In and Around Morningside-Skyline
By Mary McHale 301-735-3451
Seatbelts and airbags save Mudd family from serious injuries in Beltway crash
John and Sheila Mudd and their kids, Leah, Sam and Claire, were returning from the Mudd Family Reunion in Charles County the evening of Friday, June 28. On the Beltway near Landover a speeding car slammed into the back of their Toyota Sienna after sideswiping another car. The van went into a spin and smashed into the jersey wall.
They were all wearing seatbelts, even Sam in the third seat in back. Dozens (it seemed) of airbags activated. Three of the family were unconscious. Sheila, my daughter, remembers nothing of the accident; she woke up at the hospital.
They were well treated at Prince George’s Hospital, which was already working with victims of other accidents. Leah—who was celebrating her 25th birthday that day—suffered a cracked bone and Sheila needed 10 stitches in her forehead. They’re all home now, recovering from concussions, bruises and sore backs.
The speeder, who had to be extricated from his Toyota Camry, was hospitalized. I don’t know if he’s still there. I don’t know what he’s going to be charged with.
The Mudds’ van was totaled. I asked John what he’s going to replace it with. He said the same make and model of the Toyota Sienna—its safety features probably saved their lives.
Neighbors and other good people
Jim Behr, of Oxon Hill, and Wayne Gordon, of District Heights, were among the watchers at the Morningside Independence Day Parade. They are regular readers of this column and it's always good to meet my readers.
Darryl Kelley, of Camp Springs, was ordained a Deacon at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on June 20. He preached and assisted at Mass for the first time at St. Philip's on June 23.
Sylvia Green is president of the Oxon Hill Food Pantry. Other officers are Yvonne Davis, vice-president; Betty Cottrell, secretary; Brenda Garland, treasurer; and Therese Kince, Assistant Treasurer. The Pantry is celebrating its 35th anniversary.
How can I go to bat for Mike?
Michael Polley grew up in Morningside, graduated from the University of Maryland, worked for the Smithsonian, and headed the Morningside Recreation Council. He was one of my Cub Scouts when I was den mother and one of my husband Jack’s players when Jack coached softball.
Mike died of cancer at 25. We petitioned for the new park next to Skyline School to be named in his honor, and so it was.
Now I notice the sign on Suitland Road, directing you to the park, has Mike’s name misspelled: Michael Polly Park. I’ll do something about it. I have to go to bat for Mike.
Coming up
• A Health Fair—providing blood pressure screening, fitness workout and other health information—is scheduled for August 3, 11a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Suitland Road Baptist Church. The Mama and Baby Bus will be on site providing basic maternal and child health services. All are welcome. Call Dr. Kelvin M. McCune, Pastor, at 301-219-2296, for more information.
• St. Philip’s annual Crab Feast will be held in the Social Hall at St. Philip’s, Aug. 3, 1 to 5 p.m. For information, call the Rectory, 301-423-4244.
• “I Spy” is coming July 24 to August 15 at Darnall’s Chance Museum in Upper Marlboro. Kids, ages 6–12, can learn real 18th century spying techniques during a role-playing interactive spy mission for General George Washington. They’ll find out how the Continental Army successfully outwitted the British with secret codes and other tricks to win American Independence. “I Spy” is a 30 to 45 minute activity and will be held Wednesdays and Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Info: 301-952-8010.
• The Surratt House is now taking registration for their September John Wilkes Booth Tours, Sept. 14, 21 and 28. Call 301-868-1121 to be placed on a mailing list to receive full details at that time.
Changing landscape
Marco’s Pizza has opened at 8809 Woodyard Road in Clinton. For information about hours, call 240-846-3630.
My great-nephew Robert was in town with his dad, Matthew Crowe, and the first thing he wanted to see in Washington was the new Fossil Hall at the Museum of Natural History. He declared it amazing, and “the best.” It opened June 8 and has been very popular—you know, everyone loves those dinosaurs.
Gladys Locks, loved to watch The Golden Girls and the Redskins
Gladys Locks, 90, longtime Pentagon employee, died May 18. She was born in Newberry, S.C., the oldest girl of eighteen children. She attended and played basketball in the Newberry County schools, and came to Washington in 1948 where she began working in the food industry.
She married the late Andrew Locks and they had eight children, two of whom preceded her in death. Every year she traveled to family reunions and church homecomings in South Carolina.
She lived for some years in Skyline with her daughter Joaquina, and attended the annual Night Out picnic at Skyline School. Five daughters, a son, 23 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren, eight great-great grandchildren and three siblings survive her. Her funeral was at Lincoln Park United Methodist Church where she had been a member for more than 50 years.
Burial is at Washington National Cemetery.
