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April 12, 2012

Everything Calvert County

Session Ends Without Tax Hikes

- Museum Expansion Funded - Education Funding Cut - Most Local Slot Machines to Stay - New Septic Rules Passed Page 3 & 8

The Calvert Gazette

Thursday, April 5, 2012

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Feature Story Newsmakers Obits Education Letters Entertainment

After years of hard work at making a living pursuing his passion, North Beach resident Eric Scott is getting local and national attention after winning two Wammies in Washington, D.C.

entertainment

This spring Patuxent Voices takes a sentimental journey through the great pop tunes from the 1940s, 50s, and 60s.

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Monday, the last day of the legislative session, will probably go down in history as one of the least functional with lawmakers passing a so-called doomsday budget complete with about $500 million in cuts

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Thursday, April 5, 2012

The Calvert Gazette

State to Provide $250,000 for Marine Museum

By Sarah Miller Staff Writer During the 2012 legislative session that ended Monday, the Calvert Marine Museum Society approached Southern Maryland legislators to get a bond bill to secure state funding for a planned addition to the museum, according to Museum Director Doug Alves. Instead of one of the Calverts delegates, Tony ODonnell (R-29C) or Mark Fisher (R-27B), the delegate who put the bond bill forth was John Bohanan (D-29B) of Southern St. Marys County. Both Democrats and Republicans in the house saw Bohanans introducing the bill as inappropriate, ODonnell told the Calvert Gazette. ODonnell was approached to put the bill forward, but he said it would have been bad timing because of the fiscal crisis and deficit in the state. He said he told the museum they should wait until the economy improves. There were too many things in flux, he said. The house and senate both approved the $250,000 bond to Calvert Marine Museum. [Bohanan] works for Steny Hoyer and I guess they think they can do whatever they want regardless of who represent Calvert County, ODonnell said. Thats how they operate. According to a state synopsis of Bohanans bill, it allows for the creation of a state debt not to exceed $250,000, the proceeds to be used as a grant to the Calvert Marine Museum Society, Inc. for the construction and renovation of the Calvert Marine Museum Exhibition Building; providing for disbursement of the loan proceeds, subject to a requirement that the grantee provide and expend a matching fund; establishing a deadline for the encumbrance or expenditure of the loan proceeds; etc. It is cross filed with the companion bill submitted by Sen. Roy Dyson (St. Marys, Calvert), Bohanan said. Dyson echoed Millers comments, saying the marine museum is phenomenal asset to the region, Dyson said. He said the delegated and senators dont just serve a county or a section or a county, but the interests and needs of the whole state. Bohanan said he volunteered to put the bill forward when the Calvert Marine Museum Society told him that the delegates from their own county would not. He said it is common for delegates to go out of their district and county to put forth bond bills, and had several examples of having done so in the past. He said he heard Senate President Mike Miller was behind the bond bill, and when the senate president says itll happen, its going to happen. Without the cross filing, putting the bill forward in both the house and the senate, Bohanan said it could have fallen apart. Miller confirmed that while he as not the one to put the bill forward, he did support it. He said he the museum addition is a very worthy project. He said Bohanans actions werent odd, and delegates often do what they think will best benefit the area. Its about whats best for the people, he said. Approximately $15 million of the states budget is dedicated to local initiatives like the marine museums expansion, and the maximum size of a bond bill is normally $250,000, Bohanan said. He said the money helps jump start projects, and currently the initiatives receiving the funds have three years to use them. These bond bills are fantastic projects, Bohanan said. Projects are required to match the state funds, which Alves said will not be a problem. So far, the Calvert Marine Museum has raised $651,000 for the project, and their goal is $750,000. The $250,000 from the state would put the funds up to $1 million, Alves said. Similar to Bohanans comments, he said the bond bills help give projects a jumpstart and prime the public to donate to the project as well. sarahmiller@countytimes.net

COUNTY NEWS
Police who arrived on the scene shortly after the arrest found Mayes bleeding from his scalp heavily, with many deep lacerations; the victim was also lapsing in and out of consciousness, police reported. Mayes was flown via state police helicopter to the shock trauma center in Prince Georges County. Stepney told police that Mayes was hurting a member of Stepney family and that was the reason for the assault, police reported. Mayes told police that Stepney was watching television at the house, and when both men went outside to smoke cigarettes Stepney started punching Mayes, knocking him to the pavement below. Stepney continued to strike Mayes with his fists, the victim told police, before the defendant allegedly grabbed a brick and began using it as a weapon. Stepney was charged with first-degree assault, second-degree assault and carrying a dangerous weapon with the intent to injure, police reported. guyleonard@countytimes.net

Fire Marshals Draw Guns to Save Victim

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer Two fire marshals investigating a house fire in Lusby last week arrested a man police say was using a brick to brutally beat another man in the head. According to Calvert Investigative Team reports, Deputy Fire Marshals Don Brenneman and Melissa Bean were on Cove Point Road on April 5 when a witness to the assault came running to them asking for their help. Brenneman and Bean went to the nearby scene and found Jarel Stepney, 22, of Lusby on top of the victim Ashley Mayes, 41, also of Lusby, with his hand raised holding the brick poised to strike, police alleged. Brenneman drew his weapon and ordered Stepney to stop; and he complied, police said. I had to, Brenneman said of the necessity of drawing his firearm. When he brought up his arm to strike this guy, thats all it took That could be a lethal blow. After drawing his weapon, Brennemans partner, Bean, took Stepney into custody without a struggle, police reported.

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COUNTY NEWS
By Guy Leonard Staff Writer A fire that destroyed a house in Lusby on April 4 also took out what was, at least up until about a year ago, a house that had been repeatedly raided for drug activity, police officers say. State fire marshals are investigating the blaze that took place on Cove Point Road; it is believed to have started in the basement game room area of the house but investigators have yet to determine the cause of the fire. Fire Marshal Don Brenneman said that despite the homes history there appears to be no connection between the fire and the past drug activity. Nothing we can see is connected, Brenneman said. No one was injured in the fire, marshals reported, and those displaced were receiving aid from the Red Cross.

The Calvert Gazette

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Fire Destroys House Known to Cops as Former Crack House

Photo By Corrin M. Howe

Damage from the fire was estimated at $187,000 with $5,000-worth of contents lost; the fire took 44 firefighters from Solomons, St. Leonard, Prince Frederick and Bay District fire departments 40 minutes to control. Weve been there numerous times in the past for narcotics search warrants, said Lt. Steve Jones, commander of the Calvert Investigative Team. Typically weve been there for crack cocaine issues. Jones said that there had been no complaints from the community there for perhaps a year or more. He said that, in the recent past, both sales and use of narcotics took place there. More than anything it was a user house, Jones told The Calvert Gazette. It was a neighborhood nuisance, we got a lot of complaints. guyleonard@countytimes.net

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Nuke Plant Reprimanded for Snoozing Worker

