County created slot to manage energy consumption by Hannah Kim
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espite a hiring freeze, Prince George’s County last month created a new position designed to reduce energy costs for the county and enhance environmental benefits through reduced energy consumption. Karl E. Berntson was tapped to fill the energy manager position. Berntson, who started his new position on July 21, will be responsible for analyzing how the county can efficiently purchase energy and determine where energy reductions can be made. It is expected that his work will save the county hundreds of thousands of dollars a year. The position was approved by County Executive Jack B. Johnson because of the expected net savings, said Brad Frome, legislative aide to County Councilman Will Campos (D-Dist. 2), who initially advocated for the position. In the short term one of Berntson’s goals is to negotiate contracts with energy service providers the counts is about to enter into, Frome said. The contracts cover about 10 buildings and are expected to generate a good amount of savings. An energy audit will also be created to determine where the county spends its energy dollars and to shed light on where future reductions could occur. The baseline created by the audit will also help measure if the proposed reductions are having the necessary impact. From 2000 until last month, Berntson worked as Chief of Energy Products and Services for Maryland where he handled energy performance projects that generated guaranteed savings of over $190 million. Prior to work-
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Vol. 5 No. 8
Hyattsville’s Community Newspaper
August 2008
Shakespeare brings laughter to Magruder Park
by Jessica Wilson
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Hyattsville Life & Times PO Box 132 Hyattsville, MD 20781 PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit # 43 Easton, MD 21601
espite the humidity and high temperature, the lawn at Magruder Park was packed as residents turned out for this summer’s Shakespeare in the Park on July 17. As part of the Maryland Shakespeare Festival, laughter was on tap with the Merry Wives of Windsor for the 23rd season of Shakespeare in the Park in Prince Georges County. The program is put together by Park and Planning and normally, Magruder Park is the where the first performance takes place. “Usually [we have] anywhere from 250 people to about five or 600,” Seal said. “It depends on the weather.” Seal said that last year, rain threatened so the performance was moved indoors to the gymnasium at St. Jerome’s School, though the rain never came. “We’re really lucky in Hyattsville to get this performance,” said Joanne Mood, Director of the Department of Recreation and the Arts for the city of Hyattsville.“It doesn’t go everywhere.” The group of performers is based in Frederick, Md. Dressed in Shakespearian costumes that appeared to be warm for a hot summer night, they kept their energy high and kept the laughs coming. The play focused on Sir John Falstaff, a newcomer to the town of Windsor. He was once famous, but is now down on his luck and devises a scheme to make some fast cash. By
writing love letters to two townswomen, Mistress Page and Mistress Ford, he hopes to woo them and walk away with money from their husbands. The two women compare notes and come up with their own plan make Falstaff look a fool. Falstaff is played by the hilarious Steven Hoochuck, with Mistress Ford and Mistress Page played by Becky Kemper and Shannon Parks, respectively. “There’s a loyal group that shows up,” said Joanne Mood, director of
Hyattsville's Department of Recreation and the Arts. “I think people are surprised the first time they come how professional it is.” Hyattsville residents aren’t the only ones turn out for the performances. People come from all over the area. People of all ages filled the lawn where a full moon was shining down, many with picnics and blankets. Children and adults alike made mad dashes to an ice cream truck that showed up to cool the audience
off on the hot, sultry night. The park is scheduled to get an electrical upgrade that would allow for groups that do not have a generator to bring their performances, Mood said, adding she isn’t sure when that upgrade will take place. But until then, residents can look forward to another midsummer’s night when the words of Shakespeare fill the air in their own backyard, next summer.
Band of brothers Local Masonic group lends helping hand by Sarah Nemeth
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hen Armstead Williams sits for a game of Bingo with his fellow residents at Rollingcrest Commons, he is participating in one of America's time-honored traditions, dating back to the days before Americans were Americans. But the B-52s Williams is most familiar with were in Japan during World War II, and the reward he receives from Bingo Night is more about the spirit of brotherly unity than prizes and accolades. As a member of Prince Hall Masonry, Shelton D. Redden Lodge #139, Williams, 79, offers his fellow Rollingcrest residents a bit of hope on what could be otherwise dreary days. “The people here, they enjoy seeing the brothers coming because they always have a little encouragement,” Williams, who has been a Mason with this group for 5 years, said.
“There’s so much to learn in being a Mason,” he said. “I should have joined earlier.” As a marshal, Williams escorts Masons of equal or higher ranking of the lodge into meetings and ensures that any rabble rousers are escorted out of meetings. The lodge, which meets at Rollingcrest Community Center on Sargent Road, seeks to make for-
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Included: The August 13, 2008 Issue of The Hyattsville Reporter—See Center Section