It’s something Russ Cole of Lexington Park does two to three times a week, he said. The configuration manager for Sabre Systems stops by a vending machine at the building where he works at Patuxent River Naval Air Station, and he puts in the coins to buy a bag of peanut M&Ms.

He says the yellow bag of multi-colored candies are the most popular item in that machine. And he’s one of the reasons why.

Cole is one of those people who has a system as to how he eats M&Ms. He’s not one who casually pops the candy into his mouth. He’s a divider. After sorting all the colors into their respective groups, “I get rid of brown first, then yellows, reds, oranges, blues and lastly, green, my favorite color,” Cole explained in an email.

But on Tuesday last week, Cole got a surprise in his afternoon treat. He poured out the M&Ms and discovered one that didn’t fit in his traditional M&M-eating system. The bag included a white M&M.

It was a bright spot in his day, he said. “I am not the luckiest of people, but there was something about seeing that white M&M fall out of the pack that was like better than the prize in a Cracker Jack box,” he said. “If something puts a smile on your face to think about, you know it is too good to eat it.”

Although others have suggested he put the albino M&M on eBay, Cole is saving the find in his freezer. “It makes me smile,” he said.

Erin Cole, his wife, contacted Mars, the company that makes M&Ms, to report the white candy. “Apparently, they are pretty rare,” Erin wrote in an email to The Enterprise.

The Mars representative took down the location where the albino M&M was purchased, the bag’s lot number, time of purchase and said they would report the information to three departments. In addition, the representative said they will send Cole coupons for more M&Ms. Cole said he plans to put the bonus M&Ms out next to the water cooler at work so everyone can celebrate.

United Way of St. Mary’s County issues kickoff breakfast invitation

The United Way of St. Mary’s County is preparing for its annual kickoff breakfast, signaling the beginning of this year’s giving campaign. This year’s breakfast will be held Friday, Sept. 14, at the Bay District Volunteer Fire Department in Lexington Park. Jennifer Hollingsworth, executive director of the United Way of St. Mary’s County, is encouraging “any organization that would like to attend” to contact her office at 301-862-5577 by Aug. 27 to reserve a space, she said Friday morning.

Doors open at 7 a.m.; a buffet breakfast will be available at 7:30 a.m. Cost is $25 per person.

The Washington Post reported last month that the United Way of the National Capital Area had alerted member nonprofits that it plans to change its funding policy by giving money only to charities that raise more than $50,000 a year, saying that it felt that supporting only the larger charities would create a greater impact.

This change, however, will not reflect how the St. Mary’s United Way operates, Hollingsworth said. That was a decision of the National Capital Area affiliate, which covers Washington, D.C., Montgomery and Prince George’s counties and several counties in Northern Virginia. “It doesn’t apply to the United Way of St. Mary’s County,” Hollingsworth said.

For more information on the United Way of St. Mary’s County, see www.unitedwaysmc.org.

Chances set for hazardous waste disposal

Residents wishing to safely dispose of household hazardous waste materials will have two opportunities this fall. The St. Andrew’s Landfill will host hazardous waste collection days on Saturday, Sept. 8, and Saturday, Nov. 3, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. both days. Hazardous waste items which will be accepted for collection include acids, ammonia, bleach, cleaners, fuels, gas/oil mixtures, gasoline, household and lawn pesticides, mercury thermometers, paint, paint thinners, photography chemicals, pool chemicals, solvents and wood preservatives. Items which will not be accepted include ammunition, asbestos, explosive materials, medical waste, pharmaceuticals, radioactive materials and picric acid, which is explosive. For more information, call 301-863-8400 or visit www.co.saint-marys.md.us/dpw/recyclingandsolidwaste.asp.

Basket bingo set to benefit rescue squad

A super Longaberger basket bingo will be held Thursday, Aug. 16, at the Mechanicsville firehouse to benefit the Mechanicsville Volunteer Rescue Squad. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and games will begin at 7 p.m. There will be Pampered Chef in each basket, and those who reserve a seat will be entered for a raffle for a Stacie tote. In addition, the group leader with the most reservations will win a Horizon of Hope basket. There will be two consolation prizes. For reservations, call Joyce Downs at 301-884-8829 or 301-481-0906.

Changes announced in reproductive health services

The St. Mary’s County Health Department’s Reproductive Health Clinic assists both men and women in planning and preventing pregnancy and assisting families in having healthy babies. To achieve this mission, the clinic offers birth control options, complete gynecological exams and sexually transmitted infection screening and provides wellness and pre-conception counseling. Limited services are provided to eligible women who are not in need of birth control but desire to have an annual examination.

