lead was short-lived as freshman Ben Jardots (McLean, Va.) RBI single tied the game once again at 8-8 in the bottom of the sixth. The Shoremen added three more in the sixth as senior Joe Coveney (Madison, N.J.) jacked a three-run homer. Junior RHP Chris Keiper (Toms River, N.J.) registered the win as Keiper (2-2) pitched 2.0 innings of relief with one unearned run on two hits, while fanning ve. Freshman Matt Siciliano (Ardmore, Pa./ Lower Merion) dropped to 0-6 on the season as Siciliano gave up four runs on ve hits in 4.0 innings of relief, sitting down ve with two walks. Sophomore Ian Simpson-Shelton (Upper Marlboro, Md./DeMatha) led the visitors at the plate with a 3-for-5 effort.

Thursday, April 30, 2009

38

CHESTERTOWN, MD. The Washington (Md.) College baseball team notched two wins over St. Marys College of Maryland Sunday afternoon in a non-conference doubleheader as the Shoremen posted wins of 6-5 and 118. The Seahawks return to action Wednesday, April 29 as St. Marys hosts Randolph-Macon College in the 2009 season nale at 4:00 at the Hawks Nest. Washington (16-17) boasted a 6-2 lead after four innings of play as the Shoremen scored four in the third and two in the fourth. The Seahawks (15-22) tallied three runs in the fth to come within one following a sac y by senior Blake Beaudoin (Damascus, Md./Damascus) and junior Jacen Killebrews (La Plata, Md./La Plata) two-out, two-run triple. Sophomore relief pitcher Paul McMannis (Arbutus, Md.) struck out junior Justin Rabon (Charlotte Hall, Md./La Plata) to end the inning. In the seventh, McMannis retired the rst two batters in order before giving up a triple to junior Lyle Kralle (Great Mills, Md./Great Mills). McMannis sealed the win by striking out Killebrew. Senior starter Greg Perret (Morris Plains, N.J.) picked up the win as Perret (3-1) pitched 4.0 innings with ve runs on seven walks and six hits. McMannis recorded his rst save of the season with 3.0 scoreless innings, fanning six and scattering just two hits. Sophomore RHP Adam Shenk (Baltimore, Md./Western Tech) suffered the loss as Shenk (1-1) gave up six runs (three unearned)

SMC Women Capture Regional Sailing Championship

FINAL RES ULTS Geneva, N.Y. After nishing one-point A division = 11 Races out of rst-place on Saturday, the eighth-ranked B division = 11 Races St. Marys College of Maryland womens sailing A B TOT team captured the Middle Atlantic Intercollegiate 1. St Marys 32 44 76 Sailing Association (MAISA) Womens Spring 2. William Sm ith 28 50 Championship (April 26-27) by overtaking the 3. Navy 78 37 43 80 host, No. 12 William Smith College, by two 4. ODU 49 42 points. The Seahawks totaled 76 points in 22 5. Georgetow 91 n 62 30 92 completed races, while William Smith nished 6. SU NY Mar itime 67 56 with 78. 123 7. U/Penn 63 82 145 Sophomore Megan Magill (San Diego, Ca- 8. Cornell 78 87 165 lif.) skippered the A division boat to a second- 9. Princeton 107 73 180 place nish with senior crew Keisha Pearson 10. Queens 91 110 201 (East Patchogue, N.Y.) as the Seahawks tal- 11. Columbia 114 110 224 lied 32 points, just four points behind William Smiths Kelly Crane and Kaitlyn Van Nostrand. In B division, junior skipper Sarah Morgan Watters (Oxford, Md.) placed fourth with sophomore crew Meredith Powlison (Shelburne, Vt.). The Seahawks were one point out of third behind Navy. On Saturday, St. Marys placed second in both the A and B divisions. The Seahawks were three points behind William Smith in the A division and two points behind No. 5 Georgetown in the B division. With the MAISA title in hand, the Seahawks now advance to the Inter-collegiate Sailing Association (ICSA) Womens National Championship hosted by Stanford University and the St. Francis Yacht Club on May 25-27. The national champion will receive the Gerald C. Miller Trophy.

39

Thursday, April 30, 2009

LAX

Sp rts

The County Times

Raiders Win on Senior Night

Photo By Chris Stevens

Leonardtowns Travis Norton attempts to pass while the Hornets Chris Finn defends.

By Chris Stevens Staff Writer

past goalkeeper Orlando Rhamdeow ve minutes into the rst period and the Raider blitz began, leaving Great Mills head coach LEONARDTOWN Head Coach Bart Arturo Leon with just a one-word answer to Rodgers felt the need to explain why he was describe Leonardtowns scoring prowess. very vocal on the sidelines and liberal with Practice, Leon said with a hint of his substitution patterns although the Leon- smile. He added that his team was going to ardtown boys lacrosse team was cruising to continue to compete and give its best even a 24-0 victory over county rival Great Mills though the late-season struggles are wearing Tuesday evening. on them. Weve lost four games this season beThe playoffs are a second season, he cause we keep making the same mistakes says of the process of getting his team foover and over again, and Im tired of it, Rod- cused and prepared for the 3A South Regiongers said. My way has worked for 10 years, al playoffs, slated to start in two weeks. I didnt all of a sudden forget how to coach. You dont have to worry about the regRodgers was quick to yank players who ular season, just focus on thinking and playhe felt were not executing the plays he called ing Great Mills lacrosse. or giving 100 percent, making it clear that Rodgers wanted to give credit to the things were going to be done his way. Hornets, who in his eyes gave LeonardThats Coach Rodgers, town all it could handle. smiled senior Igor Laray, who They have to be comtallied four goals and two asmended, they never quit, sists, including the games theyre always hustling rst goal to get Leonarand they played to the dtown (5-4 overall, 5-3 last whistle, Rodgers in Southern Maryland said Athletic Conference My hat goes off play) started. to Great Mills. Hes been As for the Raidaround the game for er players, two wins a long time, and he against Great Mills wants whats best and one against for the team. You Chopticon have cemight want to take mented their status plays off, but he as the public school wont let you. circuits best boys His way has lacrosse team, even if been the right way, they wont win a fth added junior Brandon straight SMAC title this Lutz, who also scored season. four goals in the win. Its good to win Photo The Hornets, minus [the county games], said By Chris leading scorer J.C. HofmeisStevens junior midelder Nolan ter, did their best to offset Stewart, but we want his lost, and frustrated the Great Mills goalie Orlando Rhamd- to do well in regionals Raiders in the early going. eow looks up eld after stopping a and win our rst state Laray nally zipped a shot shot in Tuesday evenings boys la- championship.
crosse match at Leonardtown.

THURSDAY
APRIL 30, 2009

Ryken Drops First Place Opportunity

Page 35
Photo By Frank Marquart

Riverview Ready for Crowds

Story Page 10

Man Kills Himself in Shootout

Story Page 17

New Turf Costs Big Green

Story Page 36