Harding to retire after 21 years at Lexington Park church

THIS ‘N' THAT

Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009

Her last service at the church will be on Nov. 8 at 10:30 a.m. The public is encouraged to attend.

At the service, the Rev. Janice Robinson and the Rev. Paul Abernathy will serve as preachers and the Rev. Bob Stephenson will be the celebrant.

Harding said there will be plenty she will miss as she leaves Southern Maryland. "The love of the people, the eagerness to address social issues and the cooperation between social service agencies, the private sector and the public sector," she said.

Harding has been active in the community during her tenure at Church of the Ascension. She was past president of the commission on aging and the first president of the Three Oaks Center when a homeless shelter was built. She helped organize the HOPE hotline, served on the founding board of Health Share of St. Mary's, served on the Hot Spots committee, served on the county's health advisory committee and a commission for the prevention of domestic violence.

All this she did as she served as pastor of the Church of the Ascension, which she loved, she said.

While Harding is leaving her longtime position at the church, she said she has no plans to stop working altogether. "It doesn't mean I'm going to retire retire. I'm hoping to have a part-time position elsewhere," she said.

Harding will be saying her farewells on Nov. 8. "That's my celebration, so I hope people will come," she said.

The Church of the Ascension is located at 21641 Great Mills Road in Lexington Park.

Tea time announced for women's club

The GFWC Women's Club of St. Mary's County invites area women to a membership tea on Nov. 23. The club is looking for dedicated, energetic and hard-working members to carry on the vision of the club.

The club supports many educational causes, including post-secondary scholarships, a leadership seminar for Leonardtown High School students, therapeutic riding program for disabled children at Greenwell State Park, tech center student support for Skills USA, Chopticon High School Marching/Symphonic Band and children's parties at Leonardtown library.

The county youth art contest held annually for the students of St. Mary's County is sponsored by the club. Club members are also involved in Meals on Wheels and making decorations for the meal trays for various holidays. Donations are made to hospice, Save the Bay, Tree-mendous Maryland , Sotterley Plantation and Childreach Plan USA, through which the club provides support for a child in Zimbabwe.

The membership tea will be held Nov. 23 at noon at the Forrest center in Leonardtown. There is no charge and everyone is welcome; however, reservations are necessary and must be made by Nov. 9.

For reservations or information, contact Joan Springer at 301-994-1228 or Carole Romary at 301-863-6969.

Book by Cedar Lane resident now available

Rita "Granny" Porterfield, 83, of Cedar Lane has written a children's book, "The House of the Babadoos." The book is available both at www.dorrancebookstore.com/hoofba.html and at Bay Books in Wildewood.

Area women attend fall conference

The American Legion Auxiliary, Department of Maryland held its annual fall conference at the BWI Marriott Hotel on Oct. 3 and 4. Audrey Pratt and Sherry Pope from Ridge Unit 255 and Marion Murdock from Southern Maryland Unit 221 attended.

The department president's project for this year is "America's Vet Dogs," an organization that trains dogs for the blind, including wounded veterans. To date, they have trained more than 100 dogs for the veterans, with cost for training a dog running $55,000 each. In addition, the auxiliary will continue to promote Americanism, children and youth, community service and veterans affairs and rehabilitation, according to fall conference participants. Anyone interested in any of these programs is asked to contact a member of the American Legion or American Legion Auxiliary.

Stephen's Fund to benefit from basket bingo event

The Charlotte Hall Rotary Club will host a super basket bingo on Sunday, Nov. 1, at the Moose Lodge in Mechanicsville to benefit Stephen's Fund, which aids special needs children in the community.

Doors open at 1 p.m. and bingo will start at 2 p.m. The cost is $20 per person for 20 games. Additional cards are $5 per packet. There will be a 2009 Longaberger holiday tote in each regular game basket as well as Longaberger pottery or another Longaberger basket.

Participants are asked to call to reserve a seat and get their name entered in a drawing for the John Deere basket combo.

There will be pull tabs for baskets, King Tut, super holiday basket raffle, Chinese auction and more. The new oval muffin basket combo will be given to the person who brings the most people with them.

Reservations are required but not prepayment. Call Shirley at 240-298-3885 for reservations or more information.

Rescue auxiliary seeks new members

The Leonardtown Volunteer Rescue Squad Auxiliary is seeking additional members.

Those with a few hours a month to spare who would like to join the auxiliary in providing assistance with fundraising activities to benefit the rescue squad are asked to attend a meeting, which are held on the third Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Leonardtown Volunteer Rescue Squad building on Lawrence Avenue.

For more information call Magdaline at 301-475-5624.

Dinner to feature fried oysters, stuffed ham

Sacred Heart Catholic Church will hold its annual fall dinner Oct. 25 starting at noon at the church in Bushwood.

The buffet-style menu will include fried oysters, stuffed ham and turkey with trimmings.

Cost is $22 for adults and carryout, and $6 for children younger than 12. There will also be a country store, cake table and raffle. For more information call 301-769-3100.

Concerto Competition announced for musicians

The River Concert Series held every summer on the grounds of St. Mary's College of Maryland in St. Mary's City, in partnership with the St. Mary's County Arts Council, has announced the first annual Concerto Competition for advanced high school musicians.

Open to high school students from across the nation, the competition's winner will have a solo appearance with the Chesapeake Orchestra during the 2010 River Concert Series and receive a scholarship of $1,000; second prize is $500. For information and an application, go to www.riverconcertseries.com or contact Michael Adams at mdadams@smcm.edu.

High school students enrolled in public or private schools or registered home-schooled students may apply. This year's applicants must play a string, woodwind or brass instrument. Piano and percussion will be added for the 2011 competition. The competition will include taped and live rounds.

Audition tapes and supporting material must be received by Dec. 16. Applicants who advance to the live finals on Jan. 29 and 30 will be notified before Dec. 24.

Social Security service available at CSM

Social Security Administration representatives will be available at the College of Southern Maryland's Leonardtown campus at Building A. Representatives are available at that site on the second Wednesday of each month from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For more information on available services, visit www.socialsecurity.gov or call 800-772-1213 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday.

scraton@somdnews.com