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer

A report from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission conducted in December 2011 and released publicly on Monday shows that an employee at Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Accepting: Power Plant was literally caught lying down on the job. The report states the infraction, in which an employee charged with oversight of 99 Smallwood Dr. Waldorf, MD 206 Washignton Ave. LaPlata, MD the emergency diesel generators deliberately became inattentive to his (301) 932-7700 (301) 870-7111 one of Julyplantslast year, was a low-priority safety violation. SERVING CHARLES ST. MARYS PG CALVERT duties 15 of The report stated the unnamed employee was one assigned to the plants fire brigade, trained to respond to emergencies at the back up diesel generator. The brigade member was found to have been inattentive for some period of time while he was in the [emergency diesel generator] room, the report states. Specifically, the [non-licensed operator] was lying on the floor with his hardhat and radio removed and his eyes closed. The report goes on to say as such [the employee] was not effectively equipped to have responded to a fire notification, if one had been made, and the control room had not been notified of his inability to respond during the time he was inattentive. Neil Sheehan, spokesman for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, said that plant personnel found the slacking employee and reported it to the commission. Given the fact that the incident did not immediately Gary Simpson, Matt Laidley, Katie Facchina jeopardize plant operations or safety and that it did not in7480 Crain Highway La Plata, MD 20646 volve managerial staff, the plant effectively was not pun301-934-8437 ished for the violation, Sheehan said. But we will be doing follow-ups to ensure this doesnt An Independent Agent Representing: April Hancock happen again, Sheehan said. By no means are we saying ERIE INSURANCE GROUP PO Box 407 this is acceptable behavior. Standing: Dan Burris, Jake Kuntz, Bryans Road, Seated: Lisa Squires, Cory Rafftery, spokesman for Constellation Energy, MD 20616 Susan Ennis, Donna Burris said that the employee charged with the infraction was dis301-743-9000 ciplined and terminated from their position. At no time was the security or safety of us or our neighbors at risk during this incident, Raftery said. We place a very high value on nuclear safety.

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Thursday, April 5, 2012

The Calvert Gazette

Chesapeake Auction House Attracts All Kinds

By Sarah Miller Staff Writer Since opening in 1992, the owners of Chesapeake Auction House in St. Leonard has been holding an auction per week or more, drawing people in from all over the county to bid and browse the offerings. Items at the auction will only sell for what people are willing to pay, said Kay Forman, co-owner of the Chesapeake Auction House. She said there was a solid oak table with three leaves that they could not get anybody to bid even $50. At the next auction, it sold for $600. It can go stupid low and stupid high, Forman said. There have to be two people bidding to drive the price up. For many, Forman said the auction house is part of their regular Friday night. Some nights, there can be as many as two or three auctions happening simultaneously. Some people only come to certain auctions, like antiques, handyman or plant auctions, while others come to several. The auction house hosts approximately 70 auctions per year. Spring and fall auctions are generally the most popular, Forman said. Not all auctions are conducted on the premises. Occasionally, the auction house will be contacted to conduct an estate auction, like the one in Lusby on April 20 where everything from the house to the car and the furniture will be sold off. Forman said they will work with the property owners when conducting an estate auction, and there is no hard and fast rule as to how they will conduct an auction. Going to auctions can be a cheap way to furnish a house with good quality items

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without breaking the bank. People dont think about auctions, Forman said. For Kim Olinger, a newcomer to the county, Saturday was her third visit to the auction house. She said she likes the selection, and that there is something new every time she and her family come out. Former County Commissioner Linda Kelley said she has been coming to the auction house since they first opened. She said she first heard about the auction house when they offered to host a charity auction for Safe Harbor, and has been coming by ever since. She said the only auction she doesnt attend is the handyman auction, unless theres something specific she is seeking, Whatever youre looking for, itll come through here, Kelley said. She said she has bought so much at the auction that there should be a sign on her home reading Furnished by Chesapeake Auction House. For more information, visit www.chesapeakemarketplace.com. The Chesapeake Auction House is located at 5015 St. Leonard Road in St. Leonard. sarahmiller@countytimes.net

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Land Owners Appeal Bulkhead Decision

By Sarah Miller Staff Writer Local property owners were before the Appeals Board to overturn an alleged error made by the zoning officer preventing them from constructing a bulkhead to prevent land erosion. Attorney Mark Davis applied on behalf of Amy Plummer and Kenneth C. Hoffman, owners of 5160 Plum Point Road in Huntingtown, to overturn a decision made by a zoning officer who ruled that a variance was required to construct the bulkhead because it is not a shore erosion control device under the Calvert County Zoning Ordinance. Assistant County Attorney Pamela Lucas spoke on the countys behalf. No public testimony was taken because the case was about an alleged error, according to Board chairperson Susan Hance-Wells. Much of the debate centered around an informal policy that structures like the bulkhead, should be installed under the mean high water line. Davis said using the mean high water line is not a scientific measure because it always changes. He said it is also not a requirement in any of the formal written policies. Davis argued the bulkhead is in fact a shore erosion control device. These informal policies cannot be allowed, Davis said. Lucas contended the decision was made on past precedent, and there was no error made by zoning officials. My head is going to explode, this is so basic, Davis said. He argued that while the property owners could get a variance for the bulkhead they want to build, and often do because it is easier to go along to get along, it is not necessary according to zoning code. He said it is unfair for the county to put landowners through additional steps for something that should have been approved out of hand. Its ridiculous, Davis said. The board recessed briefly to discuss the matter. After they reconvened, members unanimously agreed to send the case to the department of Planning and Zoning for further study. The department of Planning and Zoning will be looking at whether the bulkhead is an erosion control device and where is should be placed. Plummer and Hoffman will be allowed to submit additional information while the matter is being studied. sarahmiller@countytimes.net

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The Calvert Gazette

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Cherry Pickers Bursting at the Seams

By Corrin M. Howe Staff Writer Cherry Picker customers often accuse the owners and staff that there is too much fun going on in the corner store at the intersection of Chaneyville Road and Route 4 in Owings, according to Eleanor Main, co-owner of Cherry Picker Consignment. We have to because its too much work otherwise, she said. Its the best move we ever made, Main said of the suggestion from her daughter, Elissa Main Shifflett, to open a consignment shop. Its a sign of the times. Consignment stores have been wildly accepted in the past, but they are much more popular now. She contributes the interest in consignment stores to the going green and recycling push, reusing and repurposing things. Part of the business of the store is to paint, repair and resell quality furniture. One of her customers brings in pieces hes done and also talks to other customers about redoing pieces for them. Main said shed love to have more time to paint and refurbish furniture, but shes too busy running the store. Shell have an average of 10 customers a day bring in items to sell. She must research the item, put on a price tag and then put it out on the floor to display. The displays change daily as the inventory changes. Tuesday morning this past week, Cherry Picker had a table display of red plates and kitchen items arranged together. A small baggy full of small wooden tomatoes accented the area. Another area had all Easter items. A curio cabinet displayed Disney knickknacks. The store was in a little bit of an upheaval that day as the owners are constantly rearranging the display. One change in progress is moving books into the back and set up a little reading area. Main said she encourages people to cal area. Cherry Pickers splits the selling price 50/50 with the owner. Celebrating its first anniversary in April, Cherry Picker has already expanded once and needs to expand again. Main, who owns Simple Shore Store next to Cherry Pickers, said that the consignment store has taken over the back half of her store and threatens to take it all over eventually. A lot of the customers are happy to see us here and want us to succeed, she said, so much so that they come in and volunteer to help move items around and create displays. The store is closed on Mondays, but Main and a volunteer spent 10 hours hanging a slat wall and moving pictures. Its really a community effort. We are still amazed every day, she said. Another example of the community support is that customers will bring in home baked goodies for Main and Shifflett to hand out on the weekends. The store tries to have a community event every month. Something different and special each month, Main said. For example, they had a Ladies Night with wine and cheese and someone liquidating their handbag and accessory business brought items to sell. Main said shed like to bring an appraiser in one weekend to tell customers what their items might be worth. Another idea is to give away an American Flag with pole since a number of holidays are coming up in which people like to display flags. They came up with the store name because they wanted something fun and without the standard words like second hand. I only had one customer come in thinking we sold or rented those buckets that are lifted up in the air, laughed Main.

