2011-11-10 Calvert Gazette

November 10, 2011

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Despite Gains, Veterans’ Services Still Lacking Page 12

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The Calvert Gazette

Also Inside 3 County News 8 North County News 9 Community 10 Crime 11 Business 12 Feature Story 14 Sports 15 Letters 16 Education 18 Newsmakers 19 Obits 20 Games 21 Entertainment 22 Out and About 23 State News

Thursday, November 10, 2011

On T he Cover A U.S. Color Guard participates in a service for veterans on Sunday at the “On Watch” monument in Solomons Island.

education

Marcus Lloyd looks on while Chris Stine of Innisbrook fundraising and Amber Tamburri of Our Lady Star of the Sea count how much money he collected during his 15 seconds in the ‘Money Machine.’ Lloyd collected $17 in cash.

out & about community

After participating in two events in Cumberland, dentists throughout the tri-county area and the state have decided to host a Mission of Mercy dental clinic in Southern Maryland in June.

FOR EVENTS HAPPENING IN YOUR AREA, CHECK PAGE 22 IN OUT AND ABOUT

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Thursday, November 10, 2011

The Calvert Gazette

COUNTY NEWS

Lollar to Lead Grassroots Group, Won’t Run Against Hoyer

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer Charles Lollar, a rising star in the GOP who faced U.S. Rep Steny Hoyer in the 2010 congressional race for the 5th District seat announced last week that he will not run against the entrenched Democrat incumbent again; he will focus instead on running the conservative grassroots group New Day Maryland.

Lollar said in October that he would base

his decision to run again on the wishes of his family, particularly his wife, because his budding political life coupled with numerous deployments as a reserve Marine Corp officer to the Middle East had put a strain on his family.

Lollar has focused in recent speeches on the need to support candidates for office who will make Maryland more viable for small business growth with less dependence on the federal government’s spending.

“I can’t just sit around and watch Mary-

land fall apart,” Lollar said in a statement. “I fully enjoyed the support that our team received during our race for Congress, but I believe that we can do more for each citizen in the district and across the state by promoting a New Day for Maryland.”

State House Minority Leader Anthony O’Donnell said the strain of campaigning is often a key decision in choosing to pursue office, putting a particular burden on families.

“It’s a very personal decision,” said O’Donnell (R-Dist.29C). “I can understand the pressure that families are put under.”

O’Donnell said that Lollar was a good candidate and that the GOP should continue to push for the ouster of Hoyer, who he said continues to vote for more left-leaning political issues.

“I wish our congressman voted a little less like [House Minority Leader] Nancy Pelosi,” he said.

O’Donnell did not say for sure whether he would seek higher political office, either the one belonging to Hoyer or another, but said that events in the country like the Occupy Wall Street movement might mean he should seek to do more than he is now.

“I feel as minority leader … I’m doing very important work there,” O’Donnell said of his tenure. “But I’m increasingly concerned about the future of the country; we actually have people openly advocating for an end to capitalism.”

David Willenborg, chairman of the St. Mary’s County GOP Central Committee, said that Lollar’s early statement to bow out

Photo By Frank Marquart

Charles Lollar

of the future race meant that the GOP regionally had time to search for a viable candidate.

“It allows the party to do more recruitment, it allows for the possible [candidates] to gear up,” Willenborg said.

Political observers have said that the statewide GOP has suffered from a dearth of candidates to choose from, relying instead on one or two perennial candidates, like former governor Bob Ehrlich, to carry the party.

But O’Donnell disagreed.

“There are plenty of people who can represent this district and represent it very well,” O’Donnell said. guyleonard@countytimes.net

Election Districts May Be Simplified

By Carrie Munn Staff Writer Calvert County’s often confusing method of electing county commissioners may soon be simplified, if a redistricting committee’s recommendations are followed.

The Calvert County Board of Commissioners appointed members to a committee tasked with looking into community concerns and confusion over election districts in June, and moved to adopt the group’s first set of recommendations on Tuesday.

The job of the committee was two-fold. In an initial phase they were to conduct outreach to the public and gather citizens’ input. A web address and Facebook account was established, brochures and surveys were disseminated and committee members spoke at civic events and collected public remarks during the past four months.

The committee reported that more than 700 citizens completed the detailed survey and along with comments received, told the commissioners 50 percent indicated that they would like to see more election districts in Calvert, and 64 percent preferred that the position of commissioner president be elected annually by the board members.

An intentional effort to employ new technologies and get committee members out in-

teracting with the public payed off, said Redistricting Committee Chair Patt Parker. In 2001, a similar survey only garnered 72 responses.

The survey also revealed a great deal of confusion about the three present election districts and the “at-large” seats and the commission recommended language be changed to read “Countywide.” The group proposed the county change from three districts to five.

This change would result in voters casting their ballots for all candidates, with the winner of each district winning and representing their district with a seat on the board.

If approved and acted upon, the change would take effect with the primary election in 2014. If the election districts are changed, the board also recommended the issue of how school board members are elected should be addressed.

The recommendation also encouraged a voter education campaign to inform the public of these changes and help citizens better understand the election process and how redistricting will affect it.

Parker said engaging voters was a key element that committee members agreed on right off the bat, adding even Commissioner Steve Weems admitted he was confused by the current election set-up during his first run for a seat.

The committee on Tuesday let the board

know they were standing by, ready to move on to phase two, and after the finalized Congressional and Legislative election lines are drawn, help draw new lines for Calvert during open session with the board of commissioners by June of 2012.

Changes to Calvert’s election districts

would need to be approved by the state legislature. Parker said in earlier talks, state representatives seemed willing to support a change to the election districts if that’s what citizens supported. carriemunn@countytimes.net

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COUNTY NEWS Commissioners Asked to Move Ahead With School Funding

By Sarah Miller Staff Writer Calvert County Commissioners took their first look at the upcoming FY 2013 capital improvement projects, and among other projects on the books, the Calvert County Public Schools (CCPS) has asked for action on a project to build a new high school in northern Calvert.

George Leah, CCPS director of school construction, said the project has been moved back a number of times in order to make room for more pressing projects.

“To many heavy projects puts a strain on everything,” Leah said.

Now, though, the project has come to the forefront. They are not yet seeking approval for the construction money, but only for design approval.

That way, Leah said, even if the construction has to be pushed back the plan will still be on the books when construction money comes available.

The new school will replace Northern High School, which was completed in 1974. Leah said the replacement will solve issues with class space, giving the school a more updated feel while being safer, larger and more practical for today’s learning standards.

Capital Project Analyst Julie Paluda said the board of county commissioners will see the budget again in the coming months, and adjustments will be made accordingly.

The Calvert Gazette

Thursday, November 10, 2011

4

Drum Point Special Tax District Under Review

By Sarah Miller Staff Writer Opinions of homeowners about a Special Tax District (STD) in Drum Point varied at a Nov. 2 meeting to discuss the change in the amount of tax each resident pays for their lots.

Right now, the STD amount is $50 per lot, after the Board of County Commissioners ordered the Drum Point Property Owners’ Association to lower it when the STD was amended in 2010.

Gary Heal, the president of the Drum Point Property Owners’ Association, said the commissioners said the purpose behind lowering the special tax was to get the association to spend down their reserve fund.

The association is petitioning to change the STD to raise the amount per lot per year to $166, which would bring in approximately $205, 267 from an estimated 1,575 taxable lots, according to the petition to be presented to the county board of commissioners.

The things the tax money pays for include road repairs and maintenance, right of way maintenance, storm damage, snow removal and sign maintenance and replacements. Other sources of income include covenant fees and Drum Point Property Owner Association dues.

Drum Point also needs to have an STD to qualify for FEMA assistance, which was needed after Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. Reactions of the community were mixed on the idea of raising the STD. Some property owners were receptive and supportive to the idea while others were worried that the STD, which is supposed to be temporary, will never go away.

Heal acknowledged the idea that the STD is supposed to be temporary, stating that “there’s not enough income to do everything without an STD,” during the presentation.

One suggestion was to raise the amount paid into the covenant. To raise the amount paid through the covenant, which was drawn up in 1947, Heal said every property owner in Drum Point would have to vote, and 800 would have to support changing the covenant. With the amount of absentee owners and property owners who would simply not vote, making any changes to the covenant is nearly impossible, he said.

For more information, visit www.dppoa.org. sarahmiller@countytimes.net

sarahmiller@countytimes.net

Calvert to Push State For Tougher Litter Penalties

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer A new bill proposed by the county’s public works department that would make littering punishable by criminal penalties will be put forward this week when the Board of County Commissioners meets with the Calvert delegation to Annapolis; an attempt to strengthen the law that does not deal with roadside trash.

According to information from the Calvert economic develAuto Accidents opment department, the new ordinance gives the sheriff’s office Workers’ comp the power to enforce penalties • Divorce/Separation against roadside littering; cur• Support/Custody rent law only allows the county • Domestic Violence health officer to enforce refuse • Criminal/Traffic standards at places like private • DWI/MVA Hearings landfills.

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County figures show that work crews manned by detention center inmates pick up about 2,300 bags of trash every year from the roadsides of Calvert County; this totals approximately three tons, county officials have stated.

The new law, if enacted on the behalf of Calvert County by state legislators, would allow for both criminal and civil penalties. Using the law it is modeled after as a guide as, the new penalties could rise to as much as five years imprisonment or up to a $30,000 fine for disposing 500 pounds of trash or more inappropriately on county roads.

The penalties already exist on state roads.

The penalties reduce as the amount of trash illegally dumped goes down, but even dumping 100 pounds or less of trash could face up to 30 days in jail and a $1,500 fine.

The law also provides for a person’s drivers license to be suspended for the vehicle they used to illegally dump the trash, according to information from the county’s legislative package.

Norris said that the bill would act as enabling legislation and county commissioners could then adopt a local ordinance for littering with penalties not to exceed what the state permits. guyleonard@countytimes.net

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The Calvert Gazette

Thursday, November 10, 2011

COUNTY NEWS

Rotarians Equip All Third Graders With Dictionaries

By Corrin M. Howe Staff Writer On Friday morning at Appeal Elementary School in Lusby, Prince Frederick Rotarian and Vice President of Calvert County Public Schools Dr. Gene Karol delivered the last of the dictionar-

William Brooks and Jesse Carrolls, third graders from Appeal Elementary School in Lusby, check out their new dictionaries given to them by the Prince Frederick Chapter of the Rotary Club International.

ies to all the third graders in the public schools and Our Lady of the Star and Sea. According to Warren Prince, who was also part of the distribution, each school received a new dictionary for every third grade student and teacher. He believes his club has been doing this particular community service project for about a decade.

Prior to distributing the books, Dr. Karol gave a short history lesson about the Rotary Club International to approximately 144 Appeal students and teachers.

“Rotary is the oldest (service organization) started in 1905 in Chicago. In 1918 it started its first international clubs in Canada. Now we are in 230 countries,” he said.

Karol explained the primary community projects the organization supports is clean waPhotos by Corrin M. Howe ter, education and health. In 1987 the Rotary Dr. Gene Karol, of the Prince Frederick Chapter of the Rotary Club and Vice President of decided to wipe out Polio. He was pleased to CCPS, assists Tobey Edwards, student at Appeal Elementary School in Lusby. This is apreport new cases of the deadly disease are lim- proximately the tenth year the club has handed out dictionaries to third grade students ited to four countries, India, Nigeria, Pakistan throughout the county. and Afghanistan and even then there are only a ing a cafeteria full of kids looking up words from the Rotary’s few cases each year. pledge which was included as a sticker at the front of the dicHanding out dictionaries early in the year to third graders tionaries. The gift was well received as indicated by the number was a decision based upon the ability of the students to take ad- of students leaving the cafeteria for their room and stopping to vantage of the resource as well as putting it in their hands as soon thank Prince and Karol. as possible, according to both Prince and Karol.

After passing the books out, the Rotarians had fun watch- corrin@somdpublishing.net

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COUNTY NEWS

The Calvert Gazette

Thursday, November 10, 2011

6

Last Seasonal Community Day Held at Unique ‘Church’

By Corrin M. Howe Staff Writer Once a month while driving north of Port Republic on Route 4, one can see the parking lot of a unique church building filled with cars, people and tents. This was the sight last week at Healing and Deliverance Community Experience of the Holy Spirit (HDCEHS).

Saturday marked the last Community Day of the year, in which the congregation offers car washes and oyster scald once a month for a donation. Starting in April and ending in November, the nondenominational Christian organization gathers at 8 a.m., usually the second Saturday of the month. For a suggested donation of $15, volunteers wash-

ing cars, vacuum, wipe windows and shine tires. Upon request, they will wax too.

