New regional group created to rescue golden retrievers

Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2007

Many of those who have boosted the popularity of the affectionate dogs by buying one, however, are surprised once they bring a golden retriever puppy home, according to Pat Johnson of Valley Lee.

‘‘They’re adorable little puppies,” Johnson said Monday. ‘‘But they can be very mischievous. It’s like having a toddler around.”

New dog owners can be unprepared for the time and training the breed requires. ‘‘So, [the dogs] often end up getting given up,” Johnson said.

Johnson has worked with golden retriever rescue groups over the last 10 years to get these dogs out of animal shelters, and she’s just received nonprofit status for a group she’s formed in Southern Maryland. A formation meeting for Golden Retriever Rescue of Southern Maryland will be held Feb. 24 at 10 a.m. at the Lexington Park library.

She’s hoping to attract a variety of volunteers to the group — potential foster families, fundraisers and those who can help with the group’s Web site.

Johnson, who owns four golden retrievers of her own and has fostered about 35 over the past decade, loves these dogs. ‘‘It doesn’t matter how bad your day is when you have a mob of goldens at home to greet you,” she said.

Fostering has many benefits beyond potentially saving a dog’s life, Johnson said. Because the rescue group pays for all food and medical bills, there isn’t much of an economic burden. For people who love dogs but don’t want a long-term commitment, fostering, which can last from as little at two to four weeks on up to a year, can be a better solution than getting a dog of their own. ‘‘They just need to be willing to take a dog into their family,” Johnson said.

For more information call Johnson at 301-994-0132 or visit www.goldenretrieverrescueofsouthernmaryland.org.

Genealogical society to offer bus trip March 1

The St. Mary’s Genealogical Society is sponsoring a research bus trip to Washington, D.C., on Thursday, March 1. Stops will be made at the Library of Congress, National Archives and the DAR Library. Cost is $13. For location of pickup points or more information, call Loranna Gray at 301-373-8458.

Women invited to retreat

The Maryland South Area Lighthouse Team of Aglow International is inviting all interested women and teens to its annual spring retreat ‘‘Time Out: Come and Drink,” which will be held March 16 to 18 at Sandy Cove Retreat Center in North East.

Ann Hanson will be sharing with the women and Nancy Stellabotta-Commeree will be sharing with the teens. For more information call 301-475-5202.

COSMIC concert to feature winners of competition

COSMIC Symphony will present its 11th annual family concert with two performances. The first will be presented Feb. 24 at 7:30 p.m. at Huntingtown High School and the second on Feb. 25 at 3 p.m. at Chopticon High School.

The concert will open with Schubert’s ‘‘Rosemunde Overture,” followed by winners of the third annual young artist competition — Jessica Lyons, the student winner; and Robyn Martinez, the young adult winner.

The concert will include music by Vivaldi, Mozart, Strauss and Sibelius.

The second half of the program will also include a presentation of music, dance and narration of Prokofiev’s ‘‘Peter and the Wolf,” featuring COSMIC Symphony, the dancers of Ballet Caliente and narrator Donald Schramm.

Tickets are $8 for seniors and students, $10 for individuals and $20 for a family and are on sale at Allegro Music, Musically Yours and Strings Music. Tickets are also online at www.cosmicmusic.org. and will be available at the door.

COSMIC’s season is funded in part by grants from St. Mary’s County Arts Council and Calvert County Arts Council, awarded by Maryland State Arts Council. Corporate sponsors include The Boeing Company, EMA, Sabre Systems, RBC, Wal-Mart and Target stores. For more information call Lynn at 301-373-5277.

Literacy tutor training to be offered in March

A free, 12-hour workshop to train adults to become volunteer literacy tutors will be offered on March 19, 21, 26 and 28 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Lexington Park library.

Once the course is completed, the tutor will be assigned an adult who needs help with reading, writing or learning English. No experience is needed to participate. To register, call 301-863-4847.

Bowling event to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Maryland Inc. is looking for support for its Bowl for Kids’ Sake 2007 event. This is an opportunity for local businesses to rally employee teams, to make donations or offer sponsorships. Events will be held on different dates in all three Southern Maryland counties.