Photo By Corrin M. Howe

purchase the book, read it and then bring it back for resell. People bringing in items to sell are limited to 25 items at a time. The items are given up to 80 days to resell. After a month passes, the items are marked down. In fact the items taking longer to sell are marked down several times before the owner has a week to pick them up. Abandoned items are then taken to any number of charities in the loContractor owners have special insurance needs. With Erie Insurance, you get competitive pricing and comprehensive coverage (plus lots of extras) to protect all the effort and money youve invested in your business.

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Legislative Session Ends with Win for Farmers

By Sarah Miller Staff Writer Senate President Mike Miller said it is difficult to accomplish as much as intend try to during a single 90-day session. On the whole, Miller said the 2012 session that ended Monday was a very successful session with the capitol budget being agreed upon and projects like work on the pier in North Beach and a regional park getting funding. He said the low point of the session was when house and the senate could not pass an operating budget. We could just not reach an agreement, Miller said. The paperwork could not get to our desk in time. He said there were competing plans between house and senate and they simply couldnt reconcile in time. They came to an agreement, but ran out of time. He said there would possibly be a special session in May, and they hope to have votes lined up to adopt a revised budget at that time. He said there were strong environmental bills passed, including a bill that went through giving state tax breaks on farms after a person dies as long as children and descendants keep land in farming. He said some farms have been in families for hundreds of years and the will was a huge win for farmers. sarahmiller@countytimes.net

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Thursday, April 5, 2012

The Calvert Gazette

Volunteers Needed to Help Humane Society

The Humane Society of Calvert County (HSCC) is getting a face lift. Over the weekend of April 14-15, the animals at the shelter will be evacuated in order to repaint the kennels and give the shelter a fresh look. The upgrade is long over due, and HSCC is excited about the chance for this spring cleaning. If you have minimal painting skills or are an expert HSCC can use your help. Put on your finest painting garb, bring brushes or rollers if you have them, and join the effort to give our homeless four-legged friends a brighter temporary home. HSCC will be doing this work between the hours of 9 a.m and 5 p.m. on April 14 and April 15. They are located at 2210 Dalrymple Road in Sunderland, MD. Snacks will be provided for all volunteers in appreciation of your time and effort. Mark the date on your calendar and plan on coming by to pitch in for a fun and fruitful time. Were sure that the animals will show their appreciation when they are returned to the shelter.

Over the Rainbow: A Musical Tribute

This spring Patuxent Voices takes a sentimental journey through the great pop tunes from the 1940s, 50s, and 60s. Join us as we dip into the 1940s when the U.S., still feeling the effects of the great depression, was fighting WWII and looking toward a brighter future. Tunes like Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy and Dont Get Around Much Anymore highlight the patriotism and pathos of the age. Swing into the post war 1950s, birth of the baby boomers and a decade of such unforgettable hits as Under the Boardwalk, Mr. Sandman, and Its My Party. Then rock and roll into the 1960s: from the saucy Boy From New York City to the soulful Son of a Preacher Man, from the immortal Beatles Eight Days a Week to Arethas iconic R-E-S-P-E-C-T, this tribute has it covered. You will hear Doo-Wop, Motown, old time Rockn Roll and heart-breaking romance all your favorites in classic Patuxent Voices style. You can catch the show on Friday, May 4, 7 p.m. at the Calvert Marine Museums First Free Friday; Saturday, May 12, or in concert performances on May 19, 7:30 p.m. at Trinity Church, St. Marys College; or Sunday, May 20, 3:00 p.m.

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at All Saints Church in Sunderland. There is no admission, but donations are accepted at the door. Patuxent Voices was founded in 2004 by two friends who shared a love for a cappella music. Now 12 women strong, the group performs under the direction of Laurel Dietz. In addition to giving two concerts annually, one at Christmas and one in May, Patuxent Voices also performs at a variety of private and community events. Check the website for details, www.patuxentvoices.org.

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The Calvert Gazette

STORY

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Doomsday Budget Passes With No New Taxes

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer Monday, the last day of the legislative session, will probably go down in history as one of the least functional with lawmakers passing a so-called doomsday budget complete with about $500 million in cuts and no tax increases to plug revenue gaps. Many of the cuts will affect education, observers say, but legislators were able to fulfill their duties under the state constitution by passing a $35.5 billion budget that was larger than last years spending plan. The cuts include some $200 million to K-12 education and $63 million to colleges and universities. Del. John Wood (D-Dist.29A) said no one in Annapolis was happy with the budget and this moment has been a long time in coming. Gov. Martin OMalley proposed an aggressive list of priorities for lawmakers to consider, including gas and sales tax hikes as well as an off shore wind energy bill none of which became law. Wood said the tax increase proposals, which were widely unpopular, contributed to much wrangling even up to the last day of the session and highlighted the states propensity for spending without making real cuts. Some of them still dont want to give up the things they like, Wood said. They want to spend and spend. Now the state will be forced to cut back even more, he said, which it should have done in years passed. What scares me is weve been living off of borrowed money for seven, eight or nine years, Wood said. The state has just about capped out at its borrowing capacity. But for the average citizen, the lack of any tax increases is a minor win, though some programs citizens have come to expect will suffer, he said. We dont have a tax package, which is fine, Wood said. Wood believes lawmakers could be called back into a special session by the governor to reexamine the issue of increasing taxes to fill budget gaps, but he hopes if that happens it would be with cooler heads making decisions. Todd Eberly, political science professor at St. Marys College of Maryland, said there was a lack of organization and leadership in both chambers of the legislature as well as the governors office this year and OMalleys practice of backing a tax proposal and then later amending it several times did not help. In any event, the tax increase proposals made the legislative tasks much more difficult. The governor handed them a budget with very unpopular tax increases he kept moving the goal posts and changing everything. While some lawmakers blamed the early focus on the same-sex marriage bill for taking up critical time for budget talks, Eberly said a last minute measure to expand gaming in Prince Georges County only muddied the waters.

