P

IN
E
Y POINT LIGHTH
O
U
S
E
Thursday, November 29, 2007 St. Marys County, Maryland
PRSTD STD
US Postage Paid
Permit No. 145
Waldorf, MD
Established 2006 Volume 2 Issue 48
Weekly Specials Inside!
St. Marys Largest And Only Locally Owned Newspaper
16,524 Readers
Thursday
Partly Cloudy
57
Saturday
Partly Cloudy
46
Friday
Partly Cloudy
46
Op.-Ed .......... Page A - 4
Obituaries..... Page A - 9
Community... Page B - 4
Police ............ Page B - 7
Classifeds..... PageB-9
For Continual News
Updates
Visit:
somd.com
Inside
Thank You!
Black Friday Brisk For
Customers, Retailers
By Guy Leonard
Staff Writer
About 650 students evacu-
ated Hollywood Elementary
School Monday morning after
a custodial worker caught sight
of a fre in the boiler room that
required an immediate shut
down of the fuel system.
Firefghters from Holly-
wood Volunteer Fire Depart-
ment responded shortly after
10 a.m. to inspect the school,
but found that the fre had al-
ready been contained by a
school staffers quick action.
Principal Jennifer Gilman
praised the schools head cus-
todian William Bunny But-
ler for shutting down the fuel
Ready For
Holiday Sales
Local Businesses
like Cecils Mill and
Cacils Country Store are
ready for holiday busi-
ness. For many, holiday
sales can make or break
the year!
Cigs Tax Yes,
Loosies Tax No
During the special session of the Maryland Legisla-
ture that ended last week in Annapolis, state law makers
approved a $1 per pack tax increase on cigarettes but
abondoned a proposal to tax low-priced cigars
known as loosies.
Tax Yes
Tax No
Education
Funding Cut
Despite approving the largest tax increase in
Maryland history, state lawmakers decided they would
no longer fully fund education as prescribed by the
Thornton Legislation adopted in 2002. St. Marys
County will lose $4,185,400 in state funds next year.
Deer hunting season with fre-
arms continues through December
8th. The Department of Natural
Resources reccomends that peo-
ple going into the forest this busy
hunting season wear bright orange
clothing. With bright fall leaves still hanging onto the
trees, it is harder to see and hunt the game.
Fair Deer
Harvest Expected
You dont want to dress in
brown and white and go running
through the woods.
-Brian Eyler
Md. Department of Natural
Resources
Fire Leads to
Evacuation of
Hollywood School
See Evacuation page A-
See Story on page A-3
Housing
Project Stalls
By Guy Leonard
Staff Writer
The St. Marys County Planning Commission left off
making a decision about recommending approval of the large
planned unit development project (PUD) St. Marys Crossing,
designed to provide both mid-ranged priced homes and work
force housing.
The project, located on St. Andrews Church Road, has
See St. Marys Crossing page A-5
By Guy Leonard
Staff Writer
Vice narcotics detectives, tactical team
members and K- handlers had their hands
full over the Thanksgiving weekend con-
ducting raids and arresting nu-
merous suspects in a holiday
narcotics enforcement initiative.
Law enforcement offcers arrested 14
people over the three day operation and
Holiday Weekend Raids
Net Drugs And Cash
See Narcotics Raids page
A-6
Photo By Guy Leonard
Customers line up quickly at GameStop in the First Colony shopping center on November 23 for highly prized games and game systems.
Its bouncing to the left and to
the right. Its frustrating. -Steve Reeves
Chairman, Planning Comission
Photo Courtesy of BCI

Jeb Jay McWade

Great Mills Basketball Preview
SMAC Champs Last Season

We have the
players who know
what it takes to
win a title
-Frank Peck
GMHS Coach

Knights Of Columbus
Celebrate Anniversary
See B-4
SectionA-
The
County Times Thursday,November9,007
EmilyFinch
November007
The holiday season is fnally among us and
there is no better time to celebrate the land and
family ties we give thanks for today than to ex-
plore them. So after the Macys Thanksgiving
Day Parade and that third slice of pumpkin pie,
go ahead and take your family and friends on a
tour around St. Marys County.
While traveling the Barnwood and Beach
Glass Trail from the Southern Maryland Trails
guidebook, we have already seen two farms,
nine art galleries, two parks, fve places to eat,
one place to stay and seven other special at-
tractions around the county. Only halfway
through the loop, though, there is much more
to see.
This portion of the trail will start on Route
5 in Park Hall, just before Willows Road. Al-
lens Articles is home to two special attractions:
tours of the farm and garden on the weekends
and an art gallery during the week. Tours of
this working homestead include the spinning
room, large organic garden and a plethora of
farm animals. Christina Allen, owner, can
show you how she creates garments from
sheeps wool and organically-grown cotton.
During the week, however, Allens Articles is
the Corn Crib Studio, an art gallery that was
once an 1880s cedar corn crib. Visitors can
purchase one-of-a-kind watercolors or simply
view Allens art in progress.
Down the road a little, past St. Marys
College campus, youll reach Marylands frst
capital, the site of the fourth permanent Brit-
ish settlement and our second stop for the day.
Historic St. Marys City recreates the life of
17th century settlers on this 800-acre museum.
Here you can board one of the frst ships to
America, tour settlers homes and learn about
their aged way of living.
More history is at the Brome-Howard Inn
in St. Marys City. This 19th century home-
turned-inn, with its original carriage house,
smoke house, dairy house and slave quarters
is surrounded by St. Marys River. Innkeepers
Lisa and Michael Kelley will also serve you
up an upscale meal using fresh farm products
from the 30 acres of farmland while you enjoy
the view of the river.
Our next stop is Jeanne Norton Hammets
Serigraph Gallery in St. Indigoes. Her beau-
tiful paintings will awe and inspire you not
only because of her use of color and lighting to
show mood, but because of how they are creat-
ed. Hammet is a printmaker who uses stretch
silk screens and hand-made stencils. Her work
is displayed in the newly remodeled studio de-
signed unique to the area.
Farther down Route 5, into Ridge, is
Woodlawn, one of Lord Calverts retreats.
The 200-year old restored manor house, now
a Bed and Breakfast, has amazing historical
details and hidden secrets. During your stay
in one of Woodlawns suites be sure to stroll
the English-style gardens and search for hid-
den talismans.
An older manor house in Ridge was also
transformed into a Bed and Breakfast. Bards
Field Bed and Breakfast is an 18th century
manor house never owned by government off-
cials or British royalty, but still boasts incredi-
ble history, which Audrey and James Pratt will
be happy to tell you all about. The gardens here
are all kept by Audrey, who serves up a home-
cooked breakfast before James shows visitors
around the downstairs summer kitchen, fled
with antiques and vintage tools.
Out next stop in Ridge is for the more ac-
tive visitor. Circle C Oyster Ranchers Asso-
ciation on the docks of St. Jeromes Bay lets
visitors pick their own oysters to take home
with them. Unless the crik is frozen or the
weather is rough, this aquaculture farm oper-
ates year round to help preserve the declining
oyster population in the Chesapeake Bay area.
Serving up local food for over 75 years is
Raleys Town and Country Market in Ridge.
At this family-owned deli and grocery enjoy a
hearty breakfast biscuit, stock up on wine and
produce or get some local eats like homemade
sausage or stuffed ham to give those out-of-
town relatives something to talk about.
Some of the best wine on Southern Mary-
land comes from St. Michaels Manor Bed and
Breakfast, though. This 1805 manor house sits
on a 10-acre estate, three of which are full of
grapes. The vineyards contain 12 different va-
rieties of grapes that make up owners Joe and
Nancy Dicks award-winning wine.
No trip down Route 5 is complete without
stopping at the point or the peninsula. Point
Lookout State Park, complete with a museum
to show off its rich history, is bordered by
both The Chesapeake Bay and Potomac Riv-
er. Here visitors can fsh, boat, camp, or just
lounge around. Smith Island Cruises are also
available on site.
Whether youre looking for a good fsh tale
or someone to listen to yours, the place to go
is Kellams Seafood off Route 235 in northern
Ridge. Owner Paul Kellam will serve you his
fresh catch of the day or some other local sea-
food and entertain you as well. Kellam offers a
variety of fresh, locally-caught seafood includ-
ing hard and soft-shell crabs, oysters, shrimp,
rockfsh and perch.
T & A Pumpkin Patch in Dameron is open
during the month of October for all visitors to
pick their own pumpkin, pet the farm animals,
walk through the corn feld, and chat with the
Trossbach family.
Enjoy your pumpkin pie at the waters
edge at Elms Beach Park off Back Door Road
in Lexington Park. The park provides picnic
tables for visitors to enjoy the marshland on
one side and the Chesapeake Bay on the oth-
er. There are also hiking trails and places to
fsh. Elms Beach is open through the month
of November.
Sivaks Produce Stand is open until Christ-
mas, though, for all of your needed seasonal
produce and fowers. This family-run pro-
duce stand is located at the corner of Jacksons
Run Road and Route 235 and is open during
weekdays. Be sure to stop by and get all your
Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner needs.
Next week we will fnish the Barnwood
and Beach Glass trail in the Southern Mary-
land Trails guidebook with the last thirteen at-
tractions, as if the frst forty werent enough
to entertain everyone! Remember throughout
your journey to wear comfortable shoes and
bring plenty of flm for your camera, money
for gifts and family and friends to enjoy the
journey with you.
For more information on the Barnwood
and Beach Glass trail, to see the whole trail, or
experience other trails in the Southern Mary-
land region, visit www.somdtrails.com or pick
up your own copy of the Southern Maryland
Trails guidebook at most parks or government
buildings in the region.
The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) invites interested persons
to attend an Informational Public Meeting regarding the MD 5 (Leonardtown)
Project Planning Study. The project involves a study of transportation
improvements along MD 5 (Point Lookout Road) from MD 243 (Newtowne
Neck Road) to MD 245 (Hollywood Road) in St. Marys County.
WHAT: The Informational Meeting will acquaint the public with the need for
the project and the progress of the study to date. Display areas will be
set up explaining the Purpose and Need for the project, environmental
resources in the project area, and related projects. SHA welcomes
your thoughts about potential improvements to MD 5. Project
representatives will be available to discuss project issues, answer
questions, and record your comments. No formal presentation will be
given. You may arrive at any time between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
and walk through at your own pace.
WHEN: Tuesday, December 11, 2007 5:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m.
Snow Date: Tuesday, December 18, 2007 (same time & location)
WHERE: Leonardtown Middle School Cafeteria
24015 Point Lookout Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650
CONTACT: Mr. Russell Walto, Project Manager
RWalto@sha.state.md.us
410-545-8547 or toll-free 1-800-548-5026
Maryland Relay Service for Impaired Hearing or Speech can be
reached at 1-800-735-2258.
Persons needing special assistance to participate should contact
the Project Manager by December 4, 2007.
Please mark your calendars and plan to attend!
November 25, 2007 Neil J. Pedersen
A-0499 State Highway Administrator
MD 5 (Leonardtown)
Project Planning Study
Informational Public Meeting
We now have 2 locat ions!
Come visit our new gallery at
22760 Washingt on St .
in Leonardt own
Starting December 1st Open Wed Sun, 10 6 pm
Lots of Stuff Happening this Month!
Dec. 1
st
The Christ mas Show at The Art Space at t he Maryland Ant iques
Center (MAC) reception 12 4 pm.