On March 4, participants will bowl at AMF lanes in Waldorf from 2 to 4 p.m. On March 31, participants will bowl at Patuxent River Naval Air Station from noon to midnight and in Calvert County at Lord Calvert Bowl on May 6 from 1 to 3 p.m.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Maryland Inc. has been matching tri-county youths with adults for 30 years. The organization serves 238 children and families with hopes of reaching 1,300 by 2010. For more information or to sign up call 800-881-6783.

Chopticon to present‘Once Upon a Mattress’

Chopticon High School will present the musical comedy ‘‘Once Upon a Mattress” on March 8 at 6:30 p.m. and March 9 and 10 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets will be available at the door for $8 or $6 with a St. Mary’s public school ID.

Equine conference set for March 15 through 17

The Southern Maryland Agricultural Commission will host a three-day equine conference from March 15 to 17 at the J.T. Daugherty Center in Lexington Park. The conference is tailored to inform and support the equine and farming community.

The event is designed for farm owners wanting to know what possibilities there are to service Maryland’s $5.2 billion horse industry; for an equine business or horse owner seeking information on how to provide the best possible environment, feed and care for their horses; or area residents considering buying their first horse or pony.

The conference is open to all; registration is required by March 5.

Cost is $20 per day or $50 for all three days (price includes continental breakfast and lunch on March 15 and 16 only). To register call 301-274-1922 or e-mail info@somarylandsogood.com. For information and updates on topics and speakers, visit www.somarylandsogood.com⁄events. For cancellations⁄rescheduling due to weather, call 301-274-1922, ext. 29.

Lions Club of Ridge offers two scholarships

The Lions Club of Ridge is offering two scholarships — one for $1,000 and a second for $500 — in memory of Past District Governor Thomas B. Stone. This scholarship is designed to be used for furthering the education for a full-time student. Scholarship funds may used for tuition, books or housing.

To be eligible, an applicant must be a resident of St. Mary’s County and must be a resident of 1st Election District or sponsored by an active Ridge Lion.

To compete for the scholarship, students must complete the Ridge Lions scholarship application form. Applicants may get these forms by contacting the school guidance counselor or write to the Ridge Lions Club, P.O. Box 420, Ridge, MD 20680. Applicants are required to submit a typed 500- to 700-word essay.

Applications must be received by March 17. The award will be made by April 24. Funds will be sent to the finance office of the learning institute.

St. George’s Episcopal to hold fish dinner

An all-you-can-eat fish dinner will be held March 2 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at St. George’s Episcopal Church in Valley Lee.

The menu will include fried fish, french fries, hush puppies, cole slaw and green beans. Desserts cost extra. Cost will be $10 for adults, $5 for children 6 to 12 and children 5 and younger may eat for free. Call 301-994-0585.

Potomac River watershed cleanup scheduled

The 19th Annual Potomac River Watershed Cleanup will be held March 31 and April 1 from 9 a.m. to noon. Site leaders and volunteers are needed at hundreds of sites throughout Southern Maryland. To learn more about nearby sites, call 301-292-5665 or visit www.trashfreepotomac.org.

Grant offered for women

The American Association of University Women has announced its Dare to Dream grant for women 18 and older who wish to apply for a $300 grant to further their educational opportunities, for personal growth or for service projects in their communities. Applications for those living in St. Mary’s County are available at the Leonardtown library. Applications for those living in Calvert County are available at the Prince Frederick library. Applications may also be obtained from msalh@comcast.net or by calling Ann Harrison at 410-394-3733. Applications are due by March 31 and may be mailed to AAUW Dare to Dream Grant, P.O. Box 216, St. Leonard, MD 20685.

Lenten dinners available at Lexington Park church

Lenten seafood dinners will be offered by Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Lexington Park every Friday during Lent, from Feb. 23 to March 30, from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Carryouts will be available. Everyone is welcome. Prices will vary. Children’s meals will be available and children 3 and younger may eat for free. Call 301-863-8144.

To submit items for this column, e-mail them to scraton@somdnews.com or fax them to 301-737-1665.