According to Elder Jamie Buck the group is sometimes out until 5 p.m. in the afternoon finishing up the line of cars which can have as many as 10 to 15 waiting at a time. He said they collect the names and addresses of the drivers who stop by so they can send Thank you notes and a schedule for the following year.

The money collected goes back to the community in the form of new coats, food for pantries and cooked meals for the homeless.

The next planned meal for the community’s homeless is a Thanksgiving brunch provided at the building. In February, they will bring residents of a nursing home to the campus to have a Valentine’s Day meal.

Photo by Corrin M. Howe Healing and Deliverance Community Experience of the Holy Spirit on Route 4, just north of Broomes Island Road in Port Republic, holds a car wash and oyster scald once a month from April to November. All proceeds go to purchasing new coats and providing food for the homeless throughout the year.

The pamphlet provided to Community Day visitors explains HDCEHS is “preferably referred to as an: “Experience” (meaning a happening or an encounter) as opposed to “Church,” because we don’t function like the traditional church.”

The congregation is about 450 strong.

The sanctuary is on the left side, as seen from the parking lot, and the classrooms and offices are on the right. In fact the right side of the building is two stories hosting ministries for men, young men, women, young scholars, tutoring, percussion classes, nursing home visitation and soon a daycare center.

Photo by Corrin M. Howe Jaia Parker, Zaniya Gross, Arianna Hunter, Keturah Wilson and ShaNiesha Johnson wait for their director to run them through practicing a special piece of music for Thanksgiving service at Healing Deliverance Community Experience of the Holy Spirit.

Grocery Auction

November 17, 2011 ‐ 5:30 PM To be held at

Mother Catherine Spalding School 38833 Chaptico Road (Rt. 238) ‐ Helen, Maryland 20635 That’s right a “grocery auction”. If you have never been to one, plan to attend. Grocery auctions have been gaining popularity all over the Country. We never know ahead of time what we are getting, but expect anything that could be found in a grocery store. Auctions of this type will have a lot of “pass outs”. The larger the crowd the better because the distributor can move more product at a better price – the bigger the crowd the better the deals! Items will be offered and available in small and/or large lots – buy as little or as much as you like.

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o y y CANNED GOODS - VEGATABLES - FROZEN FOODS - SUPPLIES Bu h as c mu For more information contact: Cafeteria will be Mother Catherine Spalding School – 301-884-3165 Bring your open serving food.

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coolers!

Some of the unique ways the congregation ministers to the community is providing new coats for the needy; driving a van full of food to deliver to various communities within the county; and providing a room and mattress for 99-year-old Erma Gross to rest between services.

Founded in May 2000, the head of HDCEHS is Pastor, the Prophet Apostle Aniachi C. Belu-John, born in Sierra Leone, West Africa. His wife Eunice and two sons Adeniyi and Adedoyin are living with him in Prince Frederick.

For more information call 410-495-8510 or email hdcehs@yahoo.com

Grant Received to Help Critical Area Homeowners

By Sarah Miller Staff Writer Calvert County recently received a Costal Communities Grant, which will go toward helping make life easier for homeowners living in critical areas such as the flood plains and near Calvert Cliffs.

David Brownlee, Calvert County principal environmental planner, said the two major plans for the grant include publishing a how-to manual for owning shoreline property and doing maintenance like tree removal, and how to go about them in ways that are legal. The money will also be used to work on a long range plan to look at the local resources, shoreline and flood plains.

Involved in the issues being studied is the “coastal hazard” at Calvert Cliffs. Brownlee said 17 percent of the county is in the critical areas, and more than 17 percent of the Calvert County population lives in the critical areas.

While the guide to living in the critical area will be finished and published by September, when the grant runs out. The study will take longer, and Brownlee said the plan is to at least get it started, and then find other ways to fund it. sarahmiller@countytimes.net

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Thursday, November 10, 2011

The Calvert Gazette

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COUNTY NEWS

The Calvert Gazette

Thursday, November 10, 2011

8

Gladys Jones Receives Woman of the Year Award

College of Southern Maryland Director of Administrative Services for Prince Frederick Campus Gladys Jones was honored with the Concerned Black Women (CBW) of Calvert County’s Harriet Tubman Woman of the Year Award.

“To receive this award in Calvert County, a community with countless women committed to serving others, is indeed a wonderful honor,” Jones said in a press release.

A lifelong resident of Calvert County, Jones was recognized for her years of service to the community through her involvement in various organizations. She currently serves as the chair of the Calvert County Chamber of Commerce, is a member of the United Way of Calvert County Finance Committee, serves on the 5th Congressional District Women’s Network Advisory Committee, serves on the Calvert County Compensation and Review Board, and is secretary of the National Congress of Black Women, Calvert County Chapter.

A graduate of Calvert High School, Jones earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in public administration from Sojourner-Douglass College.

Jones has worked at various positions at CSM

since 1992.

“All of us at the Prince Frederick Campus are delighted that Gladys was given this great honor by the CBW,” said CSM Vice President and Dean of the Prince Frederick Campus Dr. Richard Fleming. “This award recognizes the contributions Gladys has made to the college, to the campus, and to our community. She has helped the Prince Frederick Campus grow from a series of trailers to the wonderful Flagship Building we have today. Gladys continues to help us serve our students and help them achieve their educational goals.”

“Just as Harriet Tubman assisted many individuals into unfamiliar, but successful territories, I remain committed to navigating the way for first-generation college-bound students and serving as a cheerleader for returning adult students as they travel on their educational paths to freedom,” said Jones.

CBW serves Calvert County through the establishment of scholarship programs, public leadership and development and participation in the governmental decision making process with a mission of improving the quality of life of families and impacting the local community.

CSM Director of Administrative Services for Prince Frederick Campus Gladys Jones was honored with the Concerned Black Women (CBW) of Calvert County’s Harriet Tubman Woman of the Year Award recently in Chesapeake Beach.

60th Annual

Christmas Bazaar

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church 25 Church Street Prince Frederick, MD 20678

Saturday, November 19 ~ 10am-5pm Retro Meal ~

Featuring:

Favorite Recipes  Pictures with Santa of the Past!  Bake Table  Crab Cakes  Handmade Crafts  Ham  Craft Booths  Potato Salad  Quilt Raffle  Corn Pudding  Attic Treasures  Green Beans  Historical Church Timeline Display  Angel Flake Biscuits  Chocolate Cake or Apple Pie Retro Meal: $18/Adult ~ $8/Kids under 10 Carry-out available

Call 410-535-2897 for more info!

North Beach Council to Vote on Breakwater Barriers

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer Tonight the North Beach Town Council will vote on continuing a project to install timber breakwaters designed to slow incoming tides that continually erode portions of the beach. Council members discussed the measure at least week’s work session to weigh the aesthetic effects of installing the breakwaters versus how much money they could save the town that it spends each year for trucked-in sand to replace what gets washed out into the bay.

“We’re putting out $30,000 to $40,000 every year to bring in sand,” Council member Randy Hummel told The Calvert Gazette.

The town has experienced problems in the past with trying to ameliorate the effects of the bay’s pummeling on their shoreline, specifically with stone breakwaters that sank into the sand for want of a proper survey on the ground beneath the waterline.

But this time, town officials said, the timber breakwaters, which will be placed out in the water some distance from the shore line right next to the main pier at the town’s welcome center, will be placed in hard packed clay that should ensure it stays put.

The engineer employed by the town is already pursuing permits to install the breakwaters and with the council’s vote hope to put out bids for contractors for the project by next month.

John Hoffman, the engineering consultant based in Prince Frederick, said that the stone breakwaters retained some of their effectiveness despite being nearly submerged off shore.

The timber breakwaters will bolster their effectiveness, he said.

“They’re not totally effective … but they’re providing some degree of protection,” Hoffman told The Calvert Gazette. “It’s being designed as a system.”

The timber breakwaters will cost around $200,000 with construction to begin by the beginning of next year.

“It would take about three months to install,” Hoffman said, of the January to April timeframe. “It’s a good time because the beach isn’t being used; we’re not interfering with tourists.” guyleonard@countytimes.net

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Thursday, November 10, 2011

The Calvert Gazette

Community

Southern Maryland Mission of Mercy Architect Picked

By Sarah Miller Staff Writer After participating in two events in Cumberland dentists throughout the tri-county area and the state have decided to host a Mission of Mercy dental clinic in Southern Maryland.

On June 22 and 23, a free dental clinic will be set up in the auditorium at Chopticon High School to serve those in the tri county area who are in need but can’t make regular dental appointments due to being underinsured, unemployed or holding a job that doesn’t bring in much money.

Local participating dentist Martin Barley, DDS, said the dental clinic will be open to anybody who shows up.

Before getting dental treatment, individuals have to go through a health screening, which “almost everyone passes,” Barley said.

The only things that can disqualify a person from receiving treatment are blood pressure or diabetes issues.

Barley said Southern Maryland Mission of Mercy has to raise $50,000 to hold the clinic, which will pay for the dentist chairs, tools and materials for fillings and other work. To get the money, there will be a fundraiser at Leonardtown High School featuring Rock and Roll Hall of Famers The Platters, singing a medley selection of their hits and Christmas songs on Dec. 10.

The Missions of Mercy is a nation wide initiative bringing free dental care to persons who may not necessarily have access to it.

For more information on Southern Maryland Mission of Mercy, visit www.smmom.netau.net. sarahmiller@countytimes.net

Public Meeting to Preview Dowell Road Improvements The Calvert County Department of Public Works is hosting a public informational meeting on the Dowell Road widening improvements project on Monday, Nov. 14, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Calvert Marine Museum Auditorium in Solomons.

The $7 million project will include wider travel lanes for Dowell Road, a turning center lane from MD Rt. 765 to Annmarie Garden, bikeable lanes, street lighting, sidewalks, curbs and gutters, drainage and safety enhancements. Construction is anticipated to start in July 2013.

At the public meeting, representatives from the Department of Public Works and the project consultant, URS Engineering, Inc., will present details of the proposed project. Residents can learn how individual properties will benefit from the proposed improvements.

Public input is vital in helping finalize construction plans for the project.

To learn more, please call the Department of Public Works at 410-535-2204.

Holiday Concert & Jingle Bell Workshop

Chesapeake Community Chorus

Music of the Season!

Pastoral Counseling Center of St. Mary’s

Kids make arts & crafts for the holidays.

Sunday, November 13 Free ! e 5:00 pm 7:00 pm !

Fre Olivet United Methodist Church 13575 Olivet Rd. Lusby, MD 410-326-8400

No cost to attend. Great music in the church sanctuary. Kids workshop in the fellowship hall.

Freewill donation accepted toward the Client Assistant Fund of PCC providing professional, affordable counseling.

For Library Relocation

An architect has been selected for the renovation of the Calvert Library Southern Branch, library officials announced last week.

Gant Brunnett Architects (GBA), of Baltimore, “has extensive experience in the design of public libraries, including renovation projects,” Calvert Library Director Patricia Hofmann said in a statement.

There were 12 other bids reviewed and evaluated by a panel. GBA also designed the Agricultural Exhibit Building at Jefferson Patterson Park.

The current library location in Lusby is 3,250 square feet and faces several challenges. It has a very small children’s area, is quite crowded and rather noisy because of so many customers in such a small area.

The new location will be 9,200 square feet and should provide for more community gathering space, an engaging, interactive children’s area, a larger teen area and a quiet area for reading, studying and test-taking, a release states. Southern Branch currently averages about 400 customers a day and had a circulation of over 211,000 items last fiscal year. One of the main customer concerns about the current location is that there are not enough computers. There are 15 computers with Internet access for the public and last year there were almost 39,000 uses. A new library will attract even more customers who will benefit from an enhanced learning environment.

Southern Branch in Solomons will be an interim location and will probably open sometime in 2013. The design process is expected to take about 6 months and the renovation about 8 months. As the branch moves out of the Southern Community Center, more space will be available for Office on Aging and Parks and Recreation services.

The County plans to build a new library in Lusby when the economy improves, the release states.

“Libraries are much more than a place to check out books that educate or entertain customers. They are a resource for parents of young children to prepare their children for school through storytimes, activities, music, computers, movies, and of course books,” Board of Library Trustee President Kip Hine said in the release.