Milestones
Happy birthday to Jean Ihrig and Timothy Hollowsky, July 5; Chrissy Bennett and Marie Golihew, July 6; Father Kevin Cusick, Charles “Tony” Haley, Sue Richards and Rev. Dr. Kelvin McCune, July 7; Jimmy Gromen and Anthony Curcio-Bobbitt, July 8; Karlyn Davis, John Anthony III and my grandson Zachary Seidman, July 9; my daughter Elaine Seidman, July 10; Kevin Kline, Nicole Wade, Dee (Curcio) Brown and Dave Williams Jr., July 11.
Also, Kenard Simms, July 13; Laverne Peggy Simms, Krista Lanehart and Laura (Thompson) Hoffmann, July 14; Dessirae Johnson and Helen Jurney, July 15; Norma Wright and Gary Lewis, Jr., July 16; my granddaughter Claire Mudd, Michael Busky, Mike Fowler Jr., and former Morningside Police Chief Stephen Armhold, July 17; Allyssa Frederick and former Morningside Council Member Russell Butler, July 18.
Happy 44th anniversary to Dave and Carolyn Williams on July 11.
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Brandywine-Aquasco
By Audrey Johnson 301-922-5384
SCHOLARSHIP GALA
Calling all Alumni and friends. Bowie State University National Alumni Association, Inc. Scholarship Gala Profiles of Excellence (Save the date) Friday, October 11, 2019 at Martin’s Crosswinds, Greenbelt. Maryland. Ricardo Mitchell, President. Visit www.bowiestate.edu/alumni.
POETRY READINGS
Joan Hayes is available for poetry readings. Poems of love, family, fantasy, history and traditions. Contact: 301-248-7450/301-351-3762. Email: joanhayes@acninc.net. One of Joan poems is Introducing Estelle.
Estelle regal in movement. Her body possessed a calm spirit and peace of mind. No one would have ever guessed that she came from a diseased past. Buried in the blood and blush of her cheek’s. Faint traces of scars with layers well-hidden underneath. Estelle slew her past and made a decision to Jet the hurt go because she saw in the end the weariness of haunted memories continually pressed against her positive goals. Instead she focused on images of great and wonderful heroines who escaped and used them as guides as she replaced the images with her face. Determined to replace yards of pain with the traveled miles of what the future would bring. She pulled herself up with the teachings of seasoned kings and queens and in, the process became accomplished with a quiet kind of poise. Estelle raised and created in adversity but internally fashioned into gold.
CAFÉ AGAPE
Join us at St. Paul Oxon Hill United Methodist Church for Café Agape July 19, 2019 (Serving the World) from 7:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. Rev. Dr. Daryl L. Williams Senior Pastor. We will be in our fellowship hall at 6634 St. Barnabas Road, Oxon Hill, Maryland.
PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Prince George’s County Public Schools is proud of their graduates who have excelled in their careers or made contributions to their communities. Jim Henson, Puppeteer, Artist, Northwestern High School Class of 1970. Sugar Ray Leonard Boxer, Parkdale High School Class of 1974. Martin Lawrence, Actor/Comedian, Eleanor Roosevelt High School Class of 1984. Taraji P. Henson, Actress, Oxon Hill High School class of 1988. Mya Harrison, Actress/Singer, Eleanor Roosevelt High School Class of 1996. Kathie Lee Gifford, Television Host, Singer, News Reporter, Bowie High School 1971. If you want to share your PGCPS experience register as a PGCPS alumni. Visit www.princegeorgescountypublicschools.org.
CAREFIRST
‘‘Get social with Carefirst. Looking for ways to more effectively use your health insurance plan. Carefirst got you covered. Tips to help you easily access your benefits. Ways to manage your health care costs. Convenient access to our customer service team and more. The more you know, the more you’ll get out of your plan. Follow us at carefirst.com/facebook, carefirst.com/twitter and carefirst.com/Instagram.”
JULY WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES
Congratulations to Karl and Romonia Pinkney, Ulric and Veronica Thomas who are Clinton United Methodist Church members celebrating their Wedding Anniversaries in July.
SUMMER READING & WRITING SKILLS
Programs are sponsored by Loyola University Maryland, School of Education, a non-profit organization. Classes are taught by instructors from the Institute Reading Development. All programs meet once each week. Tuition varies by program grade.
Choose the grade your child will enter in Fall 2019. Listed is a schedule of classes that will be taught at Largo Community Church, 1701 Enterprise Road starting Saturday, July 27–August 24. Four-year-old and K 8:30 a.m.–9:30 a.m., 1st Grade, 10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m., 2nd Grade 12:30 p.m.–2:15 p.m., 3rd Grade: 10:00 a.m.–11:45 a.m., 6th–8th Grades: 12:45 p.m.–3:00 p.m. For more information or to register call 800-570-8935 Mon-Friday 8:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m., Saturday 8:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. and Sunday 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
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