Crooked I Loses Slot Machines, Others Stay

By Sarah Miller Staff Writer The majority of the gaming machines in Chesapeake Beach will be staying right where they are, except for the machines at the Crooked I. The bill eliminating the sunset on Calverts gaming machines was passed during the legislative season that ended Monday. Delegate Tony ODonnell said the sunset on gaming machines in the Chesapeake Beach was eliminated, meaning that they will remain there for the foreseeable future. A second bill regulating them further and giving more of the proceeds to Calvert and the town was killed in the senate. At least theyre will be some regulation from the state lottery commission, ODonnell said. Senate President Mike Miller said machines in the American Legion Post in Chesapeake Beach, the Rod N Reel and Abners Crab House are considered legal machines, which have been in place since the WWII era. They were an offshoot of the commercial Bingo games in the same locations. The illegal pull-tabs, like the ones at the Crooked I, look similar but are not the same, according to Miller. A major difference between the legal and the illegal pull-tabs is that with the legal ones, the owners know how many winners there are in the machines and how much each winner is worth, Miller said. Ryan Hill, co-owner of Crooked I, said removing the machines will have an adverse effect on the business. The Crooked I will loose money not only from the removal of the machines, but from the loss of food and beverage sales. It is our belief that we were targeted Senator Miller seemed intent in not wanting to include us in the grandfathering, Hill said, adding that the company is reviewing its options. sarahmiller@countytimes.net $5 passed the legislature. The funds are to be used to improve wastewater treatment plants and thus improve the health of the Chesapeake Bay. House Minority Leader Anthony ODonnell (R-Dist.29C) said that the flush tax increase will cost Marylanders more but not provide anything new. Unfortunately the flush fee will only cover existing upgrades to treatment plants, ODonnell said. He also said the septic bill would still restrict too severely rural growth. It will greatly curtail our ability to grow in the rural parts of the state and grow our economy, ODonnell said. We need jobs desperately and this does not help on that score. Del. John Bohanan (D-Dist. 29B) said that despite short tempers and heated arguments near the end, he had seen worse sessions. We didnt even pick up the tax package, Bohanan said. There were a lot of counties that said theyd rather have the cuts than the [teacher] pension shift. At least for now thats stopped. This is essentially flat funding, he said. He said jurisdictions like Prince Georges face cuts of about $60 million, while St. Marys County would probably lose a couple million. Those are not cuts anyone expected, Bohanan said. Overall, ODonnell said that despite the confusion and disarray of the sessions last day, no new taxes are a plus for the average citizen. The budget is balanced and spending increases by about $300 million, the citizens of Maryland dodged a bullet because of the mismanagement of Senate President [Thomas V. Mike] Miller, Speaker [Michael] Busch and Gov. OMalley, ODonnell said. guyleonard@countytimes.net

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Thursday, April 5, 2012

The Calvert Gazette

Local Teens Perform Random Acts of Kindness

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By Sarah Miller Staff Writer Instead of coming home Friday afternoon to play video games, skateboard or sit in front of the television, five Calvert teens gathered to hand out care packages to fire departments, rescue squads and even the sheriffs office throughout the county. Teen Scene is a group of 10 to 15 teens who meets monthly. The group started with Rachel Warner and Brittany Canada when their families were between churches. The girls wanted to start something that would get teens involved in their communities. The result was Teen Scene. The group goes out regularly to perform random acts of kindness. Donald Jefferson said one of his favorite times was when they went to a nursing home to sing Christmas carols. Deshawna Smith said she enjoyed going around in the parking lots of various grocery stores last year to give flowers to each of the mothers. They were just so surprised, Smith said. Warner said the reaction they get from people is generally positive, though there are some people who mistrust the teens until they explain what they are doing. Alicia Mayner, a parent involved in the organization, said they try to be sensitive to peoples situations and how their reactions will affect the teens. She said there is an adult supervising them at all times. One goal of the group is to address the stereotype that all teens are hooligans who play loud music, trespass and generally act like delinquents. Were trying to break that, Mayner said. Another time, the teens split up, with the boys going to a local carwash and the girls going to a laundromat. Warners mother, Barbara, said the boys paid for peoples carwashes before they got the chance to, while the girls handed out quarters and laundry soap. Drivers started handing money to the boys and telling them to pay for the next person, Barbara Warner said. The ideas come from the teens, and the adults facilitate when needed, Barbara War-

ner said. They do no fundraising. They will accept donations if offered, but Warner said the adults pay for everything out of pocket. Occasionally, the teens just get together to have a good time. Warner said one time, the teens were split into three groups and sent on a county wide scavenger hunt to take pictures of a list of items. Another time, they held a Halloween party. Even when theyre not meeting as a group, the teens have come to see one other as family, Warner said. She said they go over to each others houses and their parents all know each other. Mayner said they have held a barbeque for all the teens and their families. She said one long-term goal is to get a car or bus to transport the teens in, rather than using multiple vehicles every time they go out. The teens all agree that they will continue to look for ways to serve their community after high school. Its gonna be hard to stop, Warner said. Its such a good feeling. Warner said the group is a way to get teens actively involved in their community without pressing them into a church. Most of the teens are from Patuxent High School, and many are involved in the ROTC program. Barbara Warner said other teens are scattered from Solomons Island to Dunkirk, including one of their newest members, Emily Aley from Huntingtown High School. Most of the networking is done through word of mouth, though the group does have a Facebook page, Barbara Warner said. She said the group is not a church-based organization, though Christian values like helping the community and taking care of each other are cornerstones of the group. Another cornerstone is verse 4:12 from I Timothy, which reads Dont let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. For more information, call Barbara Warner at 410-610-2894. sarahmiller@countytimes.net

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The Calvert Gazette

Thursday, April 5, 2012

10

Daisey Armiger, 92
Daisey Marie Armiger, 92, of Solomons, MD formerly of Broomes Island, MD passed away on April 5, 2012 at Asbu r y~Solomons Health Care Center. She was born on Aug. 30, 1919 in Broomes Island, MD to the late Nora Virginia Barrett and Severn James Muir. She married Charles J. Armiger in Washington, DC and he preceded her in death on September 14, 1971. Daisey graduated from Southern High School, Baltimore, MD in 1939 and went on to be a Clerk for the State of Maryland. She moved to Calvert County from Baltimore in 1990. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and siblings, Lily M. Barnes, Roland B. Muir, Flora Ward, Laura Johnson, Joseph E. Muir, and Helen Zimmerman. Daisey is survived by her children, Charles J. Armiger and his wife Linda M. Armiger both of Solomons, MD; siblings, Marguerite E. Best of Ellicott City, MD; three grandchildren, a step granddaughter, two great grandchildren and two step great granddaughters. Pallbearers will be Keith Armiger, Stefan Wassell, Tim Wassell and John OConnor. The family received friends on Tuesday, April 10, 2012 in the Rausch Funeral Home, 20 American Lane, Lusby, MD with a funeral service celebrating her life to following, with Rev. Gloria Wolfe officiating. Interment was Wednesday, April 11, 2012 at Holy Cross Cemetery, Brooklyn, MD. Should friends desire contributions may be made in Daiseys memory to the Asbury~Solomons Benevolent Care Fund, Attn. Melissa Carnes, 11100 Asbury Circle, Solomons. Maryland 20688.

