In and Around Morningside-Skyline
By Mary McHale 301-735-3451
New LED-light signs
According to the Morningside Newsletter, three LED-light signs are coming. They will be installed at the VFW, Glaubitz Circle, and the Firehouse. Watch for them. And slow down!
The Town is also in the process of seeking a grant to build a Public Works building to house their vehicles and attachments. This would free up space in the municipal center basement for more storage and office space for Morningside’s growing Police Department.
Then there’s winter: Morningside is getting snow equipment ready to go. Trucks and plows are being serviced now so they can respond when the snow and ice arrive.
Retaining wall work on Woodland Road
Work is well underway for replacing the retaining walls in the 6800 block of Woodland Road. These walls support the road and sidewalk and prevent erosion for a stretch of houses downhill from the road. Councilman John Anthony is the town’s manager for this project.
The timber walls date back to the 1970s. They are rotting, doing damage to sidewalks and some driveways.
A construction crew has torn out the timbers and dug down below the frost-line. They now are putting in concrete retaining walls, with a brick pattern to improve the aesthetics. Once the walls are finished, the town will repair the curbs and sidewalks damaged by the erosion and settling.
This project is on-track to be completed by the end of November.
I appreciate grants!
The Morningside Recreation Committee was recently awarded another grant from Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning. This grant is for $50,000.
Previous grants have funded a variety of town activities and events, as well as allowing the town to purchase a shed, two golf carts, a trailer, chairs and tables for events, and Blackstone grills.
Keep those grants coming!
Happy birthday to Post 9619!
VFW Post 9619 was chartered on November 4, 1947, 78 years ago. Robert Burns was its first commander.
Happy 100th anniversary to St. Mary’s School
St. Mary of the Assumption Regional Catholic School, in Upper Marlboro, is celebrating its 100th anniversary.
They celebrated the occasion with a Courtyard Dedication on Sept. 26, a Centennial Gala on Sept. 27 and a Centennial Open House & Picnic on Sunday, September 28.
New Schools coming
Ground has been broken for several new schools through Phase 2 of the innovative Alternative Construction Finance Program:
• Robert Frost K–6 School in New Carrollton
• Templeton Elementary School in Landover
• Fairwood Elementary in Bowie.
Register for Eagle Claw Karate
Eagle Claw Karate & Self Defense. Registration started Saturday, September 27 and can happen any Saturday until December 6, 9 a.m. at the Morningside Town Hall. Fee, $40 a month (with discounts available for multiple-child families).
A Visit with a Longtime Friend
Dee Eskew, who grew up in Morningside and now lives in Dunkirk, recently came by for a visit. Accompanying her was her son Ian Simms, who lives in Sebastopol, Calif., but had flown in for the annual Eskew family crab feast. The event, hosted by Dee’s uncle Pat Bright, is always in the fall when the crabs are the fattest.
Also expected to attend the feast are Dee’s mother, Peggy (living in E. Ocean City) and Dee’s siblings, Fred, Joe and Mary Catherine. Dee invited us to join them. Maybe next year I’ll show up, with my crab mallet.
Milestones
Happy Birthday to Robin Brown, Nov. 13; Tyrell Boxley, Nov. 14; Michael Spenard, Ty Poe, Bob Davis and Carolyn Holland Bennett, Kendra MacLean and Katie Frostbutter, Nov. 18; Herbert and Andrew Boone, Nov. 20; Linda Cullinan and Brea Sandy-Hanson, Nov. 21.
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Brandywine-Aquasco
By Audrey Johnson 301-922-5384
WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES
Congratulations to Brandon and Ashley Holmes, Barron and Kendra Neal who are Clinton United Methodist Church members celebrating Wedding Anniversaries in November.
THE BOLD BUZZ
Where are they now? Calling all former Bowie State University Student-Athletes. Are you a former Bulldog student-athlete? If so, the Department of Athletics wants to reconnect with you. Please complete the form online to stay in touch and to receive updated information from the Department of Athletics. Once a Bulldog, always a Bulldog. STAY CONNECTED: Website: bsubulldogs.com, Facebook:@BSUBulldogs, Twitter:@BSU-Sports-Info. BSU-Sports-Info, Instagram:BowieStateBulldogs.
KRIS KRINGLE CHRISTMAS MARKET
Join us for the 2025 Kris Kringle Christmas Market on Friday, December 12th (4–8 p.m.), Saturday, December 13th (9 a.m.–8 p.m.), Fireworks Saturday at 6 p.m. Sunday, December 14th (10 a.m.–3 p.m.) The Charles County Fairgrounds will once again be transformed into Winter Wonderland, complete with festive light displays, a spectacular fireworks show, live music. Southern Maryland’s favorite food trucks, one-of-a-kind handmade crafts, photos with Santa, children’s activities, and so much more.
