Lots of little violins sought for elementary school program

Friday, Sept. 12, 2008

The school recently announced that it is accepting donations of one-half and three-quarter size violins for student use, and Green Holly’s orchestra director said Wednesday that two have been turned in so far.

The parents of more than half of the students in the program likely can afford to pay the monthly rental charge for a violin at a local music shop, Kayla Barron said, but the donations to the school will ensure that the other participants also get a chance to learn and play. ‘‘We just want to get instruments into those kids’ hands,” Barron said.

The two violins already donated came from parents whose children previously took part in school string ensembles, she said, and there likely are more parents who still have the reminders of youthful musical endeavors that either went by the wayside or have moved on to other things. ‘‘There are parents out there with instruments that are sitting in the closet collecting dust,” Barron said.

Those same instruments now can be donated in exchange for a write-off that provides a tax deduction. A small number of violas and cellos also are needed. Call the school at 301-863-4064 or send an e-mail to Barron at ksbarron@smcps.org.

Sailboat race, crafts fair set for Saturday

The restored Leonardtown Wharf will be jumping from noon to 5 p.m. tomorrow, Saturday, with a waterfront celebration featuring the first-ever St. Mary’s Ryken⁄Leonardtown High School Challenge Cup Sailboat Races on Breton Bay.

Other events will include an exhibit on the James Adams Floating Theatre’s visits to Leonardtown from 1915 to 1935, presented at Tudor Hall by the St. Mary’s County Historical Society. There will be kayak and canoe excursions guided by McIntosh Outfitters along the shores of Breton Bay, plus hands-on workshops, crab races and arts and crafts.

Check out the featured workboats, and presentations by the St. Mary’s County Library, Calvert Marine Museum, St. Clement’s Island and Piney Point museums, Chesapeake Bay Field Lab, Blackistone Lighthouse Foundation, Maryland Department of the Environment, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Sultana Project and St. Mary’s County Recycling and Solid Waste Advisory Council. The Newtowne Players will present a one-act play about the challenges facing watermen today. Music will be performed by David Norris, Leonardtown High School’s band and the school’s 22-member choral group, Potomac Voices.

Also on Saturday, the town’s annual ‘‘Fall Follies” arts and crafts show will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the town square, featuring more than 50 participants showing and selling handmade arts and crafts, paintings, pressed flowers, clay sculptures, ceramics, pottery, hand-woven baskets, floral arrangements, candles, dolls, quilts, afghans, stained glass and jewelry. Call 301-997-1644.

Yard sale to help pay cat adoption costs

A yard sale to be held from 7 a.m. to noon tomorrow, Saturday, at Faith Bible Church on Route 235 south of Loveville Road will help pay Feral Cat Rescue’s veterinarian bills for spaying, neutering, inoculating and restoring the health of rescued cats and kittens.

Items for sale will include furniture, antiques, appliances, baby articles, clothing, exercise equipment, televisions, computers plus accessories, dishes and bicycles. Purchased items must be paid for and removed that morning. For more information, call 301-373-5678.

Ghost hunter to visit Greenwell on Sunday

Patrick Burke, president and co-founder of the American Battlefields Ghost Hunters Society, will discuss his work and book ‘‘Battlefield Guide to Ghost Hunting” at 1 p.m. this Sunday, Sept. 14, at Greenwell State Park in Hollywood. Call 301-373-9775 or go online to www.greenwellfoundation.org.

Ridge firehouse to host bingo event Sept. 14

A Super Basket Bingo event will be held at 1 p.m. this Sunday, Sept. 14, at the Ridge Volunteer Fire Department. For more information or to reserve tables for groups of six or more, call 301-872-5671 or send e-mail to auxiliary@ridgevfd.org.

HSMC opens new museum Sunday

The newest exhibit at Historic St. Mary’s City will mark its grand opening at 2 p.m. this Sunday, Sept. 14, as the St. John’s Site Museum explores a legacy of liberty through archaeology and history.

The museum’s exhibits dramatize the events that shaped Maryland and the new territory’s first freedoms. Audio and video installations present a look at colonial life ways.

The preserved foundation of the original structure and original artwork illustrate the evolution of the house and the surrounding tobacco plantation. Some of the artifacts that have been found at the site are on exhibit.

The museum is climate-controlled and will be open year-round. After the grand opening, the site will be open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. There is no charge to visit the museum. Parking is behind the St. Mary’s College admissions office, off College Drive on the campus. Call 240-895-4990 or go online to stmaryscity.org.

St. Mary’s River State Park trail upgraded

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources recently reported that a new Salem Forest Trail has been opened on the north side of St. Mary’s River State Park.

An eroded trail and entrance roads have been refurbished, the agency reports, including new improvements at an entry point off Indian Bridge Road.