Cornelius Corny DeBruyn, Jr., 76

Cornelius Paul Corny DeBruyn, Jr., 76, of Owings, MD passed away March 31, 2012 at the Washington Hospital Center after a lengthy illness. Corny was born Dec. 4, 1935 in Wash-

ington, D.C. to Emma Florence (Way) and Cornelius P. DeBruyn, Sr. He was raised in Washington, attended public schools and graduated from Eastern High School. He married Marian Rose Rettew July 28, 1955 and they lived in Washington until moving to Kent Forest in Prince Georges County, MD in 1958 and to Waysons Corner in Anne Arundel County, MD in 1966. In 1975 they moved to the home they built in the Odyssey community in Owings, MD. Corny served in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1954-1962. He was employed as an auto body shop manager at several Ford dealerships in the Washington metropolitan area. He was also a partner in Comax, a home building company in Calvert County, MD. Corny was active in community service through the Northern Calvert Lions Club and his church, the Covenant Community of Jesus the Good Shepherd Parish in Owings. In his leisure time Corny enjoyed playing bridge, cooking, woodworking and spending time with his family and friends. He was also a fan of the Washington Redskins. Corny was preceded in death by a daughter DAnn Bowen, and by his five siblings. He is survived by his devoted wife Marian R. DeBruyn, and by eight children: Debbie Pope Johnson of Brandywine, Dawn M. Wood (Doug) of Annandale, VA, Denise A. Cadieux (Bob) of Bowie, Cornelius P. DeBruyn III of St. Leonard, David C. DeBruyn (Lee) of Chesapeake Beach, Daniel C. DeBruyn (Daneille) of Ramsey, MN, Dottie A. Barth (John) of Huntingtown, and Donna M. Busarow (Ken) of Royce City, TX, and by a son-in-law Bobby Bowen of Dunkirk. Also surviving are 22 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Friends and family were received on Tuesday at Rausch Funeral Home, P.A., 8325 Mt. Harmony Lane, Owings, MD. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Wednesday April 4, 2012 at the Covenant Community of Jesus the Good Shepherd Parish, 1601 West Mt. Harmony Road, Owings, MD. Interment is private. Expressions of sympathy in Cornys name may be made to the above named church or Northern Calvert Lions, P.O. Box 723, Huntingtown, MD 20639.

Lisa Gibbs, 48
Lisa M. Gibbs, 48 of Lothian, Maryland passed away Tuesday, April 3, 2012 at Calvert Memorial Hospital, Prince Frederick, Maryland. She is the beloved wife of Thomas Reilly and loving mother of Bryon Gibbs and Bradley Gibbs. She is also survived by her siblings; Collet, Jeanne and Jerry. Niece of Uncle Charlie and Aunt Marie. Mrs. Gibbs lived in the Lothian area about 15 years and was employed by the Anne Arundel County Public School System. She was particularly fond of her dog Precious and her hobbies included crafts, especially making baskets and paintings. You could find some of her work for sale at the Farmers Market in Waldorf. Funeral services were held at the Lee Funeral Home Calvert, P.A. on Tuesday, April 10, 2012 with Deacon Jack Etzel officiating. Interment in Resurrection Cemetery, Clinton, Maryland. Memorial contributions may be made to University of Maryland Hospital, Stoler Pavillion, 22 S. Greene Street, Baltimore, MD 21201.

Nick Merritt, 24
Nicholas Patrick Wayne Nick Merritt, 24, of North Beach, MD, passed away April 4, 2012 at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore, MD. Nick was born December 26, 1987 in Washington, D.C., and raised in North Beach. He attended Beach and Windy Hill Elementary Schools and graduated from Northern High School in 2005. He was active in sports with the Beach Buccaneers and played football and basketball at Northern. He attended barber school in Bladensburg, MD and was a licensed barber with Town and Country Barber Shop in Bowie, MD. He was an avid fan of the Dallas Cowboys, and enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his sister Nicole and his grandfather Lewis. Nick is survived by his parents Tamara M. Tammy and Gary J. Williams, and his sister Nicole L. Williams, all of North Beach; grandparents Lewis W. Merritt of Greenbelt, MD and Sharon L. Walton of Lanham, MD; great-grandmother Natalie Reynolds of Greenbelt, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. Friends will be received from 7-8 p.m. Thursday April 12, 2012 at Rausch Funeral Home, P.A., 8325 Mt. Harmony Lane, Owings, MD. A memorial service and celebration of Nicks life will follow at 8 pm. Interment will be private. For additional information visit www. RauschFuneralHomes.com

Irma Gross, 99
Irma O. Gross, 99, of Dowell, MD passed away on March 25, 2012 at Chesapeake Shores Nursing Home, Lexington Park, MD. She was born on May 6, 1912 to the late John and Amelia Bean. She married Alfred W. Gross on February 25, 1957. Irma was the last of eight siblings who preceded her in death (Hickey, George, Leon, Martha, Lotdore, Henry, Lester). She attended the old Appeal Elementary up to the 5th grade. From a child up she loved being around the water. In her later years she did a lot of crabbing and there was always a host of neighbors and friends who were waiting to purchase them. She and her husband joined Brooks United Methodist church in the early years. She leaves to celebrate her life; favorite nephew, Asia Broome, one sisterin-law, Pauline Bean, great, great, great nieces and nephews, close friend Mable Clark and close cousins Francis and Vicky Bean. Funeral service was held on Monday, April 2, 2012 at Healing and Deliverance Church, Prince Frederick, MD with Apostle Aniachi C. Belu-John officiating. The interment was at Evergreen Memorial Gardens, Great Mills, MD. The pallbearers were her nephews. Funeral arrangements provided by Sewell Funeral Home, Prince Frederick, MD.

Lorraine Perkins, 65
Lorraine Ellen Perkins, 65, of Chesapeake Beach passed away April 5, 2012 at the Burnett-Calvert Hospice House, Prince Frederick, MD. Lorraine was born August 6, 1946 in Washington, D.C. to Fenton William and Hattie (Ward) Crown. She was raised in D.C. and attended public schools. Lorraine married Joseph William Perkins at First Baptist Church of Riverdale in 1975. They resided in West Lanham until moving to Chesapeake Beach in 1980. Joseph passed away on June 30, 1999. She worked at Chesapeake Bakery for many years and was also a cook at Abners in Chesapeake Beach for over 25 years. Lorraine was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and a step daughter Maria Justice. She is survived by three sons Timothy W. Tim Perkins of Alexandria, VA, James W. Jimmy Perkins, Sr., and Joseph W. Joey Perkins, Jr., both of Chesapeake Beach, MD. Also surviving are seven grandchildren, four great grandchildren, a brother Meredith Bubba Crown and wife Joan of Bryantown, MD and several nieces and nephews. Family and friends were received on Wednesday, April 11, 2012 at Rausch Funeral Home, Owings, where a service and celebration of Lorraines life was held Wednesday at 11 a.m. Interment followed at Southern Memorial Gardens, Dunkirk, MD.

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Thursday, April 5, 2012

The Calvert Gazette

Arthur Stepney, 68
Arthur Stepney, 68, of Prince Frederick, MD passed away on March 30, 2012 at Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC. He was born on Feb. 3, 1944 to the late Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln Stepney. He was born in Prince Frederick, Maryland. He was one of 10 children. Although he spent his mid years in construction, most of his life he worked at what he enjoyed, farming. Once retired, he became an avid fisherman. Arthur was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, George Stepney. He leaves to cherish his memories: his devoted beloved, Mable Brown; three stepchildren, Walter Brown, James Brown, and Mable (Terry) Morsell; six children, Rosie (Arnold) Carter, Linda (Andre) Jackson, Arthur (LaKisha) Stepney, Jackie Jones, Willia Stepney, Leslie (Bertrand) Spann; thirteen grandchildren, Latasha Brown, Evan and Marcus Morsell, Angel Jones, Raeeqs Dobyns, Richard White, Rahim and Baiyina Jones, Jasmine Ferguson, Jordan Jalloh, Brandon Yarbrough, Zonte Spann and Briana Spann; three brothers; Lincoln "Dennis" Stepney, Preston Stepney and Sherman Stepney; five sisters: Teresa Harris, Jeraline Stepney, Gracie Brown, Francie Stepney, Hazel (Benjamin) Dennis. Memorial service was held on Thursday, April 5, 2012 at Sewell Funeral Home, Prince Frederick, MD with Pastor George Williams, Sr. officiating. The interment was private.

