County government news

Friday, May 8, 2009

The St. Mary's County Division of Tourism presented the winner of the Celebrate 375 Leonardtown Trunk of Treasures Giveaway prize to Brent Johnson on Wednesday.

The winner lives in Wildewood and works at Patuxent River Naval Air Station. Accompanying the winner was his wife, Meredith Johnson, who had entered the giveaway six times. Brent Johnson entered only once, but it was his entry that was drawn.

The trunk featured goods, services and art from Leonardtown merchants and artists with items having a combined value of over $1,500.

The trunk was a handmade leather 17th-century-style traveling trunk crafted by Loveville Leather. Meredith Johnson said, "The trunk was what really drew me to the Trunk of Treasures Giveaway. I was a history major at St. Mary's College of Maryland, and I love the history behind the style of the trunk."

On hand to congratulate the winners was Dan Burris, commissioner of Leonardtown, and Karleen Jaffres of Café des Artistes and Val Deptula of The Good Earth who both contributed items to the trunk.

This was the first of three seasonal giveaways sponsored by the St. Mary's County Division of Tourism this year. The Celebrate 375 Trunk of Treasures giveaways are part of the campaign to promote Maryland's 375th Birthday.

Entries for the second contest may be made online at www.Maryland375.com or in person at the St. Mary's County Welcome Center in Charlotte Hall.

Solid waste meeting rescheduled

The solid waste advisory committee meeting scheduled for Wednesday, May 13, has been changed to Wednesday, May 20. The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. in the department of public works and transportation conference room at 44825 St. Andrew's Church Road in California.

County welcome center open daily

The St. Mary's County Welcome Center on southbound Route 5 in Charlotte Hall is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The daily operation will continue until Oct. 31. The center's trained staff can provide information on accommodations and destinations and answer questions.

For more information call the welcome center at 301-884-7059.