African-American history to be on display

Writer'S NOTEBOOK

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

The event will commemorate both the NAACP's 100th birthday and Juneteenth, a celebration that originated in Galveston, Texas, in 1965 when Union troops took control of the state and declared the slaves there free in accordance with the Emancipation Proclamation.

The proclamation took effect in 1963 but remained unknown to a good number of slaves across the country until the end of the Civil War.

The theme of this year's event is "Going Green," as participants will be encouraged to recycle, plant trees and conserve energy and natural resources by turning off lights and appliances when not in use, according to a press release.

"There's so much emphasis on that," said Ruth Reid of the Calvert County branch of the NAACP and the event's chair. "I was noting in the newspaper the children in all the different schools, they were doing all kinds of activities with going green, and on the national level that's being emphasized. We thought that was a good theme that people need to know about preserving the planet and doing as many things as they can to preserve the county."

Youngsters will be able to get their face painted, partake in a bike rodeo, jump in a moon bounce, receive tennis and golf lessons from community volunteers and listen to stories told by E. Gregory Wells, District Court judge for Calvert, Charles and St. Mary's County, and Lynn Stewart, a judge in Baltimore city.

A car show and competition sponsored by Brother's Johnson, a fashion show featuring models in African dress, tours of the park and a wagon ride pulled by Texas Longhorns are among the activities visitors can enjoy. First, second and third place trophies will be awarded after the car show.

Shawn Sarvis, a popular Christian comedian, will serve as the master of ceremonies while Baltimore Ravens cheerleader and Northern High School alum Kelly Gray and Channel 5 News reporter Roz Plater, also from Calvert County, will make appearances as well.

"The general purpose is to have a fun day for families to get together to understand some of their history, to look at the displays we have available in the community, to bring their children so they can have a fun activity together with their family members, and to showcase some of the activities going on in Calvert County whether their educational activities or entertaining activities," Reid said. "It's not just for African-Americans, it's for anybody."

In addition to the NAACP, contributors include the park, Calvert County Board of Commissioners, Friends of Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum, Smithsonian Anacostia Museum, American Legion Gray-Ray Post No. 220, Southern Maryland Chain Chapter of the Links Inc., Calvert Memorial Hospital, Calvert County Health Department and the event committee.

Admission is free and open to the public. The park opens at 10 a.m. with the event scheduled to kick off at 11.

Flood task force to hold public forum

The Calvert County Department of Planning and Zoning will hold its second public forum to discuss the county's Draft Flood Mitigation Plan on June 16, according to a press release.

After receiving a grant from the Maryland Emergency Management Agency, the county formed a Mitigation Task Force made up of county staff, municipal representatives and residents assigned to assist the countywide Flood Mitigation Planning Process.

The task force held its first meeting in November.

The plan looks to identify flood hazards, assess Calvert's vulnerability to those hazards and develop mitigation measures aimed at reducing vulnerability and preventing loss of life, injury and property damage.

All residents with property in areas prone to flooding or those who may be affected by regulatory changes are encouraged to attend. The forum begins at 7 p.m. in the auditorium at the Calvert Pines Senior Center on West Dares Beach Road in Prince Frederick.

BOE accepting Citizen Advisory applications

The Calvert County Board of Education is accepting applications for its 2009-2010 Citizen Advisory Committee. Members are appointed annually.

The 25-member committee studies areas of concern to the board, provides community insight into pending board policies and decisions, receives information on the management and plans under consideration or being implemented, and provides members to serve on ad hoc school district committees.

Those interested can get an application by calling Karen Maxey at 410-535-7220 or on the Calvert County Public Schools Web site at www.calvertnet.k12.md.us/departments/administration/cac/cac.asp.

Applicants must be Calvert residents, and appointments will begin in August.

Orioles compete for March of Dimes

Baltimore Orioles fans can now give back by attending games at Camden Yards. Fans can purchase tickets to one of four games — three against the Washington Nationals and one against the Boston Red Sox — scheduled from June 26 through June 29. Ticket prices range from $9 to $23 depending on the game.

For each ticket sold, the Orioles will donate $5 to the March of Dimes, a charity which benefits infant health by helping prevent premature birth, birth defects and infant mortality.

Those interested need to fill out a flyer and should contact Tracy Silwick at 410-547-6096 or e-mail pfields@orioles.com.

Mission impossible

Julia King, an associate professor of anthropology at St. Mary's College of Maryland, will give a talk on last summer's discovery of the 1674 Charles County Court House, once considered "impossible to locate," at Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum (JPPM) on this Thursday, June 11.

King will discuss the efforts made by a team of genealogists, surveyors, historians and archaeologists from St. Mary's College and JPPM who uncovered the court house in a plowed field near a Zekiah Swamp tributary. The project was a joint effort between St. Mary's College, JPPM and Michael Sullivan, a local businessman and amateur historian who conceived of the project as a way to celebrate Charles County's 350th anniversary.

King's presentation is free and open to the public. It will begin at 7 p.m. in the Maryland Archaeological Conservation Laboratory at JPPM. Light refreshments will be served.

jnewman@somdnews.com