“They are a resource for people with limited access to the Internet or computers. They are a job center for those who need support in their job search. They are a meeting space for small business owners who do not have an office in which to greet clients. They are a learning space for tutors to meet with struggling students. They are a quiet classroom for adult distance learning students to take their classes and even have exams proctored. They are an intelligently-staffed lab for those who need to learn new computer skills. They are a source of lifelong learning and opportunity for engagement for retirees seeking a new purpose, direction, connections and inspiration in life. They are a place for neighborhood associations to meet to discuss community-building and community safety. They are a safe place for teens to gather, be constructively occupied and have fun.”

Hofmann added: “After home and work, libraries are ‘the third place.’ This expansion will enable library staff to more adequately fulfill these roles. The renovation will be functional and user friendly, attractive and inspiring. The library will be a community learning center with lots of books, places to meet and study, computers and wifi. It will be a destination for citizens to gather and learn.”

The Calvert Gazette

POLICE BLOTTER • Two arrested, charged for strong arm robbery Two people were arrested on Nov. 5 at around 11 p.m. after a victim advised Dep. C. Fox that they had robbed him of $390 earlier that evening. The victim stated that a car pulled up outside his home and a male got out and punched him in the face. The victim fell to the ground and the male went through the victim’s pockets, stealing the money, police reported. The male then got back into the vehicle, Kelsey Lee Sowers which was then driven away by a female. The victim recognized the two suspects and called police who were able to locate the suspects, and a meeting between the police, the suspects and the victim took place at the 7-11 convenience store in Solomons. Deputy Fox arrested Kelsey Lee Sowers, 20, of Lusby and Cory Michael McAndrew, 21, of Lusby. Sowers was charged with theft less than $1,000 and robbery. McAndrew was charged with robbery, assault in the second degree and theft less than $1000.

Cory Michael McAndrew • Vehicle crash leads to drug arrest On Nov. 6 at 11:22 p.m. DFC P. Wood responded to the parking lot of the Prince Frederick Walmart for the report of a motor vehicle crash.

A victim reported that while sitting in her vehicle she was hit from behind. Wood made contact with the driver of the alleged offending vehicle and ultimately arrested Ravi Persad, 40, of Lusby, for driving under the influence and possession of marijuana and possession with intent to use drug paraphernalia, two alleged makeshift smoking devices.

Ravi Persad

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer The idea of starting a neighborhood watch was an issue in the last town election in North Beach, said former council member Jane Hagen, and even though the election season has passed she still wants to see the program enacted.

Residents from nearby Anne Arundel County neighborhoods also want to join in and have taken part in training that continued on Wednesday, Hagen said, adding that despite relatively low crime in town there are always reports from citizens about possible criminal activity.

Neighborhood watch training would help people to know better how to report any suspicious activity and to whom to take their concerns, she said.

Hagen said she believed, however, that North Beach is not immune from crimes such as illegal drug sales, but the key is to keep residents alert.

“I’m sure there are drugs sold but I don’t know where that is, but that’s all part of the training,” she said. “It’s just people being aware of their

surroundings.”

Deputies with the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office conduct the training with the support of the Calvert Alliance Against Substance Abuse (CAASA), which helped to create neighborhood watches throughout the county years ago, said director Candice D’Agostino.

CAASA helps support individual neighborhood watches and holds meetings every other month in Prince Frederick so they can gather and share information on what’s happening in their communities.

Part of the program, Hagen said, allows residents to fill out forms that record serial numbers on major purchases in their homes from computers to firearms that can be tracked in the event of a burglary.

Hagen said that unlike previous years, the neighborhood watch program might actually take off this time.

“We seem to be picking up more steam this time,” Hagen said. guyleonard@countytimes.net

Calvert Deputies Targeting Vehicle Burglaries

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer

• SUV stolen A black 1998 Ford Expedition was stolen while parked outside a home on Calvert Towne Drive in Prince Frederick overnight between Nov. 3 and 4. Dep. M. Quinn is handling the investigation.

• Thefts from home under investigation A home in the 8600 block of Solomons Island Road in Owings was burglarized during the daytime hours on Nov. 4 and over $7,500 in property was stolen. Det. H. Rich of C.I.T. is investigating the theft of iPads, Ipods, jewelry and other assorted items. Det. Rich can be reached at 410-535-1600 ext. 2765.

• Vehicle stolen in Lusby Sometime between 11 p.m. on Nov. 4 and 6:30 a.m. on Nov. 5 someone stole a white 1997 Jeep Cherokee from in front of home on Wildcat Trail in Lusby. Dep. C. McDonough is investigating.

10

Neighborhood Watch Training Continues for North Beach

• Plumbing supplies burgled Sometime in the month of October someone broke into a storage shed behind a business on Skipjack Road in Prince Frederick, stealing over $43,000 in plumbing supplies. Some of the items are copper sticks, brass valves, copper fittings and PVC piping. Anyone with information is asked to contact DFC T. Rickard at 410-535-2800 or Calvert County Crime Solvers at 410-535-2880.

• Traffic stop leads to drug arrest On Nov. 4 at 10:55 p.m. Cpl. McCarroll was investigating a call for a possible intoxicated driver on Rt. 2 and Mt. Harmony Road in Owings. Cpl. McCarroll stopped the vehicle near Wayside Drive.

He arrested the driver, Jonathan Thomas Robinson, 24 of Chesapeake Beach, and charged him with driving while intoxicated and possession of marijuana and possession with intent to use drug paraphernaJonathan Thomas Robinson lia, an alleged metal smoking pipe.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Lt. Steve Jones

Vehicle burglaries are surging in Calvert, law officers say, and they are working on strategies beyond standard methods to combat them.

“We’ve been working that pretty heavy,” Lt. Steve Jones, commander of the Calvert Investigative Team, said of the rising crime trends. “We have had increased patrols in the southern end of the county as a result of thefts from autos.”

Jones said officers will continue with high visibility patrols to combat the thefts, but will take other measures like surveillance to track down offenders.

“We’re also running other covert operations as well,” Jones told The Calvert Gazette.

Despite warnings from law officers, residents still leave valuable items in their vehicles and more often leave them unlocked.

“Most of them are crimes of opportunity,” Jones said of the thefts that have claimed items from I-pods to purses and cash.

Some are stealing to “make ends meet” in tough financial times, Jones said, while others are doing it feed a narcotics habit.

Because of Calvert County’s reputation as a rural and serene location, many residents who have lived there for so long do not think about

crime occurring to them.

“It’s kind of a sleepy town in a way, it’s not a big city; people grew up here leaving their cars unlocked,” said Jones, a Calvert native. “It’s a very trusting community.”

Breaking residents of that abundance of trust will not be easy, he said.

“It’s not going to happen over night, people have to change their mindset,” Jones said. guyleonard@countytimes.net

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Thursday, November 10, 2011

The Calvert Gazette

Whitesell Pharmacy Bought By Walgreens

Lusby Businesses To Get Roadside Signs

By Sarah Miller Staff Writer

By Corrin M. Howe Staff Writer After serving the community of Lusby for more than 30 years, locally owned and operated Whitesell Pharmacy closed its doors on Oct. 31 Walgreens Spokesman Robert Elfinger confirmed that Whitesell owner Stuart Hanson sold his business to the national chain, which shared an entrance off H.G. Trueman Road for nearly three years.

“We look forward to serving more patients in Lusby …

Stuart Hanson is coming aboard at Walgreens and most of his staff have accepted positions as well,’ said Elfinger.

“Whitesell has been such a great asset to the local community; so, we were very saddened to learn of their closing.

This is a horrible trend that we are witnessing in Lusby. These are such difficult economic times; and that is why business owners must unite and work with only another to help one another,’ Lusby Business Association President Nance Pretto Simmons said in an email to the Calvert Gazette. “Together we can make a difference and change things in Lusby.

The Lusby Business Association wants to stop the doors of our businesses from closing. Things won’t change overnight but there is hope. I encourage everyone to find out how they can help and get involved in their community today.”

The Calvert Gazette was unable to reach Hanson for comment. However, information on Whitesell Pharmacy website indicates “Stuart Hanson, RPH is the owner and operator of Whitesell Pharmacy. He is a longtime resident of Calvert County and can remember when Route 4 was a twolane road. Stuart is assisted by many long-time employees, all of whom are dedicated to fast and friendly service.”

A number of websites that collect reviews for local businesses had customers giving Whitesell the highest marks in service and quality along with a number of personal comments.

“Despite the influx of several new pharmacies over the past 4 years, Whitesell Pharmacy continues to excel in service and accurate and friendly prescription filling. They continue to thrive, and most of my friends and neighbors have been going to Whitesells for years. Thank you for your commitment to our community,” wrote a guest on SuperPages earlier this year.

Bonita Price, wrote on Oct. 1, 2010 for MyFoxDC.com “I have been a customer of Whitesell Pharmacy for over 20 years. It is owned and operated by Dr. Stuart Hanson and his wife Betty. Dr. Hanson has provided our community with excellent service for over 25 years. I have known Dr. Hanson to advance medications to a patient if it were an emergency, so they wouldn’t have to miss any doses. I don’t know of any other pharmacy willing to do this. Dr. Hanson’s dedication is to be commended, and his reputation is beyond reproach. I cannot say that about other pharmacists in our area, so Whitesell Pharmacy is your best bet … I can’t imagine our com-

munity being without Dr. Hanson and Whitesell Pharmacy.”

Elfinger said the change in prescriptions for former Whitesell customers should be seamless.

“They just need to bring in a prescription, bottle or give us their last name and we will be able to fill their order.” corrin@somdpublishing.net

The Lusby Business Association (LBA) has successfully negotiated a limited number of permanent signs on Route 4.

Locations of the signs will stretch from Lusby to Solomons on both the southbound and northbound lanes.

Nance Pretto Simmons, president of the LBA, said the signs are the result of two years of working with the State Highway Administration (SHA) for designated locations.

She said the new signs would not be affected by the newly enacted legislation allowing the SHA to remove unauthorized roadside signs.

“It’s a totally separate program,” she said.

There will be five signs on northbound Route 4, and another seven on southbound route 4.

Specific sign specifications and costs will be forwarded to businesses upon receipt of email of interest, Simmons said.

Signs requests will be honored on a first come basis for actual commitments.

Preference will be given to current LBA members. Also, nonmembers, or those not current with dues, will not receive the bulk discount that the LBA has negotiated on behalf of its members, according to a press release sent out by the LBA. Simmons said businesses are limited to one sign per business, unless not all of them are claimed, an eventuality she said is unlikely.

Any business interested in a sign should email nance@shoplusby.com. sarahmiller@countytimes.net

The Calvert Gazette

Thursday, November 10, 2011

12

13

Thursday, November 10, 2011

The Calvert Gazette

I think I can, I think I can, …I thought I could.

STORY

Despite Improvements, Local Veterans’ Services Still Lacking

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer Southern Maryland has a high proportion of veterans spread across the tri-county area but in recent years many have complained that getting both physical and mental health care services, especially for those returning from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, has been anything but convenient.

But things are slowly changing for the better, according to Wayne Clark, executive director of the Tri-County Council of Southern Maryland. This is because elected officials are working to include $6.6 million in funding for a new community-based outpatient clinic (CBOC) at the Charlotte Hall Veterans Home in St. Mary’s County.

Clark said that the CBOC funding has passed the House and Senate on Capitol Hill separately as part of the fiscal 2012 federal budget and now it only needs to survive a conference committee vote of both houses.

The current CBOC at the veterans home is leased by the state, and veterans can get basic medical and mental health care there but it is running out of space, Clark said, and has trouble keeping up with demand.

To circumvent these issues until the new CBOC is constructed next to the old one, the Veterans Administration is using telecommu-

nications with doctors to aid in providing mental health counseling for veterans and has hired a full-time registered nurse to provide medical care.

There are also plans, Clark said, to hire a “health care coach” who would go to individual homes of veterans to do basic medical screening such as blood pressure and medicine checks.

Kidney dialysis may also be available to veterans at the new CBOC once constructed, Clark said.

Meanwhile at the older clinic physical therapy will start up in the next few months in an extension trailer, he said.

All of this has been done in response to ever increasing needs of veterans who need the care but have mostly had to go to either Baltimore or Washington to get the services.

“We’ve had significant advances but there’s still more to do,” Clark said.

One issue that still exists is how to get veterans who need non-mental health care to full service hospitals in urban areas.

Clark said that problem remains, while state employees working with their Commitment to Veterans Program have been helping transport veterans to hospitals farther north for mental health treatment.

Another problem officials are grappling with are homeless or unemployed veterans

Congratulations to the Parents and Families of St. Michael’s School for a job well done!