Mary Tayman, 93
Mary Frances Tayman, 93, passed away April 8, 2012 at Lorien Columbia Nursing Center, Columbia, MD. She was born June 2, 1918 in Norfolk, VA to Raymond Wharton and Mary Adelaide (Daly) ONeill. Her family moved to Washington D.C. when she was a child and Mary received her education in Washington schools and was a 1936 graduate of Eastern High School. She was married to Samuel Z. Tayman, Jr. in Cottage City, MD on Aug. 19, 1939. The couple resided in Cottage City and Seabrook, MD before moving to Huntingtown in 1980. Mary was employed as telephone operator with the former C & P Telephone Company. She later was employed as a switchboard operator with the U.S. Government and retired from the NASAs Goddard Space Center of in 1974. Mary was a former member of Lanham United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday school and later became superintendent of the Sunday school. Mary has been a member of Huntingtown United Methodist Church since 1980. She was a member of the Methodist Board of Child Care. She was an American Legion Auxiliary member for 67 years with Colmar Manor Post and most recently with Post 85 in Huntingtown. She volunteered more than 1,300 hours at Calvert Memorial Hospital. Mary was preceded in death by her husband Samuel Z. Tayman, Jr. on March 1, 1993. She is survived by two daughters, Barbara Lynne Tayman on Arnold, MD and Margery Lally of Columbia, MD; a son Samuel Z. Tayman III and his wife Janet of Huntingtown, MD; eight grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren. Friends will be received on Thursday, April 12, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at Rausch Funeral Home, Owings. A service and celebration of Marys life will be held 11 a.m. Friday, April 13, 2012 at Huntingtown United Methodist Church, 4020, Hunting Creek Road, Huntingtown, MD. Interment will follow at Miranda Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to United Methodist Board of Child Care, P.O. Box 550, Huntingtown, MD 20639.

supply manager with the Prince Georges County Board of Education, retiring in 1984. He resided in Tracys Landing until moving to Upper Marlboro in 1990. He was a member of Cedar Grove U.M. Church in Deale, MD for over 60 years. He enjoyed sports and was a fan of the Maryland Terrapins and Washington Redskins. He loved horseracing and enjoyed dancing, going to social events and spending time with family and friends. Tommy was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Riley, James and Henry Tucker, and a sister Audrey Bauckman Davis. He is survived by two sisters, Vera Epstein of Tracys Landing and Evelyn Hayes of Forestville, MD. He is also survived by 11 nieces, Virginia Ward, Elaine Cleek, Delores Bouzoukis, Barbara Ball, Patricia Hall, Lorraine Jones, Vickie Jett, Janet Bennett, Gail Wilkerson, Donna LiCalzi and Deborah Waddell, and by five nephews, Harry Epstein, Robert, James, and Jerry Bauckman, and Roger Tucker. Family and friends were received Monday at Rausch Funeral Home, P.A., 8325 Mt. Harmony Lane, Owings, MD, where a funeral service and celebration of Tommys life was held April 10. Interment followed at Mt. Harmony UM Church Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy in Tommys name may be made to Anne Arundel Medical Center Foundation, 2001 Medical Parkway, Annapolis, MD 21401 or online at www.AAHS.org.

dren, Amy, Steven, Tony, Misty, Brandon, Christina, Chris, Ashley, Jacki, Tommy, Ronnie, Charlie, Mitchell, Dom, Zach, Bobby, Tony, Jimmy, Jennifer, and Jessica, and 13 great grandchildren; Bryan, Bella, Ricky, Makayla, Kyle, Landon, Connor, Carley, Hailey, Caeley, Dylan, Camden, and Zack, and many other family members and friends. Family will receive friends for a Memorial Service on Saturday, April 14, 2012, at 2 p.m. at Rausch Funeral Home, 20 American Lane, Lusby, MD. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, at 1311 Mamaroneck Avenue, Suite 310, White Plains, NY 10605, or to Calvert Hospice, at P.O. Box 838, 238 Merrimac Court, Prince Frederick, MD 20678. Donations are encourage on-line at www.calverthospice.org.

Dick West, 75
Richard Dick Frazier West, 75, of Solomons, died March 30, 2012, at Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C. He was born Sept. 25, 1936, in Washington, D.C. to Marion Eugene and Marjorie Frazier West. He graduated from the University of Maryland in June 1959 and earned a Bachelor of Sacred Theology degree in 1962 from Berkeley Divinity School in New Haven, Connecticut. He found employment with Suburban Trust Company and was with that bank for 15 years, where he rose to the position of Assistant Vice President and Branch Manager. Eventually Dick formed his own management firm, West Property Management Corporation, and managed a family-owned shopping center for many years. In 1970, he joined the Oxon Hill Lions Club. He became very involved with the work of that organization, serving as its President in 1972-1973. In 1982, he was elected District Governor of District 22-C, where he oversaw 66 Lions clubs with approximately 2,800 members. In 2003, he transferred his membership to the Calvert County Lions Club where he served as treasurer until his death. He also dedicated much of his life to the Lutheran Church where he served in many leadership roles, much of which was as treasurer. He is survived by his beloved wife of 52 years, Louise; three children, Laura Wise of Lothian, MD, David West of Bentonville, VA, and Donna Croll of Owings, MD; a brother, Sherman West of Gainesville, VA, his stepmother, Myrtle West of Cocoa, Florida; six grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Funeral services will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church, 90 Church Street, Prince Frederick, MD 20678, on Sunday, April 15, at 2 p.m. Inurnment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorials in his honor may be made to either the Calvert County Lions Club, P.O. Box 214, Prince Frederick, MD 20678, or the Asbury Benevolent Care Fund at 11100 Asbury Circle, Solomons, MD 20688; www.theasburyfoundation.org/benevolent-care/ donate

Barbara Jean Ward, 74

Barbara Jean Ward, of Lusby, MD, passed away at Solomons Nursing Center on April 6, 2012. She was the daughter of the late Evelyn Marie Robinson and the late William Ernest Robinson, of Camp Springs, MD. Barbara Jean was born in Washington DC on Sept. 14, 1937. She was a career school bus driver for the Prince Georges County Board of Education for 30 years. She loved living near the water and enjoyed fishing and crabbing and spending time with her family. While working, she was a shop steward, participant/member and elected delegate of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). In addition, while her children were young, she was an active member and leader of a Girl Scout troop in Camp Springs, MD. In addition to her mother and father, Barbara Jean is predeceased by her grandson Justin Miller and sister, Joan Forsythe. Barbara Jean is survived by her husband, Francis N. Ward, Jr.; her daughters Barbara Shewbridge, Marla Miller, Patricia Hilton all of Mechanicsville, MD, Marsha Turner of Lusby, MD, Lisa Winegardner, of St. Leonard, MD, Sara DiRienzo of Lusby, MD; step-daughter Connie Wallach of Huntingtown, MD; and step-son James Ward, Sr. of North Beach, MD; her sisters, Delores Homer and Cheryl Lynn Boggs both of Sarasota, Fla; brothers, Ernest Robinson of Myakka City, Fla, Kenneth Robinson of Midlothian, Va and Donald Robinson of Sarasota, Fla; 20 grandchil-

Gary Strine, 54
Gary Steven Strine, 54, of Upper Marlboro and formerly of Prince Frederick, MD passed away on April 6, 2012 at Southern Memorial Hospital, Clinton, MD. He was born October 22, 1957 in Leonardtown, MD to James Joseph and Georgie Marie (Wilkinson) Strine. Gary was raised in St. Marys County and attended Choptico High School. He was employed as a carpenter for McLellan and Company, Inc. of Upper Marlboro. Gary enjoyed fishing, hunting and riding his Harley. He was preceded in death by his parents. Surviving are two sons Steven G. Strine of Chesapeake Beach, MD and Joseph J. Strine of Houston, TX, a grandson Cole Strine of Dallas, TX and a sister Mary Strine of Leonardtown, MD. Friends were received at Rausch Funeral Home, P.A., 8325 Mt. Harmony Lane, Owings, MD on April 11, 2012.

