Communities start readying for National Night Out

THIS ‘N' THAT

Friday, June 19, 2009

Most of the roughly two dozen St. Mary's communities that signed up for last year's event followed through with outdoor barbecues or similar gatherings that all gave the residents a chance to talk with one another and the visiting law officers.

"It's about getting communities together as one, to get to know your neighbors and provide positive communication between neighborhoods and law enforcement … addressing issues of crime [and] safety," sheriff's Cpl. D.T. Ross said Wednesday at the agency's headquarters in Leonardtown.

The gatherings can strengthen ties between residents and law officers, which Ross said will help "to provide a safe environment for families and friends, especially the children."

Among the communities with long-running participation in the annual program are the Great Mills area neighborhoods of Greenview Village Apartments, Indian Bridge Apartments and Lord Calvert trailer park.

Their combined event is hosted by Cherry Cove Land Development, the three properties' owner, outside its offices along Great Mills Road, across from Great Mills High School.

The event's success comes in part from both the property management team and local businesses that donate prizes, food and gift certificates, leasing agent Sonya Sinko said.

"I have a lot of help from the staff in the office," Sinko said, and the communities' residents also help out.

Bay District volunteer firefighters regularly come by with their water hoses to cool down children grateful for some relief from the summer heat.

Cherry Cove's motels donate coupons for free lodging among the raffle prizes, and other businesses interested in donating to the cause can call Sinko at 301-863-6800, ext. 128.

"It's good to know your neighbors, and interact with them," she said. "You make friends, too."

St. Mary's neighborhoods can register for the National Night Out by calling sheriff's Cpl. Chad Hartzell at 301-475-8008.

State's 375th birthday weekend to feature music, festivals

This weekend's events commemorating the 375th anniversary of the arrival of English settlers to St. Mary's shores include a Friday night concert at St. Mary's College and Saturday celebrations at Historic St. Mary's City and Lexington Park.

The River Concert Series season opener featuring the Chesapeake Orchestra and music director Jeffrey Silberschlag begins at 7 p.m. today at the college, with the world premier of a symphonic work "Terrae Mariae: A Creation Story" by Maryland composer Nathan Lincoln-DeCusatis with spoken texts culled from early writings on Maryland's founding, prepared by associate professor Jennifer Cognard-Black.

The concert also will include music of the 1600s, Handel's "Trumpet Spectacular" and Dvorak's Symphony No. 9 – "The New World." The orchestra will feature guest artists, including Gov. Martin O'Malley's Celtic rock band, O'Malley's March. 

Maryland's Birthday Celebration kicks off at 10 a.m. tomorrow, Saturday, at Historic St. Mary's City and will feature tall ships along the waterfront including the Kalmar Nickel, modeled after a ship that sailed from Sweden to the New World in 1638. Visitors can try colonial dancing, watch American Indian dancing and enjoy period entertainment and relax with live music by Calico Jack, David Norris, Ship's Company and David Hildebrand.

Also on Saturday, the annual Juneteenth Celebration begins at noon at Freedom Park in Lexington Park, at the intersection of Route 235 and Tulagi Place.

Entertainment celebrating cultural diversity and freedom will include an early evening jazz concert featuring saxophonist Phillip Martin, vocalist Shang and gospel singing with the Rev. James Flowers Jr. and Family. Other festivities include African dancing and drumming and a Minority Outreach Coalition Mini Health Fair. For more information, call 301-862-4868 or go online to www.ucaconline.org.

In addition, Pinks All Out auto racing returns on Saturday to Maryland International Raceway in Budds Creek, filmed by Speed TV and featuring hundreds of the best drag racers in the country seeking glory and their share of $18,000. Rich Christensen will host the all-day shootout.

For more information, call 301-884-9833 or go online to www.mirdrag.com.

The celebrations continue from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday at the College of Southern Maryland's Leonardtown campus, with a wellness, fitness and recreation program including fitness demonstrations, wellness tips, health screenings, races and a 3.75-mile walk through the town. Other family activities will include a moon bounce, face painting, balloon stomp, children's fitness challenge and family obstacle course and kickball games. For more information about the weekend's events, call 301-934-7703 or 240-725-5312.

Unmanned vehicle contest continues through weekend

The 7th Annual Student Unmanned Systems Competition that began earlier this week at Webster Field in St. Inigoes is scheduled to continue through the weekend with 23 student teams from 13 states and three countries.

The competition provides a conduit for the next generation of unmanned systems designers and developers, most of who have either graduated or are entering their senior year, to meet with industry and government experts in an informal environment and discuss career options.

For more information about the contest, go online to www.auvsi-seafarer.org/ or call 301-866-6750.

Greenwell hosting camp meet-and-greet

The Greenwell Foundation will hold a Camp Greenwell Meet and Greet from 1 to 4 p.m. today, Friday, for enrolled and prospective campers and their families.

Today's gathering is an opportunity to meet the camp counselors and get a sneak peak at the camp activity locations. Parents or guardians must accompany their child or children during the event.

The first session of Camp Greenwell and its specialty camps begins next Monday, June 22. Week-long sessions run through Aug. 21.

For more information, go online to www.greenwellfoundation.org.

Dads get in free Sunday at Sotterley

Sotterley Plantation in Hollywood will offer free admission for all fathers on Father's Day, this Sunday, June 21, to visit from noon to 4 p.m. and stroll the gardens, tour the mansion and walk the grounds and trails.

Visitors also can picnic on the lawn while enjoying views of the Patuxent River.

For more on upcoming Sotterley events, go online to www.sotterley.org. 

jwharton@somdnews.com