Living In a Community Kids Save Young Boy That Cares From Drowning By Gerald “Jerry” Clark, County Commissioner, District 1
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even-year-old Robert Stanley, of Chesapeake Ranch Estates, Lusby, was among a group of boys who acted quickly when they discovered that a 3-year-old friend was floundering in the water at Lake Lariat on the afternoon of Aug.1. Connie Warren, Robert’s grandmother, reports that Robert and the other children were playing in the water when 3-year-old “little Steven” apparently went out too far into the water at the public beach and got into trouble. The boy began thrashing around the water and screaming. Robert and other children quickly took notice and began screaming for adults to come help, Warren said, and many people started screaming and heading for the water. Robert’s father, Alan Stanley, charged into the water, but another parent pulled the boy out first. Warren said the boy had turned blue when he was brought on the beach, and adults resuscitated him before a volunteer ambulance arrived and took him to the hospital. “I was really impressed, Robert responded the right way without ever before seeing somebody in trouble in the water,” Warren said. The boy who was rescued recovered quickly. “I saw him last weekend, he’s doing fine,” Warren said. Robert Stanley
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LOCAL NEWS
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t often seems that the only news we hear these days is bad, and that there are many reasons to worry and be frustrated. We live in a time of rapid change and, as we all know, change frequently causes conflict and confusion. However, I think we are fortunate to live in a county where people care about each other and where the news is frequently very good. One example of this is the recent outpouring of support that was shown for Kim Mowrer of Kim’s Key Lime Pies in Solomons. Because of the persistence and conviction of a small army of Kim’s strongest supporters, thousands of dollars were raised during a cancer benefit through raffles and donations to help offset overwhelming medical expenses for her treatment. Here is an example of friends, fellow business owners and neighbors coming together to help a hardworking lady get through an unusually difficult patch of life. But it has been my experience that this type of help is not unusual in Calvert County. From Chesapeake Beach to Solomons, people volunteer every day to make our county better, safer, healthier, happier and stronger. There are those who work with animals through our humane society and animal welfare leagues. Some work with underprivileged children or families to teach life skills and provide new opportunities for success. Still others spend their spare time with the elderly at a nursing home, the Office on Aging or with the Adult Day Care program of Calvert County. Tourists are greeted at our visitor attractions, food pantries are stocked, veterans are assisted, public gardens
are tended, young people are mentored and coached and races are walked and run for charity or in the name of a loved one. The quality and quantity of volunteer help that comes from our own residents often amazes me. I am both proud and humbled by the heartfelt work that comes forth each and every day in Calvert County. As the end of summer draws near, one more opportunity to care arrives with the United Way’s Annual Day of Caring. This year commemorates the 15th year of Calvert County’s involvement and the event will be held on Wednesday, September 9. The day kicks off at 8 a.m. with a celebration at Bayside Toyota in Prince Frederick. The kick-off provides an opportunity for volunteers, agency representatives and sponsors to meet, have light refreshments and get an enthusiastic and thankful send off from United Way staff and committee members before fanning out to work on meaningful volunteer projects for the day at schools and nonprofit organizations in Calvert County. Everyone has a skill that can be used for just one day to better our community. Maybe you can paint or plaster. Or perhaps you can help with weeding or planting a garden. You can even stuff envelopes, clean, cook or just smile and be a friend to a stranger for the day. Last year’s Day of Caring was a great success and, with your help, this year can be even more so. For more information or to sign up, visit online at www.unitedwaycalvert.org/. It only takes a small effort to make a world of difference in our community and in the life of someone who needs a little help.
Join us at the Ball Park!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009 Blue Crabs Regency Furniture Stadium
Prizes:
Fifty $35 electric bill credits Two $500 U.S. Savings Bonds One $1,000 U.S. Savings Bond One well-traveled SMECO vehicle
Free Ice Cream and Soda!
Ball Park Food for Sale!
Thursday, August, 2009
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