Dec. 7
th
Celebrate First Fridays at both locations 5 8 pm
Dec. 8
th
-- The Jewelry Art of Tricia Darrow. Free demos and mini jewelry
making classes Reception 12 4 at the ArtSpace at MAC
Dec. 15
th
-Downtown Christmas Party at the New Herons Way Gallery
Washington Street Location. Reception 1 5 pm.
ArtSpace at MAC is located within the MD Antiques Center
26005 Point Lookout Rd., Leonardtown, MD 20650
(301) 475-0088 www.Heronswaygallery.com
Receptions at MAC Catered by Chef John Urquidez of the Tea Room
Herons Way Gallery is expanding!
ByGuyLeonard
StaffWriter
For about a month students attending the
College of Southern Maryland have been able
to sign up and receive instant text messages
from the college administration about emer-
gencies, school closings and campus events.
So far, it has been a tough sell according to
one campus dean.
I think people like it, said Federico Tal-
ley, dean of the Leonardtown campus. But as
for the number of people whove signed up for
it, its less than wed like to see.
CSM leadership invested in the text mes-
saging system in response to local and national
security threats that have occurred on college
campuses, Talley said.
Priscilla Stevens, director of public safety
for CSM, said that only about 800 students
have signed on for the service out of the 4,000
or so they expected to participate.
Its not bad, it just takes time to get the
word out, Stevens said.
The tragedy earlier this year at Virginia
Tech in Blacksburg, Va. where a lone, mental-
ly distraught student shot and killed 33 class-
mates and staff, was a key motivator, Talley
said, as was a bomb scare that same day at the
Leonardtown campus that resulted in frayed
nerves.
All those events aligned at the same
time, Talley said. It was all those things that
got us to fnd this great system.
In the aftermath of the bomb scare on the
Leonardtown campus back in April, students
criticized the college administration for choos-
ing not to inform the students of the threat for
days after the fact.
At the time administrators said they did
not believe the bomb threat to be credible, but
students lashed out against them, claiming they
should have been the ones to decide whether
there was a threat to their personal safety.
The lack of information could have put
their lives in danger, some faculty and students
said back in April.
Talley said the new text messaging system
would address those concerns of students.
Going to this system will be effcient,
Talley said. We thought this was perfect and
this addresses student concerns about infor-
mation fow.
Michel Tristani, a student at the Prince
Frederick campus who attended the Leonard-
town site at the time of the bomb scare, said
the text messaging system could be a step in
the right direction.
She said she plans to sign up for the volun-
tary service.
I dont fell threatened now, Tristani said.
But my problem was that nobody was in-
formed about the bomb threat.
[The text messaging system] would at
least let people know whats going on.
The program, called CSM.TXT is avail-
able free to college students by going on-line
to www.csmd.edu.txt or to CSM.TXT registra-
tion stations at one of the colleges three main
campuses.
Students could still be billed for the text
messages however, depending on their service
provider.
Getting the service was quick and easy,
Talley said.
My phones are now on that system, Tal-
ley told The County Times. It takes about fve
minutes or less to sign up for it.
The text messages can be received on
mobile phones, BlackBerries, wireless PDAs,
pagers and over E-mail, according to informa-
tion from CSM.
CSM.TXT is just one of the steps the col-
lege is undertaking to improve security on our
campuses, Stevens said. CSM.TXT will al-
low the college to provide information directly,
so our students and the community will be able
to receive accurate and timely information.
CSMPromoting
Emergency
MessageSystem
SouthernMarylandTrails,Part3
Historic St. Marys City recreates the life of the frst set-
tlers in Maryland. The fourth permanent British settle-
ment, St. Marys City was Marylands frst capital. It
was home to many farmers and fsherman who made
their living from the earth. Now, visitors can tour the
grounds and learn from costumed tour guides just how
17th century settlers lived. For more information on
Historic St. Marys City or for coming events, visit www.
stmaryscity.org or call 1-800-762-1634.
Using state of the art surface culture techniques specially designed for the Chesapeake Bay, Circle C Oyster
Ranchers Association helps to preserve the ever-declining population of oysters in the Chesapeake Bay. With a
little over 3 acres, Circle C is able to produce 1000 oysters in just 30 square feet. Harvest your own oysters at
Circle C off Airelele Road in Ridge, check out their website at www.oysterranching.com for oyster recipes or give
them a call at 301-872-5126 for more information.
Photo Courtesy of www.oysterracnching.com
Thursday, November 29, 2007
The
County Times Section A -
By Guy Leonard
Staff Writer
Neither darkness nor cold
stopped hordes of shoppers
from camping out to get their
hands on Christmas gifts on
the biggest shopping day of
the year, Nov. 23, commonly
known as Black Friday.
At the First Colony shop-
ping center in California,
shoppers had camped out
all night outside GameStop
just to get a crack at buying
the Wii gaming system from
Nintendo.
They bundled themselves
up in sleeping bags or sat in
chairs covered up with blan-
kets to stay warm.
For hardcore gamers the
chill and the wait were worth
the elusive prize, of which lo-
cal retailers have not been able
to get a steady supply.
I just got my sleeping
bag and blankets and my chair
and just sat here, said Kelsey
Gieseler of Lexington Park.
I got people to get me hot
chocolate.
Gieseler said she might
have gotten about 20 or 30
minutes of sleep waiting to
get her Wii, and she still had
to go to work at Michaels
craft store right after.
Kelley Mai, also of Lex-
ington Park, had gotten her
ticket guaranteeing her a Wii
at Game Stop after she had
been to K-Mart the day before
and had no luck.
I went to K-Mart at 3
a.m. Thanksgiving morning
and I was 12th in line, Mai
said, determined to get her
gaming system. If youre not
there [at the right time] you
dont get it.
It was that kind of deter-
mination retailers had hoped
would bring customers out.
We had our frst 200 cus-
tomers in about fve minutes
at 5 a.m. this morning, said
Ryan Shepherd, customer as-
sistance supervisor at the Best
Buy store in California. We
had about 600 people in about
15 minutes.
Its been busy.
Kyle Williams, store
manager at Best Buy, called
the sales of merchandise,
mostly electronics that morn-
ing awesome.
He said computers and
electronic notebooks and
desktops were particularly
popular.
Shoppers inside the store
were bustling and quickly
grabbing items they had
staked out for stowing under
their Christmas tree.
Parking lots were
crammed full of cars not only
at First Colony but also at the
Wal-Mart Super Center as
well as K-Mart where shop-
pers were looking for the best
deals.
Bob Schaller, director of
the countys Department of
Economic and Community
Development, said all reports
he had heard pointed to a suc-
cessful Black Friday for local
retailers.
We see that [shopping]
activity staying here instead of
driving to Waldorf, Schaller
said of the increased retail
store now available to local
shoppers. There was lots of
hustle and bustle.
Schaller said reports of
the national trends for Black
Friday pointed to more indi-
vidual sales but less actual
money being spent.
Some retailers were con-
cerned that this years Black
Friday might not be as suc-
cessful as in past years be-
cause of increased costs for
fuel and other necessities cou-
ple with uncertainty about the
economy.
But Schaller was optimis-
tic about the economic ben-
efts this years Black Friday
had for retailers here.
I think locally we
probably did better in both
categories, Schaller said.
At the Wildewood Shop-
ping Center just north of First
Colony, shoppers continued
through the late morning nab-
bing Christmas goodies.
Sales have been great,
said Vickie ONeil, manager
of the hair salon at JC Pennys
department store. There was
a line outside the front en-
trance going all the way back
around to the salon entrance
at 4 a.m.
Its been rockin and rol-
lin ever since.
But not everyone was hav-
ing fun Nov. 23. David Wood
of Hollywood was sitting
down resting his bones inside
JC Pennys holding a bundle
of clothes his wife had picked
out earlier that morning.
Id rather be fshing,
even if its ice fshing, Wood
said with a little laugh. I told
her Im a Cyber Monday kind
of guy.
6 Poinsettia
Plants
2 for
$
8
Black Friday Was Brisk For Customers, Retailers
Kelley Mai of Lexington Park waits outside GameStop in California
with her ticket to get a Wii game system from Nintendo.
Kelsey Gieseler of Lexington Park packs up her sleeping gear
outside GameStop to nab a scare Wii game system after waiting
outside all night.
Photo By Guy Leonard
Photo By Guy Leonard
SectionA-
The
County Times Thursday,November29,2007
Asthebumperstickersays,WelcometoOMalleyland!Whatsinyourpocket?!Now,
weknowmoths!So,thebigquestionofthispoliticalseasonis,WhereisDavid?Some3000
yearsagotherewasayounggentwhosaid,Enough!Hewasjustayoungfellathattended
sheep,foughtandkilledanimalintruderswithasimpleweaponaslingshot.He,likethecur-
rentpoliticalnumbersinMaryland,evencloserthanthat,St.MarysCounty,livedinacommu-
nitythatwasfairlyequallydividedIsraeliteversusPhilistineandinourcounty,Democrat
versusRepublican.Andhiscountrymen,likethefolksinSt.MarysCounty,tendedtogoalong
togetalong.WehaveseentheresultsofthatlethargyanothersetofTax-and-SpendDemo-
cratSocialist-likepairofadministrationsParisGlendenningandnowMartinOMalley.The
Washington Posts front page photo of the Governors fst-shaking success, success, that is, in
pickingthepocketofeveryMarylandcitizen!Howwonderfulforthepoorerandricheralike!
Thieveryplaysnofavorites.WhereisDavid?Whereisthelad(orlass)whohastheplumbingto
standupandsay,Enough!Wearerepresentedbyapairofperenniallyelectedlapdogstothe
Glendennings-OMalleys.BothSenatorRoyDysonandDelegate(Stenyjunior)JohnBohannan,
junior,havefedattheliberalteatthroughout,andtheirconstituentshavesufferedtheirmeals.
TheonlyDavidrepresentingsouthernMarylandisDelegateTonyODonnell.But,whereis
the David from Leonardtown, or Lexington Park, or St. Marys City, or Chaptico, to fght and
bring some sense to electing a true resource conservation representative to offce? We are well
pasttimetogatherthetalent,cooperation(ofcompetingRepublicangroups),independentthink-
erswhoarebeingtappedagainbyDemocratmasters,andre-establishthedrivethathelpedput
the only people-oriented administration of Governor Bob Erlich into offce. Where IS David?
LarryLutz
LexingtonPark,Md
Editorial&Opinion
LetterstotheEditor
Ifyouwishtosendalettertotheeditor,pleaseincludeyourname,addressand
phone number for confrmation purposes. We will only publish your name and city of
residence.Wecanwithholdyournamebyrequestifcircumstancesmeritit.Wemust
receivealllettersbyMondaymorningforpublicationinthenextissue.Anyletterre-
ceivedlaterthanMondaywillbeheldforthefollowingissue.
P.O.Box250Hollywood,Maryland20636
News, advertising, circulation, classifeds: 301-373-4125
JamesManningMcKay-Publisher
Tobie Pulliam - Offce Manager...........................tobiepulliam@countytimes.net
AdamRoss-GovernmentCorrespondent..............adamross@countytimes.net
ChrisStevens-SportsCorrespondent.............. ........chrisstevens@countytimes.net
GuyLeonard-CommunityCorrespondent................guyleonard@countytimes.net
EileenMcDonald-AdvertisingRep...............eileenmcdonald@countytimes.net
GeorgeSchaffer-AdvertisingRep..................georgeschaffer@countytimes.net
Doyouhavesomethingtosay?
Wouldlikeyourvoicetobeheard?
Send us a letter telling us whats on your mind!
