Search goes on for descendants of U.S. Colored Troops

THIS ‘N' THAT

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

How many people know whether they are the descendant of a Civil War soldier from St. Mary's County who was a member of the United States Colored Troops?

Hundreds of newly freed slaves in St. Mary's enlisted in the Union Army. In fact, two of them – William H. Barnes and James H. Harris – so distinguished themselves in the conflict that they were awarded the Medal of Honor.

The Unified Committee for Afro-American Contributions, is trying to find descendants of these St. Mary's soldiers as part of an effort to establish a memorial to the soldiers.

People with surnames like Biscoe, Dorsey, Fenwick, Gough, Harris and Woodland may want to start a search into their family tree. Those are just some of the names of the more than 200 soldiers in question. A complete list of the soldiers' names is available at www.somdnews.com — search for "USCT soldiers."

The group is trying to find the soldiers' descendants "so that we can bring their families together and have their families recognized," said Janice Walthour, past president of UCAC and co-chair of the memorial committee.

The UCAC is particularly interested in finding descendants of the Medal of Honor winners, Barnes and Harris. "We want to give [their descendants] information about how important one of their ancestors was. It's good to know you had someone who won that kind of honor," Walthour said.

The UCAC's plan is for the memorial to be established in the new Carver Heights Community Park, with a target dedication date of Sept. 29, 2010. People who believe they are ancestors of one of these soldiers are asked to contact Walthour at 301-862-2296, Nathaniel Scroggins at 301-862-9635 or Idolia Shubrooks, the other co-chair of the memorial committee, at 301-863-2150. For more information visit www.ucaconline.org.

Sotterley seeks volunteers

Both museum shop and interpreter volunteers are needed at Sotterley Plantation in Hollywood.

For more information contact Debbie Reetz, volunteer coordinator, at the Sotterley office at 301-373 -2280 or via e-mail to volunteer@sotterley.org.

Cancer survivors picnic set for June 7

St. Mary's Hospital will host a National Cancer Survivors Day picnic on June 7 from 1 to 5 p.m. for those who have survived cancer or for their loved ones.

According to the American Cancer Society, more than 26,000 new cancer cases are estimated in 2009 in Maryland and more than 10,000 people are estimated to die from cancer this year in Maryland. About 65 percent of people nationwide diagnosed with cancer in the United States are expected to live at least five years upon diagnosis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Division of Cancer Prevention and Control.

The event will be held in the St. Mary's Hospital parking lot in Leonardtown and will feature lunch and speakers, including Dr. Michael Mahaffey, the hospital's cancer committee chairman; MaryLou Watson, hospital vice president for nursing; and Joan Popielski, director of the St. Mary's Hospital Cancer Care and Infusion Services. Jennifer Drury, clinical health educator at Health Connections, will provide a lesson on the benefits of exercise during chemotherapy.

St. Mary's Hospital offers several programs for cancer patients, their family members and friends. The Cancer Support Group is a free group facilitated by employees from the hospital's Cancer Care and Infusion Services and Case Management departments. The class runs June 3 and 17; July 1 and 15 and Aug. 5 and 19 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the hospital's classroom.

St. Mary's Hospital also partners with the National Cosmetology Association and the American Cancer Society for a free program for female cancer patients to improve their appearance and self-image when overcoming the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation. The Look Good, Feel Better program runs June 10, July 8 and Aug. 12 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Cancer Care and Infusion Services.

For information on the National Cancer Survivors Day picnic or to register for the programs for cancer patients, call 301-475-6070.

County to offer New Horizons camp

The St. Mary's County Department of Recreation and Parks has announced that, in collaboration with St. Mary's County Public Schools, the New Horizons Summer Camp program will be offered again this year. The camp will begin Monday, June 22, and will end Friday, July 31, and will operate on weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Hollywood Elementary School.

The New Horizons program registration is now open, with a registration fee of $750. Assistance in finding financial assistance is available.

