Project Linus blankets help provide comfort to children

Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2008

Click here to enlarge this photo Submitted photo Camp Phoenix campers who received blankets from Project Linus during the camp’s August session are, from left, Dustin Perry, Cody Edwards, Marie Fields, Andrew Truitt, Madeline Humphreys, Cheyanne Orr, Amanda Beccard, Ian Wilderson, Catherine Gay, Shelly Dickson, and Jamie Orr. Also pictured is Project Linus representative Debbie Rumple. E-Mail This Article | Print This Story Click here to enlarge this photo Submitted photo Paula Gray’s team, comprised of Paula Gray, Bunky Wood, Gary Wood and Skip Wintor, took first place in the Southern Maryland Community Network’s 12th Annual Golf Tournament held in June. The annual event is held to raise awareness about mental illness in Calvert County.

Camp Phoenix is a summer day-camp for children and teens grieving the death of someone close. Project Linus has been donating blankets to the camp for years and is a group of ‘‘blanketeers” who provide new, handmade, washable blankets to be given as gifts to seriously ill and traumatized children of all ages up to 18 years old, according to a press release. The blankets are enjoyed by campers of all ages and provide love and a sense of security in their time of loss.

Go to www.projectlinus.org for information on Project Linus and www.calverthospice.org for information on Camp Phoenix and other bereavement programs.

Concerned Black Women seek nominees for first awards gala

Concerned Black Women of Calvert County Inc. is seeking award nominations for its inaugural Awards Gala to be held on Saturday, Oct. 18, at the Holiday Inn Select in Solomons.

The organization is seeking nominees for the following award categories: Woman of the Year, Health, Business and Youth.

Those who know an African-American woman who resides or is employed in Calvert County whose contributions, accomplishments and services are deserving of an award in one of the categories mentioned above, write an essay — no more than 100 words — stating why she should be nominated along with the award category.

Submit essays to CBW Inc., by Sept. 5 via mail to: CBW Inc., P.O. Box 927, Prince Frederick, MD 20678; e-mail: cbwofcc@hotmail.com; or go to the Web site to download a Nomination Form at www.cbw-cc.org.

For more information call 410-586-8883.

Calvert Family Carenow in Solomons

Dr. Kenneth Villar and Dr. Leena Kodali have opened Calvert Family Care in Suite 2300 of the Solomons Medical Center, according to a press release from Calvert Memorial Hospital. They provide compassionate, family centered care for patients of all ages — from newborn to elderly. The new practice is affiliated with Calvert Memorial Hospital.

‘‘Our goal is to help our patients maintain and improve their overall health,” Villar said in the release, ‘‘while empowering them with the knowledge they need to achieve optimum well-being.”

Kodali, who is board certified in internal medicine, completed her fellowship in geriatrics at Johns University School of Medicine in 2008. Prior to that, she completed her residency at Albert Einstein College of Medicine–Bronx Lebanon Hospital Center in New York.

‘‘As a geriatrician, I aim to promote healthy aging,” Kodali said in the release, ‘‘and to prevent and treat diseases and disabilities in the elderly.” She deals with elder care issues such as delirium, use of multiple medications, incontinence, memory loss and immobility.

Villar, who specializes in family medicine, completed his training at the nationally ranked residency program at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center–St. Margaret Hospital in 2008. He graduated from the University of East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center in the Philippines in 1997.

Services include health screenings, preventive medicine, complete physicals, well baby checks, immunizations and annual gynecological exams. For more information, call 410-394-3712.

SMCN’s Golf Classichits 12th year mark

The 12th Annual, ‘‘Tribute to Mental Health Pioneer’s” Golf Classic held at Twin Shields Golf Club on June 4 was a great success for Southern Maryland Community Network Inc. (SMCN), according to a press release.

SMCN offers services for children and adults who suffer from serious mental illness that impair their functioning in one or more important area of life.

The weather was fabulous, a great barbecue was provided by The Grill Sergeant, and lots of fun and memory-making took place as 60 golfers swung their way to win the top prize.

The team that captured the first place honor was Paula Gray’s team, which was comprised of Paula Gray, Bunky Wood, Gary Wood and Skip Wintor.

Sponsorships included Corporate Sponsorships by Reilly Benefits and Show Place Arena.

Breakfast and beverages were sponsored by Wyle Laboratories, and lunch was sponsored by Lord Calvert Bowl. Many local businesses also supported SMCN with tee sponsorships at all 18 holes.

The ‘‘Hole-in-One” competition this year was a million-dollar giveaway. Although no players went home with money, there were plenty of close calls made on this long drive hole.

The committee responsible for putting the tournament together was comprised of Joanne Gay, John Bennett, Karen Carloni, Christina Payne, Christina Spangler, Sandy Hickin, Nikki Phillips, Joanna Kern, Tammy Dayton and Susan Bogacki.

The tournament is held annually to raise the awareness of mental illness in Calvert County.

For more information about Southern Maryland Community Network Inc., go to www. somdnetwork.org; contact Christina Payne at 410-535-4787, Ext. 142, e-mail cpayne@smcni.org; call Karen Carolni at 410-535-4787, Ext. 146; or e-mail kcarloni@smcni.org.