Send to:
The County Times
P.O.Box250Hollywood,MD20636
Makesureyouincludeyourname,phone#andthecityyoulivein.
Wewillnotpublishyourphone#,onlyyournameandcity
E-mail letters to: opinion@countytimes.net
ThereYouHaveItFolks!
To The Editor:
ThankYou
Ryan Purvis, Alyson
Purvis, Dionnte Swinson,
Jonathan Chapman, Tavonne
Alston, Donte Segar and
Christian Cruz; a tragic list
of young Maryland driv-
ers whose lives came to an
untimely end all within the
frst two weeks of Novem-
ber. Speeding, not wearing
seat belts, lack of experience
and distracted drivers are all
causes of an escalating prob-
lemalloverthestate.
In 2005, following a
monthofcrasheswhichended
in the loss of 15 young lives,
Maryland legislators enacted
new legislation to help pre-
ventsuchlosses.Thelegisla-
tionexpandedthegraduated
drivers license. Teen driv-
ers could not carry passen-
gers who were under the age
of 15, unless they were fam-
ily members, during the frst
fve months of getting their li-
cense. A midnight to fve a.m.
curfewwasmaintainedanda
banfromusingtheircellphone
while driving in their frst two
yearsofhavingalicensewas
instituted.Ofcoursemanda-
tory seatbelt laws have been
ineffectformanyyears.But
two years later the carnage
continues.TheNovember6th
tragedyinLaPlatathatkilled
four of the teenagers was at-
tributed to inexperience and
speed. But the 2005 legisla-
tionprohibitedthe16yearold
driver to have the underage
passengers in the vehicle pe-
riod. Less than a week later
a Montgomery County crash
involving Cruz and three 15
year old friends could have
beenpreventedifthelawwas
abidedby.Whatdoesittake
to stop this senseless loss of
younglives?
Certainlythisisnotanew
phenomenon,manyofuslost
friends or loved ones during
our high school years. But
todays fast paced, activity
packed, distraction flled life-
styles combined with more
traffc on the roadways are a
recipe for disaster. Statistics
show that 43% of teens will
beinvolvedinacrashwithin
the frst year of driving. As
parentswecannotbewithour
children twenty four hours a
day, seven days a week once
they become young adults.
However there is a sense of
responsibility we must instill
inthembeforetheyaregiven
certainprivilegesthatcanen-
dangertheirownlivesaswell
asotherstheywillbesharing
theroadwith.
This awareness should
beginmuchearlierthanwhen
theyreceivetheirlearnersper-
mit.Goodhabitsformearly;
youcanhelpyourteenageren-
joyalifetimeofsafedrivingby
takinganactiveroleinhisor
her drivers education. Good
or bad, parents are always a
role model for their children.
Watchyourowndrivinghab-
its,especiallywhenyourchild
isinthecar.Asyourchildis
nearingdrivingagepointout
risky situations while in the
car and explain to your child
therepercussionsofbaddeci-
sions behind the wheel. Be
patient with your child but
make sure they understand
that there are serious conse-
quences for not obeying the
rules.Makesureyourchild
ispreparedforsituationsthat
require greater skill before
they are put in the situation.
We all make mistakes, some
can be corrected, but many
behind the wheel cannot. If
yourteenisnotreadytotake
on the responsibility behind
the wheel, it is your duty to
take more time and phase
driving privileges in more
slowly than required by the
law.Thereisnorulethatsays
as soon as a teen is 15 years
and9monthsoldtheyhaveto
getalearnerspermitorthatin
6 months from that date it is
mandatory to get their provi-
sionaldriverslicense.Know
whenyourchildisreadyand
dont let anything pressure
thatdecision.Yourchildslife
dependsonit.
Most importantly, know
the law and enforce it with
your child. If your child is
nearing driving age learn the
restrictions and make sure
your child knows them too.
To learn the details of cur-
rent teen driving laws you
can visit the Maryland Mo-
tor Vehicle Administration
offce nearest you or go on-
line at www.marylandmva.
com/driverserv/rookiedriver.
There is already discus-
sion among lawmakers about
expanding the teen driving
lawsandincreasingtheagefor
becoming licensed to drive.
Parents know their children
better than the legislators in
Annapolis do. Prepare your
child before they get behind
the wheel, know their limi-
tations, understand the law
andenforceit.Theseareour
children and we have to take
responsibility now before an-
otheryounglifeislost.
Parents,NotLegislatorsCanSaveTeenDrivers
Despitedaysonongoingrain,the2ndAnnualFallFestivalandATasteofSt.Marys,spon-
sored by the Greenwell Foundation and the St. Marys Chamber of Commerce, took place at
GreenwellStateParkonOctober27.Manypeoplecametotheeventandenjoyedthenumerous
activitiesandtastyfood.Wearethankfulfortheirattendance.Wewouldalsoliketothankthe
crafters,artists,commercialvendors,restaurants,andcatererswhoparticipatedinlessthanideal
conditions.ThiseventisoneofGreenwellsbiggestfundraisingeventsoftheyearandallof
theproceedsdirectlysupporttheinclusiveandaccessibleprogramsofferedatGreenwellState
Park.
Suchaneventisonlypossiblewiththegracioussupportofmanypeopleandbusinessesin
ourcommunity.Wewouldliketorecognizeandthankourmajorsponsors:CherryCove,W.M.
Davis,Inc.,PNCBank,ServProofSt.Marys&CalvertCounty,SMECO,andTidewaterDen-
tal.Additionally,wewouldliketothankourin-kinddonors:SouthwestAirlines,HeritagePrint-
ing&Mailing,HilltopGraphics,GrandRentalStation,J&JPortables,WyleLabs,Guenthers
WineShop,CharlesSt.Bakery,St.MarysCollegeofMaryland,Snellmans,andTheVintage
Source.Thefollowingpeopleandbusinessessponsoredthemanyactivitiesheldattheevent:
CSCRange&EngineeringServices,KeithFairfax,LibertyHomes,Tri-CountyAbstract,Inc.,
GaryBlakely,DeanLumber&Supply,GreenwellFoundationBoardofTrustees,ImagineOne,
Law Offces of Slade and Slade, LLC, OBrien Realty of Waldorf, Talmidge and Elizabeth Petty,
ShahAssociates,Askey,Askey&Associates,CPA,LLC,Dr.andMrs.WilliamBoydII,MD,
CarrollsEquipment,CMIInc.,CountyFirstBank,TomDaugherty,DysonLumber,Michael
Meade,Dr.GarnerMorgan,DDS,PersonalizedTherapiesInc.,RobertI.RandallConsulting,
TaylorGas,PatrickDugan&Associates,andMehaffey&Associates,P.C.
Again,weextendasincerethankyoutotheparticipantsandattendees-thankyouforcom-
ingoutonsuchasoggyday!Finally,wedliketothankthestaffandvolunteersatboththeGreen-
wellFoundationandtheSt.MarysChamberofCommercefortheirhardworkanddedication.
ThemoneyraisedfromtheFallFestivalandATasteofSt.MaryswillhelpGreenwellcontinue
toofferitsmanyaccessibleandinclusiveprograms,includinghorsebackriding,summercamp,
andkayaking,andallowustoopenmorepathstomorepossibilitiesforall.
Thankyou,
KendallSorenson-Clark,ExecutiveDirectorGreenwellFoundation
Bill Scarafa, President St. Marys Chamber of Commerce
LynnFitrellChairwoman,GreenwellFoundationFallFestivalCommittee
Member,GreenwellFoundationBoardofTrustees
We are at your service with:
- Aprofessionalsalesteam
- Creativeaddesignservices
- Competitiverates
- Acommunityserviceorient-
edpublication
Call us today
to start making
your advertising campaign
a success.
(301) 373-4125
The County Times
Thursday, November 29, 2007
The
County Times Section A -
Terri Bartz Bowles
Did you have a wonder-
ful Thanksgiving weekend?
I sure hope so. I hope you ate
too much, visited with your
family, and just generally en-
joyed yourself. I had a great
weekend. We had Thanksgiv-
ing twice, which is something
to be thankful for in itself. I
love turkey and all the trim-
mings. Thursday and Friday
were both Thanksgiving for
us and although I was tired of
cooking, I didnt get tired of
eating turkey. I love turkey;
its almost worth cooking a
turkey to have leftovers for
sandwiches. But that wasnt
the only thing that made the
weekend wonderful. Friday
night we went to Christmas on
the Square in Leonardtown.
It was cold but not so cold you
wished you werent outside. It
was a clear night with a full
moon that was just beautiful.
We immediately fell in line
for a carriage ride. First off,
we went with the Clydesdales,
magnifcent beasts that they
are. Then we got in line right
away again because I wanted
to ride with my cousin who
was there with his carriage. I
rode up front with him (hey,
were family!) and he offered
to let me drive but I declined
since I dont know a thing
about horses. Can you see
the headline? Country Girl
Mows Down Spectators at
Community Event. Maybe
not. So I worked the brake
which takes some of the load
off the horse, interestingly
enough. After that, we went to
the Hospice Festival of Trees.
There were some great trees
there including one flled with
pink famingos! I thought it
was absolutely the coolest tree
there since pink famingos are
a personal favorite of mine.
Yes, I have yard famingos
but theyre hibernating in the
garage for the winter. Thats
okay, though, because I have
a house famingo, too. Any-
way, its neat to see the cre-
ative ways different groups,
organizations and citizens
decorate theses trees as a
fundraiser for hospice. After
that, we watched the fre truck
parade and Santas arrival and
the lighting of the tree. Then
we ran back to the fre truck
line to get our ride. Ah, my
day was complete! Saturday,
we went to a local Christmas
tree farm and tagged our tree.
It was a beautiful, sunny, cold
day a perfect tree hunting
day. We traipsed through a
bunch o trees and narrowed
it down to two. One was a
lush, dark green beauty but
the other one was a spruce
with a bunch of baby cones on
the top branches. The cones
won out and we tagged our
treasure before returning for
some hot chocolate and to buy
a balsam spray for the front
door. Then we did a little bit
of Christmas shopping since
we were out and about any-
way. We headed home and had
leftovers for lunch. My hus-
band cut up some wood for an
evening fre while I put away
the crystal, etc. from Thanks-
giving Dinner Number Two.
We enjoyed a nice fre in the
freplace and refected on our
fun day. I dont normally do
my Christmas decorating
on Thanksgiving weekend;
it seems a little early to me.
But the luxury of four days
off convinced me that now is
the time. So, we (and when I
say we, I mean my husband,
of course) hauled boxes out
of the attic and set to a little
decorating. We wont cut our
live tree until the week before
Christmas but we decided to
go ahead and decorate inside
the house. Well also hold off
for about a week before we put
up our piece de resistance, the
vintage silver tinsel tree that
we decorate only with vintage
balls. We fxed the mantle and
put the candoliers in the front
window and hung the stock-
ings with care. It was great
fun pulling out all our vintage
Christmas decorations. Our
living room is mid-century
modern and we use only vin-
tage Christmas items there. It
is so cool! I made turkey soup
and we listened to Christmas
music while we decorated.
Oh, it was a great weekend.
And I realize how very much
I have more to be thankful for
- thats a good way to end the
weekend.
You can email the Coun-
try Girl at countrygirlram-
blings@gmail.com

By Guy Leonard
Staff Writer
The St. Marys County Planning Commis-
sion unanimously recommended the approval
of rezoning two lots on a parcel of land located
in one of the countys critical areas Monday
night taking up a few more acres of the coun-
tys fnite growth allocation from the state.