Tommy Tucker, 87
Thomas Winfield Tucker, known as Tommy or Winks, passed away April 4, 2012 at Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis, MD. He was born Sept. 7, 1924 in Fairhaven, MD to Thomas H. and Eva P. (Armiger) Tucker. He was raised in Friendship, attended the former Friendship School and graduated from Southern High School in Lothian with the class of 1942. Tommy worked on his familys farm and later served in the US Army in Germany. Upon his discharge he began a career as a

Spotlight On

The Calvert Gazette

Thursday, April 5, 2012

12

Environmental Learning Integrated

By Sarah Miller Staff Writer CHESPAX is an environmental education program that starts Local students are in kindergarten and goes getting ready to test their through high school. environmental knowledge CHESPAX teacher Tom at the 21st Annual Calvert Harten said they work to County Evironthon. make fieldtrips compatible Calverts high school to the school curriculums. students will be tested in With the end of Spring the fields of wildlife manBreak, seventh grade stuagement, soil conservadents will start going out tion, forestry management, in canoes to get water aquatic resources and nonsamples in one of the local point source pollution/low creeks. The data they colimpact development during lect will be submitted to the event at Kings Landing Photo Courtesy of Tom Harten the Fish and Wildlife SerPark. vice, Harten said. The Environthon will be April 25 from He said they also recently finished the 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. It is an annual competition second grade project. Students took recyin which students work with environmental clable grocery bags, decorated them and sent professionals to gain expertise in a variety of them to various locations around the county, natural resource management fields, accord- like Bowens, Rolands Grocery and Nicks of ing to a Calvert Schools press release. The Calvert. The bags are to be given out on Earth winning team will advance to the state com- Day. petition on June 20 and 21. Other students get to help raise terrapins The Envirothon is sponsored by the Cal- to be re-released in the wild. Each grade has vert County Soil Conservation Service, Cal- a different project, Harten said, and for every vert Forestry Board, Calvert County Natural lesson there is an action involved. Resource Division, Morgan State University All programs tie into the service learning Estuarine Research Center, and the Calvert requirement for graduation, he said. County Public School Systems CHESPAX program. sarahmiller@countytimes.net

Bullying Addressed in the Classroom

By Sarah Miller Staff Writer Bullying in school is a common occurrence that, according to Calvert school officials, has only become worse with the advent of social networking mediums like Facebook. Were just a little microcosm of what the community is, said Executive Director of Admission Kim Roof. Instruction about different types of bullying is embedded in the curriculum, starting in kindergarten. In middle and high school, it is part of health education, Roof said. Students are told that for somebody to become a bully, they had to have been bullied at some time or been in an environment where bullying is acceptable. They often take on the characteristics of a bully for self-preservation, Roof said. Kids arent born as bullies, Roof said. She said students are not told to ignore bullies. Ignoring the problem is not an action, Roof said. It is a denial. Instead, they are told to tell adults, like teachers, parents or the principal. Occasionally, bullying can escalate to the point of a physical altercation. Roof said each fight is looked at as an individual incident, and there is no exact procedure when dealing with the students. A fight cannot happen without two aggressors, but no two fights are the same. There are differences in perception, and the students need to be spoken with individually. We cant read the students minds, Roof said. Mediation between bullies and victims is not encouraged, Roof said, because if the victim is intimidated by the very presence of the bully it can be empowering to the bully and perpetuate the problem. In other cases, when students have a difference of opinion, mediation can be used. Roof said the district has a successful student mediation program. Every generation has their own form of bullying, Roof said, and the Internet is another current evolution. Roof said the Internet has exacerbated bullying because it can go beyond the school and the stereotypical schoolyard bully. Students can write cruel things about one another on the Internet, and they come to school with problems that may have bloomed overnight. If parents see something on a site like Facebook that may cause problems during the next school day, Roof aid they are encouraged to report it to the school. Schools also hold programs to help parents and students learn more about Internet safety and bullying. sarahmiller@countytimes.net

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Thursday, April 5, 2012

The Calvert Gazette

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And The Others Gold
By Susan Shaw Calvert County Commissioner, District 2
Last week, I had a revelation derived from a number of recent experiences. I like to attend as many events as I reasonably can to support our local community while I learn the ways in which local government can improve and also the nooks and crannies where local government shines. Recent forays have included Ann Marie Sculpture Gardens beautiful in-door exhibit hall where 150 people were seated against the back drop of original art and the large windows framing an outdoor art palette to eat delicious food while recognizing extraordinary women. It just does not get any better than that. But it does get just as good in a totally different way, as proved by Huntingtown High Schools Aida staged and acted by the Eye of the Storm, a schoolbased non-profit led by drama teacher and coach Derek Anderson. I took a friend who had majored in drama in college (unbeknownst to me) and is now a national figure in political leadership. She said that even the multiple panels filled with drama awards outside the auditorium did not prepare her for the excellence of the large-scale production. The big stage was teaming with student actors, enormous scenery that appeared to move effortlessly, elaborate singing and dancing. No wonder the Eye of the Storm wins so many awards and requires a non-profit to fund the involvement of so many talented young performers. I stopped by the Adult Day Cares Swing Dance fundraiser with music by the Chesapeake Orchestra held at the Elks Club Hall. Yet again, I was reminded of the musical quality elicited by this local volunteer group. I stayed to the big band sound transporting me to the relaxation of a different time and place. I accepted the invitation of the Artworks at 7th Gallery in North Beach to view their exhibits in their new loca-

Missing an Opportunity to Lead

TTER E to the
Editor

tion. Oh, my goodness! It reminded me of the opening reception for the new Gallery Building at Ann Marie Sculpture Garden and Art Center, where I met Mrs. Hirschhorn and her family of the Hirschhorn Gallery of the Smithsonian. It was clear that Calvert County had moved beyond its strictly rural roots onto a new art plane that represents the best of the best in the art world. It is like the Girl Scout Song that was sung there recently, Make new friends, but keep the old; one is silver, and the others gold. We have our rural landscape, which shines like silver, and we have our arts venues that are pure gold. We have the locally-created, cosmopolitan art world on display and for purchase at surprisingly reasonable prices at the new Artworks on 7th Gallery. The revelation came when a friend pointed out to me that we have an artistic community in Calvert County that rivals Washington and many famous art enclaves. It stretches from Solomons to North Beach. I was looking at it piecemeal and not perceiving the mass that the whole represents. Then I got to thinking about the Chesapeake Orchestra and the Chesapeake Community Chorus and the many talented musicians here. The drama available for the price of a fast food meal also stretches from Patuxent High School to Northern High School and extends to the Twin Beach Players and others. How extremely lucky are we Calvert County residents and visitors! We can enjoy our beautiful vistas outside, and then go both inside and outside to celebrate the artists, the singers, and the thespians Publisher that share our joy through Associate Publisher their talented works. No Editor wonder we love and emGraphic Artist brace this terrific place.