Thank You!

A U.S. Color Guard participates in a service for veterans on Sunday at the “On Watch” monument in Solomons Island.

A huge thanks to the Community for your support!

Cash Bash was a success. Everyone had a great time!

Thanks, also to the County Times for all their help in advertising.

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Photos By John Douglass

whose numbers are difficult to ascertain, particularly those living on the streets or in shelters.

An annual point-in-time survey that seeks to count the homeless across jurisdictions in just one day is not always the most useful tool, Clark said, since reports from county agencies that have intermittent contact with homeless veterans show a growing problem.

“The reports from all sectors are higher than the point-in-time survey,” Clark said.

Amy Henderson, president of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) for Southern Maryland based in Lexington Park, said that mental health services for veterans here in the region has only gotten marginally better.

“The way the [Veterans Administration] portions out the care… it’s not very convenient for us,” Henderson said. “Just to go to D.C., on a good day, it’s an hour-and-a-half … If they’re flaring up the last thing you want to do is put them in a long car ride.”

Henderson said the tele-psychiatry program at the Charlotte Hall home has helped some veterans but that what is known as a veterans center, a place where veterans can stop in to get help in coordinating services and even get some on-the-spot counseling with their problems, only exists in Annapolis and Clinton for service to the region.

And a mobile veterans center that visits Charlotte Hall to provide services only comes on the last Thursday and Friday of each month, Henderson said.

A Hollywood resident who wished to be known only as Roberta, whose son is a combat veteran of both Iraq and Afghanistan, said that

getting treatment for her son’s post traumatic stress condition has been aided by the state’s willingness to provide transportation farther north, but it is still inconvenient.

“You have to go to either Baltimore or Washington, that’s the biggest drawback to living in Southern Maryland,” Roberta said.

“Your in a critical situation … we’ve found ways around it but when you’re in a crisis you don’t want to have to go on a two-and-a-half hour trip.”

Henderson said that two psychologists make the trip to the Lexington Park office of NAMI Southern Maryland to try and help with counseling until better solutions can be found.

“Our office has become a de facto clinic,” Henderson said. “We’re happy to provide the service, we want them to be able to get that service in their own back yards.”

What troubles Southern Maryland veterans, Henderson said, is the dearth of health professionals of all kinds.

“We have such a shortage of them all, especially psychiatrists,” she said, adding that as more veterans continue to come back from the war zones, the mental health needs will only increase.

That can be made worse by veterans who need help choosing not to seek it because of the stigma surrounding mental illness.

“They are often very hesitant to seek help,” Henderson said. “It’s often their families who are seeking the help for them.” guyleonard@countytimes.net

Capt. Steve Schmeiser, commanding officer of Naval Air Station Patuxent River, participated in Sunday’s ceremony in Solomons.

Sp rts

The Calvert Gazette

Thursday, November 10, 2011

14

CSM Soccer Team Heads to National Championship The College of Southern Maryland men’s soccer team, coming into the North Central District Championship match ranked 19th in the nation, toppled the top-ranked Schoolcraft College of Michigan in a 5-4 penalty shootout on Saturday to punch their ticket to nationals.

After the scoreless regulation and overtime periods, in which the CSM crowd loudly voiced their enthusiasm, the penalty kicks were filled with tense moments of silence each time a CSM player approached the penalty box. All five CSM penalty shots scored. When it was Schoolcraft’s turn, all but one penalty shot met the back of the net, as freshman CSM goalkeeper Dameon Hayden continued his shootout heroics by diving to his left to stop the final shot. Hayden had also saved key shots in a penalty shootout against Essex in the regional semifinals.

“I read his feet and body,” Hayden said.

The game marked the first time CSM has ever hosted a District Championship match, as well as the first time post-season contests have been played at home. The field, newly renovated, has a professionalquality playing surface that is considered among the top soccer fields in the conference.

The match-up against the No. 1 ranked squad in the nation, with a 22-0 record prior to the game, further cemented the importance of the game in the eyes of the Hawks.

“They’re number one for a reason,” said CSM Head Coach Derek Dyson before the match.

The CSM victory was capped off with the classic ‘olay, olay’ chant many soccer fans are familiar with and a Gatorade shower for Dyson.

When asked how the team rallied to pull out the win, Dyson, a first-year head coach, said, “They believed in me, and I believed in them.”

CSM (12-3-3), advances to the NJCAA National Tournament hosted by Paradise Valley Community College in Arizona from Nov. 17-20. The eight teams seeded for the double bracketed tournament are Monroe College, N.Y. (13-1); Darton College, Ga. (17-1); Iowa Western Community College (18-1-1); Lincoln College, Ill. (18-3); Cloud County Community College, Kan. (20-1-3); Tyler Junior College, Texas (17-1-2); Pima Community College, Ariz. (18-6-1) and CSM. This is the second time in the history of CSM’s soccer program that it has advanced to nationals. For information and live coverage of the tournament, visit http:// www.pvc.maricopa.edu/njcaa/. For information on CSM athletics, visit www.csmd.edu/Athletics.

Story and photos by by CSM students Angel Torres and Diane Payne.

CSM student athlete Kyle Toepfer tries to break away from Schoolcraft College players during the North Central District Championship game Nov. 5. The CSM Hawks advanced to the national championship following a 5-4 penalty shootout after a scoreless regulation and overtime game.

Ice Hockey Registration Open Registration is now open for the Southern Maryland Sabres Hockey Club's Little Sabres program.

For ages 4 - 10, Little Sabres is a four-level program that teaches children the fundamentals of ice hockey.

Each level includes four, 45-minute sessions of skills-based instruction on ice. Children receive equipment at the end of each level so they have everything needed by the end of the program.

The cost is $50 per four-week session. Annual USA Hockey Insurance is required at $35. (Free for ages 6 & under).

The next four-week session begins Dec. 3 at the Capital Clubhouse in Waldorf.

Level 1: includes helmet, stick, jersey & gloves Level 2: includes elbow pads, shin guards & bag Level 3: includes hockey socks, pants & garter belt Level 4: includes shoulder pads & $40.00 voucher for skates at Mike’s Sporting Equipment at the Capital Clubhouse.

Register online at www.somdsabres.org For more information, please contact Little Sabres Director Amanda Vaccaro at littlesabres@somdsabres.org.

The Calvert Gazette

Thursday, November 10, 2011

My Kid Thinks Your Kids Are Awesome I want to address all the parents and kids who participate in sports – whether in recreational, travel leagues or on school teams. My son tried-out for a competitive team.

At what level and for what sport doesn’t matter, because I know his story is not unique.

For whatever reason, his coach gave him a chance to be part of the team even though my son was younger and smaller than the rest of those who tried out too.

Tonight my son came home and cried for 30 minutes because of comments made to him by teammates. He made a mistake. But instead of swatting him on the butt and telling him it was okay and to shake it off, they told him that he should’ve never made the team. They told him the coach should’ve put someone else on the team instead of him. These kids learned this behavior from their parents, who were making similar comments on the sidelines about him and other players.

Let me tell you about my son, and other kids like him. He was born with disabilities. He’s seen more doctors and specialists, sat for more hours in waiting rooms and therapy sessions and had more tests than most people will experience in a lifetime. Our family has spent tens of thousands of dollars on doctors and specialists. We’ve spent hours on the road for tests, therapies and treatment. He had specialists to teach him to do things most kids do naturally and you take for granted. Things like talking, getting dressed, going to the bathroom, drinking from a cup, using utensils to eat, etc.

Despite all he has overcome, my son is good-natured, creative, extremely bright, funny and super positive. Until tonight, it never even occurred to him that he wasn’t “awesome.” In fact, he thinks your kids are awesome too. Last year when a bunch of kids all turned on one little boy, my son was the one who hugged the boy and said, “You’re my friend. I wouldn’t be unkind to you.” When your kid makes a mistake, my son will be the first to say, “Nice try.” “It’s okay.” Or “Everybody makes mistakes.”

And when your kids do great, my son is giving them High-Fives, Thumbs Up and “Awesome!”

If you are one of these parents, I hope before you make a negative comment you’ll stop. You don’t know what the child might have had to overcome just to be on the field.

And instead of tearing the kids down, how about giving them a “You’re awesome” instead? And think about the other parents around you who overheard what you said.

Think about how much they might have had to overcome just to be sitting on the bleachers beside you.

The writer’s name is being held upon request to protect the child.

Honoring Veterans On Veteran’s Day, many people honor America’s veterans by attending parades and visiting cemeteries or veterans’ homes. I would also recommend visiting the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico, Virginia. It’s an excellent museum that does a good job of simulating some battles so you can experience what the military does. Parking and admission to the museum are free, but freedom isn’t free. At the museum you’ll get an idea of what freedom costs.

Another way of honoring veterans is to take part in the Wreaths Across America Project, whose mission is to remember, honor and teach. Charles County Right to Life is working with them again this year to place wreaths at the graves of veterans buried at the Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery and also to raise money for our organization. Log onto www.wreathsacrossamerica.org <http://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/> for more information.

Placing a wreath on a grave is a positive way to honor veterans buried in that cemetery. Even if you don’t know the veterans, they may have had a positive impact on your life or the lives of your family or ancestors. For example, during World War II, many veterans helped to defend England and to liberate European countries, the Philippines, etc. Because of them, we still have our freedom and are speaking English instead of some other language. And since Hitler believed in the superiority of the Aryan (white) race, Jews and non-whites might consider how their lives would be different today. We all owe a debt of gratitude to those and other veterans who have defended and assured our freedoms over the years.

The wreath laying ceremony starts at noon on Saturday 11 December at the main building near the entrance. It lasts about 45 minutes, and includes a color guard, prayers, and the laying of seven wreaths to honor the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine and POW/MIA. The remaining wreaths are then handed out for the purchasers to place on the graves. If you do not have a designated grave site for the wreath, it will be placed by one of the participating organizations at a grave site of their choosing.

The wreaths are $15, with $5 going to the organization that sold them. Contact George Satterthwaite at (301) 292-2312 or gs2nd@aol.com <mailto:gs2nd@aol.com> , or Robert Boudreaux at (301) 638-7042 or boodro6@comcast.net <mailto:boodro6@comcast.net> to order a wreath or if you have any questions. If you order a wreath but cannot attend the ceremony, I’ll place the wreath on the designated grave.

Robert Boudreaux Waldorf, MD

TER T E to the Editor

S

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Guest Editorial:

Promises and Good Intentions Only Go So Far

By Marta Hummel Mossburg

In April 2008, following both a special legislative session at the end of 2007 and the regular one that raised sales, corporate and personal income taxes, Gov. Martin O'Malley all but declared victory over the recession.

“Over these last 14 months, we have restored fiscal accountability to our state, reduced spending, and have come together to protect our priorities and expand opportunity for Maryland's small businesses and families,” he said in a news release.

What has happened since that point in time paints a very different record from the one he trumpeted 3 1/2 years ago, however. Maryland is one of the worst states at creating jobs since the recession ended and has consistently ranked in the top 10 states in the nation for foreclosures. According to a September report from the state Department of Housing and Community Development, Maryland foreclosure rates are the highest in

the region, too.

Census data also show that income inequality has increased in Maryland during O'Malley's tenure, and the number of residents needing federal food assistance has risen, too. If that is not bad enough, the governor and legislators still cannot balance the budget despite the extra $1 billion-plus generated from the new taxes passed just a few years ago and the $195 million “surplus” predicted for this year based on increased income tax collections.

That is because the tax increases and the extra revenue are not enough to bridge the difference between what the state spends each year and what it collects. So, the governor and legislators again face the same problems they did in 2007 and 2008. This time around, however, Maryland has a much less competitive tax structure in place, which will hinder it from attracting new wealth, and no federal stimulus dollars.

Whether legislators can so easily raise taxes again -- for gas, the Chesapeake Bay or anything else, in the upcoming legislative session is unclear.

Elected officials have a much more cynical public with whom to contend than a few years ago.

Promises about slots revenue have proved false, and state government's good intentions in preventing foreclosures have saved few homes and have not translated to a better housing market. Years of raiding dedicated trust funds for transportation and the Chesapeake Bay have left people skeptical that taxes raised in the name of those issues will be used for them.

Public corruption trials of two prominent state politicians in the past year cannot help, either. And callers to the popular “Ron Smith Show” on WBAL (AM 1090 Baltimore), incensed over the prospect of higher gas taxes in the coming year, barraged phone lines for an entire three-hour program last week.