The request was made by members of the
Hodges family so that two members could
eventually be allowed to build homes on the
family farm parcel that they have owned since
the 1940s, on Burch Rd in Avenue.
The will of a family member gave those
two lots to the family members, according to
staff testimony at the planning commission
hearing, before the state enacted its critical
area laws that reined in development along the
Chesapeake Bay (back in 1985).
Sue Veith, county environmental planner,
said that the request made in the will was one
reason the staff gave a favorable recommenda-
tion to the proposal.
The applicants still have to get approval
from the Board of County Commissioners
and the Critical Areas Commission, frst Veith
said.
A public beneft also usually has to accom-
pany a growth allocation request in the criti-
cal area, Veith said, and in this case it was that
a large group of herons nearby would not be
disturbed.
The beneft we see is the easement to
protect the heron rookery, Veith said. Its a
pretty important issue for the Department of
Natural Resources.
A 300-foot buffer zone will also be enact-
ed as part of the growth allocation of the two
lots, which together equal only 6.24 acres of
the 36.8 acres of the overall farm parcel, on a
creek near St. Clements Bay.
In that buffer zone sewage disposal will
be allowed because no other places on the site
could provide enough water, according to tes-
timony that night.
Margaret Hodges Bailey, one of the two
children who had the land willed to her by her
father Edwin Hodges, said that keeping the
land available for family use was close to her
heart.
He said whenever you all can build there
please do it, Bailey testifed before the com-
mission. Its all family back there and thats
all we want.
The approval of the growth allocation, if
it goes through successfully with the county
commissioners and critical areas commission,
would only use up a fraction of the acres al-
located under the state law.
We have about 1,500 acres left in the criti-
cal areas [for growth], Veith said. We havent
even used 10 percent of what we were allotted
by the state.
Ramblings of a Country Girl
What
A Great
Weekend
Ricks Jewelers Presents Our
15
th
Annual Mens Night
Decmeber 7
th
5-8 pm
Please join us for this unique event- its the perfect
chance to fnd that one ideal gift for her!
Call us today....
301-737-4241
Diamonds, Gemstones, Grandfather Clocks, Watches, Earrings,
Chains, Gemstone Globes, Evening Purses, Jewelery Boxes & Armoires..
We do custom work including repairs and engraving.
Extended Holiday Hours: Monday-Friday 9-8; Saturday 9-5; Sunday 11-4
Free gift wrapping
with every purchase.
Free pizza
and adult beverages.
Home of the original St. Marys County Hook Bracelet
been in the development
pipeline for several years and
started out as a development
for homes that were much
more expensive but plans
were changed to provide less
expensive homes to adapt to
the changing housing market.
Since the development
project does not come under
the standard county zoning
ordinance the county and the
developer have to come to an
agreement on exactly how the
nearly 250-acre site will be
developed.
Chairman Steve Reeves
lamented the fact that the
planning commission could
not come to a decision whether
to recommend approval of the
project; the commission also
did not discuss the develop-
ers rights and responsibilities
agreement that Reeves called
the heart of the issue.
That development agree-
ment regulates impact fees for
traffc mitigation and school
capacity (among other issues).
Planning commission
members listened to details
about the project from archi-
tects and attorneys for the de-
veloper until about 10:30 p.m.
Nov. 26 at their regular meet-
ing but decided to table the is-
sue until Jan. 14 and keep the
public record open.
Everything we did to-
night either blew up in our
face or got bogged down,
Reeves said.
Its bouncing to the
left and to the right. Its
frustrating.
The developer wants to
increase the number of hous-
ing units in the subdivision
to 868 from 717 as previously
planned and has also agreed
to donate nearly 30 acres of
land for a new school on the
site.
John Norris III, attorney
for the Suitland-based devel-
oper, also said that 150 hous-
ing units at a minimum would
be slated for workforce hous-
ing, one of the most critical
issues identifed by county
government.
While theyve offered to
have a traffc signal installed
at St. Andrews Lane residents
near the development site have
complained that the large sub-
division would only exacer-
bate already diffcult driving
situations.
We absolutely cannot
get out now, said Mary Ruth
Horton who lives on St. An-
drews Lane in St. Andrews
Estates. And you dont have
to ask anyone about the traffc
involved in a school site.
The project has been up
before the planning commis-
sion at least three times this
year and each time it has been
tabled and left to gather more
public comment.
Bob Schaller, director of
the Department of Economic
and Community Develop-
ment, said that the project, if
successfully developed, could
signifcantly aid the countys
workforce housing dilemma.
We dont have inclusive
zoning, which other jurisdic-
tions have to require certain
percentages of workforce
housing in projects, Schaller
said. So we have to ask de-
velopers to help out.
Its potentially a good
thing for the county.
The PUD style of devel-
opment allows the project to
be built in an area where St.
Marys Crossing would nor-
mally not be allowed because
of the number of homes and
has to receive a positive rec-
ommendation from the plan-
ning commission to go to the
Board of County Commis-
sioners for fnal approval.
St. Marys Crossing
Continued from page A-
Family Could Be
Allowed To Build Homes
In Critical Area
St . Mar ys Ci t y
DATE LOW HIGH LOW HIGH
Fri. Nov. 30 12:15 a.m. 6:13 a.m. 12:26 p.m. 6:37 p.m.
Sat. Dec. 1 1:06 a.m. 7:14 a.m. 1:25 p.m. 7:39 p.m.
Sun. Dec. 2 1:56 a.m. 8:13 a.m. 2:24 p.m. 8:39 p.m.
Mon. Dec. 3 2:45 a.m. 9:09 a.m. 3:22 p.m. 9:34 p.m.
Tue. Dec. 4 3:32 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 4:18 p.m. 10:26 p.m.
Wed. Dec. 5 4:18 a.m. 10:48 a.m. 5:10 p.m. 11:15 p.m.
Thu. Dec. 6 5:02 a.m. 11:32 a.m. 5:58 p.m. 12:01 a.m.
LOCATION HIGH LOW
Breton Bay +31 min. +29 min.
Bushwood Wharf +45 min. +45 min.
Coltons Point +50 min. +24 min.
Point Lookout -42 min. +12 min.
Piney Point +9 min. -8 min.
Wicomico Beach +58 min. +63 min.
Solomons Island -1 min. +56 min.
SectionA-
The
County Times Thursday,November29,2007
NOTHI NG HELD BACK!
RULES OF RELI NQUI SHMENT
Al l adver t i sed i t ems subj ec t t o pr i or sal e.
Al l sol d as i s and al l sal es f i nal .
Ex t r a char ge f or del i ver y.
No phone or der s. No pr i or sal es.
Mer chandi se must be r emoved i mmedi at el y.
FAMOUS BRAND
NAMES YOU
KNOW AND TRUST!
DON'T DELAY!
FINANCING AVAILABLE
WALL TO WALL! SALVAGE PRI CES!
up t o...
70
%*
OFF
se
O
OF
REMERCHANDI SI NG RELI NQUI SHMENT
DONT MI SS I T!
FI NAL
DAYS
2007 wahlquist MGMT Corp., Little Pock, AP
Put on hol d ot her pl ans, don' t mi ss t hi s oppor t uni t y. Sel l i ng w i l l be f ast and
f ur i ous dur i ng t he Fi nal Days of t hi s huge Remer c handi si ng Rel i nqui shment .
Thi s i s i t ! The Fi nal Days! Ter ms of payment , c ash, c hec k , c r edi t c ar ds and
l ong t er m f i nanc i ng. Open t o t he publ i c . Mer c handi se must be r emoved f r om t he
pr emi ses i mmedi at el y. Fi nal Days of t he Thompsons Fur ni t ur e Ci t y
Remer c handi si ng Rel i nqui shment . Al l of f er s w i l l be c onsi der ed!
Thompsons Fur ni t ur e Ci t y i s announc i ng t he Fi nal Days of t hei r Remer chandi si ng
Rel i nqui shment . The si t uat i on has been sur veyed. The t i me i s her e. Thompsons Fur ni t ur e
Ci t y has unl oaded addi t i onal war ehouses. Do not del ay! I f you have vi si t ed our show r oom
dur i ng our Remer c handi si ng Rel i nqui shment , you owe i t t o your sel f t o c ome back , t he hol es
have been f i l l ed w i t h f r esh mer chandi se, we must sel l now ! Thi s i s a onc e i n a l i f et i me chanc e
t o buy f i ne f ur ni t ur e, beddi ng and ac c essor i es at or near w hol esal e.
`Select Merchandise
`Pictures may not represent actual merchandise`
DEALERS
WELCOME
THURSDAY 12PM -12AM
FRI DAY 10AM - 8PM
SATURDAY 10AM - 9PM
SUNDAY 12PM - 6 PM
23970 Mervell Dean Pd
Hollywood, MD 20636
Ph: 3l0-373-2l5l
seized about $37, 300 in ille-
gal narcotics and cash; they
also seized frearms, vehicles,
drug paraphernalia and even
surveillance equipment used
to watch the driveway of a
home where detectives say
where prescription medication
andpainkillerswerekept.
One raid shut down an
alleged marijuana growing
operation as well, detectives
said.
Thesuspectsintheseries
of arrests ranged in age from
20to63yearsold.
Sheriff Timothy K. Cam-
eron said that the weekend
raids, in which he took part,
showed that county law en-
forcement could now go af-
ter higher-level drug dealers
now that the Vice/Narcotics
unit had branched out to more
independence.
Theyve been able to
move up the food chain,
Cameron said of the narcotics
operations. Theyre getting
someone who is a more sub-
stantialdealer.
Its more drugs, more
money and more guns.
The raids took place all
over the county from Lexing-
ton Park to Avenue, accord-
ing to police information, and
helped put a dent in the overall
supply of narcotics available
at the street level.
Ithinkthesupplyisbe-
ing affected, Cameron told
The County Times. We know
from reports that nationally
the price of drugs is going up
and locally we know it is.
What was also important,
Cameron said, was that the
drug raids would fuel mistrust
among dealers and users, who
were still being targeted by
law enforcement, and make
it more dangerous to sell and
buydrugs.
Theydontknowwhoto
trust, because its only a mat-
ter of time before someone
informs on them, Cameron
said.
The capture of alleged
mid-level dealers over the
weekend may lead to more
information that could lead to
arrest and prosecution of larg-
er dealers later on, Cameron
said, which is the ultimate
aim of enforcement.
Theres no honor among
thieves, Cameron said, add-
ing that even if a suspect made
deal for a reduced sentence in
exchange for information they
wouldnt have their sentence
eliminated.
Im reluctant to let
them walk, Cameron said.
Theyre not getting off scot
free.
Offcers arrested James
Deshaun Bowman, 27, of
Lexington Park after they
raided his home and allegedly
found approximately $1,300
worth of crack and powdered
cocaine as was a quantity of
marijuana and methadone
pill. Detectives also seized
about $1,600 in cash from the
raid.
Another raid in Lexing-
ton Park led to the arrest of
Robert Damian McCarson,
20, of Lexington Park on an
open sheriffs warrant in Cal-
vert County. Detectives also
arrested Jermaine T. Holling-
sworth, 20, also of Lexington
Park for alleged possession
of marijuana and a smoking
device. Detectives also re-
covered a handgun during the
warrant search, according to
police.
Raids that took place in
Leonardtown claimed the
highest dollar amounts of cash
and narcotics seized, accord-
ingtopolicepressreleases.
