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Extreme makeover: North Beach edition
Writer'S NOTEBOOK
Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009
 Click here to enlarge this photo Submitted photo
June Burke of Tracys Landing shows off her new look.
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When Cheryl Sollars saw a sign advertising a free $1,000 makeover while driving past Palms Salon and Day Spa in North Beach in early September, she instantly thought of her mother, 67-year-old June Burke of Tracys Landing.
Sollars had a couple days to write and submit before the Sept. 5 deadline an essay about someone she knew who took care of everyone but themselves, and her mother was the perfect choice.
A divorcee who worked for 30 years as a teacher in the Prince George's County Public Schools system, Burke kept her children active in after-school activities and rarely spent money on herself so she could best provide for them.
After retiring at the age of 55, Burke had planned to move to the Shenandoah Valley, Va., with her second husband of five years when he died suddenly of a heart attack. Burke moved instead to Tracys Landing and kept herself busy by caring for the disabled in a group home and driving "the ladies" to church. She even made use of one of her two master's degrees and went back to work for five years as a special education teacher at the C. Elizabeth Rieg Regional School in Mitchellville.
Burke retired for a second time in 2006 after the birth of her granddaughter, Reagan, whom she babysits four to five days a week while substitute teaching at Elizabeth Rieg on Fridays.
"She has always put other people, especially her kids, ahead of herself," said Sollars, who moved in with her mom after losing her job as a real estate marketing coordinator.
In December 2007, Burke came down with a kidney infection that resulted in a blood infection and a 50/50 chance of dying. But after leaving the hospital in January 2008 and two weeks of dialysis, her kidneys recovered.
"She's always worked hard, even now after she's retired, she still works hard," Sollars said. "I think that may be part of the reason she's had health issues, is because she pushes herself so hard."
Of the eight nominated contestants, salon owner Mary Ann Habib was most impressed with Burke and the way "she just gave of herself a lot."
Burke was notified of her selection in October. When a limo arrived on Nov. 7 to take her to the salon, Burke initially wondered if she would have to pay for the ride. Sollars assured her that the limo, and everything else, was on the house.
At the salon, staff cut and colored Burke's hair, gave her a manicure and did her makeup. Before-and-after pictures were taken and Sollars bought a "Happy Birthday" cake for them to share.
"It was a wonderful opportunity and I probably never would have done it if [Sollars] hadn't won it for me," Burke said. "And I enjoyed every bit of it."
She even got a "really cute" dress from the Chez elle Boutique in North Beach.
"It wasn't like a real-old-lady dress," she said.
For Burke, it was her first-ever makeover, but it definitely won't be her last.
"I would certainly hope to do it again," she said. "I will definitely [get a manicure], maybe not every month, but on a regular basis … Everybody should do it at least once and if possible on special occasions," like birthdays and anniversaries.
"It's nice to be pampered all the time, but that's not realistic," she added.
Burn off the turkey with a 5k
The College of Southern Maryland will host two "Turkey Burner" 5k runs/walks on Nov. 19 and Dec. 3 from 1 to 2 p.m. Runners and walkers will travel along J.W. Williams Road to prepare for and then recover from their Thanksgiving feasts.
Both events are free, but participants are asked to bring one non-perishable food item be donated to tri-county food pantries.
For more information or to pre-register, contact CSM Fitness Trainer Melvina Frazier at 443-550-6000, Ext. 6425 or via e-mail at mlfrazier@csmd.edu.
Holiday art show
Main Street Gallery in Prince Frederick will be celebrating its 18th anniversary with the opening of a holiday exhibition, "Color Your Holidays Happy," on Saturday, Nov. 21, from 5 to 8 p.m. Refreshments and coupons will be provided.
The show will remain open until Dec. 19 and include work from six local artists — Parran Collery, Jeanne Hammett, Karen Russell, Susan Stockman, Peggy Walters and Roxanne Weidele.
The gallery is located at 486 Main Street and is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday (Sunday in December). For more information, call 410-535-3334.
HHS sets fall show
Huntingtown High School will present its fall theatre production, "George Washington Slept Here," this Thursday and Saturday in the school's auditorium.
The normal Friday night performance has been canceled due to the home football playoff game that same evening. Even with an abbreviated run the nationally recognized theatre program will mount a full production.
"George Washington Slept Here" is a comedy from the classic writing team of George Kaufman and Moss Hart. Set in 1939, the play follows Newton Fuller, played by Peter Merski, as he attempts to remodel a historic home in Buck's County, Pa. His family is falling apart as his wife, played by Lindsay Harris, pines for the city and his daughter, played by Heather Robbins, falls for a member of the summer stock theatre.
The house soon becomes a money pit and Fuller is forced to beg his rich uncle, played by Paul America, for money to cover the mortgage. The humor is found in Fuller's attempt to negotiate the outlandish personalities of the local residents as his house slowly crumbles away from him. The final scene includes some of the most outlandish staging ever done by Huntingtown.
Tickets for Thursday and Saturday can be purchased at the door and by calling 410-535-2337. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for students and senior citizens.