Children in this program will receive a free nutritional breakfast and lunch each day through the department's participation in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Summer Food Service Program. The program will not discriminate in the course of the meal service and will not promote physical segregation or other discrimination against any child because of race, color, age, national origin, sex or disability.

For more information, contact Christi Bishop at 301-475-4200, ext. 1802.

Estate planning offered for farmers

The Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission will host an estate planning workshop specifically designed to benefit the region's agricultural community on June 15.

The workshop will stress the importance of estate planning to protect the family farm and financial assets from excessive taxation.

"This workshop will provide valuable information to farmers regardless of the size their farms and estates and illustrate why planning now is essential for the continuation of the family farm." said Christine Bergmark, executive director of SMADC, in a statement. "As we approach the final phase of the tobacco buyout program, it is more important than ever to preserve and continue to grow our farming communities in this region." 

Planned and presented in cooperation with a team of local professionals, the workshop is also co-sponsored by Colonial Farm Credit and Country Mortgages.

The workshop is free and will take place on Monday, June 15, at 6 p.m. in the SMECO auditorium in Hughesville. Advance registration is required by June 12.

RSVP to 301-274-1922. For more information on related programs, visit the SMADC Web site at www.somarylandsogood.com.

Class to cover basic boating

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Solomons Flotilla 23-2, will offer a five-session Maryland Basic Boating Class at the West Marine Store in Solomons on June 15, 17, 22, 24 and 29. Classes will run from 7 to 9 p.m. each evening.

Maryland law specifies that anyone born on or after July 1, 1972, must have a Certificate of Boating Safety Education in order to operate a mechanically propelled vessel on Maryland waters. This beginner boating class is designed to give participants the knowledge needed to obtain this certificate. Many boat insurance companies offer discounts on boating insurance to boaters who successfully complete the course.

Students must attend all five sessions and pass a final examination with a grade of 80 percent in order to obtain the certificate. The course fee of $25 includes the student textbook. All class fees that are collected are used for boating safety education. Children younger than 12 must be accompanied by an adult. To preregister, contact Gary Smith at 410-326-8377 or via e-mail FSOPE.232@hotmail.com. Class size is limited.

Forrest center students win 79 medals in competition

Students at the Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center "outperformed themselves," according to a statement from the school, at the SkillsUSA Maryland 2009 State Championship. Seventy-nine Forrest center students made it through the local and regional competitions to the state level, and in 18 different areas, they returned with honors.

The students receiving gold medals were Jeremy Lanham and Megan Schanck in 3-D visualization and animation; Melanie Dyson in advertising design; Joe Kwasniak and Taylor Sargent in audio/radio production; Garrett Groeger, Dante Johnson and Alex Lommel in automated manufacturing technology; Matthew Spalding in aviation maintenance technology; Michael Shea in CNC milling; Matthew Williams in diesel equipment technology; Eli Pinkerton in Internetworking; Brandon Coleman in medical terminology; Tiffany Rose in pin design; Marissa Emeigh, Katie Johnson, Kristin Kauffman, Shawn Miedzinski, Cody Thompson and William Yost in quiz bowl; Donna Ly in technical drafting; and Holden Boyles and Nate Atwell in video product development.

Silver medalists were Ryan Hall and Adam Sickle in audio/radio production; Ben Luffey in aviation maintenance technology; Tyler Williams in CNC milling; Kristina Battenfield, Abi Crim and Jessica Herbert in crime scene investigation; Kayla Hall in job skills demonstration A; Cory Higgs in sheet metal; Carson Steele in welding; and Lane Parks and Jack Willette in video product development.

Bronze medalists were Peter Webster in aviation maintenance technology; Jeff Held in CNC milling; Courtney Santora in job skills demonstration A; and Brittany Cassini, Danny Longoria, Erik Miller and Christina Veale in television news.

Twenty-three of these students have earned the right to represent St. Mary's County public schools and the Forrest center at the National SkillsUSA Championship in Kansas City this month. In addition, Katie Johnson and McKenzie Rivard were elected to serve as Maryland State SkillsUSA officers, and Casi Chisholm was elected as a national voting delegate.

scraton@somdnews.com