When offcers executed
a search warrant in Medleys
Neck they found in excess
of four pounds of marijuana
worth about $6,000, two fre-
arms and more than $13,000
incash.
Detectives arrested Jeb
Jay McWade, 25, of Leonard-
town as a result of the warrant
search as well as Francis Wal-
ter Duke, 60, of Leonardtown
after detectives allegedly
found that he had crack co-
caine and a smoking device.
Policesaytheyalsoseized
more than $5,000 worth of
marijuana plants in a warrant
search of a resident where
Charles Michael Pauley, 35,
was allegedly growing the
plants.
Detectives seized more
than $4,000 worth of drugs
and property in an Avenue raid
where they confscated a fat
screen television set hooked
up to a surveillance system
used to watch the driveway of
her home as well as prescrip-
tion medication, mostly in the
form of painkillers, according
to police information.
Detectives arrested Shir-
ley Morris, 63, of Avenue was
duringthewarrantsearch.
John Edward Colleary,
53, of Leonardtown was ar-
rested on an open narcotics
warrant and detectives alleg-
edly found him in possession
of two pounds of marijuana
and a one ounce of cocaine in
powder form. Both drugs had
a street value of about $6,000.
Loretta Jane Sweeney, 27,
and Rayfeld Charles Blackis-
tone, 51, both of Leonardtown
were arrested at a Leonard-
town address offcers raided
and charged with cocaine
possession and related drug
paraphernalia.
Melvin Arthur Jeffrey,
39, of Bushwood was arrested
after he allegedly threw away
an amount of crack cocaine in
the front yard of a home being
searched by detectives.
Other suspects arrested
during the holiday war-
rant and arrest sweep where
charged with other drug of-
fenses including possession
and distribution as well as for
DWI violations.
NarcoticsRaids
Continued from page A-
ByGuyLeonard
StaffWriter
An historic home in Dameron, that some
in county preservation circles hoped would be
soldtoabuyertoberestored,itisclosetobeing
sold; but neither the identity of the buyer nor
their intentions for the property are known.
Valerie Gaghan, the realtor who is sell-
ing the property near the intersection of St.
Jeromes Neck Road and Camp Winslow Road
said that she could not reveal the name of the
buyer because they have gone to a contract
on the property and has not gone to a fnal
closure.
Gaghansaidthatthereweretwootherpro-
spective buyers who had intentions of restor-
ing the house, which is believed to have been
built around 1785, but they eventually decided
not to make any deals for a sale.
The prohibitive cost of the project discour-
aged them, Gaghan said.
The house is pretty much gone, Gaghan
said. Renovation is just too much money.
The house, alternately known as Dameron
House and St. Jeromes Crossroads House, is
next to a housing development being built out
on nearly 190 acres but is up for sale on its own
onathree-acreparcel.
Members of the countys Historic Preser-
vation Commission and their staff expressed
concern earlier this year that the old house
might be demolished to make way for the de-
velopment but the owner of the property Dan-
iel Capper was later reported to have no plans
to demolish the house on his own.
But according to Teresa Wilson, preserva-
tion planner with the Department of Land Use
and Growth Management, anyone who pur-
chases the house could choose to demolish it in
favor of a new building.
In the event they want to demolish it
theres nothing we can do to stop it, Wilson
said.
The preservation commission can ask for
90daystogotothehouseandcatalogandre-
cord the historically signifcant aspects of the
housebutthatwastheonlyoptiontheyhadto
forestall a demolition.
Its signifcant because of its architectural
history, Wilson said of Dameron House, but
said that the housing loan market is not help-
ing people get loans from banks to do things.
Dameron House is still standing but has
not been used as a residence for years, Wilson
said. It has been used as a part of a green house
businessinthepast,shesaid,andthelandsur-
rounding it has been farmed extensively.
The older portion of the house has signif-
cant problems, Wilson said. A lot of replace-
ment work would have to be done to make that
portion habitable and safe.
Gaghan said that the roof has large holes
in it and that the foor beams are missing and
is caving in.
Dameron House is on the inventory of
historic places with the Maryland Historical
Trust, which has already been there twice to
document the structure.
FutureofHistoric
DameronHouseUncertain
Dameron House is close to being sold to an un-
known buyer, but no one knows if it will be restored
or demolished.
Photo By Guy Leonard
Shirley Morris
Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Criminal
Investigations
Walter Francis Duke
Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Criminal
Investigations
James Deshaun Bowman
Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Criminal
Investigations
Thursday, November 29, 2007
The
County Times Section A - 7
Cecils
Country Store
www.cecilscount rystore.com
St or e Sp ecia ls Door Pr i ze s Refr e s h men t s
Dept-56 Sidewalk Sale - Up to 40% off!
Chamilia Jewelr y
Webkinz
Byers Choice
Soot Free Soy Candles
Mar y Lou Troutman Prints
Antique Furniture
301-994-9622
20853 Indian Bridge Rd
Great Mills, Maryland
Open 7 Days a Week
Mon d a y - Sa t u r d a y 10 a m - 5:30 pm
Su n d a y 11a m - 5:30 pm
HolIday
open HouSe
dec. 1
st
& 2
nd
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Meet Local Artist
Mar y Lou Troutman, Marilyn Randall
author of Razzle Dazzler and Joe
Dunn photographer of Best of St.
Mar ys bet ween 11-2 pm
Saturday Dec. 1st.
By Adam Ross
Staff Writer
St. Marys County has $11.5 million in funds to use towards
the fscal 2009 budget, leaving it fscally sound, according to an
independent audit.
The audit uncovered favorable results, including the com-
missioners resolve to fund projects up front instead of borrow-
ing from banks. The commissioners authorized $14.8 million
for projects in fscal 2007, saving it roughly $1 million a year in
debt repayment because they didnt borrow funds.
The audit itself cost just over $15,000, and was done by
Timothy Murphy, of Murphy and Murphy on fscal year 2007,
which concluded on June 30, 2006.
Still, the county has considerable debt to pay off. The audit
showed $118 million of debt to be paid over the next 24 years,
but this is not abnormal of a countys fnances.
The commissioners have held steadfast to funding post-re-
tirement benefts like healthcare and life insurance, something
other counties in the state are still grappling over. In all, $13.5
million of the state required benefts have been funded by local
government. And while the St. Marys Board of Education was
not included in the audit, it too will likely commit signifcant
funds to the post-retirement benefts this year.
In other spending accounts, the county used $4 million in
land preservation in fscal 2007, and $8 million on roads.
County Receives
Favorable
Forecast on
Audit Report
Capital News
Service
By DAN LAMOTHE
The Maryland-based Hagers-Town
Town & Country Almanack sees snow
ahead for the state, bucking forecasts
from foreign sources calling for a mild
winter. Bill OToole, prognosticator for
the 211-year-old Almanack, said he antic-
ipates the snowiest and coldest winter in
Maryland in three years. Im predicting
some pretty large snowstorms, especially
in January, said OToole, who has fore-
cast weather in the Almanack since 1969.
Well probably get one in the frst week
and one in the last week of January.
That contrasts with predictions made by
sources as varied as the National Ocean-
ic and Atmospheric Administration and
The Old Farmers Almanac, the one
continuously-published almanac in the
U.S. older than Hagerstowns. NOAAs
long-range winter forecast calls for mild
temperatures across Maryland and much
of the United States thanks in part to La
Nina, an ocean atmospheric phenomenon
where the equatorial eastern central Pa-
cifc Oceans temperature drops substan-
tially for at least fve months. Historically,
it has meant warmer temperatures across
the country, including in Maryland. Re-
ally, a good portion of the U.S. can ex-
pect above-average temperatures this
year, said Mike Halpert, deputy director
of the NOAA Climate Prediction Center
Camp Springs. Theres also a trend for
warmer winters across the country in the
last 10 years, especially in the Midwest.
The Old Farmers Almanac, mean-
while, mirrors NOAAs science-based
forecast. It calls for a drier, milder winter
in Maryland, with temperatures about a
degree warmer than normal and snow-
fall slightly below average, said Heidi
Stonehill, a senior associate editor. All
three sources said it is diffcult to predict
long-term forecasts by any methodology.
Sometimes, we are different, Stonehill
said. Im not sure what organizations
like the National Weather Service use,
but we place lots of emphasis on the solar
science, climatology and meteorology.
Historically, Maryland averages about
20 inches of snow per year, although that
varies wildly between urban areas, the
Eastern Shore and mountainous regions
like Garrett County. Temperatures can
also fuctuate wildly between regions
of the state, with central and western
Maryland the coldest. Maryland clima-
tologists said history shows a mild winter
in years where La Nina is present is the
most likely, although there are deviations
from that rule. What exactly happens in
specifc parts of the country depends on
the position of the jet stream, said Euge-
nia E. Kalnay, a meteorologist at the Uni-
versity of Maryland, College Park. Odds
are, though, they (NOAA) will be right.
OToole said he isnt concerned about his
predictions being different than the rest -
- especially since he has been right before
with surprise weather events, like a snow-
storm in February 2000 that caught many
meteorologists by surprise. Theyll ad-
mit that anything farther out than a week
or so is just an educated guess, OToole
said of science-based meteorologists.
Very often, what they predict for nine
days out will change, so the technology
really doesnt give you a great advantage
with long-term forecasts.
By KENNETH R.
FLETCHER
Charles County farmer
Chip Bowling harvested his
corn crop back in Septem-
ber and immediately planted
the same felds with wheat
and rye. But instead
of harvesting those crops in
spring, he will spray them
with herbicide and plant the
felds over with corn or soy-
beans. Bowling is part of the
states cover crop cost-share
program, where farmers are
paid to plant felds in the fall
to keep them growing dur-
ing the winter months, an
effort that curbs farm pollu-
tion. We are planting as
much cover crop as we pos-
sibly can, Bowling said, who
planted about 450 of his 1,400
acres through the states pro-
gram this year. It helps with
soil erosion and absorbs the
nutrients the crops dont use.
The program is in such de-
mand that the Maryland De-
partment of Agriculture has
more farmers than funds: Of
the 1,782 farmers who applied
this year, 1,529 were approved
for funding of as much as $50
per acre, up from the 965 who
applied in fscal 2006. Those
farmers are expected to plant
about a third of the states
cropland in cover crops, said
Louise Lawrence of the de-
partment. Cover crops soak
up nutrients left over in the
soil from the summers crop
and keep rain from washing
soil off of bare felds. Though
some, like winter wheat, can
be harvested and sold, many
are killed or plowed under in
the spring when next years
crop is planted. Experts say
controlling farm pollution is
the cheapest and most effec-
tive way to reduce bay pollu-
tion. Agriculture contributes
about 62 percent of sediment,
45 percent of phosphorus and
44 percent of nitrogen that
ends up in the bay, according
to federal data. By 2005, ag-
riculture had met close to half
of its pollution reduction goals
for 2010 spelled out in the
Chesapeake 2000 Agreement,
a pledge between federal and
state governments. That far
surpasses controls on more
costly urban and suburban
runoff that, with a growing
population, are actually con-
tributing more pollution than
before. A proposal that could
have increased funding for
cover crops was included in a
proposed $50 million Chesa-
peake Bay 2010 Trust Fund
considered in this months
special legislative session.
The bill passed, but the fnal
version mentions only general
bay cleanup goals and not cover
crops specifcally. It dedicates
the money to the Department
of Natural Resources, instead
of splitting it with the Agri-
culture Department and other
agencies. Supporters of the
original bill have said they ex-
pect to come back in January
to try to specify how the trust
fund money will be allocated.
