Greater Mt. Nebo A.M.E. Church Hosts Deaf Awareness Day and Presents Trailblazer Awards to Deaf Actor Warren “WaWa” Snipe and Deaf Emmy Nominee Keivonn Woodard
By PRESS OFFICER
Greater Mt. Nebo A.M.E. Church
Bowie, Md. (Sept. 11, 2023)—Greater Mt. Nebo A.M.E. Church will present Trailblazer Awards to Deaf actor, rapper and artist Warren “WaWa” Snipe and 10 year old Deaf actor and Emmy nominee Keivonn Woodard on Sunday, September 24, 2023 at 9:45 a.m. at the church’s Deaf Awareness Day in Bowie, MD.
Greater Mt. Nebo Senior Pastor Rev. Dr. Gerald Folsom is proud to announce an inspiring day raising awareness of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community. Pastor Folsom believes “we have an awesome opportunity to honor and witness on this occasion.” The church will have sign language interpreters so that everyone Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Hearing can enjoy praise and heartfelt worship by the Signs of Praise Community Choir, powerful messages, fellowship and more.
“Wawa” Snipe hails from the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area and makes “Dip Hop” music that represents Hip Hop music through deaf eyes. Keivonn Woodard is from Prince Georges County, and is the youngest actor to be honored with an Emmy nomination. Snipe and Woodard are trailblazers in their genres who have demonstrated that Deafness is not a limitation.
For more information about Greater Mt. Nebo’s Deaf Awareness Day and to obtain a free ticket visit www.bit.ly/gmnebodad2023
Founded on June 8, 1877, Greater Mt. Nebo A.M.E. Church has a rich history rooted in community service and social activism in Prince George’s County. The church’s mission is to be a church where the Holy Spirit empowers people to worship God, make disciples for Jesus Christ, and serve the world. Greater Mt. Nebo A.M.E. Church holds virtual and in-person services on Sundays at 9:45 a.m. For more information visit www.gmnebo.org.
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Beltsville Native Serves Aboard Navy Warship in San Diego
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Josiah Trombley
Navy Office of Community Outreach
SAN DIEGO (Aug. 29, 2023)—Airman Recruit Abdoul Amadou, a native of Beltsville, Maryland, serves aboard a U.S. Navy warship operating out of San Diego, California.
Amadou joined the Navy six months ago. Today, Amadou serves as an aviation boatswain’s mate (fuel) aboard USS Makin Island.
“I joined the Navy to serve and be a part of my new country,” said Amadou. “I left Togo on May 28, 2021, because I won the lottery, which allowed me to come to America."
Growing up in Togo, Amadou moved to Beltsville and graduated from Lycee Basar High School in 2015.
Skills and values learned in the Navy are similar to those found in Beltsville.
“My hometown taught me to make myself better and seek better opportunities,” said Amadou. “I worked in Beltsville and saw a lot of people’s ambition when starting businesses, which inspired me to join the Navy.”
These lessons have helped Amadou while serving aboard USS Makin Island.
Makin Island is an amphibious assault ship. According to Navy officials, these types of warships embark, transport and land elements of a landing force for a variety of expeditionary warfare missions.
Because of their inherent capabilities, these ships have been and will continue to be called upon to support humanitarian and other contingency missions on short notice.
As a member of the Navy, Amadou is part of a world-class organization focused on maintaining maritime dominance, strengthening partnerships, increasing competitive warfighting capabilities and sustaining combat-ready forces in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“The Navy is important to national defense because it is a strong foundation and show of force in its representation of the best people of its country,” said Amadou.
With 90 percent of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to trained sailors and a strong Navy.
Amadou and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“My proudest accomplishment in the Navy is graduating from boot camp and coming to USS Makin Island as a sailor,” said Amadou. "I had never seen a large ship like that. People in “A” school told me about the size of our ships, but the first time I saw it, I lost myself because I had never seen anything like it.”
As Amadou and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“Serving in the Navy is an important thing for me because my family is proud of me which makes me proud,” said Amadou.
Amadou is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my family and my friends for giving me good advice and for supporting me when I came here,” added Amadou. “I would also like to thank my uncle, Gbati Kakaye, and my aunt, Fadila Kakaye, for giving me everything when I moved here for those years. I also want to thank my friend, Nabine Basile, who joined the Navy first and told me to speak to a recruiter about the benefits of joining the Navy.”
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Adult Grief Support Programs Meeting This Fall
By ELYZABETH MARCUSSEN
Hospice of the Chesapeake
PASADENA, Md. (Sept. 12, 2023)—Chesapeake Life Center will offer a variety of grief support groups for adults that will be meeting this fall. Groups will meet in person at locations in Anne Arundel, Calvert, and Prince George’s counties as well as virtually.
The following grief support groups will meet in person:
• Drop-In Grief Support Groups are open to anyone grieving. Groups offer participants an opportunity to share their feelings and obtain support from others who are experiencing loss. There is no fee. These groups will meet as follows:
• North Beach Senior Center, 9010 Chesapeake Ave., North Beach, Maryland, from 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesdays, Oct. 4, Nov. 1, and Dec. 6.
• Southern Pines Senior Center, 20 Appeal Lane, Lusby, Maryland, from 2 to 3 p.m. Tuesdays, Oct. 10, Nov. 14, and Dec. 12.
• Chesapeake Life Center, 90 Ritchie Highway, Pasadena, Maryland, from 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesdays, Oct. 11, Nov. 8 and Dec. 13.
• Calvert Pines Senior Center, 450 W. Dares Beach Road, Prince Frederick, Maryland, from 1 to 2 p.m. Tuesdays, Oct. 17, Nov. 21, and Dec. 19.