Effective Aug. 1, the health department’s reproductive health and sexually transmitted infection clinics will be combined under the reproductive health clinic.

Clients are encouraged to call ahead to schedule appointments. While walk-in clients will still be accepted, they risk not being seen that day if the clinic’s appointment schedule is full. To schedule an appointment call 301-475-4419.

The health clinic accepts the following insurance plans: medical assistance, medical assistance HMOs, Primary Adult Care and all major insurance with out-of-network coverage. Some services are available regardless of ability to pay. The St. Mary’s County Health Department’s Reproductive Health Clinic is located at 21580 Peabody St. in Leonardtown.

Winners announced from memorial golf tournament

The Lexington Park Lions Club hosted the second Tom Stout Memorial Golf Tournament on May 17 at Wicomico Shores Golf Course. The event included 108 golfers.

First place, first flight, went to Bill Jenner, Harold Herndon, Don Schwikert and Ed Springer. First place, second flight, went to Fran Hahne, Debbie Wood, Wanda Finazzo and Steve Everett.

Second place, first flight, went to Will Middleton, Tommy Grabbert, Graham North and Clint May. Second place, second flight, went to Tom Phelan, Gerald Garay, Floyd Warren and Howard Norfolk.

Third place, first flight, went to Andrew Gray, Brian Shields, Jim Greer and Brian Dillow. Third place, second flight, went to John Clark Jr, Daniel Smyser, Richard Smyser and Gary Miller.

Last place went to Johnny Alvey, Randy Lawson, Marty Russell and Wayne Abell.

Longest drive (men) was won by Matt Albright. Longest drive (women) was won by Carol Scott. Longest putt (men) was won by Floyd Warren. Longest putt (women) was won by Jane Shelley. Closest to the pin was won by Conrad Wright at hole 6, Howard Norfolk at hole 8, Brian Dillow at hole 14 and Bill Lynam at hole 17.

The tournament raised more than $6,500 for the Lions programs in the Lexington Park community, allowing the club to more than double its budget for sight-related programs to provide more than 100 pairs of glasses for those in need this coming year. And, for the first time, the club was able to provide hearing aids for two people.

CSM prepares to hold its annual golf tournament

The College of Southern Maryland’s Foundation Golf Classic will celebrate its 21st year with the CSM Strong for a Stronger Southern Maryland campaign at Swan Point Yacht & Country Club on Aug. 16. The tournament has raised more than $500,000 for students and college programs. The goal this year is to raise $40,000. The tournament will kick off with breakfast sponsored by Burger King of Charles and St. Mary’s counties, beginning at 7:30 a.m. and is followed by a shotgun start at 9 a.m. Lunch will be provided by Chick-fil-A of La Plata, along with a reception including prizes after the tournament concludes. Sponsorships are still available. For information, contact Erika Abell at 301-934-7647 or eabell1@csmd.edu or visit www.csmd.edu/Foundation/GolfClassic.

Glass of wine with that?

The Friends of the St. Clement’s Island and Piney Point Museums will present “Murder by Merlot,” an interactive murder mystery dinner, on Friday, Sept. 14, at Olde Breton Inn in Leonardtown. This fundraiser will help support programs, projects, exhibits and matching grants for the museums and historic sites of the St. Mary’s County Museum Division.

“Murder by Merlot” takes the audience to a fictional St. Mary’s County winery, Heron Crest, for an international wine competition. Audience members are encouraged to come dressed as international jet-setters who are attending the event when a murder is discovered. Guests willing to participate will be offered scripts and props and encouraged to portray their characters with over-the-top performances.

Doors open at 6 p.m. for hors d’oeuvres and cocktails at the cash bar. At 7 p.m. an auction of items donated by local merchants and Friends members will be conducted by auctioneer A.J. Bussler. In addition, a silent auction with art, jewelry, wine-themed items and other offerings will go on throughout the evening. A dinner buffet will be served at 7:30 p.m., with the murder mystery performance to follow.

Reservations must be made and paid for in advance. Cost is $65 for members of The Friends and $70 for the general public. Mastercard, Visa and checks are accepted. Call the St. Clement’s Island Museum at 301-769-2222 for more information or to make a reservation. Seating is first-come, first-served, but groups of eight may reserve a table in advance.

Legion to host steak and shrimp dinner

American Legion Post 221 at 21690 Colton Point Road in Avenue will hold a dinner featuring New York strip steak, steamed shrimp and burgers on Friday, Aug. 17, from 5 to 8 p.m. Platters and sandwiches are both available for eat-in or carryout service. For more information, contact Mike Barbour at 301-769-4569 or 301-769-4346 on the day of the event. See www.alpost221.webs.com.

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