If the money does end up go-
ing to cover crops, that could
attract more farmers to volun-
tarily plant those crops, said
Lawrence, chair of the Agri-
culture Departments nutri-
ent management committee.
Money from the Chesapeake
fund could also aid other farm
programs that control pollu-
tion. Some farmers are already
planting buffers of greenery
along waterways, storing ma-
nure in holding containers to
prevent it from contaminating
the bay and more. But Ger-
ald Winegrad, a former state
senator and longtime Chesa-
peake advocate, said that
voluntary programs are not
enough. He instead supports
making cover crops manda-
tory and imposing regulations
to cap farm nutrient pollution.
When you only use carrots
and you dont use sticks you
have a failing effort, he said.
The bay is not improving and
agriculture is nowhere near
meeting their requirements.
But Lawrence said that just
because programs are man-
dated does not mean farmers
could afford it. In a year like
this with a severe drought,
the extra expense and time
required could be the straw
that broke the camels back,
she said. Lawrence said the
Agriculture Department is
instead planning on targeting
funding to areas that have the
most impact on the bay using
the states new BayStat pro-
gram. Bowling said that for
decades his family has been
planting cover crops on their
former tobacco farm in New-
burg near the Potomac River,
which was common practice
on Southern Maryland to-
bacco farms. I think any-
body that deals with farmland
or agriculture is concerned
about what happens with the
Chesapeake, Bowling said.
But he added that planting
cover crops can be costly and
take up time during the busy
fall harvest season, with little
economic beneft to the farm-
er. Thats why state support is
crucial, he said. If we could
get more funding from the
state, you would see a lot more
cover crops planted, he said.
Capital News Service
SectionA-
The
County Times Thursday,November29,2007
Obituaries
SeeObituariespageA-
HenryFrancisBoothe,9
H e n r y
FrancisBoothe,
8,ofDrayden,
Md. died Nov.
22,2007inhis
residence.
Born Oc-
tober 4, 118
inDrayden,hewasthesonof
the late Joseph and Elizabeth
Hammett Boothe. He was
precededindeathbyhiswife
Catherine Regina Boothe on
June 6, 2003 and whom he
married Dec. 26, 140 in St.
GeorgeCatholicChurch.Heis
survivedbyhischildren:Bil-
ly Boothe and Cathy Koegel
bothofValleyLee,HenryR.
Boothe, Stanley Boothe and
FrankBootheallofDrayden;
hissister:SisterMaryRoseof
SistersofSt.Joseph,Hartford,
Conn.; 17 grandchildren, 18
great grandchildren and one
great-great grandchild. He
wasalsoprecededindeathby
his son Tommy Boothe; his
siblings:MaryAgnesGrover,
Margaret Hodges, Rose Ce-
cil, Henrietta Adams, David
Boothe, Joseph Boothe, John
Boothe and Gregory Boothe.
Mr. Boothe was a lifelong
St. Marys County resident
where he attended Little
FlowerSchool.Heworkedas
afarmerforHarryLundeberg
School,inPineyPoint,for16
years until his retirement in
183.Hewasamemberofthe
St.MarysFarmBureau.The
familyreceivedfriendsMon-
day,Nov.26,2007from58
p.m. in the Mattingley-Gar-
diner Funeral Home, where
Prayerswillbesaidat6p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial
wascelebratedTuesday,Nov.
27, 2007 at 11 a.m. in St.
GeorgeCatholicChurchwith
Msgr. Karl Chimiak offciat-
ing.Intermentfollowedinthe
Church Cemetery. Pallbear-
erswere:T.J.Boothe,Wayne
Boothe, Kevin Boothe, Brian
Boothe, Ricky Boothe and
Kenny Boothe. Honorary
Pallbearers were Patrick
Boothe and Johnny Adams.
Contributions may be made
toHospiceofSt.Marys,P.O.
Box 625, Leonardtown, MD
20650 and/or 2nd District
Volunteer Fire Department
and Rescue Squad, P.O. Box
1,ValleyLee,MD2062.
Arrangements provided
by the Mattingley-Gardiner
FuneralHome,P.A.
JamesWalterSnubbs
Butler,Sr.,61
James Wal-
ter Snubbs
Butler,Sr.,61,of
Bushwood,Md.
died Nov. 18,
2007 at Clinton
Nursing Center.
Born Aug. 28,
146inBushwood,hewasthe
son of the late Arthur Aloy-
sius and Grace Helen Bow-
manButler.Hewastheloving
husbandofthelateAliceAnn
Miles Butler whom he mar-
ried June 21, 16 in Sacred
HeartChurch.Heissurvived
byhischildren;CynthiaBut-
ler of Capitol Heights, Md.,
James Butler Jr. of Lusby,
Md., Alecia Butler of Rocky
Mount, N.C., Barbara Riegle
ofFrederick,Md.andCharles
Carter of Lexington Park
as well as his grandchildren
Windell and Juvan Withers
ofCapitolHeights,Md.Heis
also survived by his siblings:
Francis A. Butler and Grace
H. Butler, both of Lexington
Park,ArthurJ.ButlerofOxon
Hill,Md.,ClearanceJ.Butler
of Mechanicsville, Md., Ann
E.ButlerofWashington,D.C.
and Constance D. Willis of
Woodbridge, Va. A lifelong
residentofSt.MarysCounty,
he attended Banneker High
School and after serving in
theU.S.Armyfor11years,he
was employed as a Security
Guard at various locations.
Heenjoyedtellingstoriesand
alwayshadajoketotell.
The family received
friends Saturday, Nov. 24,
2007 from - 10:30 a.m. in
the Mattingley-Gardiner Fu-
neral Home, Leonardtown,
Md. A Mass of Christian
Burial will follow at 11 a.m.
in Sacred Heart Catholic
Church, Bushwood, Md.,
with Fr. Francis Early offci-
ating. Interment will follow
in the church cemetery. Pall-
bearers will be Mark Miles,
Vincent Riegle, Charles But-
ler,EdmondArmstrong,Den-
nisButlerandRickyHerbert.
Honorary pallbearers will be
Sam Butler, James Thomas,
AaronButler,TimothyButler,
Delgado Butler, Delonte But-
ler,MarcusJonesandFrancis
Jones,Jr.
Arrangements provided
by Mattingley-Gardiner Fu-
neralHome,P.A.
JohnMelvinCheseldine,
0
John Melvin Cheseldine,
80,ofLeonardtown,diedOc-
tober 31, 2007 at St. Marys
NursingCenter.
Born July 15, 127 in
Leonardtown,hewastheson
of the late Richard Benjamin
and Agnes G. Bowles Che-
seldine.Heissurvivedbyhis
wifeNoraAnnLaceyChesel-
dineandhisdaughterRegina
Ann Foote, both of Leonard-
town,Md.
A Memorial Mass will
be celebrated Saturday, Dec.
1, 2007 at 12 p.m. in Holy
Angels Catholic Church, Av-
enue, MD with Fr. William
Gurnee offciating. Interment
isprivate.
Arrangements provided
by the Mattingley-Gardiner
FuneralHome,P.A
HerbertMillardCollins,
5
Herbert Millard Col-
lins, 85, of Hollywood, Md.
died Nov. 25, 2007 in his
residence.
Born July 27, 122 in
Buffalo,N.Y.,hewastheson
of the late Paul and Lillian
MillardCollins.
Mr. Collins was a lov-
ing husband and his wifes
greatest happiness. He made
everydayaspecialdayinthe
livesofhisfourdaughters.A
spiritual man has now joined
hislordinthenextjourneyof
eternal life. He was a labora-
tory technician for the Rohm
&HaasOilCompanyandthe
GulfReserveOilCompany.
He is survived by his
wife,MabelIreneWrightCol-
lins,whomhemarriedMarch
6, 148 in Philadelphia, Pa.,
threedaughters,JacklynCol-
lins of Upper Darby, Pa..,
Nancy Vetter of Hollywood,
Lillian Hausmann of Parks,
Ark., six grandchildren and
three great grandchildren. In
additiontohisparents,hewas
precededindeathbyadaugh-
ter, Linda Miller, one sister,
Ella Mae McCreary and two
brothers, Donald Collins and
HaroldCollins.
Allservicesareprivate.
Arrangements by the
Brinsfeld Funeral Home,
P.A.
RaeLynnSmithDennis,
49
Rae Lynn Smith Den-
nis, 4, of California, Md.,
died Nov. 11, 2007 in her
residence.
Born Feb. 2, 158 in
Shawnee, Okla., she was the
daughter of the late Gordon
andAntoniaShirahSmith.
Ms. Dennis was a strong
andlovingmother.Shewasa
VeterinarianTechnician.
She is survived by two
daughters, Jennifer Renea
Dennis and Kimberly Rose
Dennis, both of California
and two sisters, Gloria Jones
ofLawton,Okla.,RoseMary
SturkofFayetteville,N.C.and
one brother, Vic Nielsen of
Sumter, S.C.. and numerous
aunts,uncles,cousins,nieces
andnephewsofSumter,S.C.
A Memorial Service
will be conducted Thursday,
Nov.2,2007at2p.m.inthe
LeonardtownBaptistChurch,
Leonardtown, Md. Pastor
BobbyJoneswillconductthe
service.
Arrangements by the
Brinsfeld Funeral Home, P.A.
inLeonardtown,Md.
KatieS.Gehman,73
Katie S. Gehman, 73, of
Mechanicsville, and formerly
ofEphrata,Pa.,diedNov.25,
2007atherresidence.
Born Sept. 5, 134 in
East Cocalico Township, Pa.
she was the daughter of the
late Aaron A. and Rebecca
W. Sensenig Brubacker of
Ephrata,Pa.Shewasthelov-
ing wife of the late Harvey
M. Gehman whom she mar-
riedDec.25,155inthePike
Mennonite Church and who
preceded her in death at the
EphrataCommunityHospital
in Lancaster, Pa. She is sur-
vived by her children; Irvin
B Gehman., married to Ida
S. (Brubacher) with whom
she resided, of Mechanics-
ville, Miriam B. Martin wife
of Clair A. Martin, John B.
Gehman,marriedtoLizzieS.
(Martin), Barbara B. Auker,
wife of Weaver W. Auker ,
allofEphrata,Pa.,HarveyB.
Gehman married to Marion
S.(Martin)ofPortTrevorton,
Pa., Naomi B. Stauffer, wife
of Paul B. Stauffer of Homer
City, Pa., Leroy B. Gehman,
married to Joanne W. (Mar-
tin)ofMt.PleasantMills,Pa.,
Luke B. Gehman, married to
LindaW.(Martin),MarthaB.
Martin,wifeofEarlW.Mar-
tin,bothofNewHolland,Pa.,
ElvinB.Gehman,marriedto
BrendaZ.(Horst)ofShobon-
ier,IL,KatieB.Wenger,wife
ofLamarWenger,WarrenB.
Gehman, married to Eleanor
A. (Martin) and Daniel B.
Gehman,marriedtoSherylS.
(Weaver) , all of Bainbridge,
Ohio.
She is also survived
by 8 grandchildren, seven
great-grandchildren and her
siblings are as follows; Har-
vey S. Brubacker (Deceased)
marriedtoElsieB.(Sensenig)
of Myerstown, Pa., Ammon
S. Brubacker, married to
Nora (Burkholder) of Eph-
rata, Pa., Leroy S. Brubacker
(Deceased)andLukeS.Bru-
backer,marriedtoIda-AnnW.
(Martin), Titus S. Brubacker,
all of Ephrata, Pa, Amos S.