Even in a state whose voting districts were just redrawn to make it even more Democratic, people will not roll over forever. The uproar and then successful petition drive to put in-state tuition for illegal immigrants up for a referendum is a case in point. O'Malley and legislators may not recognize limits to their power, but people's bank accounts do.

Marta Hummel Mossburg is a senior fellow at the Maryland Public Policy Institute.

Publisher Thomas McKay Associate Publisher Eric McKay Editor Sean Rice Office Manager Tobie Pulliam Graphic Artist Angie Stalcup Advertising sales@somdpublishing.net Email info@somdpublishing.net Phone 301-373-4125 Staff Writers Guy Leonard Sarah Miller Corrin Howe Contributing Writers Joyce Baki Keith McGuire

Law Enforcement Government, Education Community, Business

Calvert Gazette

P. O. Box 250 . Hollywood, MD 20636 The Calvert Gazette is a weekly newspaper providing news and information for the residents of Calvert County. The Calvert Gazette will be available on newsstands every Thursday. The paper is published by Southern Maryland Publishing Company, which is responsible for the form, content, and policies of the newspaper. The Calvert Gazette does not espouse any political belief or endorse any product or service in its news coverage. Articles and letters submitted for publication must be signed and may be edited for length or content. The Calvert Gazette is not responsible for any claims made by its advertisers.

The Calvert Gazette

Spotlight On

Students Rally Against Drug Abuse During ‘Red Ribbon Week’

Dajuan Willett and Jaeden White sport wigs for “crazy hair/hat day.”

By Corrin M. Howe Staff Writer All grade levels of Calvert County public schools participated in Red Ribbon Week activities at the end of October.

Over 200 Patuxent High School students signed a banner pledging to be drug free and wore red bracelets. Their environmental club planned 100 red tulip bulbs around the school’s flag, which will hopefully be in bloom

by Alcohol Awareness week in April, school officials said.

Posters throughout the school had facts and information on drug abuse prevention, and the morning announcements had a question related to the posters and the first students to answer received a prize.

Calvert Middle School students signed a megaphone, baseball cap and running shoe based on their grade level themes: • Eighth grade “Shout Out Against Drugs;” • Seventh grade “Put A Cap On Drugs;” and • Sixth grade “Run Away From Drugs.”

Then students dressed up daily according to themes such as School Spirit Day, Twin Day, Crazy Hair/Hat Day, Mix-Match Day and Pajama Day. Dowell Elementary School students collected 784 pounds of food (which is more than one pound per student) for their Wednesday theme “Being Drug Free Comes in Cans. I can. You Can. We Can.” They also decorated grade-level bulletin boards, brought in baby pictures and talked about “Born to be Drug Free” and had a couple of theme day dress ups.

Red Ribbon Week is the oldest and largest drug prevention campaign in the country generally observed the last full week in October.

The national week focusing a drug-free America evolved from local California clubs started to honor the memory of DEA Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena. He was murdered in 1985 while undercover investigating a major drug cartel in Mexico. The club’s members pledged to lead drug-free lives to honor the sacrifices made by Camarena and others on behalf of all Americans.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Local Teachers Get Art Grants

By Sarah Miller Staff Writer The Arts Council of Calvert County last week gave away more than $22,000 in grants to arts programs for county schools.

The grants awarded were for up to $500 each, and teachers could receive multiple grants from the council. They are used to augment programs that normally could not be paid for out of the school’s budget.

Michelle Stover, an English and dance teacher with Calvert High School, said the grants she receives go to hold workshops in county high schools, where she brings in a professional choreographer to work with the students and help them get a routine started for the annual show.

“It helps tremendously,” she said.

This will be the third workshop, and some of the students have enjoyed the workshops so much, that even after they graduate high school, they still call Stover and ask her when the next workshop will be and if they can come visit.

Lauren Rivers, an art teacher at Mill Creek Elementary School and past recipient of the grants, said she has used the grants to bring in professional artists to do demonstrations and instruction with her students.

In addition to the grants awarded, the council also celebrated the addition of two initiatives to their list – the Caitlin Merie Hurrey Scholarship Fund Endowment and the Mary Beth Harry Memorial Fund.

Mary Beth Harry was an artist with the CalvArt Gallery and a member of the council.

Caitlin Merie Hurrey was a 9-year-old budding musician who died in a car accident on Halloween in 1995. Her father, Earl Hurrey, started the scholarship fund in 2003. It was recently transferred to the arts council from the National Association for Music Education.

Four scholarships are awarded each year to students planning to study music or music education, Hurrey said.

Visit www.calvertarts.org for more information about the Arts Council of Calvert County. sarahmiller@countytimes.net

Arts in Education Grants Winners Barstow Elementary School Sandy Griese – $500 Grant Beach Elementary School Gretchen Jankovitz – $500 Grant Calvert Elementary School Shari Adams – $500 Grant Calvert High School Cheryl Blockland – $500 Grant Michelle Stover – Two $500 Grants Ron Saunders – Two $500 Grants Kelly Combs – $500 Grant Calvert Middle School Jill Griwatz – Two $500 Grants Huntingtown Elementary School Sarah Sowell – $500 Grant Jennifer Stawinski – Two $500 Grants Huntingtown High School Derek Anderson – $500 Grant Dona Hook – Two $500 Grants Mutual Elementary School Lisa Reid Ragen – $500 Grant Northern High School Laura Rosengota – Two $500 Grants Sarah Strain – $500 Grant Mike Pugliese – Two $500 Grants Our Lady Star of the Sea School Sherry Mervine – Two $500 Grants Patuxent Elementary School Elaine Linsenbigler – $500 Grant Patuxent High School Lorrain Humphreys – $500 Grant Cheryl Blockland – $500 Grant Rachel Sparks – Two $500 Grants Liesl Van Haute – Two $250 Grants Maria Miller – $300 Grant Brooke Humfeld – Two $500 Grants

corrin@somdpublishing.net Malik Douglas, left, and Tommy Peck were twin Sponge Bobs for the day.

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Photos by Sarah Miller Calvert High School Principal Susan Johnson, left, talks with Michelle Stover, an English and dance teacher with Calvert High.

Calvert Arts Council President Bill Chambers

Plum Point Elementary School Rhonda Butler – $500 Grant Sunderland Elementary School Marci Fleck – $500 Grant Tidewater School Denise Weller – Two $500 Grants Windy Hill Elementary School Michele Barton – Two $500 Grants Appeal Elementary School Sharon Johannesen – Two $500 Grants Calvert Middle School Ransom Denk – Two $500 Grants Southern Middle School Rick Humphreys – $500 Grant

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Thursday, November 10, 2011

The Calvert Gazette

Our Lady Cranks Up Fundraising to Ensure School’s Future

By Corrin M. Howe Staff Writer Our Lady of the Star of the Sea school in Solomons has come out this year with an energized plan to keep its doors open. A little over a

nated items) a visit from Santa, Bake goods for sale, face painting, and a Holiday 50/50 Raffle!

Just an example of the vendors: Mad Science, Interlude Kennel, Scentsy, Longaberger, Yera de Herbal Teas, and Premier Designs Jewelry, Wiltex Signs, Bernie Goldsborough, Nan Oak and Marcus Lloyd looks on while Chris Stine of Innisbrook fundraising and Amber Tamburri of Our Lady Star of the Sea count how much money he collected during his 15 seconds in the ‘Money Machine.’ Lloyd collected $17 in cash, which was the highest amount any of the 10 students pulled out of the air.

year ago, the school announced it was in danger of closing its doors after serving the community since 1933.

Volunteers, parents of students, alumni and community members rallied to organize fundraisers to meet a goal of $330,000 before the end of 2010.

This year, the fundraising committee is has planned a number of events throughout the year, partnered with local businesses and found additional sources of revenue such as Tyson Chicken’s Project A+.

• Christmas Shopping Bazaar: Nov. 19 – From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Providence Room of the church, there will be plenty of great items for everyone’s Christmas List, with over 40 local crafters and home based businesses. There will also be Grandmas Basement (tagged sale of doMadeline Walent’s reward for selling $498 in Our Lady of The Star and Sea’s Innisbrook fundraiser was to spend 20 seconds in the ‘Money Machine.’ She managed to stash away $5 in cash.

Sewing by Laura. Unique to the bazaar is that every vendor donates one item to the Silent Auction.

• 2nd Annual OLSS Turkey Trot: Nov. 28 – Call school for more details.

• Roy Rogers Spirit Night: Nov. 28 and Dec. 12 – School receives a percentage of the profits between 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

• Papa Johns Spirit Day: Dec 5 – School receives a percentage of pizza sold throughout the day if customer mentions OLSS. • Candy Canes & Cocktails/Silent Auction and Fundraiser: Dec. 10 – Starting at 6 p.m. in the Providence Room. Tickets are $25 a person, cocktail attire, hors d’oeuvers, cash bar, 50/50 raffle and door prizes.

• Winter 5K Run/Walk: Dec. 17 – Packet pick up and race day registration from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., 9 a.m. race starts, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. post race party. $25 pre-registration and t-shirt, Family Registration (includes up to six family members) is $100, Family Sponsorship (includes up to six family members, family’s name printed on t-shirt) is $150, Late/Race day registration is $30.

• Purchasing gift cards at face value from a number of local businesses returns various percentages to the school.

Call the school for more information.

For more information about these and future fundraising events, go to the school’s website at www.olss.org or call 410-326-3171.

Spotlight On

School Buses Fined for Entering District

By Sarah Miller Staff Writer

Since 2007, charter buses have been required to buy a $50 permit for a 6-day pass to go into Washington, D.C. Until this summer, school buses weren’t feeling the pinch, and the permit requirement was waived for buses transporting students and bearing the name of a school district.

Times have changed.

The first hint that school buses would now have to get the permit was when, during a trip to the district this May, five St. Mary’s County school buses were ticketed for not having the permit. Each ticket carries a potential fine of $500.

“That’s the first incident that we had,” said Jeff Thompson, director of transportation with St. Mary’s County Public Schools (SMCPS).

Since then, the schools they have been getting the permits, which for most trips, come out of the pockets of the students and their parents.

Until this summer, Thompson said there was an agreement with former International Registrant Plan Manager Joan Bailey for buses carrying students and bearing the name of the school district don’t have to obtain permits, a waiver that applied to both busing contractors, which are used by all but four Maryland jurisdictions, and buses owned by a county government.

“If a school bus is transporting students under long-term contract with a municipality or a city government and is readily identifiable as the typical yellow school bus, it does

not have to obtain apportment or obtain a trip permit,” Bailey told Leon Langley, pupil transportation officer with the Maryland State Department of Education in an e-mail forwarded to Thompson.

Calvert County Public Schools transportation officials also confirmed being in receipt of this email, and until this May’s incident have not been purchasing permits for buses to enter the city.

Sylvia Ballinger, communications director with the Washington D.C. Department of Motor Vehicles said the confusion is due to a misunderstanding of the law.

“Unfortunately, the information communicated … in 2007 was incorrect. The charter bus law is clear. All school buses must secure trip permits in order to travel into the District unless the vehicles have apportioned tags or DC tags,” Ballinger said in an email. “Every jurisdiction is governed by laws enacted by local officials, and D.C. is no exception. The Council of the District of Columbia enacted amendments to existing motor vehicle registration law and the Council authorized DMV to implement the charter bus requirement in March 2007. We apologize for any misunderstanding that may have been conveyed at the time the law was enacted.”

SMCPS Chief Operating Officer Brad Clements said all non-curriculum field trips are paid for by the schools and the students.

For students’ families who cannot pay for the trips, Clements said the schools and the PTAs hold fundraisers and other events to make sure all students can go on the trips.

Newsmakers

The Calvert Gazette

Thursday, November 10, 2011

18

Young Life Provides Faith-Based Fun, Fellowship Photos by Carrie Munn A group of Young life participants and volunteer leaders greet guests at the group’s annual banquet and fundraiser at St. Mary’s College of Maryland. From left is Abby Riegert, Matt Higgins, Kaci Gram and adult volunteer leader, Shanise Yokely.

Effort Underway to Bring YoungLife to Calvert

By Corrin M. Howe Staff Writer

By Carrie Munn Staff Writer

Despite her turmoil, Sapp is a straight-A student, and plans to attend College of Southern Maryland in the fall, in addition to staying active in Young Life.