Admission is $5 (Children 10 and under FREE). This is a non-profit event, with all proceeds benefitting the Southern Maryland Food Bank, the Charles County Volunteer Firemen’s Association, the Charles County Association of Emergency Medical Services, Inc. and the Charles County Fair. Charles County Fairgrounds, 8440 Fairgrounds Road, La Plata, MD, 20646. For further information contact 301-932-1234.
CELEBRATING 158TH CHURCH ANNIVERSARY
Nottingham Myers United Methodist Church will be celebrating their 158th Church Anniversary November 16, 2025, at 10 a.m. “Standing on Faith Covered by Grace” (2 Corinthians 12:9 (NRSVUE). Rev. Shemaiah Strickland, Pastor. Telephone: 301-888-2171.
LOVE, PEACE, AND UNITY HOLIDAY CONCERT
Join us for an exhilarating concert celebrating love, peace, and unity filled with positivity and connection. Cultural Academy for Excellence: Love, Peace and Unity Holiday Concert will be on Saturday, December 13, 2025, from 2–4 p.m. EST. By CAFEYouthOrg.
Cost $12–$25 Location: Elizabeth Seton High School, 5715 Emerson Street, Bladensburg, Maryland.
HOLIDAY MARKETPLACE
Get ready to immerse yourself in the festive spirit at Harmony Hall’s annual Holiday Marketplace on Saturday, December 6, 2025 from10 a.m.–4 p.m. Enjoy the enchanting sounds of live music while sipping on warm refreshments. Explore a variety of vendor tables offering unique, handcrafted items and perfect stocking stuffers for everyone on your list. This free event is open to all ages, so bring your family and friends for a delightful holiday experience. Do not miss this magical opportunity to celebrate the season with us at Harmony Hall Arts Center, 10701 Livingston Road, Fort Washington, Maryland. Telephone 301-203-6070. Event Category: Special Event Special Events Holidays Celebrations Arts Senior Youth Free. Event Programs & Series of Arts Special Events (Harmony Hall) Workshops & Events (Harmony Hall).
FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS AT WATKINS
The Watkins Park Lights is held at Watkins Regional Park in Upper Marlboro at 301 Watkins Park Dr, Upper Marlboro, Maryland 20774-1950. Another year rolls on, and yet another Christmas is upon everyone. The merriest and happiest time of the year is loaded with great food, family traditions, and a whole lot of adult drinks to make the party a lot jollier. While sitting by the fire is certainly cozy, adventure junkies like you should not miss visiting the Watkins Park Festival of Lights.
If you are looking for something festive and fun for the entire family to enjoy this upcoming yuletide season, you have come to the perfect place. From illuminated trails loaded with fairytale characters to shining Christmas lights brightening up some of Watkins Park’s every winter, Watkins Regional Park in Upper Marlboro invites visitors to see the stunning drive-through holiday show with more than two million blinking Christmas lights.
This is a family event for all ages. You can drive through this event every night from November 28 through January 1, 5 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. Please donate canned goods or non-perishable food to a Prince George’s County family in need. Get tickets https://www.pgparks.com/event_list/festival-of-lights-3
And Bikes and Lights is back! Attendees can get a chance to explore the lights while riding their bicycles. This particular event will take place on Sunday, November 23, 2025. For more details, you can visit the festival’s website. https://www.pgparks.com/event_list/festival-of-lights-bikes-and-lights
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND (UMES)
Alumni Updates: Anthony Brew (Class of 2005, Criminal Justice) has been selected to lead the Montgomery County’s (MD) Human Resources Department as its new Chief Human Resource Officer. Brew joins Montgomery County with more than two decades of experience in leading employee engagement and talent management at large organizations, including in Philadelphia and Montgomery County. Brew holds a bachelor’s degree in criminology from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and an Executive MBA from the Fox School of Business at Temple University.
Crystal Berger (Class of 2000, English), the founder and CEO of Baltimore-based EBO Corp, secured a $200,000 investment from TEDCO to help take automation, inclusivity, and Al innovation to the next level. Berger’s company is one of the only Black women-owned AI start-ups in the U.S.
Alexander Ryan Wycoff (Class of 2023, Aviation Science) became a pilot with Delta Air Lines in March at age 23. Information from University of Maryland Eastern Shore (THE KEY). A newsletter for students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends May 25, 2025.
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