corner
Staff Writers Guy Leonard Sarah Miller Corrin Howe

The 2012 General Assembly Session started off to be one of the best sessions for the environment in history, with several strong conservation bills introduced by Governor OMalley and legislative leaders, but as the clock wound down on the last day of the Session, it became clear that while the legislature took steps to restore the Chesapeake Bay and our waters, they failed to lead on developing offshore wind and cleaning up trash from our local waters. A package of legislation to improve water quality, create jobs, protect public health and reduce flooding has passed in the 2012 General Assembly session. The bills would increase the Bay Restoration Fund to finish wastewater treatment plant upgrades (SB 240 / HB 446), require the states largest jurisdictions to create a dedicated fee to reduce polluted stormwater runoff (SB 614 / HB 987), and reduce pollution from poorly planned development and septic systems (SB 236 / HB 445). The General Assembly Session also started strong with an offshore wind bill backed by Governor Martin OMalleyMaryland Offshore Wind Energy Act of 2012 (SB 237/ HB 441). The bill passed the House of Delegates with a vote of 8847 and received a strong majority support in numerous statewide polls but died when a final vote could not be found in the Senate Finance Committee. The Maryland Offshore Wind Energy Act of 2012 would have incentivized the construction of ocean-based wind turbines ten miles or more off the coast of Ocean City, Maryland. The legislation included multiple provisions to protect consumers and to stimulate Marylands economy. The Senate failed to act despite, 127 business, civic, faith and minority leaders declaring their support for Maryland offshore wind power. That list includes a dozen groups like the NAACP and the Economic Development and Training Institute, 79 small businesses and 36 faith leaders and ministers along with conservation groups including the Maryland League of Conservation Voters, the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, the Sierra Club Maryland Chapter, Environment Maryland, the National Wildlife Federation, the League of Women Voters, the Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry, and Greater Washington Interfaith Power & Light. Although the Maryland League of Conservation Voters applauds the steps taken to protect and restore our states waterways, we are disappointed that the Senate did not respond to the growing demand from all areas of the state to take put Maryland in front on offshore wind. This fight is not over and we are looking ahead to next session as well as to the 2014 legislative elections where citizens can ensure that legislators are held accountable for their lack of action. Unfortunately another casualty of the session included the Community Clean Up and Greening Act (HB1247/SB511), commonly known as the Bag Fee bill. This bill would have reduced trash across Maryland by adding a $.05 fee to all bags provided by retail outlets like similar bills in Washington DC and Montgomery County. The Bag Fee died in committee weeks before the end of the legislative session. The Maryland League of Conservation Voters commends the leadership of Gov. OMalley and our champions like Chairman Dereck Davis, Chairman Mac Middleton, Chairman Maggie McIntosh as well as leaders like Sen. Paul Pinsky and Del. Tom Hucker but we look forward to 2014 when the voice of voters will have their say on the performance of those legislators who talk a big game on issues like clean energy but dont deliver. Karla Raettig, Executive Director Maryland League of Conservation Voters

Dare to Dream
On March 24 at the Women of the World Luncheon, Anne Lusby Harrison was honored by AAUW for her service as Dare to Dream chair for the past 6 years. Dare to Dream grants of up to $300 are given to women over 18 in Charles, St Marys and Calvert Counties by the Patuxent River Branch of the American Association of University Women. The grants are designed to enhance a womans personal growth, artistic skills, educational enrichment or community service. Past grants include establishing a website for a nonprofit, paying for supplies for community projects, and providing fees for further professional certifications. To apply, request the application information from Anne Harrison by calling 410-394-3733 or email msalh@comcast.net. Important: the deadline is Thursday, April 15. After applications are reviewed, the recipients will be notified in early May and will be invited to the branchs annual meeting in Solomons on May 8. Barbara Fetterhoff Solomons, MD

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Calvert Gazette

The Calvert Gazette is a weekly newspaper providing news and information for the residents of Calvert County. The Calvert Gazette will be available on newsstands every Thursday. The paper is published by Southern Maryland Publishing Company, which is responsible for the form, content, and policies of the newspaper. The Calvert Gazette does not espouse any political belief or endorse any product or service in its news coverage. Articles and letters submitted for publication must be signed and may be edited for length or content. The Calvert Gazette is not responsible for any claims made by its advertisers.

The Calvert Gazette

Thursday, April 5, 2012

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The Calvert Gazette is always looking for more local talent to feature! To submit art or band information for our entertainment section, e-mail sarahmiller@countytimes.net.

North Beach Local Working into the Big Time

By Sarah Miller Staff Writer After years of hard work at making a living pursuing his passion, North Beach resident Eric Scott is getting local and national attention after winning two Wammies in Washington, D.C., bringing his total award count up to seven. Scott has been a performer since 1994. He is a singer and songwriter, in addition to playing the bass. He said he got serious about his music career when he was working at a small business when the owner died unexpectedly. I had three or four months to figure out what to do, Scott said. At that time, he had been playing gigs a couple times per week. To pay the bills, he upped the number of gigs he played and began his career as a full time musician. He said his first steady gig was at a Chinese restaurant and he never looked back. Scott said one of his most memorable moments on stage came when he was on tour with Deanna Bogart. The two were performing a cover of Mustang Sally at Blues Cruise, only to find out the man who wrote the song was in the audience. Scott tries to only do original music, though he will do covers as crowd pleasers. He said being a professional musician, its best to balance original pieces and covers to stay in demand and pay the bills. Another fond memory Scott has from being on stage was a concert in Laurel last year, which erupted into a big sing along. One of Scotts most recent highlights is receiving two Wammies at the annual Wammie Awards in Washington D.C. Scott said people are notified about their nomination on October, and then they learn the results at the awards gala in February. The Washington Area Music Awards recognize significant career achievements by area musicians.
Photo courtesy of Eric Scott

for booking call : (301) 385 0580 www.myspace.com/itzllgoode www.ericscottmusic.com

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itzall goode Nominations and balloting come from the WAMA eric scott membership. Past show participants include Emmylou Harris, Joan Jett, Bo Diddley, Jorma Kaukonen, Jimmy Dean, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Ruth Brown, LaVern Baker, Sweet Honey in the Rock, according to the Wammie website at wamadc.com. Also announced at the Wammies are each years inductees to the Hall of Fame. Scott won the awards for Best Urban Contemporary Male Vocalist and Best Urban Contemporary Instrumentalist. Im grateful, Scott said. I never expected anything from them. Its always a surprise to win. Scott said his main focus right now is a new CD that will be released May 22. Where the Water Runs Deepest will be more of an acoustic record, Scott said. He said he originally intended to create a four or five song EP, but the project evolved to a full CD. He said it will be sparse, with less production involved than his previous three CDs. Scott will be performing selections at the CD release party at Rams Head On Stage in Annapolis at 8 p.m. Scott will be joined by Jon Carroll and the Patty Reese Band. He will be going on tour during the summer to help promote the CD. For more information, or to purchase tickets for the CD release party, visit www.ericscottmusic.com.
music

sarahmiller@countytimes.net

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Thursday, April 5, 2012

The Calvert Gazette

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MHBR No. 103