Recent Leonardtown High School graduate Jason John“I want to share this with my friends,” she said. “I want son credits Young Life and Area Director Kevin Burgess with them to experience the same amazing things I have.” transforming his life. After becoming active with the group At the group’s annual fundraising banquet Sunday, Oct. two years ago, Johnson has participated in every level of the 23, Sapp called Young Life club meetings “controlled chaos” ministry, from the weekly club meetings to the group’s summer and later explained, “High school-aged kids are looking to camps, and will now continue on as an emerging leader. make their own decisions and Young Life allows for that.”

Burgess said he has walked with Johnson through some “Teenagers are notoriously difficult to reach. If you want to tough stuff and has watched him develop into a leader amongst say something meaningful to them, the one thing you don’t do his peers. After leadership training, Johnson will help expand is force it on them,” said Dave Kindley, committee chairman. the Young Life program in St. Mary’s County.

Kindley explained how the levels of participation cater to Leonardtown senior Amy Sapp also says Young Life the age group whether serving as an introduction to scripture changed her life. She currently lives with Burgess and his wife and Christianity or as a tool to grow for kids who have been in Kelley due to family hardships. church for years.

“I’ve never met someone in my life that cared so much for He explained that the non-profit, non-denominational kids like they do,” she said. group approaches things through a natural progression and through college students and young adults becoming leaders and befriending kids in area schools.

For Burgess, a Young Life leader in his high Matt Shaffer, an adult volunteer leader at Leonardtown High School, lends a hand school saw the leadership qualities in him, which to LHS freshman Collin Dunn, as they and he couldn’t see himself. other Young Life-ers helped with the event.

“He moved me from an observer to a participant in life,” Burgess said.

He explained the group is almost two-thirds of the way there, with its annual budget just shy of $100,000, thanks to individual supporters who give monthly donations and local churches that support Young Life as missionaries.

“There’s great potential in this community and in these kids. They can become the young men and women God intended them to be if we help forge their lives,” he said at the banquet.

Keynote speaker for the banquet and Regional Director Rick Beckwith is another who is paying it forward though Young Life, nodding to the group’s leadership in Montgomery County some years back for being an instrumental part of his life.

“The course of my life has been infected by their investment,” he said.

Beckwith explained that Young Life is an organization with a faith-based, youth-focused mission that’s been around for 70 years, reaching out to millions of kids.

“We believe every kid, regardless of their color or their socioeconomic background, be them the captain of the football team or the teen mom, should be able to hear the message communicated in a language they can understand from leaders they know and trust,” Beckwith said.

Burgess is proud of the current Young Life

Representatives from five churches in the south end of Calvert County met with Kevin Burgess from YoungLife about the necessary steps to bring the organization into the area.

According to Burgess, a previous effort started at the north end of the county two years ago already laid some foundation.

“There is already a bank account open for Calvert County with some money in it. I don’t know how much though,” he told the group of pastors and lay people.

Rich Good, pastor of Harvest Fellowship in Lusby, told the group why he sent letters inviting them to attend the meeting last week at the Hilton Garden Inn in Solomons.

“This has been something on my heart since I first moved here nearly five years ago. There is a lack of opportunities for the youth to connect. I knew of YoungLife from high school in Tennessee,” Good said. “The kids he (Burgess) is reaching are kids who’ll never show up on our doorsteps. I’ve been praying. It’s gonna take churches to get together and do this. It’s hard because churches tend to focus on their own ministries and we may not see the dividends in our own churches.”

Associate Pastor Phil Coffman from Southern Calvert Baptist Church agreed, “YoungLife is not a competitor. It’s just another avenue for youth.”

Rev. Meredith Wilkins-Arnold of Solomons United Methodist Church said, “I think a lot of people in our community are passionate about this ministry.”

Burgess said the local community has to “own” the ministry in order for YoungLife to commit to sending a staff person to the area. Ownership would mean having recruited a champion and a Steering Committee while having collected four months worth of budget in the bank and two years worth of budget pledged. Usually two thirds of the pledged budget comes from individuals and local businesses while the YoungLife staffer raises his/ her own third.

If the group wants to have a staff member hired and on board ready to work with a local high school by fall, Burgess said a Steering Committee and a Champion have to be in place by and their desire made known to the national organization by Dec. 15.

Burgess hopes the representatives from this meeting will go back to their churches and help recruit a champion and 10 members for the Steering Committee. Now that he has some new contacts, he said he will follow up over the next month.

participation at Leonardtown High School with 60 to 100 kids involved, with weekly club meetings each Tuesday night. “But I don’t think that’s enough,” he said, adding that his focus is on the future.

Arthur Shepherd, who for decades managed St. Mary’s County’s Recreation Division, has begun work at CSM, building relationships and recruiting student leaders.

He said the group is also looking to get WyldLife, a ministry for younger kids, into the middle schools soon and he’s spoken to folks at St. Mary’s College of Maryland and in Calvert County.

Referencing Romans 8:15, Burgess said, “Following Jesus is a life of expectant adventure, and that’s what we’re offering to kids.”

For more information about getting involved, visit www. smc.younglife.org or contact Burgess directly at (301) 475-7920. carriemunn@countytimes.net

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Thursday, November 10, 2011

Pearl Bowman, 95 Pearl Simmons Joyner Bowman, 95, died peacefully at her residence in Cedar Lane Apartments, Leonardtown, MD on Sunday, November 6, 2011 following a number of years of declining health.

A native of Caswell County, NC, she was the daughter of Elisha L. Simmons and Martha Rice Simmons, both deceased. Prior to moving to Southern Maryland in 1998, she lived in Burlington, NC for over 30 years, and was an active member of Union Ridge Church where in 1984, she was chosen as “Mother of the Year” by the Senior High Youth. Pearl was an accomplished seamstress who for over 40 years fashioned an abundance of highly crafted clothing for her family, nieces, nephews and grandchildren.

Over the years, there was many a young child who was delighted by her special gifts of clothing at Christmas, on birthdays and for school. As with her sewing abilities, throughout her life she willingly gave of her time, talent and finances to assist family, church and friends. She was a friend to all.

Survivors include two sons, Thomas W. Joyner, Jr (Emily) of Lexington Park, MD, and Ronald C. Joyner (Carol) of Poquoson, VA; three granddaughters, Helen Murphy (Doug) of Goochland, VA, Stephanie Joyner of Catonsville, MD, and Rebecca Joyner of The Hague, Netherlands, and two grandsons; three great granddaughters, and three great grandsons. She is also survived by two sisters, Grace Shambley of Snow Camp and Francis Gilliam of Union Ridge, and one brother, Felix Simmons of Henderson, NC, and many nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Bowman was preceded in death by husbands Thomas W. Joyner, Sr. of Petersburg, VA and Van L. Bowman of Burlington, NC and infant son Donald L. Joyner, nine brothers, Roy, Otis, Porter, Luther, Ben, Robert, Clyde, Leonard, and Augrum Simmons, and four sisters, Eunice Roberts, Daisy Tate, Gladys Page, and Lessie Simmons.

The funeral services will be conducted by Rev. Dan Ficklin, Senior Pastor. Union Ridge Church, Rich & Thompson Funeral Home in Burlington, NC on Monday, November 14, 2011, at 11:00AM. Burial will follow at Pine Hill Cemetery in Burlington.

The family will receive friends at Rich & Thompson Funeral Home in Burlington, NC on Sunday, November 13, 2011 from 4:00 – 6:00PM.

Mary Dietz, 88 Mary Ann Parks Dietz, 88, of Solomons, MD formerly of Bethesda, MD passed away on October 30, 2011 in Solomons, MD. She was born on December 14, 1922 in Washington, DC to the late Anna Ottes and Sterling Parks.

Mary was a secretary for the Academy of the Holy Cross for a number of years until her retirement.

She was preceded in death by her husband John E. Dietz and her sister, Jacqueline Alderson.

Mary is survived by her sons, John Frederick Dietz of Frederick, MD, Charles Sterling Dietz of Poolesville, MD, and William Ellsworth Dietz of Mt. Airy, MD and 2 grandchildren.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, November 11, 2011 at 1:30 PM in Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, 90 Alexander Lane, Solomons, MD 20688 with Monsignor Michael Wilson officiating. Inurnment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family request contributions to be made to Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, P.O. Box 560, Solomons, MD 20688 and / or the Asbury Benevolent Care Fund,

The Calvert Gazette

11100 Asbury Circle, Solomons, MD 20688.

Arrangements provided by Rausch Funeral Home, P.A., Lusby, MD.

Mary Garner, 71 Mary Lillian Mason Garner, 71 of Lexington Park, MD, affectionately known as “Lillian”, was born November 6, 1939 in Lexington Park, MD, to the late George Toney and Elizabeth Garner of Lexington Park, MD. She departed this life on Saturday, November 5, 2011 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Leonardtown, MD. She attended St. Peter Claver and Cardinal Gibbons Catholic schools in Ridge, MD. As a teenager she moved to Baltimore, MD where she lived with her Aunt Louise and Uncle Henry Johnson. During her life in Baltimore, she was self employed and later worked as a domestic until she retired. Lillian met the love of her life “Mason” at the Patuxent River Naval Air Station. She later moved back to Baltimore with Mason where they spent their life together until he departed.

Lillian leaves to mourn her son, Thomas Mason (Niecy) of Baltimore, MD, two sisters, Edna Bolt-Barnes of Lexington Park, MD, and Helen Smith (Joe) of Lexington Park, MD, five granddaughters, eight great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, friends, and a special friend Eleanor Scott.

She was preceded in death by her parents, George (“Temp”) Toney, Elizabeth (“Lizzy”) Garner, her husband, Alexander Mason, her son, Bernard Campbell, two sisters, Elizabeth (“Leavy”) Chase and Hilda Jenkins, and a special Aunt Louise Johnson.

Family will receive friends on Saturday, November 12, 2011 from 10-11 a.m. at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 22375 Three Notch Road, Lexington Park, MD 20653. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Reverend Scott Woods at 11 a.m. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers will be Chris Chase, Darnell Chase, Raymond Chase, Thomas Chase, Eugene Smith, Jr. and Marcus Wade. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Eric King, Anthony Evans and Douglas Frederick.

Margaret Gordon, 94, Margaret Gordon, 94, of Lusby, MD passed away at Solomon’s Nursing Center in Maryland on November 5, 2011.

Margaret was born in Santa Barbara, CA on November 19, 1916 to the late Mary K. and Charles C. Heltman, their only daughter, she lived with her 3 brothers at the Heltman Ranch in Carpinteria.

She attended high school in Carpinteria and graduated business school at U.C.S. B. She lived and worked in Santa Barbara where she retired from the county of Santa Barbara.

Surviving is her only daughter, Linda Gordon (Kittleson), two Grandchildren, Shawn and Torey Aylesworth and four Great Grandchildren, Meagan, Alyssa, Brandon and Taylor. Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, a son, Barry Gordon and brothers, Bruce, Harold and Stanley Heltman.

The family would like to thank the entire staff of Solomon’s Nursing Center for their kindness and loving care. They shared their love for life and dignity. Bless you all!

Private services will be held at the Santa Barbara Cemetery at a later date.

Louis Mittelstetter, Jr., 80 Louis Reinhardt Mittelstetter, Jr., 80, of Owings, MD died November 3, 2011 at Calvert Memorial Hospital, Prince Frederick, MD. He was born January 27, 1931 in Washington DC to Louis R. and Alice E. (Taylor) Mittelstetter, Sr. Louis was raised and attended schools in Washington DC. He joined the Unites States Army September 20, 1948 and was stationed in Germany for five years. He was discharged a Specialist 3rd Class on September 20, 1957.

Louis had been a milkman, delivering house to house, a furniture mover and a painter before retiring. He was close to his family and enjoyed spending time with his brothers, sisters and their children.

Louis was preceded in death by a sister Louise Robertson and brother Kenny Mittelstetter.

Surviving are two sisters Judith Brice of Owings, MD and Helen Clarke of Fredericksburg, VA and a brother Teddy Mittelstetter of Salem, VA and several nieces and nephews.

Friends may call on Monday, November 14, 2011 from 11:00 A.M. until 12 Noon at Rausch Funeral Home, P.A., 8325 Mt. Harmony Lane, Owings, MD. Interment with Military Honors will be held at 1:00 P.M. at Maryland Veterans Cemetery, Cheltenham.

Arrangements by Rausch Funeral Home, 8325 Mount Harmony Lane, Owings, MD.

Bill Redden, 93 William Houser “Bill” Redden, 93, of Solomons, MD, formerly of Towson, MD passed away peacefully on November 1, 2011 at his residence.

He was born on November 17, 1917 in Corsicana, TX to the late Hubert and Kela Redden.