Brubacker (died in infancy),
PharesS.Brubacker,married
to Eva M. (Stauffer) (frst wife
Ruth (Martin) is deceased)
andAaronS.Brubacker,mar-
ried to Lena (Stauffer), all of
Port Trevorton, Pa., Martha
S.Martin(Deceased)wifeof
Willis S. Martin (Deceased)
and Anna S. Martin, wife of
Clarence W. Martin of New
Holland,PA.
Mrs. Gehman moved to
St.MarysCountyfromEph-
rata,Pa.onMay11,2006and
was a homemaker who was
a loving and caring Mother.
Thefamilyreceivedfriendsat
their home Tuesday, Novem-
ber 27, 2007. Interment will
take place Friday, November
30,2007intheStaufferMen-
nonite Cemetery, Earltown-
ship,Pa.
Arrangements provided
by Mattingley-Gardiner Fu-
neralHome,P.A.
LaneArthurKispert,76
Lane Ar-
thur Kispert,
76, Captain US
Navy(SC),(Re-
tired)ofSt.Ini-
goes, died Nov.
26, 2007 in St.
Marys Hospi-
tal,Leonardtown.
Heissurvivedbyhiswife
Gayle McLean Kispert of St.
Inigoes, whom he married
April 24, 155 at the US Na-
val Shipyard Chapel in San
Francisco,Calif.,threebroth-
ers, Forrest (Lois) Kispert of
Dodge Center, MN, Brain
Kispert of Richfeld, MN,
and Steven (Patti) Kispert
of Merrills Inlet, SC. He is
predeceased by a sister Iris
Kispert.
He was born September
18,131inNerstrand,Minn.,
sonofthelateErvinandRuth
(Hildebrandt) Kispert. He
attended the University of
Minnesota with an NROTC
scholarship. Upon gradua-
tion he was commissioned
anEnsign,USNavy(SC).He
receivedtheNavyUnitCom-
mendation-HSAS, Saigon
Medal:NationalDefenseSer-
vice Medal; United Nations
Medal;ChinaServiceMedal;
Antarctic Service Medal;
Korean Service Medal; Viet-
namServiceMedal;Vietnam
CampaignMedal(2)Stars.He
retired in 183 with the rank
ofCaptain.
A resident of St. Marys
County since 180 ,Captain
Kispert was active in Trin-
ity Episcopal Church in St.
Marys City, American Can-
cer Society and BPOE Elks
Lodge#202.
The family will receive
friends at Trinity Episco-
pal Church, St Marys City
Thursday,Nov.2,2007from
10:00 to 10:45 a.m. Services
willfollowat11a.m.withthe
Reverend John A. Ball, offci-
ating. Interment will follow
in the church cemetery with
militaryhonors.Pallbearers
will be Forrest Kispert, Bri-
an Kispert, Steven Kispert,
Wayne Dean, Ed Forsman
andNickParker.
Memorial contributions
may be made to St Marys
MinorityScholarshipFundor
TrinityEpiscopalChurchRen-
ovationFund,TrinityEpisco-
pal Church, P.O. Box 207, St
MarysCity,MD20686
Arrangements by the
Brinsfeld Funeral Home, P.A.
Leonardtown,MD.
MildredMariePenny
Leeland,2
Mildred Marie Penny
Leeland, 82, of Mechanics-
ville,diedNov.23,2007ather
residence.
Born Oct. 15, 125 in
Baltimore, Md., she was the
daughterofthelateJosephG.
Smith and Caroline Schultz
Smith. Mrs. Leeland had
workedasabusdriverforthe
FairfaxCounty,Va.Boardof
Education.Shewasagaming
enthusiast who loved to play
BridgeandTexasHoldem.
She is survived by her
husband, Clinton Howard
Leeland of Mechanicsville,
two sons, Dennis Chafn of
northern Va., Michael Cha-
fn, two step-daughters, Di-
ane Marie Leeland of Falls
Church,Va.,CarolAnnMar-
tinofArlington,VAandthree
grandchildren.
The family received
friends Thursday, Nov. 2,
2007 from 1 2 p.m. in the
Brinsfeld Life Celebration
Home, Leonardtown, A Me-
morial Service will be con-
ductedat2p.m.intheBrins-
feld Life Celebration Chapel.
The Reverend Ray Schmidt
will conduct the service. In-
urnmentwillbeprivate.
Memorial contributions
maybemadetotheAmerican
HeartSociety,P.O.Box5216,
Glenn Allen, VA 23058-5216
ortheAmericanCancerSoci-
ety,St.MarysCountyUnit
350,P.O.Box1032,Lexington
Park,MD20653.
Arrangements by the
Brinsfeld Funeral Home,
P.A.,Leonardtown.
PatriciaLouiseLippin-
cott,75
Patricia Louise Lip-
pincott, 75, of Great Mills,
died Nov. 20, 2007 in her
residence.
BornJan.16,132inAt-
lantic City, N.J., she was the
daughter of the late Pete and
Patricia Previti. Mrs. Lippin-
cottwasacasinosupervisor.
She is survived by three
daughters, Loretta White of
Auburn, Calif., Patricia Ann
Lippincott of Great Mills,
Donna Marie Kracinovich of
GreatMills;ason,DavidJo-
seph Lippincott of Diamond
Bar, Calif., a granddaughter,
Christine Lippincott and a
grandson, Chuck Lippincott
and a brother, Joseph Previti.
Shewasprecededindeathby
herbrother,GeorgeMaderia.
A Memorial Service was
held Friday, Nov. 23, 2007
at the Fraternal Order of Po-
lice Lodge, Chancellors Run
Road, Great Mills, Md. at 2
p.m.
Arrangements by the
Brinsfeld Funeral Home, P.A.
inLeonardtown,Md.
HazelLorrainePilkerton,
69
Hazel Lor-
rainePilkerton,
6, of Mechan-
icsville, died
Nov. 1, 2007
inCapitalHos-
pice,Arlington,
Va.
Born Feb.
7, 138 in Upper Marlboro,
Md., she was the daughter
of the late Charles and Mary
Elizabeth Garner. She was
precededindeathbyherhus-
bandBernardPicPilkerton
in 2005. She is survived by
herdaughterBrendaLaRoche
andson-in-lawPeteLaRoche
of Mechanicsville, step-
daughters, Karen Buchanan
of Morgantown, W.V., Tracy
Pilkerton of Chantilly, Va.,
LeePilkertonofNorfolk,Va.
andKathyKnoxofBeauford,
S.C.
She is also survived by
her grandchildren Christie
Werner and her husband Pat-
rick,JasonGreerandhiswife
Doris, and M.T. Bowling as
well as her great-grandchil-
dren;Hannah,ErinandLucas
WernerandDawnGreer.Ha-
zelisalsosurvivedbyhersis-
tersBettySettleandMargaret
Richards, both of Lothian,
Md.,RoseMcCallumofSilver
Spring,Md.andHazelLeon-
ardofLusby,Md.,aswellas
many nieces and nephews.
Shewasprecededindeathby
herbrothersJoseph,Clarence
and James Dutch Gardner
and her sisters Mary Rawl-
ingsandEvaKeys.
Hazelwasagoodgrand-
mother,mother,daughter,sis-
ter,auntandfriendtoallthat
knewher.
The family received
friendsSunday,Nov.25,2007
from25p.m.intheMatting-
ley-Gardiner Funeral Home,
where Prayers were said at
3 p.m.. A Mass of Christian
Burial will be celebrated
Monday, Nov. 26, 2007 at 10
a.m. in St. Cecelias Catholic
Church,St.MarysCity,Md.
with Fr. Damian Shadwell
offciating. Interment will
follow in St. James Catholic
Cemetery,Dameron,Md.
Contributions may be
madetoTheOvarianCancer
Research Fund, 14 Pennsyl-
vaniaPlaza,Suite1400,New
York,NY10122.
Arrangements provided
by the Mattingley-Gardiner
FuneralHome,P.A.
MargaretMinnie
BumpyRussell,6
Margaret Minnie
BumpyRussell,86,ofHol-
lywood, Md. died Nov. 25,
2007 in St. Marys Nursing
Center,Leonardtown,Md.
Born Feb. 6, 121 in
Baltimore, Md., she was the
daughter of the late John
Henry Lohrmann and Laura
Mary Singleton Lohrmann.
Mrs. Russell was a vendor at
the Charlotte Hall Farmers
Market for 40 years until re-
tiring in 2002. She also sold
at fea markets in North Point
FleaMarketinBaltimore,Md.
onSaturdayandSundaysand
Warsaw,Va.onTuesdays.
Sheissurvivedbyadaugh-
ter, Mary L. Bowles of Hol-
lywood., three sons, John H.
Horkey of Hollywood, Frank
J.HorkeyofBaltimore,Char-
lie E. Russell of Fairfeld, Pa.,
16grandchildrenand16great
grandchildren. In addition to
her parents and husband, she
wasprecededindeathbytwo
brothers,JackLohrmannand
HenryLohrmann.
The family received
friends Wednesday, Nov. 28,
2007 from 5 8 p.m. in the
Brinsfeld Life Celebration
Home, Leonardtown. A Fu-
neral Service was conducted
at 700 p.m. in the Brinsfeld
Life Celebration Chapel. The
Reverend Ray Schmidt con-
ductedtheservice.Inurnment
willbeprivate.
Arrangements by the
Brinsfeld Funeral Home, P.A.
inLeonardtown.
MarthaAnnieMaeReed-
erSanders,95
MarthaAn-
nieMaeReeder
Sanders, 5,
of Hollywood,
Md. died Nov.
22, 2007 on
Thanksgiving
Day in St. Marys Nursing
Center.
BornAug.2,112inMor-
ganza, she was the daughter
of the late John Andrew and
Mary Castiala Mattingly
Johnson.Shewasthewifeof
the late Allen Adolf Sanders
whom she married in Santa
Barbara, Calif. in 168. She
is survived by her children;
George J. Reeder, Linda M.
Clarke and John W. Reeder,
all of Hollywood, Md., Rich-
ardO.ReederofS.C.,Francis
S.ReederofMo.,andStephen
D. Reeder of Dixon, Mo., as
well as 33 grandchildren, 53
great-grandchildren and 1
great-greatgrandchildren.
She was preceded in
death by her sons William
J. and James E. Reeder and
her siblings; Bernard, Nor-
man and Wilmer Johnson
and Genivieve Guy. Martha
worked as a waitress, seam-
stress and homemaker. Her
places of employment in-
cluded Patuxent River Naval
Air Station., The Hub, Spin-
ning Wheel Restaurant and
the NAVAir Grill. The fam-
ily received friends Tuesday,
Nov. 27 from 5 8 p.m. in
the Mattingley-Gardiner Fu-
neral Home, where prayers
were said at 6 p.m. A Mass
of Christian Burial was cel-
ebrated Wednesday, Nov. 28,
at10a.m.inSt.JohnsCatho-
lic Church, Hollywood, Md.,
with Fr. Raymond Schmidt
offciating. Interment will
follow in St. Josephs Cem-
etery, Morganza, Md. Ar-
rangements provided by the
Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral
Home,P.A.
IsabellSaunders,74
I s a b e l l
Saunders, 74,
of Lexington
Park died Nov.
21, 2007 in her
residence.
Born Aug.