• Loss of Life Partner/Spouse Evening Group is a group for individuals grieving the death of a spouse or life partner. The cost is $10 per session. It will meet on the center’s campus at 90 Ritchie Highway, Pasadena, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays, Oct. 11, Nov. 8 and Dec. 13.
One group will meet both in-person and virtually:
• SoulCollage Grief Support Group has participants create a series of collages to commemorate lost loved ones and to visually journal the grief process. The group will meet from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 2 at the center’s office at 9500 Medical Center Drive, Suite 250, in Largo, Maryland, as well as via Zoom.
Childcare is not provided, and children are not permitted in any of these groups.
The following group will meet virtually via Zoom for Healthcare:
• Loss of Life Partner/Spouse Morning Group is for individuals grieving the death of a spouse or life partner. It will meet from 10:30 a.m. to noon Tuesdays, Oct. 10, Nov. 14, and Dec. 12.
Acknowledging that not everyone has access to this technology or may not be comfortable with it, the center suggests people call or email the office and grief professionals will work with individuals to help them find other appropriate resources if needed.
Except for drop-in groups, registration is required and can be completed by calling 888-501-7077 or emailing griefinfo@chesapeakelifecenter.org. Visit www.hospicechesapeake.org/events for a complete listing of in-person and virtual groups and workshops for adults and children.
Chesapeake Life Center, a program service of Hospice of the Chesapeake, serves hospice family members and the community with bereavement services and activities aimed at enhancing the quality of life for those grieving the loss of a loved one. For details, visit www.chesapeakelifecenter.org
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Old Bowie Celebrates Festival on Saturday, October 7, 2023
By PRESS OFFICER
Old Bowie Arts & Heritage Committee
BOWIE, Md. (Sept. 13, 2023)—Mark your calendar for a day of family-friendly fun at the annual Old Bowie Celebrates! festival on Saturday, October 7, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. The festival is co-sponsored by Old Bowie Arts & Heritage Committee and the City of Bowie.
The festival features live music and dance, arts and craft vendors, street entertainers, children’s activities, a juried art show, and more.
Festivalgoers will enjoy a full day of music and dance performances on multiple stages. Music includes a range of sounds from R&B, Jazz, and Reggae, to bagpipes. Performers include the Jose Luiz Martins Ensemble, Jay Johnson and Friends, Leron Young, and Renee Georges to name a few. This year, an additional stage is devoted solely to international performances, featuring an Asian Dance Group, Caribbean Steel Drum band, Proverbs Reggae band, and Native American traditional dance.
Adults and children alike will marvel at a stiltwalker, unicyclist, and magicians. Festivalgoers can ride the mini-train along the Heritage Hiking/Bike Trail, learn to play marbles, and enjoy the music of Organ Grinder Lola. Festivalgoers will want to explore local history at the City of Bowie’s Welcome House Museum and the Railroad Museum and listen to Bedlam Colonial Music. All will want to savor the local and ethnic foods available.
Children will find plenty of activities designed especially for them. They can collect stamps in their festival “passport” by participating in dance, music, fitness, or arts and crafts and then receive a prize. They can explore a special children’s area which includes games and more hands-on activities. Echoes of Nature (with their animal ambassadors from around the world) and Kidsinger Jim Hossick will entertain the children with special performances.
The festival spans 12th Street and Chestnut Avenue to Maple Avenue on 9th Street in Old Bowie.
Free parking is available at multiple locations, including Rockledge Elementary School (off Rt. 197), with a free shuttle to transport festivalgoers. For more information on all of the day’s activities, parking and shuttle service, visit the festival online at www.oldbowiecelebrates.us
Old Bowie Celebrates Cultures through Arts and Heritage
The Old Bowie Arts & Heritage Steering Committee is a group of dedicated volunteers which includes Old Bowie residents and representatives from the
Huntington Heritage Society, Bowie United Methodist Church, and BRAVA. The Old Bowie Arts & Heritage Steering Committee plans and operates an annual arts and heritage festival that attracts people to and establishes Old Bowie as a place to explore and enjoy. In addition to the annual festival, the Steering Committee is currently planning other events for 2024 for the enjoyment of Old Bowie residents and the wider community.
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Largo Landing Fellowship Open House “A Home Built on Hope: Strengthening Community Ties”
By PRESS OFFICER
Fellowship Square
Come to Largo Landing Fellowship House’s “open house” evening with tours, refreshments, and an opportunity to learn about ways YOU can help seniors with very limited resources in our community. Connect with residents and staff, enjoy a performance by the Largo Landing choir, and learn about volunteer opportunities and ways to support vulnerable older adults living in Prince George’s County. Your visit will bring joy to our residents and make a meaningful impact in our community! Fellowship Square’s Largo Landing Fellowship House provides affordable housing to financially vulnerable older adults—many who live on average annual fixed-income of $10,000/year—and ensures they have the support they need to live independent and fulfilling lives even in the face of obstacles such as the high costs of housing in the greater Washington DC area.
When: Tuesday, October 17, 2023, from 6–8 p.m.
Where: Largo Landing Fellowship House, 1077 Largo Rd, Upper Marlboro, MD 20774
More information: https://www.fellowshipsquare.org/get-involved/events
Contact & RSVP: Brenda Martinez, bmartinez@fellowshipsquare.org
Fellowship Square, a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, is one of the leading local providers of affordable housing and services to low-income seniors, owning 670 units (240 of them jointly) and serving more than 850 older adults in the greater Washington DC region.
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