He married his beloved wife Margaret, who survives in Solomons, on June 5, 1953 in Baltimore, MD. Bill graduated from Corsicana High School in 1934 and went on to graduate from the University of Texas / Carnegie Mellon in 1938. He also completed graduate work at Johns Hopkins and Harvard Universities. Bill worked at Bethlehem Steel as an Assistant Chief Metallurgist for 42 years and retired in 1980. He moved to Calvert Co. in 1997 from Conway, SC and enjoyed playing

golf. He belonged to the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity and The American Society of Metallurgy.

In addition to his wife of 58 years, Bill is survived by children, Robert Redden of Morris Plains, NJ, David Redden of Poolesville, MD, and Paul Redden of Dale City, VA; sister, Clarece Martin of Jacksonville, FL; six grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Pallbearers will be Robert Redden, David Redden, Paul Redden, Gary Martin, JD Redden, and Curtis Quigley.

The family receives friends on Friday, Nov. 4, 2011 from 2 ~ 4 PM at the Rausch Funeral Home, P.A., 20 American Lane, Lusby, MD. Graveside Services were held on Saturday, November 5, 2011 at 1 PM in Sacred Heart of Jesus Cemetery, 7401 German Hill Rd., Baltimore, MD 21222.

Ruth Suite, 81 Ruth Boutwell Suite, 81 of Clinton, MD., died Nov. 6, 2011, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Leonardtown. She was born March 11, 1930 in Washington, DC, the daughter of the late Norman Griffin and the late Hancy May Boutwell Griffin.

Mrs. Suite was a Picture Restorer and Framer with the Gold Leaf Shop in Hughesville, MD for 35 plus years and a member of St. John’s Catholic Church in Clinton, MD. In her early years, she worked for Merkle Press in Washington, DC. She was a graduate of Gwynn Park High School class of 1947. She was an avid sports fan (Orioles, Capitals, Terps, Redskins, Ravens, and NASCAR). She was a member of the Gwynn Park Alumni Association and the Margaret Brent School Alumni. She enjoyed being with her grandkids and attending their sports events.

She was a very giving person, especially with her Catholic faith and Hospice.

She was predeceased by her parents.

She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Matthew Suite; two sons, Matthew (Mickie) Suite, Jr., of Mechanicsville, MD and David (Sandy) Suite of Stevensville, MD; one daughter, Cindy (Glenn) Mitchell of Mechanicsville, MD; one sister, Hancy Finney of Fredericksburg, VA; six grandchildren: Matt III, Michael, Michele, Diane, Brian, and C.J. Also survived by 8 great-grandchildren.

A Gathering of Friends will take place Friday, November 11, 2011 from 10AM until Mass of Christian Burial at 11AM at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Bryantown, MD, with Fr. Joseph Kleinstuber officiating. Interment will be by the family at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of St. Mary’s (PO Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650.

Arrangements by Raymond Funeral Service, P.A., La Plata, MD.

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The Calvert Gazette

ner

KiddKioer

CLUES ACROSS

1. Not divisible by two 4. Of she 7. Gas usage measurement 10. 2008 Pulitzer poet Robert 12. Rich persons 14. Semitic fertility god 15. Tropical Asian starlings 16. Digression 17. An enticement 18. “Nutcracker” character 21. Swindles 22. Capital of ancient China 221-206 BC 23. Small out buildings 25. __ and Venzetti 28. Data transmission speed measure 29. Daminozide 31. A high Swiss mountain 32. No. Am. republic 33. Golf ball pegs 35. Any unwanted plant 36. Monarchs of Iran 39. Get together 41. Delightfully pretty 43. Am. & Australian physician’s groups

Thursday, November 10, 2011

44. Greatest A. Lexicographer 50. A fencing sword 51. Relating to imides 52. University in N. Carolina 54. Fish of the genus Alosa 55. Force units 56. Similar in kind 57. Possessed 58. Distress signal 59. Grab

CLUES DOWN

1. Physicist Georg Simon 2. A raised platform 3. Celtic mother of the faeries 4. Fasteners secured by a pin 5. Quality of being morally wrong 6. Rabbit __, Updike novel 7. Hawaiian island 8. Young salmon 9. Clay soil layer 11. Drooped 12. Lampshade supports 13. Slang for trucks with

20

trailers 14. White (Spanish) 19. Furnish with help 20. Supervises flying 23. Trade 24. Wuhan is the capital (var. sp.)

26. Hints 27. Green regions of desert 28. Baseball striker 30. Radioactivity unit 34. Regarded with reverence 35. Carelessly expends 37. A Chinese Moslem 38. Of a steady character 39. Early Christian pulpits 40. More (Spanish) 42. Television awards 43. Yellow-fever mosquitos 44. Openwork fabric 45. 10 = one kor 46. Comprehend the written word 47. Slang for a drunk 48. Ardour 49. An Italian’s capital 53. The beak of a bird

Last Week’s Puzzle Solutions

21

Thursday, November 10, 2011

The Calvert Gazette The Calvert Gazette is always looking for more local talent to feature! To submit art or band information for our entertainment section, e-mail sarahmiller@countytimes.net.

The Man Who Came to Dinner

By Carrie Munn Staff Writer

George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart’s three-act comedy, “The Man Who Came to Dinner,” as directed by Rick Thompson and performed by the Newtowne Players, will run Nov. 4 through 20.

A sneak peak revealed a frantic and funny cast of characters in a single setting, the small town home of factory big wig, Ernest Stanley and family.

The impetus of the play is the visit of cynical and often outlandish international radio star Sheridan Whiteside, who wreaks havoc in the Stanley home following a slip on the ice while visiting for dinner.

The cantankerous Whiteside is played by Greg Rumpf, who helped build the theater and director Rick Thompson also plays one of the star’s many offbeat visitors, Beverly Carlton. Rumpf provides a delightful portrayal of a fickle, self-centered elitist who commandeers the family’s home, tries to steal their staff and wildly offers advice to the Stanley children.

Whiteside is accompanied by his nervous nurse, Miss Preen who is skillfully played by Sara Meador in her first on-stage appearance at Three Notch Theater in Lexington Park, and Maggie Cutler, a strong-willed secretary who has learned to put up with his eccentricities. Jennifer Carnahan, an actress new to Southern Maryland, pulls off Maggie well, ranging from trading tongue-incheek jabs with her employer, to extreme joy to utter frustration and sadness due to his manipulations and meddling.

While Mr. Stanley seethes and resents Whiteside’s disregard, his house is filled with a motley lot of characters, from murderers to an overzealous entomologist who brings the star a cockroach city.

When Whiteside worries that the love of a young newsman may steal Maggie away, he calls in reinforcement in the way of a sexed-up starlet eager for a role in the newspaper man’s play. Veteran Newtowne Players actress Emily Funderburk plays Lorraine Sheldon and oozes over-the-top in the role.

With the last two acts centered around Christmas Eve and Christmas morning, Whiteside’s plots unravel with an elaborate tree and gifts from worldly figures as a backdrop and when the wiles of Miss Sheldon no longer serve his purposes, he recruits the help of another wacky character, Hollywood oddball, Banjo in making her “disappear.”

An array of characters pop in and out of the scene throughout the play, adding to the effect of chaos, which seems to follow Whiteside wherever he goes. Dr. Bradley, played by Henry Burger, a radio broadcast crew, doorman and maid tend to the Stanleys, their houseguest with a worn-out welcome and his many absurd visitors throughout the play.

Julie Mae Hartshorn, making a return to theater and new with the Newtowne group, portrays Mr. Stanley’s sister, Harriet, whose creepy yet candy-sweet treatment of Whiteside makes her memorable. She becomes the play’s means to an end, of sorts, but through a rapid turn of climactic events, Whiteside’s not sitting as pretty as he’d like all to believe.

Currently a retired journalist and publisher, residing in Prince Frederick, Thompson said, “I’m really glad to be directing and Three Notch Theater has been fun to work with.”

Having previously acted and been a behind-the-scenes technician, Thompson is thrilled to direct what he called, “a best of the screwball comedy genre.”

Information on times and tickets for “The Man Who Came to Dinner” can be found by visiting www.newtowneplayers.org or by calling (301) 737- 5447.

Out&About • As Maryland begins to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812, it is important to know the origins of this war. On Thursday, Nov. 10, at 7 p.m. the Calvert Library Fairview Branch hosts Jeff Korman, manager of the Maryland Department at Enoch Pratt Library, who will review the events that forced the United States to sever ties with England and officially go to war. Learn what this war was really about. For more information or to register call 410-535-0291 or visit http://calvert.lib. md.us.

• The fabulous, fun, famous Harlem Wizards will take on the Friendship Methodist Fever on Sunday, Nov. 13, at 2 p.m. at Huntingtown High School. Advance tickets are available, with all proceeds benefiting the building fund. Advance ticket prices are $12 for adults or $10 for students/seniors $10. At the door, adults, $15, students/seniors, $12. For more information, call 301-980-1411 or 410-474-4436.

The Calvert Gazette

tology, the environment and maritime history, the three themes covered by the museum’s exhibits. The 2011-2012 PEM Talks focus on Lost Landmarks, the ‘bones’ of the past that lie hidden around us. Learn to look with new eyes at the places you pass every day and better understand how the past informs our lives today. On Thursday, Nov. 17, the Lost Landmarks series will feature Greg Bowen talking about “Growing Up on a Tobacco Farm.” The talks begin at 7 p.m. in the museum auditorium and are free to the public. For more information about the 2011-2012 PEM Talks Series, visit the website at www.calvertmarinemuseum.com.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Calvert County Events –

By Joyce Baki November 2011 • It is time to start your holiday shopping!

On Sunday, Nov. 20, visit the Holiday Gift Extravaganza Show at the Dunkirk Fire Department from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sponsored by Windows of Strength, there will be an array of unique items from which to choose a special gift for that hard-to-please person on your holiday list. Windows of Strength is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing assistance with nonmedical costs not covered by insurance and government programs to organ transplant recipients and their caregivers. For more information contact Sandy Walker-Samler at 443-951-5125 or email mywish@windowsofstrength.org.

• On Sunday, Nov. 20, during Calvert Marine Museum’s “Sunday Conversations with Maryland Authors,” meet Raymond McAlwee, author of “Chesapeake Bay Stories.” A lifelong denizen of the Bay, his short stories include a little history, travel, food, and fiction about the diverse people who make the Chesapeake Bay their home. The free presentation begins at 2 p.m. in the museum lounge. www.calvertmarinemusuem.com

• On Friday, Nov. 18, the Calvert Marine Museum will host a free open house for families with special needs from 5 to 7 p.m.

This program is a partnership with the Calvert County Parks and Recreation Therapeutic Recreation Services. For more information call 410-326-2042 ext. 11.

• The National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE), Calvert County Chapter 1466, will meet at 1:00 pm on Thursday Nov 17 at the Calvert County Public Library, Prince Frederick, MD. There will be a special presentation by guest Doug Hill, ABC Chief Meteorologist, followed by a regular business meeting. Also, join us for an early lunch at 11:15, this month at Mama Lucias in PF. Active and Retired Federal employees, spouses, members, non-members and guests are welcome. For NARFE membership Information and Application, Call 410-586-1441.

• Enjoy PEM Talks at the Calvert Marine Museum with thoughtful discourse on paleon-

• On Saturday, Nov. 19, the Calvert Library offers a Genealogy Workshop as part of their Lifelong Learning Series at the Prince Frederick branch from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Kathie Eichfeld has years of experience compiling biographical and genealogical data and will present the genealogy databases available at Calvert Library. Learn about other websites that can help with your search. Along with Kathie, Conni Evans who has done extensive research overseas will answer questions on the strategies to use when searching for far-flung forebears. For more information or to register call 410-535-0291.

• On Saturday, Nov. 19, engineer some holiday fun with the “Sweet Treat Express.”

The Friends of the Chesapeake Beach Railway Museum will help you and your children make Rice Krispie® train engines. The fun happens at the Northeast Community Center, Cheasapeake Beach, from 1 to 3 p.m. www.cbrm.org.

• Come explore the night sky and discover its many wonders with the Astronomy Club of Southern Maryland! Learn how to choose, set up and use telescopes and other amateur astronomy gear. Interested? Meetings are held at Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum. The next meeting will be Saturday, Nov. 19, from 7 to 10 p.m. For more information call 301-602-5251 or email tom_dugan@hotmail.com. (http://somdastro.s5.com/)

ter, Northern High School, Owings. For more information, call 410-535-0892 or visit www. calverthospice.org.