4,133inSt.Inigoes,shewas
the daughter of the late Wil-
liamandSadieSaunders.She
is survived by her children:
Lawrence Leroy Carter of
Upper Marlboro, Md., Quin-
ton Levester Spence of Nor-
folk, Va., and Karen Evette
Bryant and Aaron Emanuel
Spence, both of Atlanta, Ga.,
aswellasfourgrandchildren,
nine great-grandchildren and
four great-great grandchil-
dren. She is also survived by
hersiblings;HelenWileyand
SusiePriceofBaltimore,Md.,
Lillie Mae Saunders of N.Y.,
Moses and Benjamin Saun-
ders of N.J. and Christine
Saunders of Lexington Park.
Shewasemployedasacerti-
fed home care provider and
enjoyed going to yard sales.
Thefamilywillreceivefriends
Thursday,Nov.2,2007from
10 11 a.m. in the Mt. Zion
UnitedMethodistChurch,St.
Inigoes,Md.,whereafuneral
servicewillbeheldat11a.m.
with Rev. Alfred Statesman
offciating. Interment will fol-
lowinthechurchcemetery.
Arrangements provided
by the Mattingley-Gardiner
FuneralHome,P.A.
NormaHarmsStrick-
land,3
N o r m a
Harms Strick-
land, 83, of
California, died
from cancer
Nov.17,2007in
herhome.
She was born Feb. 21,
124 in Cole Camp, Mo.
Her parents were of the late
Arthur and Emma (Kaiser)
Harms. She attended St.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
The
County Times Section A - 9
St. Marys Yachting Center
46555 Dennis Point Way
Drayden, MD 20630
301-994-2404
Fax:301-994-2405
www.stmyc.com
Sunday Brunch
10am - 2pm
Kitchen closes at 6pm
Call For Reservations
301-994-2404
Winter Hours:
that stoked the fre coming from the
malfunctioning boiler.
Because of his quick response, he
stopped the fuel that wouldve burned
longer, Gilman said. He knew exactly
what to do.
Gilman said the staff started to no-
tice something was wrong at the school
by looking at the lights.
We saw some lights ficker and 15
seconds later the fre alarm went off,
she said.
It was Butler who activated the
alarm after seeing a frightening sight
inside the schools boiler room, which
provides heat for the entire building.
[A freball] was coming out of the
motor going boom, boom and smoke
was everywhere, Butler said of the
fames. I hit the panic button and then
I tripped the fre alarm.
As the alarm went off, teachers and
staff quickly evacuated all of the stu-
dents, Gilman said, without incident.
Following a rapid response from the
Hollywood frefghters and a full build-
ing inspection, the children and staff
returned to their building, she added.
Students were outside only about
15 minutes, Gilman said.
Back inside just 30 minutes af-
ter cutting off the fre, Butler began to
feel the affects of his actions. He began
to sip on some cold water to ease the
tension.
I got to calm down still! he said
with a laugh.
County public schools have had
several incidents that required the evac-
uation of students this calendar year.
Back in August, students at
Oakville Elementary School evacuated
their school when the smell of smoke
began to waft through the halls as a re-
sult of a malfunctioning air condition-
ing component.
In April, students at Esperanza
Middle School left class when contin-
ual power outages caused fans in the
school to malfunction and emit a smok-
ing, burning odor.
Students at that time were sent
home for the day.
Brad Clements, chief operating
offcer for St. Marys County Public
Schools, said the fuel control apparatus
failed on the boiler and caused the fre
hazard.
He said Butlers shutting down both
boilers was a good precaution.
When in doubt shut it down and
evacuate, Clements said.
Clements added that equipment
malfunctions are rare, but unavoidable.
We dont want them to be normal,
but they do happen, Clements said,
adding that custodians were receiving
more training to deal with equipment
emergencies in schools.
The exact cause of why the fuel
controller on the boiler failed had yet to
be determined, Clements said.
Evacuation
Continued from page A-
Navy News
Amy Kaper
Staff Writer
I want to be back there
with them, lamented retired
Rear Admiral Gus Eggert, U.S.
Naval Academy Class of 52 as
he watched the last of the Class
of 08 board the bus back to
Annapolis.
Eggert, president of the
Patuxent River Naval Air Mu-
seum Association, had just
taken two aeronautical engi-
neering classes of Naval Acad-
emy Firstclassmen on a tour of
the museum at NAS Patuxent
River.
It brings back memories,
he said. Every one I talked to
said, I want to be an aviator.
The museum tour was the
culmination of a day-long visit
to Pax sponsored by the Naval
Air Systems Command (NA-
VAIR) Propulsion and Power
Division, Air 4.4, and Captain
Robert Niewoehner, director
of the Academys Aeronautics
Department.
The visit is an annual
event for his senior students,
Niewoehner explained,
Theyre aeronautical engi-
neers who are going to fight
school when they graduate.
According to Niewoehner,
the trip gives the students an
idea of the types of engineer-
ing work they can look forward
to later in their careers with
the degrees theyve earned
and their experience as Naval
aviators.
The 50 students started the
day off with a tour of the V-
22 Osprey hangar, the VX-23
Strike fight Test Squadron
and the US Naval Test Pilot
School (TPS).
I really enjoyed TPS,
said Firstclassman Flannery
Woodward. Listening to them
talk about what they do really
appealed to a lot of us.
Woodward said she hopes
to fy the E/A-18G Growler,
the new electronic warfare air-
craft based on the F/A-18 Super
Hornet platform. Woodwards
home town is Beaufort, S.C.,
also home to a Marine Corps
Air Station.
I got to see a lot of Hor-
nets when I was growing up,
she said.
In the afternoon the stu-
dents went on a tour of the jet
engine test equipment at the
Propulsion Systems Evalua-
tion Facility. There they got a
chance to help tear down the T-
700 engine, which powers the
MH-60 helicopter, and engi-
neer Andrew Pinaire explained
how it worked.
One aspect of his talk that
especially caught the students
attention was a discussion of
engine failure modes. Pinaire
described an engine that had
experienced an internal shaft
rub severe enough to cause a
compressor tie rod failure. He
emphasized the importance
of investigating failures and
resolving defciencies so Fleet
safety is maintained
It was pretty impressive,
said Firstclassman John Leone.
A lot of what we get in class is
very technical, text books and
equations. We dont hear much
about failures.
Electronics engineer Justin
Doyle took the students through
laboratories including an oil
test lab, where lubricants criti-
cal to jet engines are analyzed;
a rotor burst chamber, where
compressor and turbine rotors
are deliberately damaged and
spun until they fy apart; and
an environmental test chamber
where engines can be run hard
in 125 F air with a salt water
mist blown in.
Later, at the Patuxent
River Naval Air Museum, the
students got to see 21 past and
future Naval aircraft from
a Korean War-era F9 Cou-
gar to the winning and losing
prototypes for the F-35 Joint
Strike Fighter. Admiral Eggert
beamed as he discussed an M-
61 Vulcan Gatling gun like
the one he fred as an A-7 pilot
in Vietnam.
The students also saw tur-
bojet and turboprop engines
that had been cut away to dis-
play the internal components,
as well as the Navys frst air-
craft radar unit built with vacu-
um tubes, a video of sonobuoy
deployment from a P-3, and the
Pioneer and X-47B unmanned
aerial vehicles.
Naval Academy Students
Glimpse Future at Pax River
Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department volunteers pack up after receiving a call for a fre in the
boiler room at Hollywood Elementary School. The fre was quickly extinguished by the head
custodian who shut down the fuel fow.
William Bunny Butler, building services manager at Holly-
wood Elementary School acted quickly to shut down the fuel
that stoked a fre in the schools boiler room.
Photo By Guy Leonard
Photo By Guy Leonard
Naval Academy students learn
engineering details of turboshaft
engine test and operation.
Photo Provided by U.S. Navy
Johns Lutheran Day School
in Cole Camp, Mo., and grad-
uated from Cole Camp High
School. She received a B.S. in
Education from the Univer-
sity of Missouri, and a B.A.
and M.F.A.from the Kansas
City Art Institute.
During summer breaks,
Norma did additional course-
work at Temple University,
Columbia University, and Par-
sons School of Design. From
1950 through 1981, Norma
taught courses in the art de-
partment at St. Marys Col-
lege of Maryland following
the development of the insti-
tution from a high-school/ju-
nior college to a 4-year liberal
arts college. Norma worked
many jobs during her college
career: in 1942 she was a maid
for the Kansas City political
Pendergast family; from 1944
to the end of World War II, she
worked as a machine operator
for Pratt and Whitney; in 1947
Norma worked for Hallmark
Greeting Card Co. designing
greeting cards and prior to as-
suming the teaching position
at St. Marys she worked for
an innovative entrepreneur
designing focking for sports-
wear the forerunner of to-
days logo branding. Norma
was preceded in death by her
husband Gardner Strickland,
whom she married in 1955.
She is survived by a step-sis-
ter, Louella Schlesselman of
Cole Camp; a half-sister, Wil-
ma Bahrenburg of Cole Camp
and a half-brother, Olem
Harms of Oak Grove, Mo.;
her children, Susan Thomp-
son (Sam) of California, Md.,
Dianna Clemens (Jeff) of
Chase City, Va., Scott Strick-
land (Susan) of St. Inigoes,
Md. and six grandchildren.
A Memorial Service was held
Nov. 21, 2007 in the Trinity
Lutheran Church in Lexing-
ton Park, Md. Pastor Stephen
Updegrave conducted the ser-
vice. Memorial contributions
may be made to the HOS-
PICE House of St. Marys c/o
HOSPICE of St. Marys, Inc.,
P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown,
MD 20650 or Trinity Luther-
an Church, 46707 Shangri-la
Drive, Lexington Park, MD
20653.
Inurnment will be
private.
Arrangements by the
Brinsfeld Funeral Home,
P.A. in Leonardtown, Md.
Obituaries
Continued from page A-
To Place A
Memorial
Anniversary
Notice Call
301-373-4125.
SectionA-10
The
County Times Thursday,November29,2007
1623921
#A7062
Rear Window Defrost
Air Conditioning
AM/FM Stereo
#A8029
CD Player
Rear Window Defrost
A/C
Tilt
#A8079
Automatic
Sports Appearance Pkg
Rear Spoiler
Air Conditioning
16 Aluminum wheels
#A8184
Automatic
Am/Fm Stereo
A/C
#77179
Automatic
V8
Cruise
Power Group
A/C
Towing Pkg
Stereo Radio.
#85005
A/C PW
PL
Tilt
Automatic
#A7039
AM/FM Stereo
V6
A/C
Tilt Wheel
#A8085
Safety Canopy
Power Mirrors
A/C
#A8177
6 Way Power Seats
CD changer w/MP3
Power Moonroof
Sirius Satellite
PW
Keyless Entry
#1443
Automatic
Cruise
Power Mirrors/Locks
Fog lights
CD Changer w/MP3
#A8039
Automatic
Power Seats
CD Changer w/MP3
Security Pkg
Sirius Radio
Power Mirrors
Power Locks
#A7046
Nav
Automatic
Deluxe Power Pkg
Chrome Running Brds
Trailer Tow
Satellite Radio
Power Moonroof,
#A7086
Vista Roof
Satellite Radio
DVD Navi
Heated/Cool Seats
Tow Pkg
AWD
Chrome Wheels
#A8042
Automatic
Power Liftgate
Power Moonroof
Rear View Camera
Tow package
Rear Entertainment.
#A8101
AWD
Keyless Entry
3rd Row Seat
Reverse Sensing
#A7088
Chrome Wheels
Power Package
Advance Trac w/
Roll Stability
Reverse Seating
#A7039,
V6
AM / FM Stereo
Tilt Wheel