Troops monument committee to host ceremony, dinner

THIS ‘N' THAT

Friday, Aug. 21, 2009

Scheduled speakers include Capt. Andrew Macyko, commanding officer of Patuxent River Naval Air Station; retired Col. Andre Barnes of Alexandria; and Bradley Gottfried, the president of the College of Southern Maryland.

The event at the Hollywood firehouse will begin at 3 p.m, and there will be special recognition of community honorees including Delores Bailey, Agnes Callum, Judge John Hanson Briscoe, Jeffrey French, Michael Brown, Clancy Lyall, Leonard Bryan, Dr. Patrick Jarboe, David Roberts and former Sheriff Joseph Lee Somerville. Special guest recognition will be presented to Alice Thomas and Guffrie Smith Sr.

All proceeds will benefit the construction of the United States Colored Troops Memorial Monument to be located in Lancaster Park. Idolia Shubrooks, who is co-chairing the event with Janice Walthour, said this week that registration to attend the event continues. "A lot of people don't understand the importance of it," Shubrooks said. "It's important that this monument be erected."

Sponsors of the event include the Unified Committee for Afro-American Contributions, the United States Colored Troop Monument Committee and the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, James H. Harris Camp No. 38.

Sgt. James H. Harris and Pvt. William H. Barnes, both born in St. Mary's, received the United States Colored Troops Congressional Medal of Honor and were honored for their gallantry in the Battle of Chaffin's Farm, also known as New Market Heights, which was fought in Virginia during the Civil War. The United States Colored Troops were regiments of the U.S. Army and Navy during the Civil War, and were composed of African-American soldiers and sailors.

For more information, call Idolia Shubrooks at 301-863-2150, Walthour at 301-862-2296 or Elfreda Mathis at 301-994-0766. "It's not too late to call and make reservations," Shubrooks said.

Contributions can be mailed to the USCT Memorial Monument Fund, P.O. Box 1457, Lexington Park, MD 20653.

Bingo returns Sunday to St. John Church

St. John Francis Regis Catholic Church in Hollywood will resume its weekly bingo games this Sunday, Aug. 23, as a fundraiser for St. John's School. Doors will open at 5 p.m. at the Monsignor Harris Center, with games starting at 6 p.m. Sunday's jackpot will be $1,000 in 54 numbers. Dinner and other refreshments will be available. For more information, call 301-373-2281.

Contest begins for fans, photographers

Southern Marylanders are invited to show off their favorite photos from sporting events on the Web site spotted.somdnews.com, and pictures of children, pets and vacation destinations also are welcome. Photos must be original work, and the most-viewed photo on the Web site will appear in print in each Wednesday's edition. E-mail jrabe@somdnews.com.

GOP plans Sept. 12 Lincoln/Reagan dinner

The Republican Central Committee of St. Mary's County will hold its annual Lincoln/Reagan Dinner on Saturday, Sept. 12, at The Crystal Room in Callaway.

The keynote speaker will be Ellen Sauerbrey, a former state legislator, gubernatorial candidate and U.N. ambassador who will offer her perspective on local and world issues. Sauerbrey will be joined by special guest speaker Charles Lollar, a Republican candidate in next year's election to represent Maryland's 5th Congressional District.

The social hour will begin at 6 p.m., with dinner at 7 p.m. Tickets are $50. Call Mary Russell at 301-373-4334. The St. Mary's Republican Central Committee is the governing body of and the official voice for the Republican Party in St. Mary's County, in cooperation with the State Central Committee and the Republican National Committee.

After-school care registration continues

The St. Mary's County Department of Recreation and Parks is continuing to accept registration forms for before- and after-school care programs for the 2009/2010 school year. The program serves elementary school students at Banneker, Evergreen, Green Holly, the Green Holly Judy Center (pre-K), Greenview, Hollywood, Leonardtown, Dent and Mechanicsville.

Families of Esperanza and Leonardtown middle schools students should check with school transportation officials for drop-offs at the Hollywood Recreation Center. Families of Margaret Brent Middle School students should check with school transportation officials for drop-offs at the Mechanicsville Recreation Center.

The program operates from 6:30 a.m. to the beginning of the school day, and from the close of the school day until 6:30 p.m. The centers are open on teacher in-service days, early dismissal days and holiday breaks at no additional fee.

Activities include homework time, morning and afternoon snacks, group games, arts & crafts and dramatic play.

Call 301-475-4200, ext. 1800, or see www.co.saint-marys.md.us/recreate/childcare/admissions-registration.asp.

Sheriff's next citizen academy starts Oct. 1

The St. Mary's Sheriff's Office Fall Citizens Academy Class, designed to provide an inside look into the agency's day-to-day operations, will begin on Thursday, Oct. 1.

The seven sessions held from 6-9 p.m. on Thursday evenings will end on Nov. 12.

Prospective participants must be over the age of 18 and submit an application.

To register for the fall class, call Kelly Castle at 301-475-4200, ext. 1910, send e-mail to kelly.castle@co.saint-marys.md.us or apply online at www.firstsheriff.com.

Golden Beach yard sale to buy fireworks

The Golden Beach and Patuxent Knolls communities will hold a yard sale starting at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, to raise money to pay for the fireworks at next July's Independence Day celebration. The yard sale will be at the ballfield behind the Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department firehouse on Golden Beach Road. A 10-by-10-foot vendor space can be rented for $10 by calling Harry Grant at 301-884-2093 or Margie Hoffman at 240-249-3300.

Pax NAS marina gets state recognition

Maryland officials have announced the identity of 12 sites newly recognized as certified "Clean Marinas," including the West Basin Marina at Patuxent River Naval Air Station.

Since 1999, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources has certified 115 Clean Marinas and 24 smaller facilities designated as Clean Marina Partners. The facilities voluntarily adopt best management practices, exceeding legally required permits and plans, to reduce polluted runoff into adjacent waterways.

To receive certification, a marina must meet its regulatory requirements, as well as implement recommendations from the Maryland Clean Marina Guidebook in areas such as sewage handling, waste containment and disposal, and marina management. The marinas must meet minimum scores — 75 to 80 percent — in each area of the award checklist, and pass a site inspection.

The Clean Marina Initiative was developed as an alternative to further regulations of the marina industry.  Through the efforts of a committee comprised of leaders in the marine industry and government representatives, the Maryland Clean Marina Guidebook was printed in 1998.

jwharton@somdnews.com