• The Hospice Festival of Trees will be held Friday, Nov. 25 through Sunday, Nov. 27 at Huntingtown High School. The festival features beautifully decorated Christmas trees and the Festival Shoppes with wonderful vendors offering merchandise, art and unique crafts – great for holiday presents. On Saturday, Nov. 26, children can enjoy either breakfast or lunch with Santa which includes food, photo with Santa, crafts and a whole lot of fun (reservations required). School, church and community vocal and instrumental groups will perform throughout the festival. All proceeds benefit Calvert Hospice. For more information, visit www.calverthospice.org.

• Chesapeake Beach lights up the town for the holidays on Sunday, Nov. 27, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. when tens of thousands of holiday lights will twinkle in Chesapeake Beach making it the “Brightest Beacon on the Bay.” Bring your family to the official start of the holiday season where all of the lights are lit magically from the Chesapeake Beach Town Hall by our own “Mother Christmas.” Ride through Town to enjoy the holiday sights which will be displayed until the week after the New Year. www.chesapeake-beach.md.us.

• Vendor / Craft Fair at the Chesapeake Ranch Estates Club House, Saturday, Nov. 19, 9 am to 3 pm at the CRE Clubhouse, 500 Clubhouse Drive, Lusby. Come look for holiday gifts - shop early for the best selection. Bring a friend! Table Rentals $15. Rental fees will go towards Thanksgiving Food Baskets to help families in need. Call 410-326-3182 or email info@poacre.org.

• Chesapeake Community Chorus’ next concert “Holiday Concert and Jingle Bell Workshop” is at Olivet United Methodist Church, 13575 Olivet Road, Lusby, MD, Sunday, Nov. 13, at 5 p.m. The concert will feature contemporary, gospel, classical Christian, and secular music plus Christmas Music of the Season by John Rutter, Phillip Bliss, Andy Beck, Victor Johnson, G. F Handel, and others. A free-will offering will be taken to support the Pastoral Counseling Center of Saint Mary’s County.

The Chorus is a volunteer group of over thirty singers in its 9th season giving concerts for the benefit of charities in Calvert and nearby counties. The chorus has raised over $50,000 for these charities.

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• View one-of-a-kind ornaments at the 4th Annual Ornament Show & Sale at Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center. These beautiful hand-crafted ornaments are created by talented artists from across the region. Beginning Nov. 23, Annmarie Garden makes a great stop for your holiday shopping. Find special gifts in their amazing gift shop. For more information, visit www.annmariegarden.org.

• The Calvert Marine Museum will present the musical performance “Rosie” on Sunday, Nov. 20. “Rosie” will take you back to the days of rationing, the housing shortage, spies, and women going to work outside their homes for the first time in the 1940s. Salute the women of World War II at 2 p.m. in the museum auditorium. This free program is sponsored by Northrop Grumman.

• The 23rd Annual Festival of Trees will host a special kick-off event on Saturday, Nov. 19. “A Lot More Zep” is a rock opera featuring the music of Led Zeppelin and performed by the Sojourner Band. The concert begins at 8 p.m. at the Mary Harrison Cultural Arts Cen-

• Tans Cycles and Parts will once again put together an incredible Lionel model train display. These amazing exhibits draw people from afar; we are lucky to have them right in our backyard!

The Halloween Train Display runs thru Nov. 20, weekdays 3 to 8 p.m. and Saturdays noon to 5 p.m. The Holiday Train Display begins Nov. 25 and runs thru January 14, weekdays 3 to 8 p.m. and Saturdays noon to 5 p.m.; special times on December 24 and 31 (noon to 5 p.m.) and December 27 thru 30 (noon to 8 p.m.). Tans is located at 9032 Chesapeake Avenue, North Beach. For more information, call 410-257-6619.

• Can You Eat, Shop, & Give to Charity All At The Same Time? Yes you can. In Nov., Olde Bay Tavern will host a shopping party each Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. During this time you can come to eat, shop or purchase raffle tickets for amazing drawings. All raffle proceeds will go to End Hunger in Calvert County.

In addition there will be collection boxes for End Hunger in Calvert County where you can donate nonperishable items. The collection boxes will be available throughout the month of Nov.. Sunday shopping details include: - Nov 6 – Thirty One (handbags, purses, accessories). Raffle: Thirty One bag full of OBT goodies – pickles, applesauce, peaches, jam, and an OBT tee shirt.

- Nov 13 – Lia Sophia (jewelry). Raffle: Two homemade peanut butter pies made with love by Colleen.

For more information on events in Calvert County visit www.ecalvert.org.

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Thursday, November 10, 2011

The Calvert Gazette

After Grim Diagnosis, Calvert Parents Turn to Internet

By Ashley Latta Capital News Service Julie Leach knew something was amiss during a routine check-up.

“At my 20-week sonogram the technician took an awful long time trying to get a shot of her jaw,” Leach said.

Later, when she and her husband Matt Leach learned the rare diagnosis of their newborn daughter, a condition that puzzled doctors, they turned in desperation to the Internet.

“Twenty to 30 years ago when we didn't have the Internet our parents probably had to go to the library,” said Jae Eun Chung, an assistant professor at Kent State University who researches health communication in new media. “Now we are just one click away from medical information.”

A study by the Pew Internet and American Life Project found that one in five Americans uses the Internet to find people with similar health concerns. For people with chronic illnesses, it's one in four.

When doctors asked Julie Leach, of Calvert County, to return for another sonogram to get a better measure of her baby's jaw, she scoured the Internet for “small jaw” and prepared for the worst.

“By the time we went in there, I knew pretty much all there was to know, because I needed to,” Leach said. “I need to at least have some idea, to know the terminology, and to be able to carry on an educated conversation.”

But the Internet provides more than basic medical information. For Leach, it offered a forum for sharing her story when it was too difficult to share face-to-face. Social networks, like Leach's blog, help families cope with the difficulties of chronic illness.

“Now we have social networking tools that allow people to connect with each other for emotional and informational support,” said Dr. Gunther Eysenbach, of the Centre for Global eHealth Innovation. “For the patient, it is greatly empowering.”

Leach was admitted to the University of Maryland Medical Center at just 29 weeks. Doctors spent the next five weeks monitoring her and the baby.

On Oct. 22, 2010, shortly after midnight, Abigail “Abby” Leach was born at 4 pounds and 17 inches.

Two hours later, the Leach's went down to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), where a doctor showed them Abby's X-rays.

“The majority of her ribs were in pieces,” Julie Leach said.

Abby has Cerebrocostomandibular Syndrome (CCMS), a rare condition most often resulting in infant death.

“In the beginning, they did not have a lot of hope for her,” said Julie Leach. “They were just on eggshells.”

Doctors gave the Leach's all the information they could.

“The geneticist gave us one piece of paper that she Xeroxed from a medical book from the 70s,” Leach said. “It was basically a death sentence.”

CCMS is characterized by deficiencies in cerebral development, cleft palate, and malformation of the ribs and jaw, according to the National Library of Medicine.

It is unclear how many confirmed cases have been reported worldwide. Most sources say the number is between 50 and 75.

“Once we found out her real diagnosis, we went right to the Internet again,” Julie Leach said.

They found one researcher in Boston, but he couldn't provide much information.

Feeling helpless, Matt and Julie Leach found support in family, friends and prayer. After six weeks, Abby was transferred to Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital, where she spent another six weeks in the NICU, and her parents began training to care for her at home.

Learning that their daughter would need many surgeries to repair her ribs, jaw, cleft palate and spine, Matt and Julie Leach immediately began finding the best spinal surgeon, tho-

racic surgeon and pulmonologist in the area.

Abby, who is intubated and has a gastrostomy tube (gtube) that allows her to get nutrition without requiring a tube in her nose, needs constant care.

“We learned how to do trach care, trach replacement, and to clear and change the g-tube,” Julie Leach said. “We did take performance and written tests before we could even talk about going home.”

Even with painstaking preparation and constant care-giving, Abby's odds were not good. Many infants with CCMS die from respiratory complications during the first few months of life. Many more are lost within the first year.

“Our geneticist who diagnosed it only knew what it was because she saw one case in residency 30 years ago,” Julie Leach said. “We had to go to the Internet. We pored through online medical journals. I just kept researching.”

Now, families touched by CCMS are reaching out to Leach through her blog (http://lifeasaleach.blogspot.com/p/ abigails-journey.html), which she began shortly after Abby's diagnosis.

“One family in Chicago Googled and found me,” she said.

“And another family in New Jersey has a daughter who is 12.

Her issues are a little different than Abby's, but she's been a real encouragement to me.”

At Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital, the nursing staff gives the Leach's information to parents who need a little hope.

“I've been able to tell them, yes there is life after a ventilator and there is life after a trach,” she said. “The more we see, the more we feel like God has given us Abby so we could share her story.”

Leach said she still occasionally searches the Internet for CCMS. “I want to see what comes up,” she said. “I also want to search it to see if anyone else is blogging about CCMS.” Despite the benefit of social networking, doctors and other health professionals remain the primary source for personal health information and diagnoses.

“It's very difficult for parents to get an idea of what the future holds for these kids,” said Dr. Manbir Singh, Abby's pediatrician. “It gets frustrating for a lot of parents when there is not a cut and dry answer.”

This is particularly true with rare diagnoses because patients are inundated with complex, sometimes conflicting information. While the Internet can help parents sort through it all, Singh believes it can lead to worry and doubt.

But despite these concerns, communication scholars see the benefit of expanded access to health information.

“Those patients who are motivated have the tools to educate themselves,” Chung said. “Doctors need to adjust to their patients who are now more empowered and educated.”

Julie Leach said educating herself was the best way to prepare and push through the grim reality of CCMS. “I strongly believe in the power of researching and tell every family that is facing a difficult diagnosis to research everything they can,” said Julie Leach, 29. “You'll find the worstcase scenarios, and it won't be any worse than that.”

But the young couple says they couldn't have made it on research alone, raving about the support they received from the NICU staff, the hospital chaplain, family, friends and especially from God. “I'm convinced that prayer works, more than ever now,” said Matt Leach, 33.

The Leach family recently celebrated Abby's 1st birthday, yet another milestone for this little girl who has far surpassed initial expectations.

“She has so much personality,” Julie Leach said. “When we first got her diagnosis we were told she wouldn't be much more than a vegetable.”

Not so for Abby, who plays, laughs and stands.

“We don't want people to have to walk this road alone,” Julie Leach said. “And it's a very dark and scary road.”

STATE NEWS St. Mary's Students Begin Living on Cruise Ship

CNS Photo The cruise ship Sea Voyager is docked right next to the Maryland Dove, a replica of the boat that brought some of the first settlers to Maryland.

By Tom George Capital News Service At St. Mary's College of Maryland, students have long been able to rent boats and take classes on boats with worldclass sailing instructors. Now, some students get to live on one.

After a mold infestation forced the college to evacuate two of its dorms in October, the college moved students first to off-campus hotels, then changed course and put them in a luxurious cruise ship docked at the waterfront campus.

“I went to La Quinta hotel and then a week later we found out we were going on a boat,” sophomore Nicholas Samuels said.

The university had been paying about $20,000 per day to keep students in local hotels, but the 20-minute drive to the isolated campus was a burden for the relocated students.

So, college administrators used an alumni connection to bring in the Sea Voyager, a 286-foot cruise ship that features a gym, a coffee shop, a dance floor and lounges. The ship pulled in Sunday and more than 200 students began moving in on Tuesday.

Renting the ship cost the college as much as it was paying for hotels -- and the boat included a few extra perks. The boat's staff cleans the rooms and washes the students' clothes.

“It's nice because we get fresh towels and we don't have to do them ourselves,” said sophomore Elizabeth Smith.

Not every student who was moved out of the mold-infested dorms -- Caroline and Prince George halls -- got a spot on the boat.

“I kind of wish I was on it instead of a forced triple,” said freshman Hannah Sturm, who now lives with two other students in a two-person room in another dorm on campus.

Repairs on the moldy dorms will probably be finished before winter break, said Associate Dean of Students Joanne Goldwater. But the boat will stay docked until the end of the semester to give students time to settle in before moving again.

The unique housing arrangement is not without problems.

Right now, a single narrow gangplank provides the only way to get on the ship, though construction workers are building another exit to the dock.

It's also drawn criticism in Historic St. Mary's City, which aims to transplant visitors out of the 21st century. The modern Sea Voyager is docked right next to the Maryland Dove, a replica of the boat that brought some of the first settlers to Maryland.

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MHBR No. 103